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The St Helena Government (SHG) would like to advise the public that they are aware of an incident involving a local vessel, The Newcastle, which sank in James Bay early this morning.
There were no injuries reported, all debris has been recovered, and there was minimal pollution.
The matter is currently under investigation by the Royal St Helena Police Service and Port Control. As this is a live investigation, SHG will be unable to provide further comment at this time.
#StHelena #PortControl #RSHP
The public is advised that the Health and Social Care Directorate has received a small number of reports of minor health issues that have been associated with the consumption of certain fish products.
Reports indicate that certain individuals have experienced symptoms of facial flushing, headaches and diarrhoea within approximately 10-60 minutes following the consumption of tuna, with tuna mince being commonly implicated in the reported cases.
The likely cause of these symptoms is scombroid fish poisoning, also known as histamine fish poisoning. Scombroid fish poisoning may occur following the consumption of certain types of fish that have been improperly stored after capture, or during subsequent handling, processing, retail distribution or home preparation.
The number of reported cases is fewer than twenty. Scombroid fish poisoning is not life-threatening and usually settles on its own within 4–6 hours. Oral antihistamines may help to alleviate symptoms.
Initial investigations and inspections conducted by Environmental Health and Public Health have identified that tuna mince processed by the Saints Tuna Corporation (STC) in March 2026 may be one possible source of the scombroid fish poisoning. STC have been instructed to recall all tuna mince processed during the period between 12 March 2026 and 27 March 2026, which represents a wider range of processing dates than those reported to the health authorities as a precautionary measure.
Further investigations and inspections across the fishing industry are ongoing, including laboratory testing to confirm the presence of elevated levels of histamine within certain fish products.
In the meantime, the public are requested to:
- avoid consuming products or meals containing tuna mince until further notice;
- seek immediate medical care if developing difficulty breathing, blurred vision, tongue swelling or fainting episodes after eating tuna;
- report any adverse reactions after eating tuna (including in the past 3 months) to Environmental Health at eh.office@sainthelena.gov.sh; and
- return any tuna mince products with labelling to prove that it was processed by STC between 12 March and 27 March 2026 to the place of purchase for issuance of a refund. Retailers will return products to STC for reimbursement.
A further update will be issued by Wednesday 29April when the majority of investigations and inspections will have concluded.
#StHelena #HistamineFishPoisoning #Investigation
Deputy Head of Maritime, Terri Clingham, has successfully completed a Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Safety and Accident Investigation at Cranfield University. This qualification, funded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK through the UK Government, is delivered at Master’s degree level within the UK qualifications framework and is internationally recognised for its focus on improving safety across high-risk industries. Terri will formally graduate in June 2026, marking an important milestone in her professional development.
The programme provides advanced training in systemic accident investigation, equipping professionals with the skills to analyse complex incidents and identify underlying causes beyond immediate technical failures. It reflects global best practice in safety investigation and supports the development of independent, evidence-based approaches to learning from incidents.
Key areas of study include:
- Human factors and organisational influences in accidents
- Advanced investigation methodologies and analytical techniques
- Evidence gathering, analysis, and reporting
- Understanding how systems, processes, and decision-making contribute to incidents
- Promoting a no-blame, learning-focused safety culture
This achievement represents a significant investment in professional capability and strengthens the ability to support robust governance, risk management, and safety improvement across a wide range of operational environments.
Terri extends sincere thanks to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK for their support in funding both the programme and associated travel, enabling the successful completion of this qualification.
Terri Clingham
#StHelena #PostGradAchievement #SafetyandAccidentInvestigation
The Roads Section are pleased to announce the completion of its major resurfacing programme, delivering 9km of upgraded road, most being primary roads across the island. The project reached its target on Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Approved by the Project Steering Committee on 15 May 2025, the programme began with the procurement of materials, with the first shipment of bitumen arriving at the end of June 2025.
Although initial progress was delayed due to unsuitable bitumen being supplied, work formally commenced on 4 August 2025.
