Which Tube lines will face disruptions on 11-12 June?

1) Metropolitan line

2) Piccadilly line

3) District line

There will also be DLR cancellations

And the Overground will be affected too

What’s that?!

Should I ever worry about floaters?

The Government’s decision to launch the £350 million Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund (CCRF) has been welcomed right across the UK chemicals sector as recognition of the industry’s strategic importance. However, as manufacturers we say yes, it’s not just about the money, but it is about much more financial support (eg energy costs some of which can come through policy change) as well as wider policy reviews. 

The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether it forms part of a broader support mechanism capable of restoring the UK’s long-term competitiveness as we transition to a net zero industry.

For years, we have argued that the industry has been overlooked despite underpinning almost every major manufacturing supply chain in Britain. From pharmaceuticals and food production to water treatment, aerospace, automotive and defence, critical chemicals are essential to keeping UK industry operating.

The CCRF marks a significant shift in government thinking. Rather than viewing chemicals solely as a major industrial emitter or export sector, ministers are increasingly framing domestic production as a matter of economic resilience and national security. Recent supply chain disruptions, energy price shocks and geopolitical instability have exposed the risks of relying heavily on imported materials and overseas production.

We have broadly welcomed that change in approach.

The announcement is an important acknowledgement that chemicals form part of the UK’s critical infrastructure. While welcoming the funding, improving industrial competitiveness would require sustained action beyond a single investment programme, particularly on energy costs and long-term policy certainty.

Those concerns remain central to the industry’s outlook.

We continue to face some of the highest industrial electricity prices among developed economies, while competitors in the United States and parts of Asia benefit from lower energy costs and substantial government incentives. Investment decisions are increasingly influenced by these structural differences, with companies carefully weighing where to locate future production capacity.

Against that backdrop, many chemical companies see the CCRF as an encouraging first step rather than a complete solution.

The fund is expected to support strategically important production facilities, strengthen domestic supply chains and help safeguard capabilities considered essential to the wider economy. For manufacturers dependent on reliable supplies of specialist chemicals, greater resilience could reduce the risk of future disruption while supporting domestic value creation.

The announcement also reflects a wider international trend. Governments across Europe, North America and Asia are adopting more interventionist industrial policies, recognising that strategic manufacturing sectors require greater support in an increasingly uncertain global trading environment. Chemicals now sit alongside semiconductors, batteries and critical minerals as industries viewed through the lens of economic security.

That shift presents opportunities for the UK, but only if policy remains consistent.

Manufacturers continue to call for a competitive industrial energy strategy, faster planning and permitting processes, support for decarbonisation technologies and greater investment in innovation and workforce skills. Without those complementary measures, there is concern that individual funding programmes may struggle to reverse longer-term investment trends. And we want to see more companies invest in the UK.

The implementation of the CCRF will therefore be closely watched. Decisions over eligibility, project selection and investment priorities will determine whether the fund strengthens genuinely critical production capacity or simply provides short-term financial support.

Nevertheless, the symbolism of the announcement should not be underestimated. Chemical sites right across the country are keen to engage with their local MP and any member of the House of Lords, to show how they operate and discuss issues.

For an industry that has spent several years making the case that chemical manufacturing is fundamental to the UK’s industrial base, the creation of the Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund represents an important policy milestone. It signals that government increasingly recognises resilience, domestic capability and supply chain security as strategic assets rather than simply commercial considerations.

Whether that recognition translates into sustained industrial growth will depend on what comes next. Manufacturers have welcomed the government’s commitment, but their message is clear: resilience requires more than one funding programme. It demands a long-term partnership between industry and government to ensure that the UK remains a competitive location for chemical manufacturing in an increasingly challenging global market.

This is an opportunity for us to say, even sing, “Chemistry’s coming home”, but it’s not here yet.

England captain Bobby Moore carried by his team mates holding the World Cup trophy in 1966 (Associated Press/Alamy)

4 min read42 min

Most will not recall 26 July 1966 but for me it was the start of a schoolboy adventure that ended four days later at Wembley Stadium. I, along with my parents, had just watched England beat Portugal 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final with two goals from the Harry Kane of his day, Bobby Charlton.

After the game, my father made his way down the road to the Hainton Recreation Club, the working men’s club where he was the chairman. A short time later he returned to say that he had been talking to someone who had got a full set of tickets to all of the England games including – as it turned out – the final, but he wasn’t able to go.

As a schoolboy it didn’t, of course, enter my head as to the cost. I do remember my father saying, “He wants a fiver for them”. I was never sure whether he meant each or for both, and then there was the train fare, which in 1966 cost around £2.

Dad went back to the club; would he return with the tickets? An hour passed. Nothing. Then, after what seemed like a lifetime, he appeared with the tickets. Their face value was 25 shillings (£1.25) each.

The day came and we were up early to catch the 06.53 to King’s Cross. The journey itself was exciting for a schoolboy trainspotter; alas I can’t give you the number of the locomotive, but around that time it was most likely an English Electric Class 37.

From King’s Cross it was onward to Wembley and as we walked along Wembley Way I was able to buy a rosette, a World Cup tie and, of course, the matchday programme, which cost just half-a-crown (12.5p). The seats didn’t have a fantastic view but it was enough to be there.

The players emerged, the national anthems sung and eventually it was kick-off. It was soon obvious that this was going to be a real battle with teams that both played the more physical European-style game rather than the continental style that we had witnessed from Brazil and other South American teams.

