A little-known gut bacterium may help delay aging and extend healthy lifespan by reducing ‘inflammaging,’ a new study from researchers in China has suggested.
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Around 3,000 UK investors lost an average of more than £23,000 each
Around 3,000 UK investors were duped out of an average of more than £23,000 each in a devastating £70million investment fraud. Three men have been jailed after persuading members of the public to take money from their pensions and put it into a supposedly ethical forestry scheme in Costa Rica.
The average loss works out at around £23,000 per investor, based on the £70million fraud being divided between more than 3,000 victims. But individual losses varied dramatically, with some savers handing over far more than this.
The victims included many pensioners who had spent years building up their retirement savings, according to the Serious Fraud Office. The fraud was operated from a Bournemouth call centre, where members of the public were cold-called and offered a pension review.
Call handlers used false company names to gain victims’ trust before encouraging them to withdraw money from legitimate pension schemes and invest in tree planting in Costa Rica. The trees were actually planted – but there was a devastating catch. No money was set aside to maintain or commercially harvest them.
That meant the investment could never generate the returns investors had been promised. Instead, millions of pounds were used to fund the lavish lifestyles of the company directors. Matthew Pickard, 56, Stephen Greenaway, 47, and Paul Laver, 47, have now been sentenced to a combined 15 years and nine months in prison.
Pickard received six years, Greenaway five years and three months and Laver four years and six months. All three were also disqualified from acting as company directors for ten years. The SFO said Greenaway bought a £1.9million home while Pickard purchased a £4.3million property.
They also spent stolen money on high-end sports cars and luxury holidays, while £2.77million of investor money was diverted to administer a tax avoidance scheme for the directors’ own benefit.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, said: “This case is a horrible reminder of how criminals can destroy people’s retirement prospects and why it’s so important to protect ourselves from scammers.”
She warned that the scam was a variation on a common theme in which fraudsters offer high-risk, unregulated investments while promising spectacular returns.
Five warning signs of a pension scam
1. Someone contacts you out of the blue
An unexpected call, email, text or social media message offering a pension review should set alarm bells ringing. Cold calling about pensions is not permitted under pension regulations.
2. You are promised early access to your pension
Anyone claiming they can help you access pension money early should be treated with extreme caution. This is a major warning sign of a potential scam.
3. You are promised huge or guaranteed returns
Promises of sky-high or guaranteed returns, particularly over a short period, are another major red flag. There is no such thing as an investment offering enormous returns without risk. And don’t assume an investment is safe simply because it sounds respectable or environmentally friendly.
4. The firm is not regulated by the FCA
Check independently whether anyone offering you pension or investment advice is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Do not simply accept a caller’s claim that they are regulated.
Fraudsters can impersonate genuine companies, so check the FCA register yourself and use contact details obtained independently.
5. You are pressured to act quickly
Being told you must invest immediately or risk missing out is a classic scam tactic. Don’t be rushed into moving pension money. Take time to investigate the company and investment, talk to people you trust and consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser if you are unsure.
You can also use the Government-backed Pension Wise service for guidance on your retirement options.
An Evening with Andy Powell and Mike Bubbins
Barry RFC is hosting a special night with former Wales international and British & Irish Lion Andy Powell, joined by the always-entertaining Mike Bubbins. Expect ‘top-level rugby insight with humour and great atmosphere’, plus honest stories from Andy’s career and Bubbins’ unique take on rugby and life. There’ll be a chance for audience Q&A, making it ‘an interactive and memorable experience’. Tickets are limited and early booking is strongly recommended. The event takes place on September 5, 7pm to 11pm.
Bass FM / Knapp Reunion
The much-anticipated Bass FM Reunion promises ‘one unforgettable night’ of Jungle and Drum and Bass, reuniting the original DJs and MCs in Barry. Organisers said: “We’re taking it right back to where it all began, recreating that true warehouse rave atmosphere — just like the good old days.” The exact warehouse location will only be revealed to ticket holders the day before. Entry is free with advance tickets, or £20 on the door if any remain. The event takes place on September 5, 7pm to 4am.
