The Government’s Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) reached a new milestone today, hitting its 500th cadet unit parading in schools across the UK.

Originally launched in 2012, the joint Ministry of Defence and Department for Education programme had an initial target of establishing 100 new cadet units in state secondary schools in England by September 2015.

The scheme was introduced by the Government to increase the numbers of units which could equip young people with unique skills and experiences which can help them in day to day life. Cadet units teach young people transferrable skills that can help with future aspirations and long-term career goals, such as relationship building, problem solving and teamwork.

Due to the success of the original programme, a new target to increase the number of cadet units across the UK to 500 by March 2020, focussing on state schools in areas of high deprivation, was announced in July 2015. The programme has met its target 5 months early.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Being a cadet offers young people the chance to develop key life skills, meet new people and be inspired by our Armed Forces.

The programme has gone from strength to strength, demonstrating the benefits we see in those young people who gain such important, practical and useful skills and experiences.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

It is excellent news that the Cadet Expansion Programme target has been achieved.

We want every young person to feel like they can be part of something rewarding and Cadets offer young people the opportunity to build vital life skills including teamwork and resilience. The units help young people to grow in confidence, build loyalty and respect, and develop a sense of service to others.

In 2018 an independent report from the University of Northampton, part of a four year study, found that joining the cadets offers a range of benefits to individuals and the wider community. Following research across the entire cadet organisation, the report found the huge positive impact that Cadet Forces have on social inclusion, mobility and the mental wellbeing of young people.

The report also concluded that being a member of the Cadet Forces:

• Increased an individual’s belief in their ability to complete specific tasks

• Improved their motivation

• Improved school attendance which leads to better behaviour and attitudes

• May lead to greater academic success which can contribute to increasing social mobility.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said:

This is an excellent milestone for the Cadet Expansion Programme. These new units will help deliver on the Government’s commitment that students from all backgrounds should be able to enjoy the rewards of joining the cadets.

Cadets offer a fantastic opportunity for students to be involved in a range of activities and experiences that they might not otherwise be exposed to, driving forward social mobility.

The next report is due later this year.

Military personnel and their families are to receive enhanced support from the MOD as they re-join civilian life, the Defence Secretary has announced today.

The expanded support includes the launch a new organisation, the Defence Transition Services, which will provide comprehensive support to service leavers.

Dedicated MOD staff across the country will help those few service leavers who may struggle as they transition into civilian life. More responsibility will also be placed on commanders to identify those who are likely to face the greatest challenges in making a successful transition.

Previously, transition support was mainly focussed on ensuring that personnel find jobs when leaving service, through the MOD’s longstanding and successful Career Transition Partnership. Now, personnel and their families will also receive expanded support and guidance, including in areas such as personal finance, accessing healthcare, housing costs and paying council tax.

The new measures announced today also include:

• Regionally based teams with dedicated staff will provide support to individuals and their families assessed as facing the greatest challenges during the transition stage
• Placing responsibility on a service person’s unit to assess each service leaver’s preparedness for transitioning into civilian life. Those assessed as someone who may struggle in civilian life will then be referred to Defence Transition Services
• New guidance for all service leavers on issues to consider when leaving the armed forces, including housing, finances and access to healthcare, as well as the crucial issue of their family’s transition away from being an integral part of Service life
• A new Defence Holistic Transition Policy

Bespoke support from the DTS is provided for a member of the armed forces while they approach their date of discharge and will not stop start when they leave the military. The support can continue for as long as it is needed.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

We have a duty of care to our service personnel and veterans and today’s stepped up support will help ensure that no veteran is left behind.

While the vast majority of those who leave the armed forces go on the lead happy, healthy and successful lives, we need to do everything we can for those who do struggle.

Providing more comprehensive support at the crucial transition stage will help in giving service leavers an extra boost when they re-join civilian life.

A successful transition is key for the majority of service leavers to ensure they build successful lives as civilians. The MOD recognises its crucial role in ensuring its service leavers are as well prepared and supported as possible to re-enter civilian society.

Today’s announcement also delivers against the government-wide strategy for Our Veterans, ensuring the approximate 15,000 service leavers each year contribute fully to society and setting the standard for future recruitment to the armed forces.