Key project figures include:
| Litres of Bitumen | 150,000 |
| Crusher dust yards | 1,000+ |
| Days worked | 103 |
| Days lost due to rain, cruise ships or any other requests | 16 |
| Total meters resurfaced (full width) | 9030 |
| Average meters done per month | 1129 |
| Average meters done per day (half widths) | 175 |
It is anticipated that these improvements will remain maintenance-free for the next 7 to 12 years, enabling future recurrent funding to be directed towards other priority areas.
The Roads Section extends their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful delivery of this project. The public are also thanked for their continued patience and understanding throughout the works.
Photos:
Roads Team Working on Longwood Road
Button-Up Corner Road
#StHelena #RoadsSection #FCDO
The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) agreement between SHG and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UKG) was due to expire on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. St Helena Government (SHG) confirms that a formal request from UKG seeking to extend the agreement was received close to the expiry date. After careful consideration, Ministers have agreed a one-month extension with the UKG under the existing terms, to provide sufficient time for further engagement and consideration of any future possible agreement.
Ministers wish to be clear that:
• No decision has been taken at this time.
• No new commitments have been entered into, and
• Any future agreement must serve the interests of St Helena.
Ministers recognise that matters relating to BIOT are of significant national interest and that Ministers, Councillors and the public place great importance on transparency and accountability.
While some aspects of the discussions must remain confidential at this stage to protect St Helena’s negotiating position, SHG is committed to providing meaningful updates as discussions progress and to ensuring that any substantive proposal is subject to appropriate consideration before a decision is made.
A further public update will be provided once Ministers are in a position to outline the way forward.
#StHelena #BIOT
A meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held 13 April 2026.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:
| CLOSED AGENDA 1. Declaration of Interest 2. Civil Litigation (Cost) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Civil Litigation (Costs) Notice, 2026 (ExCo Memo 15/2026) NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines. |
The following items were considered:
- Declaration of Interest
Minister Andrew Turner declared his conflict of interest for agenda item 2for two reasons and absented himself from the meeting.
- Civil Litigation (Cost) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Civil Litigation (Costs) Notice, 2026 (ExCo Memo 15/2026)
Executive Council approved the amendments to the Civil Litigation (Costs) Ordinance 2025. The amendments will be published for public consultation before being brought to the next Legislative Council Meeting for consideration and approval.
The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen fairness and improve access to justice. A key element of the proposal is the introduction of provisions relating to ATE insurance. These changes would allow the courts to include some or all of the cost of ATE insurance premiums in cost awards for medical negligence and personal injury claims. This is intended to reduce the financial risk for individuals pursuing legitimate claims and ensure that access to justice is not limited by personal financial circumstances.
Executive Council also approved the Civil Litigation (Costs) Notice, 2026 to be effective immediately.
These amendments aim to provide greater clarity and transparency around recoverable legal costs. It sets out when the cost of initial legal advice may be recovered, helping individuals better understand their position from the outset. The 2026 Notice links the appropriate national rates applied in England and Wales which may be amended from time to time.
It has recently been brought to the attention of SHG that Jonathan the Tortoise is being used in a possible new online scam involving cryptocurrency, specifically a type of meme coin scam.
Meme coins are a type of cryptocurrency that typically originate from internet memes as a joke or a political statement. They are also often connected to celebrities or current events.
SHG have also learnt of the possibility that persons are travelling to St Helena to promote this meme coin.
It is assessed that the creation of this meme coin has a high likelihood of being connected to a scam, where persons are encouraged or manipulated into buying these coins as a way to invest their money. This is also known as a ‘rug pull’ scam where developers create a token, promote it to drive up value and then drain the liquidity pool, taking investor funds and leaving the token worthless.
SHG would like to remind the public that, in light of the recent scam related to Jonathan the Tortoise, everyone should be particularly cautious of any persons or organisations attempting to sell any products (particularly but not limited to cryptocurrency), using his name and/or suggesting any link to SHG. SHG and St Helena Tourism do not endorse this meme coin and have had no involvement in its creation.