St Athan Community Council Litter Pick
Help keep St Athan tidy by joining the Community Council’s litter pick at the Old School Community Centre. All are welcome, with gloves and equipment provided – just bring your enthusiasm and a smile. The event takes place on September 5, 10am to 12pm.
Rhythm Rebels
Enjoy a lively night of music as Rhythm Rebels perform at Cadoxton Cons Club. Expect ‘a great mix of acoustic vibes, upbeat favourites, and songs you know and love’ for a relaxed but fun night out. The event takes place on September 5, from 9pm.
For model Kimberley Wallis, regularly wearing her glossy hair in a tight, slicked-back ponytail was not only practical – it was also her ‘trademark’ look.
It is an unsettling question that has emerged alongside the extraordinary rise of the new generation of weight-loss drugs. Could they cause cancer?
The owner of the farm where Colin Williams was working has now been ordered to pay more than £10k in fines and costs
A general area off Kymin Road, Monmouth, where Colin Williams died following a collision on a farm(Image: Google)
The owner of a farm has been fined after a “much-loved” worker died when the vehicle he was travelling in overturned. Colin Williams died after being thrown from the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) he was in at a Monmouthshire farm in 2022.
At the time of his death, Mr Williams’ devastated family described him as a “warm-hearted” and “remarkable” dad, husband, son and brother.
A court has now fined the owner of the farm following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Allen Roberts, of Hill Farm, Monmouth, has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in fines and costs.
The investigation found that neither of the men in the vehicle at the time of the crash were wearing seatbelts or had training to use the vehicle. The tyres of the vehicle were also improperly inflated and no regular safety checks were carried out on the ATV.
“This accident was a tragic consequence of a lack of training, and a lack of basic safety precautions which cost a family a husband and a father,” a HSE representative said.
Mr Williams, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at Wyesham on August 25, 2022. The ATV was being driven down a hillside when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn and leading to Mr Williams being ejected from the ATV, which did not have any doors.
He suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene.
An investigation by the HSE found that neither Mr Williams or the driver of the vehicle had been provided with adequate training and neither of the men were wearing seat belts. The investigation also found that no routine pre-use checks were made on any of the vehicles owned by Roberts that were used on the farm to ensure they were safe to use.
The investigation identified that the tyres of the ATV were improperly inflated, with differing pressures in each tyre, which should have been rectified before the vehicle was used. The vehicle was being driven in a high gear and two-wheel drive when it should have been in a low gear and four-wheel drive.
The keys to the ATV were not adequately controlled and were available to anyone who was on the farm, including those not adequately trained.
Mr Williams was the only employee of Hill Farm and he was being assisted by the driver of the ATV in the clearance of vegetation and trees from a farm access route.
Following Mr Williams’ death, the family of the “much-loved farmer” raised over £12,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance in his memory.
A tribute to him read: “The Williams family and friends are paying tribute to their loved one, father, husband, son, and brother, Colin Williams, aged 58, who was taken from us so suddenly.
“Colin was a remarkable man who was warm-hearted and welcomed everyone he knew with open arms. Whoever you were, he managed to find a way to connect with you in a way that no one else could.
“He could make light of any predicament thanks to his empathetic nature, boundless generosity, and quick wit.
“The way Colin died was a testament to who he was. He will always be regarded as a hero by his family and loved ones.
“His final resting place on the Kymin where he worked for many years and was very special to him overlooks the Welsh hills and mountains, Llansoy, the Mayhill Pub, and his hometown of Monmouth, all of which held special significance to him as the places where he spent his childhood, built his family, rejoiced with friends, and lived out his life.
