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1 in 292 people in England likely now infected. Infection levels still historically low. Higher-risk places still need precautions.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 25 May 2025

Ben Clark

There’s no sign yet of the threatened summer wave of Covid, as Covid infection levels in England remain at historically lower levels. Last week, to 25 May, rates slightly decreased. Around 1 in every 292 people in England were infected, and the overall Covid risk remained Moderately High.

As we say every week, it is important to recognise that ‘historically lower levels’ does not mean ‘safe’. With 1 in 292 people infected with Covid, the risk of meeting an infected person in your everyday life is still moderately high. This is why we still recommend Covid precautions are taken in higher risk areas, as explained below.

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1 in 283 people in England likely now infected. Infection levels remain historically low Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 18 May 2025

Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England remain at historically lower levels, with no sign of more than minor week-on-week fluctuations. Last week, to 18 May, around 1 in every 283 people in England were infected, and the overall Covid risk remained Moderately High.

As we say every week, it is important to recognise that ‘historically lower levels’ does not mean ‘safe’. With 1 in 283 people infected with Covid, the risk of meeting an infected person in your everyday life is still moderately high. This is why we still recommend Covid precautions are taken in higher risk areas, as explained below.

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1 in 282 people in England likely now infected. Recent small Covid rise probably at an end Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 11 May 2025

Ben Clark

The recent small rise in Covid infection levels in England has probably come to an end. Last week, to 11 May, Covid infection levels fell back to the historically lower level seen in late March. Around 1 in every 282 people in England were infected, and the overall Covid risk remains Moderately High. The data which will help us confirm and understand this fall will not be published for a few weeks, but we will keep you updated as it becomes available.

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1 in 250 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels resume their slow rise. Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 4 May 2025

Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have resumed their slow increase. In the week to 4 May, around 1 in every 250 people in England were infected, and the overall Covid risk remains Moderately High.

Covid infection levels in England have remained at historically lower levels since January 2025, the longest period of lower levels since the pandemic began. It is important to recognise that ‘historically lower levels’ does not mean ‘safe’. With 1 in 250 people infected with Covid, the risk of meeting an infected person in your everyday life is still moderately high. This is why we still recommend Covid precautions are taken in higher risk areas. This is explained fully below.

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A conference table seen from above. There are laptops, notebooks, coffee cups, and people's hands visible.

BuDS’ Trustees

Ben Clark

As a user-led activist charity, the role of BuDS Trustees is different from that in many other charities. As a charity, we are by policy strongly Trustee-led. It is inherent in our status as a user-led organisation that the BuDS Trustee Board is the clear leadership and direction setting body for the charity. Accordingly, we expect and require all Trustees to have a strong commitment to our values and objectives, and for Trustees to play an active role in the life of the charity.

75% of BuDS Trustees must be, and must identify as, disabled people within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010. We expect our Trustees to bring and share their lived experience as disabled people when we are making decisions. We aim to ensure that all significant impairment groups are represented across the Board. We work inclusively and accessibly so that disabled Trustees do not experience barriers to their participation.

It is BuDS’ policy that all Trustees are re-elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). In practice, Trustees tend to serve for a period between 2 and 5 years. Prospective Trustees shadow the Trustee Board for a minimum period of 3 months before becoming eligible to be co-opted.

Sadly, to protect our Trustees from online abuse, we do not publish information about our Trustees beyond that which we are legally required to disclose. This information can be found on the Charity Commission website by clicking the button below.

Charity Commission Website

A BuDS volunteer talking to members of the public.

Evolving BuDS

Ben Clark

BuDS continues to grow and develop, and the charity has to have a legal form which is suitable for the future. This article explains what Trustees are doing to evolve BuDS to give it a secure future.

Moving Forward Together

BuDS carried out a public and member consultation in 2023, which overwhelmingly supported the changes listed below. The 2023 Annual General Meetings approved the changes, and gave Trustees the authority to put them into place.

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Two BuDS volunteers talking and smiling with a BuDS flag in the background

BuDS’ Values

Ben Clark

BuDS wants to be a charity which has strong, clear values which guide our work and everything done by our trustees, staff and volunteers.

BuDS first adopted formal values in 2020. We review them regularly, and the following values were adopted by the 2024 Annual General Meeting:

  • BuDS is an inclusive & diverse working community of and for all disabled people
  • BuDS is a strong, honest, voice for disabled people
  • BuDS is a proactive charity that lives the social model, removes barriers and finds answers
  • Fair4All is at the heart of all BuDS does
  • BuDS is an empowering, reflective, caring, supportive, kind and safe organisation
  • BuDS has an open culture and is committed to collaborative working

Twice each year, the BuDS Trustees will assess how well BuDS has kept to its values, and report back to the Annual General Meeting.