WIREDGOV

The war will not affect Russian plans in Ukraine – but it will likely force a rethink of long-held Russian strategic concepts.

APCC Chair and PCC for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell has marked the start of a week that celebrates the work of police staff in forces across England and Wales.

An Assembly Committee has published a report into its review of salary arrangements for the role of Comptroller and Auditor General.

This funding will boost skilled jobs and coastal economies, and forms part of a £448 million commitment to clean maritime funding.

Ahead of the Welsh election, the CBI has challenged party leaders to transform Wales into one of Europe’s most competitive and sustainable small economies by 2035 - and put a new Welsh Industrial Strategy at the heart of pro-business policies.

The Chancellor has announced the Spring Forecast in Parliament.

Spring Forecast 2026 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

CBI has responded to Spring Forecast.

Child cruelty convictions such as neglect and abandonment will face the same police notification requirements as registered sex offenders.

Some voters in May local elections to cast their ballot in a shopping centre and on weekends as part of plans to make voting easier.

A cross-government group has been established by the Scottish Government to consider the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Iran and the surrounding region for Scotland.

Its ammunition spent on Ukraine, Russia can no longer act on the world stage.

Legally binding guidance gives councils powers to clamp down on litter louts.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Children, Technology and Education in Conflict.

Welsh communities are set to benefit from a share of £10 million to generate local renewable energy and reduce energy bills.

We are nearing the end of our baselining programme for assessing local authorities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Oral Statement to the House of Commons on Iran (02 March 2026).

The Met Office has released its provisional statistics for Winter 2025/26 and February 2026, revealing a season characterised by persistent wet weather and stark regional rainfall contrasts.

Government freezes rail fares, saving passengers £600 million and easing cost‑of‑living pressures as it rebuilds a better, more reliable railway.

Swinney urges diplomatic solution to bring violence to an end.

His Majesty has approved the award of The King’s Medal for Music for the years 2024 and 2025 to Kathryn Stott and Sir James McMillan, respectively.

An abuser who suggested it was a ‘playfight’ that broke his partner’s neck, leaving her paralysed and in need of round the clock care, has been jailed for grievous bodily harm.

Firms across the private sector expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -13%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. Nonetheless the pessimism has eased noticeably, with expectations at their least negative since November 2024.  

The government has announced up to £150,000 cash boost for public libraries to support the National Year of Reading

£17 million to support workers and communities and create more green jobs.

TfL updates its free Art Map with new permanent commissions launched on the network since 2016, to help Londoners discover the transformational powers of public art.

First tariff-free shipment of UK beef arrives in the US, as government works in partnership with the food and farming industries to save millions in export fees and grow the UK economy

Grant will enable a forum of Northern Ireland voluntary and community sector organisations to upskill other local groups and help them secure funding.

The refugee model will shift from permanent to temporary for those who arrive through illegal routes.

Reform UK has pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters.

UK Statement for the Item 2 General Debate. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders (02 March 2026).

In the new business landscape where projects are vital for sustained success, businesses must embrace deep changes in leadership style and organisational structures for their projects to flourish, according to the latest book by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.

Leonardo UK selected for £1 billion contract for new medium helicopters (NMH) - which could work alongside uncrewed aircraft - to support defence operations around the globe. 

Patients across England will benefit from new bone scanners to diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures.

Equipping people with skills for the industries of the future.

After the takedown of the head of the organised crime group Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one thing is certain: ordinary Mexicans are set to pay the price as violence escalates.

What do the attacks mean for the regime after the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? How will they affect ordinary Iranians, and the region? And what does President Trump hope to achieve? Chatham House experts provide insights.

Nearly 1 in 4 people have missed an NHS appointment because they forgot or arrived too late, according to a new survey.

Two ex-Gwent Police officers would have been dismissed were they still serving following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into discriminatory, offensive and derogatory messages shared on WhatsApp.  

Welsh farmers will be able to apply for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) for the first time, as the Single Application Form (SAF) opened yesterday, 2 March 2026.

The US and Israel recently (28 February 2026) made a first strike at regime change in Iran, initiating a battle that is existential for Tehran's leadership. The shape of the conflict is being determined now, with much at stake across the Gulf.

The attacks – and the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei – create precedents for other countries seeking to resort to force without consideration for the rule of law.

How a collaborative taskforce is helping increase the uptake of biosimilars within the health and care sector.

Key lessons from Warrington & Vale Royal College following the introduction of a dedicated Menopause Policy in 2022.

Ahead of the Spring Statement tomorrow, new analysis by the TUC today (Monday) shows that a million 18-20 year olds – 85 per cent – are already paid above the youth minimum wage, rendering it not only unfair, but also “obsolete” as only 1 in 7 receives it. 

