Latest news with #DCMS
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Traders warned against diversion of urea
Eluru: District collector K Vetriselvi has warned that legal action will be taken against shop owners if urea is diverted for purposes other than agriculture. A district-level review meeting was held at the Collectorate here on Thursday with representatives from fertiliser manufacturers, wholesalers, retail dealers, agriculture, cooperatives, Markfed, DCMS and others. Collector Vetriselvi and joint collector P Dhatri Reddy participated in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Vetriselvi said that the district administration is ready to supply all the required fertilisers in the district. Dealers should act responsibly without causing any trouble to the farmers. She warned that strict action will be taken against those who stock fertilisers illegally, sell them at high prices, and engage in black marketing. Teams comprising agriculture department officials have been formed to conduct surprise inspections on fertiliser shops and warehouses. The collector clarified that it is not allowed to store unauthorised fertilisers and pesticides in shops. There will be special vigilance on this matter so that the fertilizers specified for the district cannot be diverted. While selling fertilisers to meet the needs of the farmers, the relevant documents should be checked and sold through biometrics. The fertiliser movement plan should be strictly implemented. Farmers should be made aware of the problems arising due to the use of fertilisers beyond the limit. Farmers should be sensitised on integrated nutrient management with nano fertilizers and nano fertilisers should be promoted. Drones have been made available in large numbers in the district and they should be encouraged. Dealers have a social responsibility to provide timely fertilisers to farmers so that there is no shortage of fertilisers in Kharif. The supply of urea and other fertilisers to aquaculture should be controlled. Necessary monthly plan should be implemented to supply fertilizers until November, she said. Joint collector Dhatri Reddy said that records of fertilizer and pesticide stocks should be maintained. They should be checked by the Mandal Agriculture Department officials. Fertilisers should be provided to farmers on the basis of eCRAFT registration and biometrics. Fertilisers should be provided to farmers without any hassle. Eluru AMC Chairman Mamillapalli Parthasarathy, District Agriculture Officer Habib Basha, Markfed DM Prasad Gupta, DCO Srinivas, several fertilizer manufacturers, wholesale and retail dealers, DCMS and Agriculture Department officials participated in the meeting.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits who stumble on certain coins must report them or risk jail sentence
The Treasure Act 1996 states that anyone who finds a hoard of coins or certain other objects and does not report them is committing an offence and could face a prison sentence UK households that discover particular coins must declare them to the authorities - or risk hefty penalties. Under the Treasure Act 1996, those who make discoveries are legally obliged to report potential Treasure finds. From now on, watch out for any unique coins. Treasure encompasses gold or silver artefacts, or collections of coins from the same discovery site which are all at least 300 years old. Collections of two or more prehistoric base-metal assemblages also count as Treasure. Your local finds liaison officer will gladly offer guidance on what might constitute Treasure and assist you through the Treasure declaration procedure. Government guidance, supervised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), states: "You must report treasure to your local Finds Liaison Officer within either: 14 days of first finding it [or] 14 days of realising an item might be treasure, even if you've had it for longer. You only need to report items officially defined as treasure. "There's an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison for not reporting treasure." You will receive contact from either a local Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator to discuss how and where you made the discovery. Then, you'll receive a receipt. The Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator will subsequently prepare a report on the discovery. Museums may express interest if it could be treasure. The coroner will subsequently conduct an inquest, reports Birmingham Live. You might be invited to attend the inquest, alongside the site occupier and landowner where the treasure was discovered, and given the chance to pose questions. The Treasure Valuation Committee will enlist the expertise of a specialist to determine the value of the find. They will then advise the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the treasure's worth and how much should be allocated to anyone entitled to a portion of the reward. You'll have the opportunity to voice your thoughts on the valuation, along with the site occupier and landowner. If you're the discoverer, had permission to be on the land and acted in good faith, you may receive a share of the reward. However, if you act dishonestly (for instance by trespassing or attempting to conceal the find), your share of the reward may be reduced or even forfeited entirely. Archaeologists and volunteers involved in an archaeological dig or investigation are not eligible for a share in a reward. The items will be returned to you, and both the landowner and site occupier will be notified. They have the right to object within 28 days. The coroner will retain the find until any disputes are settled.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall church repair concerns over grant changes
