WIREDGOV

After weeks of predominantly hot and dry weather, the week ahead will bring a very different feel across much of the UK.

A Yorkshire-based building company and its director have been sentenced after botched building work on a home extension compromised gas safety and put the lives of a homeowner and her two children at risk.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak responded to the latest labour market statistics.

Charity Commission points to structural vulnerabilities in the regulation of some charity services

Night Tube has helped more than 67 million people travel safely and affordably at night - enough to fill Wembley Stadium almost 750 times.

In 2025 we set out to examine police use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in England and Wales, recognising that this was a time of significant change in how technology was being used by the police.

Public Health Wales has launched its new Screening equity strategy 2026 to 2031, setting out ambitious plans to ensure that everyone in Wales who is eligible for screening has a fair opportunity to take part, regardless of their circumstances.

The FCA has banned Howard Roland Duckett from working in financial services due to a serious lack of honesty and integrity.

Twenty men across Wales are helping to create safer communities for women and girls after completing specialist training through the Welsh Government's Sound campaign.

Government and local leaders join forces to keep vital bus services running for millions of people across the West Midlands.

Aviation is a mainstay of modern life, connecting people, businesses and communities across the world.

Report assesses impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel prices and margins until the end of June 2026 and provides an update on Fuel Finder activity.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government yesterday announced the results of its consultation.

The founder of Liverpool-based Signature Group has been banned as a company director after investors lost more than £4.8 million through a linked company that distributed false and misleading marketing material.

More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food.

The TUC has urged the new Chancellor to show working people he’s on their side by taxing banks to cut bills. It follows reports in the Financial Times that JP Morgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon has lobbied Chancellor against increasing taxes on banks.

AI Growth Zone to support more than 3,400 jobs and attract major new investment to Lanarkshire – supporting the drive for good growth in every postcode.

The NHS is urging millions of people to book their flu jab as of yesterday as the health service starts winter preparations earlier than ever.

Parents have until 31 August to extend Child Benefit for their 16 to 19-year-olds who are continuing in non-advanced approved education or training.

Funded by TfL and The London Marathon Foundation, Walking and Cycling Grants London is supporting community and not-for-profit groups to encourage more walking, cycling and active travel across London.

Joint statement regarding the disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment protocol signed between the Congolese authorities and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda-FOCA (FDLR) (17 August 2026).

Eligible disabled people across England will get free bus travel all day, every day, after the Prime Minister announced today (Tuesday 18 August) that the government will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes.

This independent report examines the Scottish National Investment Bank's performance over its first five years, assessing progress against its statutory objectives and missions, authored by Sir John Elvidge.

Streetwise Opera's Opera Pioneers programme, a mentored practical introduction to working behind the scenes in the arts sector for people with lived experience of homelessness, is recruiting for its second cohort.

HM Land Registry and Ordnance Survey will work together to support government policy and economic growth.

Thousands of quality homes to be built closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping families live closer to work, school and transport.

Scottish Government response to Sir John Elvidge’s performance review of the Scottish National Investment Bank. This review is a requirement under the Scottish National Investment Bank Act 2020.

Egypt may yet join Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in their mutual defence pact. But for now, Cairo is continuing its cautious approach as it seeks to avoid taking sides.

The contraction of UK aid, and its knock-on implications for security, pose big questions and lessons for Starmer’s successor(s).

The TUC has hit back at scaremongering from some business organisations on guaranteed hours and said the case for giving insecure workers security at work is “overwhelming”. 

As Children’s Commissioner, it’s my job to listen to children and make sure their voices are heard by the people making decisions that shape their lives.  

Update to Refer Bona Vacantia Land or Buildings (BVC2) and Apply to buy a Freehold Reversion (BVC4) guidelines.

Harnessing opportunities of data centres.

A conference to explore the potential of point-of-care testing (POCT) to improve health outcomes attracted senior leaders and expert contributors from across the North West and beyond.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail regulator, has today announced that on 13 August it decided to pre-approve a new framework track access agreement between HS1 Limited (trading as London St. Pancras Highspeed) and VTE OPCO Limited (Virgin Trains).

 The technology young people have access to at home can have a real bearing on what they are able to do at school, the digital skills they develop and how prepared they feel for what comes next.

Scotland's Trafficking and Exploitation Delivery Plan contains the key actions that will help us to meet the four long-term outcomes set out in Scotland's Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2025.

Tensions with the US and Alberta are leading Prime Minister Carney to back new oil and gas infrastructure. Smoothing the path to electrification would be a better use of public funds.

The FCA has announced Sabina Saini and Darine Obeid as the financial services attachés for India and the UAE.

Welsh Government opens the door to new Careers with 35 apprenticeship opportunities.

A court order is now in place prohibiting anyone from entering or importing waste onto a site at Severnside Farm, Gloucester.

IPPR has responded to the homelessness statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has shown clear improvement since its last inspection, the fire inspectorate has said.

