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A man has been jailed for raping a woman at knifepoint over four decades ago, thanks to a breakthrough in forensic science and a complex cold case prosecution.

People who owe money to government will receive clearer, more tailored support to repay in a way they can afford, under new plans launched during Debt Awareness Week.

Tenants can now look out for new important information explaining their new rights coming on 1 May 2026 - including a ban on Section 21 'no-fault' evictions.

A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across the UK from September 2026.

Ofsted has today published updates to the framework for inspecting local authority children's services (ILACS).

New Strategy to deliver economic growth and prosperity.

The European Commission published its legislative proposal for EU Inc. on 18 March 2026. The proposal is a response to the Draghi and Letta Reports' diagnosis that legal fragmentation across 27 national corporate systems in the EU acts as an "invisible tariff" on cross-border growth.

Ecuador and UK hold political consultations in London, reaffirming strong ties and advancing cooperation on security, trade, environment and education (19 March 2026).

Rogue landlords across the capital are being let off the hook as new data shows councils in London have collected just a third of the total fines issued to them.

Some of the worst illegal waste sites across England to be cleared, restoring pride in our communities.

CBI yesterday responded to latest Bank of England decision – March 2026.

Upgrades to air defence radar systems will help unlock record breaking offshore wind capacity.

Approval has been given for a cutting-edge Civil Service campus in Manchester to drive forward world-class digital capability and services for the public.

The UK makes it quicker to return Nigerians with no legal right to remain.

British Army begins retiring iconic Land Rover fleet after 70 years of service.

UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant yesterday gave a speech at the Chatham House Global Trade Conference.

A new voluntary social care bargaining body will help improve pay and conditions for more than 110,000 workers.

Forty more communities selected for Pride in Place, with local people choosing how £20 million is invested to strengthen their neighbourhood.

The adoption of nuclear power accelerated in reaction to oil crises in the past, and the proposition only makes greater sense today.

New plans aim to support British farmers by improving supply resilience to global market shocks and supporting innovation in the fertiliser sector.

Public Health Wales is advising students who lived in campus accommodation at the University of Kent or visited Club Chemistry nightclub between 5-7 March and who have returned home to Wales, to contact their GP for preventative antibiotics.

The Foreign Secretary yesterday made a statement to Parliament on the Government’s revised approach to international development and Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations.

The Senedd has taken a significant step to further strengthen democratic accountability by passing the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill.

Entering a football match without a ticket will become a criminal offence this weekend, with offenders facing a banning order alongside up to £1,000 fine.

Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and its attempts to portray itself as the victim while continuing its war of aggression. He highlights rising civilian casualties, Russia’s refusal to engage seriously in diplomacy, and reaffirms the UK’s support for Ukraine’s self defence and a just, lasting peace (19 March 2026).

The war is fuelling worries about US commitment to its Pacific partners. The ‘triangle’ of US-aligned countries must use the moment to strengthen their mutual defence. 

This report was issued in March 2026 and covers the time period 1 February 2026 to 28 February 2026 inclusive.

Creating a capability to test UK defensive aid systems (DAS) in real-world flight conditions before integration onto frontline aircraft.

Scotland's first Center Parcs resort will create 1,200 permanent new jobs First Minister John Swinney announced recently (18 March 2026), as he visited the site near Hawick in the Scottish Borders where the resort will be built.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) welcomes the government’s announcement this week of a £53 million support package for households affected by rising heating oil costs, having long called for targeted support for consumers who rely on heating oil. Unlike mains gas and electricity, heating oil is not covered by Ofgem’s energy price cap, leaving consumers fully exposed to sudden market increases.

The UK reaffirms Ukraine’s right to self defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and voices concern over external military and dual use support to Russia, stressing the need to uphold international law and maintain regional and global security.

A Met Police custody sergeant has been sacked after he told a detainee he ‘smelled like a junkie and shouldn’t be in this country’, threatened him and then pushed him into a cupboard unit.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail regulator, has authorised two new stations at Willenhall and Darlaston in the West Midlands, the first two of five new stations to open in the West Midlands.

We’re investing £25 million in our Place Universal Offer until 2028, working with 30 Active Partnerships and other local organisations to drive community-led change

Thousands more criminals will be tagged alongside changes to supervision that will focus probation time on the offenders who pose the greatest risk.

New research from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), shows over one in four people surveyed (28%) have either personally received, or know someone who has received a lump sum of £120,000 or more. 

Ofcom has fined 4chan £450,000 for not having age checks in place to prevent children from seeing pornography on its site. 

Scotland has made its tax and benefit system more progressive than the rest of the UK’s, but unnecessarily complex and distortionary.

Further funding announced on Project Willow Anniversary.