Beijing’s diplomatic restraint over the US’s standoff with Tehran should not be mistaken for unreliability or indifference.

The International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM) and the Association for Project Management (APM) are excited to announce a new strategic partnership that will benefit project professionals around the world.

Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise global profile.

As organisations across the UK accelerate AI adoption, one challenge is becoming increasingly clear: workforce confidence in AI cannot be built overnight.

For regime change and the elimination of Iran’s nuclear programme through an air-only campaign, the US and Israel will have to contest with many unknowns.

Consumers are set to benefit from more home-grown clean energy, with an increased number of renewable projects to be enabled on the public forest estate.

A family who obtained £150,000 in fraudulent Bounce Back Loans (BBL) during the Covid-19 pandemic to fund house renovations, credit card debt and school fees have been sentenced following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

NATO officials discussed the Alliance's approach to nuclear deterrence and Euro-Atlantic security in flagship meeting on 27 February.

The cost of travelling on TfW trains will be frozen for the next year, as of 1 March.

Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at the 61st Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The Environment Agency has taken action to crackdown on suspected illegal waste activity at Blackpole Recycling Ltd in Worcester.

Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks

The world currently lacks an authoritative and up to date assessment of climate change risks say a group of experts writing in the journal Nature recently [25 February 2026]..

Government launches a landmark consultation on UK children's digital wellbeing, covering social media age bans, curfews, AI chatbots and gaming.

The National Transitions to Adulthood strategy for young disabled people was published in June 2025.

Statement given recently (28 February 2026) by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on The Middle East.

A man convicted of theft half a century ago has had his case referred to the Court of Appeal after the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) found a real possibility his conviction is unsafe due to the central role played by discredited police officer Derek Ridgewell.   

His Majesty The King recently (27 February 2026) visited the Northwood military headquarters in north-west London, paying tribute to the dedication and service of personnel, whose 24/7 work keeps the UK and its allies safe.

Steps taken by Nottingham College to support staff affected by endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions.

Two charities are to receive funding to help people in Malawi facing food shortages as a result of prolonged dry spells and widespread flooding.

For the past decade, the Welsh Government has invested in the buildings and shared spaces that communities use every day.

His Majesty The King and the Chancellor have appointed Katharine Braddick CB as the next Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation at the Bank of England and Chief Executive of the PRA.

STFC’s DeepTech Catalyst is among Europe’s leading start-up hubs, according to official rankings published by the Financial Times (FT).

Adebanjo Adebayo Talabi fraudulently applied for three Covid Bounce Back Loans – totalling £150,000.

An Assembly Committee has said the multi-million pound spend on temporary accommodation, as well as poor data and a lack of preventative planning, are driving the homelessness crisis here.

Analysis of the Jersey Social Security Fund shows how temporary reductions in income could affect the Fund in the future.

This winter has felt, for many, like a season stuck on repeat.

Scientists have discovered why humans are not nocturnal.

The Welsh Government’s ‘Cymru Wales’ brand has partnered with Team Wales for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, marking the first time the brand will feature across athletes' kits as they compete on the world stage this summer.

techUK has refreshed its media partnership with Policing Insight and PolicingTV for 2026, continuing collaboration to showcase innovation and insight across UK policing.

Customers will see the new DLR trains back in service by this summer, following strong progress in investigation, testing and assurance work

The Environment Agency has acted to restrict access to land in Wigan, Greater Manchester, to prevent the illegal dumping of waste.

NERC is transitioning its funding of atmospheric science infrastructure to exploit more flexible, scalable and sustainable technologies.

The Welsh Government is providing an additional £30.9 million to local authorities to deliver regeneration projects that will transform town centres across Wales.

In a submission to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the Spring Statement, the LGA has expressed real concern over the sector’s capacity to cope over the coming years.

Ofcom has today issued its provisional decision against the provider of an online suicide forum in relation to breaches of the UK’s Online Safety Act.

Four people from the north east have been charged as part of a joint National Crime Agency and NHS England investigation into the creation and online sale of fraudulent Covid 19 vaccination records during the pandemic.

A man who raped a woman after she left a Southampton nightclub has today been sentenced for his horrific crimes – after trying to blame his actions on a family member.

The taxpayer will benefit from £7.53 billion in savings due to a crackdown on public sector fraud in the past year alone, new statistics today confirm.

Ahead of Rare Disease Day on 28 February, we've published our first ever quality standard on rare diseases, and the first to have been developed in partnership with an external organisation.

HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) large business directorate has doubled the amount of tax revenue collected or protected since 2021-22 using a hands-on approach to tax compliance for large businesses, a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found.

Thousands of young people were brought together with employers today for the first ever jobs fair for the Youth Guarantee – the government’s scheme to help ensure young people are either earning or learning.

