The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly has received a petition from members of the community calling for the abolition or reduction of the VSAT license fee and the approval of Starlink domestic tariffs. The petition, signed by 2,416 individuals, and sponsored by MLA Roger Spink to receive the petition, reflects the community's strong desire for improvements in internet and telecommunications services.
Following approval at the Executive Council on Tuesday 25 June, it was approved for the Falkland Islands Government IT Department to trial a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite for a period of 12 months.
Focusing on our current and future generations is at the heart of the Falkland Islands Government Budget for 2024/25. The Budget recognises these two themes are essential for the community to mitigate against the continued global cost of living crisis, and the uncontrollable situations happening around the world, which ultimately impact our economy.
”We are a peaceful people, and I think that in this day and age we need to have a grown up relationship (with Argentina), recognizing there is a difference over sovereignty, but we are neighbors and there are things that would be beneficial to both sides,” said member of the Legislative Assembly Roger Spink in an interview with GB news commenting on president Javier Milei's latest statements on the South Atlantic dispute.
After ten years as Board Chairman of Falklands Conservation, the charity thanked and wished a heartfelt farewell to Roger Spink. His position will be taken over by Tom Blake, from FIDC, Falklands Development Corporation.
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has announced the retention of its global A+ sovereign rating by S&P Global Ratings, with a stable outlook. This rating reflects the government's strong financial capacity and prudent fiscal policies.
Last week the Falkland Islands welcomed the regional student competition 2024 winners, who are visiting the Falklands from Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Falkland Islands government is inviting locals to welcome Chief Inspector Paul Chipolina from Royal Gibraltar Police who will be covering Acting Chief of Police Barry Thacker until mid-November. “Please give him a smile and a wave if you see him around”.
The Falkland Islands Government attended both the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester (1st to 4th October) and the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (8th to 11th October) and met with a number of senior politicians from both parties, including Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet Ministers, to discuss issues of importance to the Islands, alongside welcoming MPs, Councillors and Party Members to the Falkland Islands stand.
After many years of service with the FIDF, in June 2023 Major Justin McPhee retired as Officer Commanding, Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF), a role he has fulfilled since October 2018.