Gavin Crowden, director of advocacy at WWF, responded to the UK Government announcement on Overseas Development Aid

Investigation examines whether Adobe’s early cancellation fees are unfair and misleading.

To meet the growing demand for satellite connectivity services in the UK, Ofcom yesterday decided to make more spectrum available for satellite gateway earth stations.

Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to the labour market figures for March 2026 released by the Office for National Statistics. 

Funding to help local communities thrive.

Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “These proposals represent a huge shake up to planning policy and we recognise the Government’s pledge to deliver more homes, better integrated with infrastructure and connected to jobs and amenities. However, to succeed, local government and its views must remain at the heart of planning and delivery. 

HMRC launches Tax Confident, a new website to help people understand tax in plain, simple terms.

The Welsh Government has confirmed £3 million of funding over the next three financial years to continue the Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme (WSGP), supporting Welsh sheep farmers to improve efficiency, productivity and environmental performance.

Energy Analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs Andy Mayer reacted to the news that the UK will hike a 50% tariff on steel

Supporting the planning and consenting process.

James Cockett, senior labour market economist for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, responded to yesterday’s ONS labour market figures

UK Export Finance announces support for UK exporters to supply high-value projects in Nigeria.

Almost a ton of cocaine has been seized and two men charged in a National Crime Agency investigation.

The Meningitis B will now be offered to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak.

New redress scheme announced for relatives of postmasters affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal

Investment will upgrade vital Border Force and Customs infrastructure at the port.

Historic legislation to end the two-child limit has become law, putting 450,000 children on a pathway out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament.

UK steel producers and thousands of steel workers to benefit from a new landmark Steel Strategy and robust trade measure.

This review sets the course for the regulator’s approach to the fixed market and help promote competition and investment.

Tackling conflict and supporting fragile states at centre of the government's new approach to development.

Office for Nuclear Regulation grant a site licence to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) - major milestone that will enable the site's decommissioning.

389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers.

CBI yesterday responded to announcement of new investment to back the North’s industrial strengths.

NHS staff have delivered the biggest monthly reduction in the waiting list, as the time people wait for treatment falls to its lowest level in almost 6 years.

ORR's fourth annual assessment of safety performance on the Strategic Road Network assesses National Highways’ performance in 2024.

New reforms will let credit unions reach millions more people, expanding access to low-cost borrowing and secure savings for households.

Blog posted by: Emma Nicol and Amy Laurence, 18 March 2026 – digital services, Our services, User research.

Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions will be able to share their views on how PIP should be reformed, as the Timms Review opens a Call for Evidence today.

The Scottish Government has announced a package of three-year funding totalling £6.3 million to continue development of the Genesis Scottish Open. The financial support covers the DP World Tour’s event up to 2028.

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on the Strait of Hormuz.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy (JCNSS), as part of its Defending Democracy inquiry, has published a report on political finance and foreign interference in the UK which draws heavily on the work of RUSI’s Centre for Finance and Security (CFS).

UK will win the AI adoption race as Chancellor sets out her economic growth ‘big choices’

Dr Christopher Johnson, head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) at Public Health Wales, yesterday gave a statement on the Meningitis outbreak in Kent.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the national rollout of the Child Focused Courts model across England and Wales.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Have you heard the great news? ESPO Early Years has officially landed and we're so excited to tell you all about it!

A DJ who systematically groomed and abused girls as young as nine in the late 1990s has been jailed for a further 12 years, on top of an existing 24-year sentence.

An exhibition co-curated by The National Archives and MI5 has been shortlisted in the category, Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year (Budget more than £80,000) by the Museums + Heritage Awards.

Hundreds of new UK jobs are set to be created as Nigerian companies scale up their operations, reinforcing Britain's position as a leading global business hub.

New proposals to combine Right to Buy legislation to simplify the process for community groups to take over land and assets have been published.

The government must overcome ongoing challenges including a lack of available housing and poor data to ensure its programme to resettle thousands of Afghan citizens in the UK is successfully completed, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.

Public Health Wales has refreshed the indicators in the Public Health Outcomes Framework reporting tool. 

The Senedd has passed a Bill to support the development of tourism in Wales and improve visitor accommodation.

Ensuring safe environments for pupils and staff.

Seven Sisters is one of the country’s most treasured landscapes

New jobs, opportunities and major regeneration for communities and businesses will be created in the North as the Chancellor backs the region’s industrial strengths with new investment.

On Wednesday 11 March, Homeless Link joined a mass lobby event in Parliament to oppose proposed immigration and settlement reforms which risk increasing homelessness.

Level 1 teaching assistants in Wales will be moved to level 2 roles from September 2026.