This analysis examines what the Schools White Paper signals for the role of technology in education, highlighting infrastructure investment, data reform and AI as enablers of wider system change.

Blog posted by: Philip Seccombe, APCC Joint Roads Policing Lead, 25 February 2026.

As US political norms shift and the influence of tech platforms expands, the UK must urgently reassess its foreign interference defences.

Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine, highlighting a clear pattern of escalation during active diplomacy.

The Welsh Government has announced a record-breaking £85m investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management for this year - the highest annual allocation ever delivered in Wales.

A speech given yesterday by Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s Chief Executive, delivered at The Economist’s Antitrust Summit 2026.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Sudan. Delivered yesterday by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Welsh star Max Boyce MBE and Wales' most capped footballer Jess Fishlock MBE have been celebrated at this year's St David Awards.

Switching the NHS vehicle fleet to electric will save the health service millions and help to decarbonise 460 million miles of travel each year.

Scotland's rare disease action plan, published in December 2022, outlined steps to improve lives for those with rare conditions. This is the second report on our progress, aligned with the 2021 UK Rare Diseases Framework.

The death of Navalny in a Russian prison is the latest in a long history of state assassinations using poison. But why is it used and can an effective deterrent be engaged?

Dstl and Swansea University are using AI and ML to design metals that last much longer in extreme environments.

Ambulance crews and A&E staff have slashed handover delays by more than 7 minutes this winter – even as they ferried the highest number of patients to hospital in half a decade.

Ambassador Holland commends Deputy Prime Minister Mihail Popșoi for Moldova’s democratic reforms and resilience in the face of Russian hybrid threats, emphasising the UK’s continued support for its European integration. 

The Welsh Government will ensure Wales is primed to maximise every opportunity from modern nuclear generation at Wylfa in North Wales.

UK has published a draft Treaty on Gibraltar, alongside the EU, which will protect sovereignty, UK military autonomy and secure Gibraltar’s economic future.

The competition to refresh the London A, B and C panels is now open.

The government has now published the long awaited UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) which will form the foundation of UK sustainability disclosures.

£126 million of support confirmed for family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who care for relatives’ children in new pilot scheme.

An Official Statistics in Development publication for Scotland.

Yesterday, (26 February) HMT and DSIT unveiled their long-awaited guidance, outlining clearly that digital verification solutions certified under the Trust Framework, and appearing on the DVS register, can be reliably utilised to conduct AML checks. 

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £76 million investment to launch four new national compute resources (NCRs).

A former Essex Police officer, who repeatedly punched a man in the face during an altercation, will be barred from policing for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing this week.

The NRLA has endorsed a Government announcement confirming a significant expansion in grant funding for electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

Consultation on further improving justice system.

The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal has quashed the convictions of Laurence O’Neill, who is 82, following a reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). 

A prolific people smuggler who transported hundreds of illegal migrants to the UK in small boats, HGVs and a yacht has been handed a prison sentence.

There are three factors that cannot be underestimated when supporting officers who are responding to incidents where someone’s life is at risk.

New guidance published by the Government will prevent chaos in the student housing market when the Renters’ Rights Act is implemented from 1st May.

Rory Deighton responds to the interim findings of the independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation chaired by Baroness Amos.

Homeless Link responds to the 2025 annual rough sleeping snapshot

The free tickets are on offer to some of the most iconic places across the country for this St David's Day, but only a few hundred are still available.

The asylum backlog has fallen from around 62,000 cases in September to around 49,000 cases at the end of December 2025. This is now well below half the peak in summer 2023. There has also been a slight fall in hotel use: around 31,000 people were in hotels at the end of the year, 15 per cent lower than at the end of September 2025 but similar to the figure for June 2024.

Thames Valley Police should do more to improve its professional standards and counter-corruption arrangements to maintain public confidence, the police inspectorate has said.

Anne Pardoe, Head of Policy at Citizens Advice, reacts to Ofcom’s Pricing trends for communications services in the UK report

Inaugural mapping research uncovers high satisfaction, high stress and importance of volunteers

A specialist clinic providing tailored perimenopause and menopause support for women is being opened in Cardiff.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to the latest figures on young people not in education, employment or training (February 2026) released by the Office for National Statistics.

Durham Constabulary needs to make improvements across all parts of its integrity arrangements, with vetting and counter-corruption arrangements found to be inadequate, the police inspectorate has said.

Integration Joint Boards (IJBs), together with their NHS and council partners, must urgently take decisions on where to redesign, reduce or discontinue services.

Weekly UKHSA report for the 2025/26 season, monitoring respiratory viruses.

Spiritual abuse and immigration abuse have been included in prosecution guidance for the first time to help prosecutors tackle emerging harmful practices.