To protect yourself against these types of scams, do your own research and check the project’s website, as well as other channels, such as social media, for transparency and legitimacy. Also verify the creators and be cautious, especially (but not only) if the developers are anonymous or have no track record in crypto.
NOTE TO EDITOR:
Cryptocurrencies are digital tokens or digital money. They are a type of digital currency that allows people to make payments directly to each other through an online system. Cryptocurrencies are considered a high-risk investment.
#StHelena #Cryptocurrencyscam #JonathantheTortoise
Jonathan the tortoise
Executive Council has today approved amendments to the Civil Litigation (Costs) Ordinance 2025 to be taken forward as Government business. The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen fairness and improve access to justice. They will now be published for public consultation before being brought to the Legislative Council for consideration and approval. The current ordinance, scrutinised by all parties in the Judicial Review proceedings, based on legal advice, will clarify the circumstances under which After-the-Event (ATE) Insurance can be recovered and ensure our legislation meets the original intention of the Civil Litigation Costs Ordinance.
A key element of the proposal is the introduction of provisions relating to ATE insurance. These changes would allow the courts to include some or all of the cost of ATE insurance premiums in cost awards for medical negligence and personal injury claims. This is intended to reduce the financial risk for individuals pursuing legitimate claims and ensure that access to justice is not limited by personal financial circumstances.
Alongside this, the Civil Litigation (Costs) Notice 2026 has been amended to provide greater clarity and transparency around recoverable legal costs. It sets out when the cost of initial legal advice may be recovered, helping individuals better understand their position from the outset. The proposals also ensure that legal cost rates remain fair, consistent, and up to date. Solicitor rates would align with the England and Wales guideline hourly rates for “National Band 1”, allowing them to adjust over time without the need for frequent revisions.
Importantly, linking St Helena’s rates to those used in England and Wales represents a significant step forward. It ensures that the island’s legal framework remains aligned with recognised and well-established standards, providing confidence to both local residents and external legal professionals. This approach also helps future-proof the system, ensuring that it keeps pace with changes elsewhere while still being applied in a way that reflects St Helena’s local context.
The use of “National Band 1” is considered appropriate for St Helena as it reflects rates typically applied to all of England and Wales, except for parts of central London. Barristers would be paid at the highest rate.
Theproposed amendments approved by Executive Council will be published and open for public consultation prior to the next Legislative Council meeting. Following consultation, they will be brought before the Legislative Council for consideration and approval.
Note to Editors
After the Event (ATE) insurance is a type of insurance used in legal cases, similar to a Conditional Fee Agreement (or “No Win – No Fee” Agreement). It is taken out after a dispute has already arisen, not before. It is insurance that protects claimants from having to pay large legal costs (for example in expert fees) if the claimant loses the case.
#StHelena #CivilLitigation #CostsOrdinance
St Helena, like many small and remote communities, faces challenges in being able to fill roles locally because of severe skills shortages and evolving demand for public services. This is primarily driven by the island’s changing demographics. Our population is both declining and ageing, meaning there are fewer people of working age to fill the roles needed in the public service and across the wider economy.
Within the Public Service, initially these challenges were evident in front-line services such as nursing, teaching and care workers. However, recently the challenge of filling roles from the local labour market is increasingly felt across a wider range of public service roles.
To ensure that essential services continue to operate effectively, we need to maintain a strong, skilled and resilient workforce.
To address these challenges responsibly, we are expanding our recruitment efforts to explore alternative and affordable labour markets, beyond St Helena and the UK. This approach allows us to bring in the required skills, experience and capacity needed to support various sectors, maintain service standards and enable long-term development. These skills will complement those of our local labour force. In this regard, we were able to successfully pilot the recruitment of a small cohort of carers from the Philippines in 2025.