Fears have been raised over changes to a grant scheme that supports work on historic South West religious Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which since 2001 has allowed sites to claim back VAT on urgent repairs, has only been extended until March 2026 and had a cap of £25,000 per year introduced by the has raised concerns from people looking after venues in Devon and Cornwall about whether they would be able to afford future Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it been a "difficult decision" to make the changes but data suggested 94% of claims would be unaffected. Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said the government scheme was a "lifeline" to many said: "It's not within the means of a congregation to find that extra money, so that could mean churches cannot stay wind and watertight and they can't keep themselves open." A fundraising campaign is taking place at St Grada Church on Cornwall's Lizard peninsula, which needs an estimated £450,000 worth of restoration work carried Elliot, who has been coming to the church for more than 50 years and is helping with the fundraising, said the main issue was parts of the roof falling Elliot said: "It is not going to fall under our watch, we have got to save it."The Church of St Philip & St James in Ilfracombe, which dates to 1856 and is now known as Pip and Jim's Church, is on Historic England's Heritage At Risk current phase of work to renovate its stonework is costing about £600, Reverend Mark Ruoff said the church was at the "heart of the people" of the town."It needs to be renewed and revived," Mr Ruoff added. A statement from DCMS said the changes were being implemented against a "tough financial background across the heritage and cultural sectors"."We made the difficult decision to implement an annual limit of £25,000 on the amount individual places of worship can claim in the coming year," a spokesperson said."We believe that this will continue the widest distribution of the scheme's benefits within the available means."The spokesperson added funding after March 2026 would be considered.
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
UK government launches search for head of video games and esports
THE ES TIMES — The UK government has officially begun recruiting for the position of Head of Video Games and Esports, reflecting a serious commitment to supporting the growing gaming sector. A strategic role with a direct impact on the industry. The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published this announcement, describing the position as a leadership role focused on supporting the growth and expansion of the video games and esports sectors in the UK. The announcement on the official UK government jobs portal reads: 'We are looking for a distinguished leader to fill the position of Head of Video Games and Esports. The team works in fast-growing, innovative sectors, developing policies on important issues that impact the growth and competitiveness of the UK gaming industry, as well as the impact of gaming on society.' Frankly, I find this an exciting move for anyone interested in the future of gaming in Britain. Increasing government support for the gaming sector This announcement reflects the growing interest of the UK government in the video games and esports industries. The Video Games Tax Relief Scheme remains in place under UK tax laws, with the last update issued on May 21, 2025. Esports Gains Momentum in Britain Although esports is not yet officially classified as a sport, prominent government figures are beginning to show clear interest. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recently declared Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park a global hub for esports innovation. Britain has hosted a growing number of high-profile esports tournaments in recent years. In addition, the British Forces Broadcasting Service launched an esports league dedicated to the UK Armed Forces this year. A Role Reflecting a Greater Global Trend With video games becoming a central part of global entertainment and modern digital culture, this new role announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) seems, from an institutional perspective, a logical step towards supporting the UK gaming and esports industries. Therefore, if I were qualified, I would certainly have seriously considered applying for this promising position. Sami Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
Gulf Insider
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
UK Used BBC & ITV Soaps for Covert Vaccine Propaganda
New Freedom of Information (FOI) documents confirm what many long suspected: The UK government secretly used popular soap operas like EastEnders and Coronation Street to push vaccine propaganda during the pandemic, raising urgent questions about how much influence the state holds over British media, and how far officials are willing to go to manipulate public thought, opinion and behavior under the guise of public health. The findings echo May 2021 revelations that scientists on the UK government's behavioral advisory committee admitted they used fear-based 'totalitarian' tactics to control public behavior during COVID-19, describing the approach as 'unethical,' 'dystopian,' and a form of 'mind control.'They also mirror an October 2024 U.S. House investigation that found the CDC and Biden administration used a $900 million COVID campaign to 'manipulate Americans' with 'deeply flawed' messaging, 'overpromising' vaccines 'without evidence,' and funding Big Tech companies to 'track and monitor Americans.' What other views and choices are being shaped today by government-scripted entertainment? 