“Colin’s immediate family has vowed to carry on his legacy and to continue spreading the infectious love and kindness that he so naturally possessed. We ask for some time to collect our thoughts and for everyone to continue reflecting on his life, sharing stories and encounters that they had with him, and toasting a drink in his memory.
“May he rest peacefully in the land of our fathers (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau).”
HSE guidance states employers must provide employees who use ATVs with adequate training and instruction on their safe use.
Any operators using the ATV owned by Roberts should have received training in the safe method of operating the type of terrain that was present on the farm and should have been instructed to wear seatbelts where there was a foreseeable risk of overturn.
There should have been a system for pre-use inspections to be carried out to ensure defects were identified and remedial actions taken before the vehicle was used, the HSE said.
Roberts pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was fined £5,500 and ordered to pay £5,813 in costs at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
HSE Principal Inspector Damian Corbett said the dangers associated with ATVs in agriculture and forestry were well known.
“Anyone operating these machines should have the right training and be wearing seat belts when travelling,” he said.
“This accident was a tragic consequence of a lack of training, and a lack of basic safety precautions which cost a family a husband and a father.
“Employers must ensure that those entrusted to operate vehicles are properly trained and instructed to wear seat belts or safety equipment where there is a risk.”
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The Department for Work and Pensions has responded to questions about the controversial State Pension policy
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a new update as it faces pressure over its state pension rules. A particular element of policy that has infuriated campaigners has been brought into focus after a query raised by an MP.
In a fresh response this week, the DWP has been compelled to justify its stance. The query emerged when Sorcha Eastwood, an Alliance MP for Lagan Valley, asked the department what evaluation “it has made of the equity of applying different State Pension uprating rules to pensioners based on country of residence for identical levels of National Insurance contributions.”
The issue has prompted MPs and campaigners to consistently demand changes to the law. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Frozen British Pensions has said on its website that 450,000 British pensioners, representing 3.5% of all State Pension recipients and half of those living overseas, are presently negatively impacted by the Government’s ‘frozen’ pensions policy.
They argued that this means instead of the annual increase received by UK pensioners, their pension remains fixed at the amount initially received for the remainder of their life abroad. In reality, this means their state pension diminishes in real terms year-on-year.
Their website said: “To give an example, a pensioner aged 90 who has lived in a frozen country for all of their retirement would now still get a state pension of just £64.70 per week. If they had lived in the UK, they would currently receive £156.20.
“As a further example, a pensioner aged 72 who became pensionable in a frozen country in 2016 would receive a state pension of £119.30 per week. This is in stark contrast to the £203.85 they would be receiving in the UK under the new state pension.”
The APPG on Frozen British Pensions, which fought for years over the issue until it was disbanded just before Sir Keir Starmer came to power, said it considered the policy to be “unjust”. At the start of this month, Standard Life published fresh analysis of the issue.
It stated that a retiree whose State Pension was frozen at the 2021/22 rate would now receive more than £3,200 a year, less than someone receiving annual increases. State Pension payments are frozen in countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Retirees living in these countries will not receive future annual increases to their UK State Pension. The APPG states more than 90% of the ‘frozen’ pensioners live in Commonwealth countries, many in Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, but also India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, many Caribbean islands and all African countries.
The International Consortium of British Pensioners said in a paper outlining its opposition to the policy: “No pension scheme should penalise some of its beneficiaries because of where they live, especially when the number of years of contributions to the scheme directly determines the amount of pension they’ll receive. Consequently, over 550,000 pensioners have made 1st class contributions to a 2nd class pension; that’s a social injustice and it’s morally wrong!
“The reason given by the British Government for continuing this unfair policy is that it up-rates pensions to overseas pensioners only when there is a legal requirement to do so, as with those living in the EEA, or when there is a reciprocal agreement in place with a particular country. It continues to say it has no plans to expand the reciprocal agreements with more countries. How can that be? How can a Government that stresses the need for fairness for all, and that expresses its concern for the wellbeing and dignity of the elderly, penalise over 550,000 of its pensioners just because of where they choose to live in retirement?”