At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring that St Helenians (Saints) living overseas have the same opportunity to apply for roles in the St Helena Public Service and if successful, are supported with their relocation to the island. Saints abroad bring valuable knowledge, cultural connection and commitment to our workforce and community. We will be exploring ways to expand our current advertising mediums with a view to ensuring the widest possible reach within the diaspora and encouraging Saints to return and join the Public Service.
In both approaches, we recognise that relocating to the island can be a significant and costly decision and in order to attract the right calibre of candidates, we will need to offer some enhancements on top of local salaries. In addition to local salary, support will be in the form of travel to St Helena, a contribution to relocation costs, contribution to pension and a contribution to rental costs (if the role is at the lower grade and if the individual does not have their own accommodation).
It is anticipated this will attract skilled workers to St Helena, enable participation and integration into our community and enable better engagement with Saints who are genuinely interested in returning to the Island to take up roles within the Public Service.
We see this as a balanced approach, supporting the return of Saints and responsibly accessing external labour markets where needed to ensure that we can meet the needs of our community whilst building a sustainable and inclusive future.
There is ongoing work being carried out to fully develop these approaches, and this remains a key priority in our workplans.
In commenting, Chief Minister, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks said:
“The challenges posed by St Helena’s declining and ageing population and the impact this has on the delivery of public services has been discussed at length in the two recent formal Legislative Council meetings. It is clear that we have to take action to retain and attract Saints in the Public Service, while also responsibly exploring alternative and affordable labour markets where necessary. This balanced approach will help to ensure the delivery of essential services and progress our policy priorities, including in particular:
- stabilise the population and labour market;
- protect health and social care and improve prevention outcomes;
- reform education and build the future workforce; and
- reform and strengthen the Public Service
The retention of existing staff working in the Public Service remains a priority. This will be supported through a range of ongoing HR initiatives such as employee engagement, development of pay progression frameworks and subject to affordability, implementation of the Reward and Recognition policy”.
#StHelena #PublicService #Workforce
The St Helena Government has welcomed the confirmation of a three‑year financial aid settlement from the UK Government, securing funding until March 2029.
The settlement delivers a 4.8% increase in core financial aid for 2026–27, followed by 2% annual increases in 2027–28 and 2028–29. This represents an additional £1.72 million in 2026–27, bringing St Helena’s core aid to £37.51 million, up from £35.79 million this year. There may also be the opportunity to unlock additional funding, subject to performance.
An additional £40 million over the next three years will be made available through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) to support essential capital investment including the Bulk Fuel Infrastructure.
For many years, SHG has had to plan budgets on an annual basis, often starting the new financial year with a temporary roll‑over budget while waiting for final confirmation on the settlement from the UK. This limited long‑term planning, delayed investment decisions, made financial management and project delivery much more challenging. A multi‑year settlement will allow SHG to: plan services and programmes with greater confidence; manage projects more efficiently and prioritise investments with the greatest social and economic impact.
SHG is currently finalising the 2026–27 budget and reviewing the EDIP project pipeline to ensure that projects already underway, and those offering the greatest community benefit, are prioritised.
The Chief Minister, Rebecca Cairns-Wicks said:
“In a very difficult financial climate, this settlement, spanning three years, gives St Helena what we have not had for several years, certainty. It gives us the opportunity to plan more effectively, invest smarter and focus on the projects that will make the biggest difference to our community.”
The confirmation of this settlement comes at a time when the UK faces significant fiscal pressures and increasing global instability. The UK Government has reduced its overall aid budget to 0.3% of Gross National Income, down from 0.5%, as it redirects resources towards defence and security commitments in an increasingly contested international environment.
This year’s negotiations also reflect a broader shift in the UK’s approach to development funding, with a stronger emphasis on investment. This was evident during discussions with the Financial Aid Mission (FAM) team in January and will continue during work to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the period to March 2029. The MoU will ensure that St Helena’s priorities are clearly understood and embedded within the funding framework.
SHG’s focus now is to ensure that the resources made available are used wisely, supporting essential public services, investing in economic development, and continuing to build a more sustainable and resilient future for St Helena.
#StHelena #FinancialAidSettlement #Budget