Latest news with #PhilBrickell
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Watchdog slammed for clearing ex-defence secretary's startup move
Sir Grant Shapps, the former defence secretary, has been cleared by parliament's standards watchdog, Acoba, to become chairman of the defence startup Cambridge Aerospace. Acoba approved the appointment on the condition that Sir Grant does not work on defence-related matters for the company. Critics, including Labour MP Phil Brickell, have questioned Acoba's decision, noting that Cambridge Aerospace has raised funds as a 'defence tech' firm and its product, Skyhammer, is compared to a missile defence system. Sir Grant said he joined the company to protect civilian airspace, while co-founder Professor Steven Barrett emphasised its mission to protect the UK and allies from aerial threats. The decision comes amidst ongoing criticism of Acoba as 'toothless', with Sir Keir Starmer vowing to replace it with a new Ethics and Integrity Commission.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
China buying schools in UK: 1379-founded Wisbech Grammar among 30 now under Chinese owners
Chinese investors have been increasingly acquiring British private schools in recent years, sparking concerns among officials about potential influence from the Chinese Communist Party. Over the past decade, more than 30 independent schools have changed ownership. Chinese investors have increasingly acquired British private schools in the United Kingdom in recent years, raising concerns among officials about potential influence from the Chinese Communist Party. Over the past decade, more than 30 independent schools have changed hands, with regulators now reviewing additional large purchases. Sources in the Department for Education and UK security services, quoted by The Sunday Times, said they are worried about the trend but face challenges because China is not included on the government's enhanced list of countries posing national security risks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China's 'long game' in the UK A senior government source told The Sunday Times: 'China is playing the long game and doing all the things we used to do as an empire. They targeted universities before but have realised it's easier to start younger. It's ideological warfare. These children will grow up and be helpful to the Communist Party.' Labour MP Phil Brickell, a member of the foreign affairs committee, described Britain's 'world-leading education system [as] an obvious target for influence' and said it 'should be protected accordingly.' He added: 'Successive previous governments have misunderstood the strategic threat posed by China. The government must ensure that British interests are safeguarded.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has resisted calls from security agencies to place China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which tracks individuals working for hostile states in the UK. Between 2017 and 2020, 17 schools were bought, often distressed institutions that investors aimed to fill with Chinese students or use to expand their brand in China. After a pause during the Covid years, acquisitions picked up again from 2022. By the end of last year, 30 schools were under Chinese ownership. Venture described these purchases as long-term investments with the potential for sustainable growth. Notable schools and their acquisition Notable schools include Thetford Grammar, founded in 1566 and now owned by China Financial Services Holdings, and Wisbech Grammar, established in 1379 and bought by Access Education. Several girls' schools, including Abbots Bromley and Ipswich High School, began admitting boys after being acquired. Malvern St James, purchased in February, announced in March that it would accept boys from September to appeal to the 'overseas international boarding market,' which favours mixed-sex schools. The decision sparked protests, with some girls wearing pink in objection.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
China's Communist Party is 'behind spate of takeovers' of British private schools - with more than 30 now in hands of foreign investors
China 's Communist Party is behind a spate of takeovers of British private schools, officials believe - with more than 30 bought by Chinese investors in the past decade. Department of Education and security officials are reportedly concerned by the trend - while sources claim they have been hindered by a failure to recognise China as a country which poses a risk to the UK's national security. A senior government source said China is 'playing the long game' by targeting private schools, adding that the country is 'doing all the things we used to do as an empire'. They told The Times: 'They targeted universities before but have realised it's easier to start younger. It's ideological warfare. These children will grow up and be helpful to the Communist Party.' Labour MP Phil Brickell, who sits on the foreign affairs committee, warned the UK's 'world-leading education system is an obvious target for influence' for China. He claimed previous governments have 'misunderstood' China's strategic threat, adding the current one must ensure British interests are protected. Analysis published in 2024 by Beijing-based company Venture Education said the demand among Chinese families for British education was the main reason behind the purchasing of schools. Labour MP Phil Brickell (pictured), who sits on the foreign affairs committee, warned the UK's 'world-leading education system is an obvious target for influence' for China The schools listed by Venture include Thetford Grammar School, which was founded in 1566 and is now owned by China Financial Services Holdings. Meanwhile, Wisbech Grammar, founded in 1379 and bought by Access Education, is also on the list. Some all girls' schools have begun accepting boys after their acquisition, including Abbots Bromley and Ipswich High School. Malvern St James was purchased in February, and a month later announced it would accept boys so it would appeal to the 'overseas international boarding market'. Venture Education's managing director Julian Fisher previously said: 'Surprisingly the application of VAT has increased interest from Asian investors, especially Chinese who generally see rupture as a time for opportunity. 'But most are wary of the current uncertainty and plan to hold off on any short-term deals; preferring instead to wait and see which are the highest ranked schools that might be available for sale.' He insisted that the only choices these private schools have is 'taking Chinese investment, staying open, giving consistent education to its existing students' or closing. Sir Keir Starmer has resisted pressure from security services to put China on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS). The scheme is set up to track people working for hostile states in the UK. A Government spokesperson said: 'All independent schools must adhere to the Independent School Standards. 'This includes to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 'The Department for Education is the regulator of independent schools and can and will take enforcement action where the standards are not being met.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