DWP statement on state pension uprating rules
In response to these growing concerns, the Government has this week released a fresh statement on the matter – and it is unlikely to satisfy those opposed to the existing rules. In a written answer to the Alliance MP’s question, Torsten Bell, Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury), said: “UK State Pensions are payable worldwide, without regard to nationality, and are only uprated abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in countries with which we have a reciprocal agreement that provides for uprating. There are no plans to change this policy.
“National Insurance contributions and credits determine whether, and at what level, a person is entitled to State Pension. They do not determine whether a State Pension paid overseas is uprated each year.
“Overseas uprating depends on the country in which the pensioner lives and whether the UK has a legal basis for uprating there. Uprating is based on levels of earnings growth and price inflation in the UK which has no direct relevance where the pensioner is resident overseas.
“This approach has been supported by successive governments, over many years with priority given to those living in the UK when drawing up expenditure plans for pensioner benefits, and this policy has been upheld in courts.
“Information about the impact on State Pensions of moving abroad is available on Gov.uk.” You can see the gov.uk web page here.
What happens to my state pension if I move abroad?
Emma Furlonger of Standard Life said this week: “You can still claim your UK State Pension abroad as long as you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions to qualify and notify the Department for Work and Pensions of your move.
“However, where you choose to live can make a significant difference. In some countries your State Pension will be frozen, meaning it stays at the rate you first receive there and won’t benefit from future annual increases, including those awarded under the triple lock.
“This applies in popular destinations such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. By contrast, people living in the EU and countries such as the United States currently continue to receive annual increases.
“It’s therefore important to check the rules for your chosen destination before making the move. Over a long retirement, missing annual increases could make a meaningful difference to your income.”
Nine in 10 Americans carry a dormant hidden virus that may lead to lasting brain, nerve and organ damage, researchers from the University of Colorado have revealed.
Nurse Laura and patient Sue support the call for more participation in research (Image: Getty/Alzheimer’s Society)
Thousands more people with dementia must be supported to take part in research as we enter a “golden era” of breakthroughs, the UK’s largest dementia charity says today. Pioneering treatments and tests that were “unimaginable just a decade ago” are now within reach, according to Alzheimer’s Society. But experts warned that NHS patients are at risk of falling years behind as countries more involved in clinical trials roll out new innovations.
Dr Richard Oakley, the charity’s associate director of research and innovation, said: “We are entering a golden era for dementia research. But the hard truth is that diagnosis delays are stalling progress in the fight against the UK’s biggest killer. People are diagnosed too late and too often are not told what disease is causing their dementia, meaning they miss out on care, support and opportunities to take part in research.”
Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK — and that number is projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. In recent years, the first medicines proven to slow Alzheimer’s have been approved and promising blood tests developed that could detect the disease earlier.
However, the UK’s dementia research landscape lags at least 20 years behind progress made on cancer, according to Alzheimer’s Society. In the last five years, just 551 people were recruited into late-stage dementia trials in England, compared to over 24,000 in cancer trials.
Dr Oakley said a crucial first step is for the government to set more ambitious targets, including a timeframe within which anyone with suspected symptoms should receive a diagnosis or all-clear.
For over a decade, the target set for the NHS was for 66.7% of patients to receive a diagnosis at some point. This was removed from NHS Operational Planning Guidance for 2025/26.
The Government has committed to publishing a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Frailty and Dementia this year as part of the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
Dr Oakley said: “I don’t know why we’d ever accept only two-thirds of people getting a diagnosis. You would not accept that for cancer — we’d be outraged.
“We actually have a 28-day target to receive a cancer diagnosis after meeting the GP, and I can see no reason why we shouldn’t be that ambitious.
“A good first step, as part of our Modern Service Framework, would be agreeing on a target timeframe for diagnosis. Eighteen weeks sounds like a good starting point.”
