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Chief Whip hints at fourth Westminster cat
Larry with Barack Obama and David Cameron
More paws on patrol? A fourth mouser could join the ranks of Larry (pictured), Gladstone and Palmerston.

New mouser may be called Cromwell

There are rumours amidst at Westminster that a fourth Battersea mouser may be joining the ranks.

According to The Telegraph, the Chief Whip Gavin Williamson reportedly told Steve Back, a political photographer, that the new cat may be called Cromwell.

"The Chief Whip was going into Number 10 and Larry was on the doorstep. He said 'Oh, there's Larry!' and came to speak to me," said Mr Back.

"He said we are thinking of getting a cat in the Cabinet Office. I asked what they were thinking of calling it and he said 'Cromwell' in a tongue-in-cheek manner - but it seemed he had the name ready."

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told the Telegraph they are "looking into it" at the moment, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

Just last week, Her Majesty's Treasury adopted a new cat, Gladstone, to help conquer the growing mouse problem at Westminster.

Joining Downing Street's Larry and Foreign Office cat Palmerston, he was the third feline to be adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Image (C) Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.