An Official Statistics in Development Publication

The UK yesterday stepped up its support for Gulf partners, convening a meeting of defence industry leaders to reinforce countries in the region under attack from Iran.

The government and NHS England are not responding to the growing financial crisis in the adult hospice sector with the seriousness and urgency the situation demands.

High levels of rough sleeping in London were the subject of a London Assembly Housing Committee session on Thursday 12 March.

Funding to deliver modern, sustainable integrated transport systems across Wales was announced yesterday.

Initiative to help staff gain skills and find new employment.

New Action Plan to be published to tackle waste crime and restore pride in our towns and cities.

Changes to passport application fees will take effect on 8 April 2026. 

TfL will unveil a large-scale installation by London-based artist Phoebe Boswell at Bethnal Green and Notting Hill Gate Underground stations later this month as part of its Art on the Underground programme

A new deal has been launched to ensure Wales meets its renewable energy targets, whilst maximising the benefits for communities.

Additional £26 million for CashBack for Communities projects.

Communities and local leaders will benefit from new powers introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

England’s first Land Use Framework sets out a plan for managing the country’s finite land to ensure the nation’s long-term resilience

Welsh businesses have secured £436 million in new export sales as a direct result of Welsh Government export support over the past five years, Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans told the Explore Export Wales conference in Llandudno today (18 March).

Rachel Reeves visits Madrid to meet 120 of Spain’s top businesses and investors and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo

Research shows that government-funded childcare has cut childcare costs for families in half.

The government will better protect and strengthen the visiting rights for people in health and care settings, following a review of Regulation 9a.

Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in the Middle East will receive life‑saving assistance in response to worsening humanitarian situation.

The Chancellor has set out how the government will build a stronger and more secure economy in an uncertain world.

An update following the fourth round of UK-Turkey FTA negotiations.

A major youth employment drive backed by £1 billion will help create 200,000 jobs for young people, alongside the biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade.

Farmers, schools and manufacturers could soon cut their energy bills by installing small onshore wind turbines without needing planning permission. 

A case of Foot and Mouth disease has been detected in Greece.

People living and working  in the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor to benefit from additional investment to bring forward development and infrastructure.

Latest updates from the ongoing outbreak.

How Cheshire West and Chester Council is using the national framework when working with families.

The graves of two British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War were formally rededicated today in France.

New law now in effect strengthening protections for sheep, cows and other farm animals saving famers thousands of pounds each year.

On 17 March 2026 United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met to discuss the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue.

UK drives international action to go after scammers at the Global Fraud Summit, hosted by the United Nations in Vienna on 16 - 17 March.

Nine places have been longlisted to be the next UK City of Culture in 2029

£1.7bn of new investment in city regions to give Mayors cash and tools to bulldoze through roadblocks holding up city-centre projects and regeneration schemes.

The Secretary of State Wes Streeting yesterday updated the House on the meningitis outbreak and the latest steps being taken to support those affected.

Director ignored lessons of first disqualification and ran up fresh six-figure liability through new consultancy firm.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak recently (16 March 2026) responded to the Prime Minister’s press conference.

Members confirmed for new Maternity and Neonatal taskforce chaired by the Health and Social Care Secretary to deliver improvements on maternity.

Dedicated body to drive improvement and support social work workforce.

The Government has announced up to £2 billion to support the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies.

Dstl helps deliver the UK's contribution to the Five Eyes science and technology group, a long‑standing international partnership collaborating on defence and security research activities.

Awards announced from £1.5 million Improving Access Fund.

Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom yesterday made a joint statement on defence financing and procurement.

The smash hit production filmed on location across North Wales during Summer 2025; Production Funding support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales ensured trainee placements and job opportunities in the region.

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan (16 March 2026).

Statement given recently (16 March 2026) by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The newly named Child Focused Courts will be rolled out across England and Wales, following a particularly successful pilot which saw cases in the family court resolved seven and a half months quicker.

Pubs, restaurants and hotels slash energy bills with free energy saving and carbon reduction tool.

Scottish Attainment Challenge strengthens educational equity.

Data centres underpin most aspects of modern life, including economic activity, cloud services, and how we interact with one another. How many does the UK have, and how do they affect the environment?

The war unleashed on Iran by Israel and the US will have profound implications for Middle East economies – mainly negative for both producers and consumers.

Children and families in poverty in Wales are continuing to live in unhealthy homes and it is having a negative impact on their health, development, education, well-being and life chances. 

Gross misconduct has been proven for a former Devon and Cornwall Police officer after a disciplinary panel concluded he tried to downplay his role following a woman’s fall from a multi-storey carpark.

A women’s health hub is now open in every health board area in Wales, bringing menopause, contraception and menstrual health services closer to home.