More detailed tests are also needed. Only 2% of people diagnosed with dementia in the UK are told whether they are positive for amyloid, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer’s and the target of new drugs.
And once patients have a diagnosis, they need to know their rights and be given opportunities to join trials, Dr Oakley said. He added: “It’s not part of our culture yet, like it is in cancer, where everyone knows it’s their right to hear about clinical trials and often people are asked if they’re interested.
“We have seen a massive change in cancer from it being ‘the big C’ that no one discussed. The stigma barrier for dementia is hard and higher. People think dementia is still a natural part of ageing — it is not.
“You’ve got a situation where the biggest killer in the country isn’t even recognised as a disease by the vast majority of people. It is very difficult to beat something that people don’t even know is a problem.”
Stuart and Carol Jennings, and dementia research expert Dr Richard Oakley. (Image: Alzheimer’s Society)
The number of dementia trials launched in the UK had been declining for some years, but has recently improved. Dr Oakley paid tribute to the Government’s £50 million investment in the Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN) in 2024, which aimed to expand access to a larger, more diverse population.
It has worked with the Alzheimer’s Society to embed research nurses at trial sites to support patients throughout their journey and remove barriers to participation.
However, research by the UKDTN found that around eight in 10 people with dementia were not told about research opportunities by their clinician, and two-thirds did not know how to access such information.
Alzheimer’s Society invested £18.6 million into dementia research in 2024/25. It is calling for sustained government investment to build on the UKDTN’s foundation and attract more pharmaceutical research.
Dr Oakley said: “If we do this right, the UK could absolutely become the world’s leader in early phase clinical trials, I have no doubt. We could also play a big role in late-stage trials, where you need to recruit thousands of people, often multi-site, multi-country.”
Ensuring Britain is at the forefront of research will ensure NHS patients are not left waiting years to access innovations that become available in countries like the US and Japan.
Dr Oakley said: “If we do not run the trials in the UK, we do not understand how to administer [the drugs]. If we run the trials, we will see how hospitals diagnose, screen people in and out, and provide access to the care and support that is needed. We get the NHS and our systems ready to deliver these treatments.”
He added: “The Government’s Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty is a once-in-a-generation chance to speed up diagnosis and help more people benefit from research breakthroughs.
“We’ve seen with cancer what’s possible when research investment and participation are prioritised. People affected by dementia deserve that same ambition.”
The charity’s call to action is supported by Stuart Jennings, whose late wife Carol played an invaluable role in Alzheimer’s research in the late 1980s.
Her family showed a strong history of early-onset dementia and gave up many hours for brain scans, blood tests and memory assessments. The work led Professor Sir John Hardy to formulate his “amyloid hypothesis” — the theory behind the first treatments to slow the disease.
Carol (right) played an invaluable role in research into Alzheimer’s. (Image: Alzheimer’s Society)
Stuart, an Alzheimer’s Society vice-president, said: “Carol spent much of her life supporting dementia research because she believed that every breakthrough starts with people who are willing to take part.
“The advances we’re seeing today show what research can achieve, but there’s still much more to do. If we’re to continue that progress, we need more people to get involved in research.
“Every study, every trial and every volunteer helps researchers build a clearer picture of dementia — bringing us closer to better diagnosis, more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.”
Professor Catherine Mummery, director of the UKDTN and an expert in neurology at UCLH, said: “Every day I meet people living with dementia who ask what they can do to help beat it.
“Although there are a growing number of trials in the UK, there are still too few and navigating the research system can be confusing. As a result, many who are willing and able simply do not get the opportunity.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it was looking at options to reduce diagnostic waiting times and provide the best care and support.
They added: “We are also prioritising investment in research, expanding participation in clinical trials, and making the UK a world leader in developing and testing the next generation of dementia treatments.
“This is vital work, which will transform the way our country responds to dementia, and we are grateful to all the charities, research partners, and medical experts who are helping us to develop these plans.”