Plea for action after a number of heart-breaking tragedies in Bolton
Bolton MP Phil Brickell has called for more awareness to combat deaths in the region's waterways to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week. Speaking in a parliamentary debate about water safety education, the Bolton West MP cited two cases in the town where youngsters have lost their lives. A whitewater kayaker in his spare time, Mr Brickell highlighted the 2014 death of Donna Greenall in Rivington Reservoir, and 17-year-old Joseph Hold who died after losing control of his canoe on the River Croal last April. READ MORE: Coroner urges government to act after man drowns at open water swimming event Little Lever parents pay tribute to son who died aged 17 'We must learn from these incidents to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. 'With that in mind, I will make the case for further investment in education to unlock the immense potential of safely being in, on or near water. 'After all, we owe it to Donna, Joseph and everyone who has lost their lives to drowning, or who has lost loved ones, to continue making improvements to water safety awareness.' The MP questioned why the UK has national strategies in place for road safety, fire safety and other public health issues, but no coherent plan for tackling water safety. According to the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), around 400 people drown in the UK's waters every year, whether that be in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, swimming pools or the sea. The NWSF say this is a higher figure than cycling deaths on the road or those who die in house fires. 'There are already some brilliant campaigns that show how simple positive messaging, positioned in the right places, can have a demonstrable impact in reducing incidents. 'In particular, I commend to colleagues the PaddleSafe campaign, run jointly by Paddle UK and the RNLI, as a good example of what can be done. 'That summer safety initiative contains five key messages to raise awareness of how to prepare for any type of paddling and to stay safe on any kind of water. 'Those messages are simple and easy to remember: Always wear a buoyancy aid. Tell someone where you're going. Carry a mobile phone. Check the weather. Know your limits.' The debate came the day after the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) launched its own five-year strategy to help slash the number of drownings. Focusing on 'Engagement, Education and Expertise', the scheme hopes to promote people enjoying their time in the water safely. Simmy Akhtar, the organisation's new CEO said: 'RLSS UK is fortunate to have an exceptional network of dedicated and passionate stakeholders, including members, volunteers, partners, lifesavers, lifeguards, the leisure industry, and our committed staff and trustees. 'We hope the new framework inspires and motivates our new and existing supporters and guides our operations as we enter this new phase in the Society's impressive history, which spans over 130 years.'
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour MPs press for right to roam policy in England after supreme court ruling
Labour backbenchers are pressing the government to revive a right to roam policy in England after a supreme court ruling enshrined the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. The court ruled this week that camping on the national park was legal after a multimillionaire hedge fund manager tried to remove the right to camp on his Devon estate, and by extension from the rest of the park. There is a legal right to roam over only 8% of England, with the rest subject to landowner permission. Dartmoor is the only place in the country where there is a right to wild camp. Scotland has had a right to roam since 2003. In opposition, Labour committed to a Scottish-style right to roam, where there would be an assumed right for English people to walk around the countryside. However, the party U-turned after pressure from countryside groups. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, has ruled out the idea, saying: 'Our intention is to increase access to the countryside, but in a responsible way, not as a free-for-all.' Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West, said: 'The barriers preventing millions of people from enjoying and caring for our countryside are a legacy of a bygone era and urgently need replacing. 'It's time to resolve the issues of access to the English countryside once and for all. That must mean legislating for a widespread right to roam covering land and water, which removes access islands, allows responsible wild camping in national parks and increases connectivity to nature for everyone, regardless of where you live.' Andy MacNae, the Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen, added: 'It's a relief that the supreme court have recognised the range of activities that make up outdoor recreation. The government now have the opportunity to build on this, not only expanding our right to access nature but also the activities we can enjoy when in it, such as kayaking, climbing or wild camping. 'At the heart of this must be an effort to expand access to the widest possible group of people. Nature should be there in our cities, towns and new housing developments, so that anyone can access green or blue spaces within 15 minutes.' The two MPs are part of a new all-party parliamentary group for outdoor recreation and access to nature that will be producing research and calling on the government to extend access to nature. Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central, said of the ruling: 'We need to make this the start of a much wider access to nature than people currently enjoy.' The Liberal Democrats are also calling for greater rights of access over the English countryside, starting with a legal right to wild camp across the UK. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Caroline Voaden, the Lib Dem MP for South Devon, said: 'I hope we can begin work to extend our right to wild camp beyond Dartmoor. In opposition, Labour spoke about extending the right to wild camp across the UK. I hope they will put those words into action and expand access rights for walkers and campers across the country.' There are fears that government policy will reduce access to green spaces for people across England. The Guardian has recently revealed that housing developers will be able to build on once-protected green spaces without having to replace the loss of nature in nearby areas. New nature areas, parks and community gardens created to offset the removal of green spaces to make way for housing developments may not even have to be in the same county, under the new planning and infrastructure bill. The government is resisting attempts to enshrine legal access over more of the English countryside. The nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Wild camping under the stars is one of life's great pleasures, so I welcome today's ruling which upholds that right on Dartmoor's common land. This government is passionate about bringing people closer to nature by creating nine national river walks and three new national forests.'