First local media strategy in a generation guarantees up to £12m funding for local media’s digital innovation, for community radio and to fill ‘news deserts’

The government has announced further investment aimed at supporting the next generation and tackle the high levels of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper attended the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London.

Operation ATLANTIC is an ongoing initiative by the National Crime Agency, working alongside the United States Secret Service, Canadian Law Enforcement and Regulators, aimed at identifying and contacting individuals who may have been affected by cryptoasset fraud.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP speech announcing a further £1 billion investment in youth employment support and reforms to apprenticeships (16 March 2026).

Too many workers face threats, abuse or violence just for doing their job. Whether it’s verbal abuse, intimidation, harassment or physical attacks – no one should have to accept violence at work.

£830m in funding for flood schemes for 2026/27 to improve protection for tens of thousands of homes and businesses – part of record investment of at least £10.5 billion between 2024-2036

Families to benefit from over £50 million to help people pay for the rising cost of heating oil. 

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, met his German counterpart in Berlin to discuss progress on jointly developing Deep Precision Strike missiles.

UK unveils new package of measures to become the first country in the world to roll out Quantum computers at scale.

Flagship survey shows people feel safer in their communities.

The UK and Ukraine are set to agree a new world-leading partnership to boost global defensive capability against the the proliferation of low cost, high tech military hardware, including drones.

The Gulf States will be re-evaluating their future following the US’ betrayal of its security guarantees.

Canada's Kinectrics announced as the design and fabrication partner for the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility, a world-leading tritium research facility.

Public Health Wales has today published a briefing which shows the impact of home temperatures on the health and well-being of people on a low income.

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 14 March.

The Welsh and UK Governments have today reaffirmed their joint commitment to coal tip safety and the responsible management of Wales’ mining legacy by resuming the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips Task Force.

FLock.io has demonstrated a sovereign AI technique for governmental organisations, trialling it in Malaysia before it is adopted by other jurisdictions worldwide. 

The Environment Agency has replaced a culvert and added a playground to Mousehole School in Cornwall.

Public service pension schemes administrators can access scheme factors and guidance from a new online hub developed by the Government Actuary’s Department.

Upgraded help point units, more frequent inspections, and improvements to connectivity at unstaffed and remote stations are among the changes being delivered following the Office of Rail and Road’s 2024 report, which identified weaknesses in reliability and inconsistent monitoring of service quality across the network.

These changes allow passengers to claim Delay Repay compensation faster and the rail industry to invest in improvements across the UK.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released the main findings of the 2024-25 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS).

A new report released yesterday by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) identifies the innovative food technologies most likely to reach UK consumers within 10 years.

Iran adds a new layer of difficulty to an increasingly unstable US–Japan relationship, as the Japanese prime minister prepares to visit Washington.

Sir Andrew Strauss was among the attendees at Downing Street celebration of grassroots sport.

Last week, RUSI Director-General Rachel Ellehuus joined global leaders at the 2026 Munich Security Conference, engaging in high-level discussions on transatlantic security and defence.

Four brand-new, state-of-the-art escalators installed to make journeys smoother and more reliable.

1.4MW mission-focused supercomputer named ‘Sunrise’, primed to be the world's most powerful AI supercomputer dedicated to fusion energy.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) quickly intervened to save British Steel’s Scunthorpe blast furnaces from closure, and has spent £377 million so far to keep the site operational with no budget set at the 2025 Spending Review, and no end date for the intervention a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has found.

Project Vigilant is expanding to 9 more forces, boosting undercover patrols to disrupt predatory behaviour and prevent violence against women and girls.

In 2025, YPO raised over £56,000 for the NSPCC by donating a proportion of funds from sales of YPO-branded products, alongside several staff fundraising events and initiatives.

Foreign Secretary recently (15 March 2026) announced over £5m of emergency funding in support of the humanitarian work of the Lebanese Government.

APCC Joint Leads on Serious Organised Crime hail results of County Lines week of action (16 March 2026).

Increased defence investment and dedication to Scottish defence industry directly supported £1.1bn in inward investment with defence firm Thales, securing and sustaining over 500 jobs.

Thousands more vulnerable women trapped in a revolving door of crime will receive drug, employment and housing support as part of £31.6 million funding boost.

Supporting families at risk of poverty and improving outcomes for children are at the heart of a funding package totalling more than £7.5 million.

A second arrest has been made as an investigation into suspected illegal waste dumping in Liverpool continues.

The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into Animal Lifeline.

The visits are an opportunity to underline the strong ties between Northern Ireland and the United States.

Bradford man obtained two of the three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans he applied for, with one refused

The Welsh Government has announced a further £11.2 million in funding to support local authorities and help them recover from the devastating storms that struck communities across Wales in recent years.