- For more information and support visit alzheimers.org.uk.
Sue Noakes visited a clinic for regular infusions during the trial (Image: Alzheimer’s Society)
Sue Noakes, 67, was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease in September 2023. The former counsellor noticed that she was forgetting the names of her clients and struggling with spelling.
Both her parents and brother had been diagnosed with dementia, and she knew she had to act when people around her commented on her forgetfulness.
Sue, of West Sussex, received a diagnosis after visiting her GP and a private consultant. She had heard about clinical trials while working for Alzheimer’s Society, so was determined to find a local study she could join.
In late 2023, she was accepted onto a trial for donanemab — one of two drugs recently approved for use in the UK after being found to slow Alzheimer’s.
Sue said: “Taking part in a clinical trial is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I lost both of my parents to different types of dementia so I know just how devastating this disease can be.
“I truly believe research is the only way we’re going to find treatments for as many people as possible. Even if these don’t change my own future, or my brother’s, knowing I’ve played a small part to help others gives me real hope.”
Sue participated in the trial until July this year, visiting a clinic around once a month to receive an intravenous infusion.
She does not yet know whether she was taking the active drug or a placebo. She will find out once everyone in the trial has finished their course of treatment.
Sue said taking part in the research was not always easy, “but every visit made me feel like I was doing something positive rather than just waiting for dementia to take more away from me”.
She added: “The one thing that can stop dementia in its tracks is research, so l would encourage anyone who has the chance to take part to grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Breakthroughs can’t happen without participants, says LAURA ROONEY
Day in and day out, I see the life-changing potential of dementia research, both for families living with dementia today and for future generations.
Research is helping us better understand the diseases that cause dementia, improve diagnosis, and develop new treatments that could slow, stop or even prevent its progression.
Yet one of the biggest challenges remains getting people diagnosed early enough to access support, treatment and research opportunities.
At any one time, one in three people with dementia in the UK do not have a formal diagnosis. Without one, they can miss out on vital care as well as the chance to participate in research.
At the same time, dementia trial participation remains far behind that of other conditions such as cancer, despite dementia being the UK’s biggest killer.
Before joining Alzheimer’s Society, I worked as a cancer research nurse, where conversations about research were a routine part of care. People were regularly offered opportunities to contribute to scientific advances that could benefit them and future generations. Dementia should be no different.
As lead research nurse for the Alzheimer’s Society UK Dementia Trials Network research nurse programme, I see first-hand the difference research participation can make.
Our dementia research nurses support people and families throughout the process, helping them understand what taking part involves and ensuring they can make informed choices.
But scientific breakthroughs cannot happen without participants. We need research opportunities to become a standard part of dementia care, and we need greater government commitment to improving diagnosis, expanding access to trials and investing in dementia research infrastructure across the UK.
We have the science to change the future of dementia. Now we need the political will, and more people aware of how they can take part, to make that future a reality.
— Laura Rooney, head of research participation at Alzheimer’s Society
The assault happened in Merthyr Dyfan sometime between 5.30am and 8am on Sunday, July 12.
A woman was walking home from a nearby shop when she was assaulted by an unknown man.
Police said a thorough investigation, including CCTV examination and house-to-house enquiries, has been carried out since the incident was reported.
Detectives are now appealing for information from the public.
The suspect is described as white, aged in his 20s, between 5ft 4in and 5ft 6in tall, and of stocky build. He has light brown hair and was clean shaven.
He was holding a can of lager and wearing grey tracksuit bottoms.
No further similar incidents have been reported in the area.
Anyone who thinks they recognise the suspect, or has information or footage, is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting reference 2600222188.
Information can be provided online at https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo, by calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
South Wales Police said it takes all reports of sexual violence extremely seriously and that it is never too late to report a crime.
The force said victims can come forward no matter how long ago the offence happened. It said support is available whether people are ready to report an offence to police or would prefer to talk to someone else about it directly.