The new initiatives, which will be run by the MOD, will ensure that service leavers are fully considering all relevant aspects of their departure from the Armed Forces, the effect of that departure on their families, and the appropriate steps to be taken to ensure that the transition, both in the short and long term, is as successful as possible.

Providing an extra layer of care for those preparing to leave the military, DTS will deliver specialist support for personnel who are most likely to face challenges as they adjust to civilian life. Service leavers will be offered unique solutions to the challenges they face, including help with employment.

The DTS will also be responsible for providing signposting and connecting with external support from other government departments and public bodies, as well as trusted charities.

The increased support comes after the Government established the Office for Veterans Affairs, bringing together all relevant Government departments to ensure that veterans are receiving the support they need and deserve.

In cooperation with the British Council office in Tashkent, the British Embassy in Turkmenistan is pleased to send, for the first time ever, a delegation from the creative sectors of Turkmenistan to attend the upcoming Creative Central Asia Forum 2019 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 22-23 November 2019. We received a high number of good quality candidates, from which Her Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) Mr Hugh Philpott chose the best team to represent Turkmenistan at such an important regional event. The team will comprise of several people from renowned Turkmen companies, such as Turkmen Tranzit, Akylly Tilsimat, Caspy Creative Agency and Belli Creative Studios, and creative individuals from the creative industries.

Creative Central Asia Forum was founded in 2017 to stimulate a new type of leadership conversation between the UK and Central Asia, a conversation focused on the cultural and creative economy. This international conference and networking series was designed to build an influential and engaged leadership network whose members would start to drive forward the development of the region’s “new economies” through new partnerships and collaborative action with the UK in the intervening period between conferences.

After a reception at the residence, Ambassador Hugh Philpott wished every success to the team to present Turkmenistan at a high level and contribute to the development of the formation of cultural and creative economy in Turkmenistan

Published 1 November 2019

Nutrizen Wellness Limited, based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, was wound up in the public interest on 31 October 2019 in the High Court of Justice in Manchester before District Judge Richmond. The Official Receiver has been appointed liquidator of the company.

The court heard that Nutrizen Wellness was incorporated in December 2014 and used telemarketing techniques to sell health supplements.

The Insolvency Service began confidential investigations into the company when it received complaints that the company was mis-selling health supplements to the elderly.

The court was told that the company had already been investigated once before by Trading Standards. That investigation had resulted in remedial action being required of the company, particularly addressing the overselling of their products and false and misleading claims, among other things.

Insolvency Service investigators found that the company was purchasing consumer data of individuals aged 65 and over and then cold-calling them from third-party call centres in Goa, India.

Health supplements were then sold to these individuals at significant mark-ups. One product, which retails on the high street for £2, was sold by Nutrizen for between £30–£40.

One 88-year-old customer identified by investigators spent over £700 on supplements in just 19 days. This went against an undertaking the company had agreed with Trading Standards to limit sales to £300 in a single transaction, as two purchases exceeded that amount.

Investigators also uncovered discrepancies with Nutrizen Wellness’s VAT affairs, as the turnover evident in their bank account was £250,000 higher than the amount declared to HMRC. In addition to this, Nutrizen Wellness had transferred 80% of its sales revenues out of the country to the India-based call centres.

Scott Crighton, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said:

Nutrizen Wellness deliberately and unconscionably targeted the elderly, pushing their products at astronomical levels of mark-up. They also underreported the true level of their income to HMRC, failing to pay the appropriate levels of VAT.

We are pleased the courts recognise this behaviour is totally unacceptable and have shut down their activities to prevent anyone else falling victim to their practices.

All public enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to: Official Receiver’s Office (Birmingham), PO Box 16654, Birmingham B2 2BJ, quoting CIB 58473.

Nutrizen Wellness Ltd (09338682).

The petition was presented under s124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Company Investigations, part of the Insolvency Service, uses powers under the Companies Act 1985 to conduct confidential fact-finding investigations into the activities of live limited companies in the UK on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Further information about live company investigations is available here.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available here.

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

Owing to essential works to our telephony system there will be periods of disruption when customers will be unable to contact the Official Receiver’s office on Friday, 1 November 2019.

Customers are advised to call back on Monday. If you have an urgent need to contact the Official Receiver please call our enquiry line.

Telephone lines will reopen on Monday 4 November at 9am.

We apologise for inconvenience this temporary disruption of service my cause.

Published 1 November 2019