Mental health awareness training is being rolled out to rugby clubs across Wales as concerns grow about the rising number of men struggling in silence.

New data published today by the telecoms watchdog has pinpointed areas where millions of phone, broadband and pay-TV customers could save money on their bills. 

A South Yorkshire Police (SYP) Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been convicted of assault, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).  

UK Research and Innovation has published its first AI Strategy, setting out a long-term plan backed by £1.6 billion to strengthen the UK’s AI research, skills and infrastructure.

APCC Retail and Business Crime leads, PCCs Katy Bourne OBE and Andy Dunbobbin yesterday responded to the findings of the 2026 crime report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

A panel of influential figures from education, skills, and the media will come together to judge the 2026 Aspiration Awards – a nationwide celebration of individuals and organisations making an outstanding impact in learning. 

Statement from the foreign ministers of the Sudan Core Group on the UN Fact Finding Mission (FFM) report on El Fasher.

What is the legislative framework for surrogacy in the UK? What discussions are there around surrogacy law in the UK, and what are the policy considerations?

The new Deeside Parkway station will strengthen links between North East Wales, Deeside Industrial estate and Liverpool, improving access to one of the largest employment sites in Europe and help reduce congestion on main roads in the area.

Find out how our Public Sector Contract supports small and medium-sized enterprises.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on MINUSCA.

Blog posted by: Robin Linacre, 24 February 2026 – collaboration, Data, data quality, Innovation, Splink.

The government has launched a new vulnerability monitoring service (VMS) to reduce cyber risks and speed up fixes, and a new Cyber Profession to build long-term resilience across public services.

Funding to strengthen emergency response and tackle health inequalities.

£1 million boost to deliver lasting legacy for Scotland.

Middle powers like the UK and Canada will not win the race for ever larger AI models, but through collaboration they can win the deployment race.

Foot and mouth disease has been detected in Cyprus.

Better mental wellbeing is linked to improved heart health, with new evidence showing it is associated with lower cardiovascular mortality and reduced risk factors such as high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 

UK Senior Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer hails Ukraine’s extraordinary resilience – defending its territory and protecting civilians to withstand relentless drone and missile barrages – as he condemns Russia’s illegal invasion and demands full withdrawal on the invasion’s fourth anniversary.

An energy saving grant scheme has invested over £5.4 million to help sports clubs across Wales make improvements that lower energy costs and make their buildings more efficient.

UKHSA data shows that fewer than half take up the free shingles jab.

A fresh lease of life – and fish – have been given to ponds in Devon thanks to local anglers, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Environment Agency.

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has become the first university in the UAE and the Middle East to receive Academic Accreditation from the Association for Project Management (APM) for its Master of Project Management (MPM) program.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces will be able to better defend itself against Russia’s brutal attacks.

The State of the Union showed the president’s faith in the efficacy of tariffs is undimmed – despite the adverse Supreme Court ruling.

Primary School children to learn vital water safety skills.

Statement given yesterday by Chris Elmore MP, Minister for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean, at the UN Human Rights Council High-Level Week.

A new online campaign is helping businesses in the UK make their pricing clearer – and avoid legal pitfalls.

Business sentiment and activity across the service sector continued to fall in the quarter to February, albeit at a slower pace, according to the CBI’s latest Service Sector Survey.

Two new funds to tackle homelessness head-on and help deliver on the national target to halve long‑term rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament.

Spending plans vote.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds recently (24 February 2026) delivered a speech at the NFU’s annual conference.

Landowners and farmers across Wales can apply for enhanced tree planting grants from next week, with a new £825 per hectare incentive payment available for native broadleaf woodland creation.

Professor Alexis Jay to chair statutory Inquiry.

Windsor and Maidenhead council has agreed to apologise and reconsider if it should provide free transport to a Disabled young woman trying to get to college. It will also look at other Disabled adult learners’ cases to see if they have also been affected by similar decision making.

Statement given recently (24 February 2026) by Steven Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories, at the General Assembly’s General Eleventh Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.

A programme to improve maternity and neonatal services is being launched as the Welsh Government accepted the recommendations of a major assessment of services.

Survey shows stigma could be holding people back from seeking support.

The Government Actuary’s Department has set up a Public Sector Defined Contribution Pension Scheme working group.

The FCA has chosen 4 companies to test how their stablecoin services work with proposed regulation in a safe environment.

There had been multiple pollution incidents involving the farm since 2012, but the defendant failed to increase slurry storage at the farm as required.

Jail for Bounce Back Loan fraudster

Major proposals to strengthen the construction products used in buildings across the country were published yesterday in a crackdown on unregulated practices.

Government takes decisive action by rapidly introducing a new legal definition for ‘honour’- based abuse.

Faster and fairer justice for victims is at the heart of the Courts and Tribunals bill