'Ministers met television bosses during the pandemic to persuade them to push pro-vaccine storylines in soaps such as EastEnders and Coronation Street , it has emerged,' The Telegraph reported last week. The effort was led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which held secret meetings with ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and others to coordinate 'national unity programming.' FOI documents show broadcasters were asked: 'if there were plans to introduce health messages into soap stories.' BBC committed to 'report back re other shows' while ITV responded that 'filming had now ceased,' but that 'ITV have included voiceovers to episodes now to clarify govt messaging re social distancing.' Redacted records show that as early as Feb. 2, 2020—more than a month before lockdown—officials met ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall to 'test the possibility' of inserting pro-vaccine messaging. The government briefing stated: 'Since that meeting ITV have noticeably increased their engagement across DCMS and Whitehall; and recently officials at the Department of Health have been in touch with DCMS about potential assistance from ITV in relation to pro vaccine messaging. This meeting may offer an opportunity to test the possibility of this with them.' Documents confirm the Department of Health wanted to write directly to ITV to 'include vaccine storylines in their soaps.' But DCMS advised against it: 'Whilst we do not think it would be appropriate to write to ITV on this matter given the importance of broadcasters' operational and editorial independence, you may wish to explore with them whether they already have plans to develop content related to this area.' Officials also noted ITV was 'planning soap storylines related to the environment and climate change and therefore they may be amenable to the idea of something similar in relation to vaccine messaging.' In March and April 2020, then-Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and then-Media Minister John Whittingdale met with BBC Director-General Tony Hall, ITV's Dame Carolyn McCall, and Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon. Channel 4 agreed it would 'reinforce Public Health England guidance' and target younger viewers through YouTube. Mahon told officials: 'AM said they will consider how to spread message through YouTube excerpts of news programmes (C4's YouTube channel has attracted 100 million views) and through social media. Also C4 is considering filming broadcast messages from hosts and talent to reinforce messaging.' 'Pro-vaccine messaging did end up in soaps.' In a 2021 episode of EastEnders: 'Patrick Trueman told Suki Panesar he felt like he had 'won the lottery' after getting his second vaccination.' During the same scene: 'Karen Taylor was accused of being an 'anti-vaxxer' for worrying that they had developed the vaccine too quickly.' Sir David Davis MP condemned the effort: 'What this demonstrates is that during Covid, the government reduced the broadcasters to mere arms of the state.' 'Of course, it was important to tell the public about the efficacy and safety of vaccines, but the state should never resort to underhanded propaganda of this nature.' Lord Frost added: 'If, as it seems, the government quietly worked behind the scenes with major broadcasters to shape opinions and compliance on their draconian Covid-19 measures, this is extremely worrying.' 'Actions like this blur the boundary between government, civil society, and private life. They risk undermining confidence in government messaging in the future, and border on the unethical in a free society.' 'More than 17,500 Britons have applied to the Government's vaccine damage payment scheme (VDPS) believing they or loved ones were injured by the jab.' 'Most of the successful vaccine harm claims relate to the AstraZeneca jab, which was found to cause vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, a dangerous type of blood clotting which can be fatal.' Author Laura Dodsworth said: 'The government was in close contact with broadcasters to ensure the 'right' messages made it into entertainment – that's not public health, it's propaganda.' 'Take EastEnders. Patrick and Suki dutifully pushed the jab, while 'Karen' (white, and literally named Karen) voiced concerns and was ridiculed. It was heavy-handed, awkward and divisive. Propaganda often works by polarisation: creating in-groups and out-groups to shut down debate. There's a word for this: manipulation.' Dr. Colin Alexander of Nottingham Trent University stated: 'What the FoI request information thus confirms is that broadcasters relinquished their primary democratic role of holding the powerful to account and instead became collusive with the official narrative.' 'This at a time when scrutiny and investigation ought to have been at its highest.' Molly Kingsley of UsForThem added: 'This kind of brazen state interference with British media crosses multiple red lines.' 'It indicates that the state-led pandemic censorship operation extended beyond 'merely' social media, and it raises serious questions about the integrity of messages broadcast to the public during the pandemic.' ITV said: 'All of this was entirely editorially independent of the Government and any other body or interest group.' A BBC spokesman said: 'The BBC is independent and makes its own editorial decisions. This does not mean that we cannot meet representatives from the government or from political parties, and, like other broadcasters, we do so.' Dodsworth concluded: 'There's a growing trend of public policy delivered through storylines – we're being entertained into compliance. What better to wash your brain with than with a soap?' And if the government quietly weaponized entertainment to coerce pandemic compliance, how else is this machinery being used? If vaccine propaganda was planted in prime time without public knowledge, what other narratives are now shaping public thought, behavior, and consent? Also read: UK Turning Into 'National Health State', Says Think Tank