After around 10 minutes, West Germany took the lead. Helmut Haller scored – he had been a threat throughout the tournament. Thankfully Geoff Hurst equalised. So, all square at half-time and as the game progressed my thoughts were that we might not make it – but Hurst’s fellow West Ham colleague Martin Peters scored a 78th minute goal. Would that be enough, could we hold out for another 12 minutes? Sadly not, and Wolfgang Weber scored a last minute equaliser. Extra time beckoned.

Dad went back to the club; would he return with the tickets?

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Soon after the restart, Geoff Hurst scored our third goal – or did he? Perhaps we will never know unless technological advances are somehow able to see through the crowds of players and check whether the ball did indeed cross the line. What mattered on the day was whether the linesman Tofiq Bahramov considered it had. I could see him give a clear nod of the head when the referee approached him.

(Mr Bahramov had, as I found out many years later, on a parliamentary visit to Azerbaijan, had become something of national hero and the national stadium in Baku is named after him.)

Had the game ended 3-2, the cry from the Germans would doubtless have been that “we was robbed” but in the 90th minute there was to be another goal in the dying seconds of the game. Hurst it was again, completing his hat-trick and bringing forth from the BBC’s Kenneth Wolstenholme those immortal words, “Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over”, and as the ball hit the back of the net, “it is now.”

For a 15-year-old schoolboy to witness England win the World Cup was something I’ll never forget. And for further proof that dreams can come true, I even got to see my own home team of Grimsby Town play at Wembley stadium and win the Auto-Windscreen football league trophy in 1998.

Football, like all sport, can give us some great memories. Needless to say, 30 July 1966 is among mine. 

Martin Vickers is Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham

Bonnie Tyler released her debut solo album in 1977

She then recorded Total Eclipse Of The Heart in the early 80s

Ron Wolfson/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Total Eclipse Of The Heart became Bonnie Tyler’s international breakthrough

Following this, her song Holding Out For A Hero became a huge hit, thanks in part to its placement on the Flashdance soundtrack

United Archives/Valdmanis/Shutterstock

While primarily known for singing other people’s compositions, Bonnie Tyler’s album Wings featured many songs that she co-wrote

Armin Weigel/EPA/Shutterstock

In 2013, she was asked to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest

Bonnie Tyler picked up an MBE in 2022 for her services to music in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honours

Bonnie Tyler continued to perform and release new music in her final years

Nicknames are on the rise

The top 100 baby names for boys in 2025

Slimming World on Referral was built on the power of collaboration. What began as a local pilot in Derbyshire in partnership with the then Greater and Central Derbyshire PCT, has since grown into an established service with dozens of schemes across the UK, helping hundreds of thousands of people take meaningful steps towards better health. And a quarter of a century on, this founding principle of collaboration remains just as important – if not more so. Healthcare professionals, local authorities and community weight management providers need to work together to make a real difference for people living with overweight and obesity.

The weight management landscape has undoubtedly changed – advances in treatment continue, with promise of more and improved medication on the horizon to help people lose weight. It’s widely recognised though, that obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition, shaped by a number of complex factors such as the environment we live in and genetics. It’s no longer viewed as just about what we eat and drink, and a single solution – whether that be medication or otherwise – cannot tackle these complexities on its own.

This is where Slimming World on Referral schemes continue to prove their value, both in cost-effectiveness and their effectiveness in supporting people to lose weight and maintain that weight loss. An analysis of 27,000 patients referred to Slimming World by their health practitioner shows an average clinically significant weight loss of over 5% was achieved by the end of the 12-week referral period.¹ Also, almost two thirds (64.5%) continued to attend (self-funded) after the 12-week referral period was complete. The research also shows that benefits extend beyond weight loss, with members experiencing improvements in general health and mental wellbeing after just 12 weeks.²

The schemes offer structured, accessible support rooted in behaviour change and can be tailored to local needs – local commissioners are able to determine eligibility criteria dependent on need. Crucially, commissioners can include people prescribed weight loss medication, as sustainable change requires more than short-term intervention. It demands long-term behavioural support, understanding of individual triggers and the development of healthier habits that last after medication stops.

At the same time, the way patients want to access support is changing. Over the past 25 years, our referral schemes have evolved to meet these needs – offering both in-person group support and a digital programme. Our weekly community groups provide a unique environment where individuals are encouraged and motivated to change by people who have also lost weight with Slimming World. For others, our flexible online option offers a viable alternative that fits into their lifestyles. This adaptability is essential in ensuring that support remains relevant and inclusive and meets the need of local commissioners as well as service users.

Looking ahead, the projects through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP) are exciting and innovative and it’s encouraging to see areas emphasising community-led approaches. The case for referral schemes is stronger than ever. The future of effective weight management lies in collaboration and integrated care; where community-based support like Slimming World on Referral is recognised and where clinical interventions, if needed, work hand in hand with this support.

Twenty-five years on, Slimming World on Referral is not a legacy model; it is a vital part of the future of weight management provision. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Government and local commissioners to discuss our commitment to helping people whose lives are adversely impacted by obesity via referral schemes supporting efforts through the OPIP projects.

References

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1. https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/health/evidence-base/research-programme.aspx
2. Kent, J., Toon, J., Bennett, SE., Holloway, L., Pallister, C., Lavin, J., Donovan, J., Avery, A. (2025). Changes in Health-Related Behaviours Among Adults Who Accessed Real-World Weight Management Support: 12-Month Outcomes. Cureus, 17(10): e95035.