More than 2.6 million girls in Afghanistan have been denied a secondary education in the five years since the de facto authorities took power, UNICEF said. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is effectively closed to girls and women.

Company had shipping debts in the United States, Europe and UK

Workers without fixed hours who regularly work between 20 and 30 hours a week are 73 per cent more likely to be behind on bills than comparable workers on fixed-hours contracts, according to new analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has made strong progress in its performance and continues to demonstrate sustained improvement, the fire inspectorate has said.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, responded to the latest homelessness figures

The Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit variation to Drax Power Limited in Yorkshire.

Submit your views on the ZEV Mandate review consultation by 23 October 2026.

An amber heat-health alert is now in place across all regions in England.

As its AI models catch up to US rivals, China wants to set the rules that govern AI use.

In this blog post, Lucy Razzall and Giorgia Tolfo investigate some of the administrative history behind marking rights of way. They also look at the discussions that eventually led to the design of a universal symbol for long distance trails in England and Wales.

More than 150 rural 4G mast upgrades are now live, boosting mobile coverage across remote UK areas and helping walkers, visitors and communities stay connected.

Ensuring support is available where and when families need it.

Bluetongue virus infections continue to rise due to favourable weather conditions.

As organised cybercriminal attacks escalate and threaten national security and social order, should the private sector get (limited) authorisation to take the gloves off?r

My first thoughts are with the victims and survivors of Simon Levy, their families, and with every other victim who looks to the criminal justice system for protection.

Major renewals to the A41 will start on 24 September with a series of lane and full closures.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their A-Level results today!

Network Rail has today been fined £1.2 million after pleading guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, following an investigation and prosecution by industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Millions of people will receive essential financial support before the August bank holiday weekend, as the Government has confirmed that benefit payments will be brought forward to Friday 28 August.

Paul Taylor, former CEO of Blue Horizon Asset Management (BHAM) has been fined £489,000 and banned from working in financial services by the FCA.

The first child I spoke to at Bournemouth Football Club was beaming. The day before he had scored a hat-trick in a final at a competition, in Fulham.

After an exceptionally hot spell across many parts of the UK, this weekend will bring a noticeable drop in temperatures.

Individuals with no right to be in the UK will be deported faster as new 24-week target on asylum appeal decisions comes into force. 

Young people out of work or at risk of entering unemployment after school are set to benefit from a first of its kind AI bootcamp kicking off in the north-west.

New analysis suggests that unfreezing housing benefits would not drive increasing rents.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

On 29 July 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published new guidance, developed jointly with NHS England, setting out how existing medical device law applies to ambient voice technology (AVT) used across health and care settings in Great Britain. techUK has followed this issue closely and welcomes the clarity the guidance provides.

A couple who killed two men after using meetings arranged for sexual services as opportunities to poison them and steal high-value items, including Rolex watches and jewellery, have both been jailed for 17 years.

Scottish Government delivering further support for first-time buyers.

Future generations are on track to see one in every five pounds of government revenue swallowed up by debt interest, according to new analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

techUK will be at the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Reform party conferences this autumn with a programme of panels and receptions bringing the technology sector together with parliamentarians, policymakers and party members. 

Matthew Hopkins responds to the latest performance data from NHS England.

Homeless Link responds to the statutory homelessness statistics for Q4 2025/26

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, responded to the latest NHS performance stats

A Lancashire Constabulary officer with alleged links to an organised crime group is due in court to face two corruption-related charges following an Independent Office for Police Conduct directed investigation.

Joint statement from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and Action on Smoking and Health Scotland (ASH Scotland).

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, today. 

The financial system is evolving toward greater choice rather than a new hegemon, requiring policymakers to rethink how economic power, resilience and sanctions will operate.r

Increase in top grades from Northern Ireland students.

With more than 460 registrations, 25 exhibitors and knowledge partners, 29 speakers and 36 roundtable facilitators, this year’s GeoPlace Conference brought together the location data community for a day of insight, discussion, practical advice and innovation.

CBI has responded to GDP data for June 2026.

The first infrastructure projects that will see local households get up to £250 off their energy bills have been welcomed by Ofgem.

After another spell of exceptional heat, the weather pattern across the UK looks set to change during the next 10 days.

FSA National Food Crime Unit operation leads to one arrest and the seizure of suspected illegal food products across England, Wales and Scotland.

Seven early-career physicists have been awarded Ernest Rutherford Fellowship’s, supporting research from the search for dark matter to the physics of black holes.

T Level results grow substantially as more students achieve more A and A* grades in A Level maths

The next CBRN crisis will be shaped as much by supply chains, industrial resilience and public trust as by sensors and detection technologies.

Learn what CPV codes are, why they are used in public procurement, and how buyers can use them to find the right suppliers for their contracts.

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Cefin Campbell, has congratulated learners across Wales as A-level, AS, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification learners received their results this morning.

The APCC’s Joint Leads for Victims, Clare Moody and Matthew Scott responded to the Victim’s Commissioner’s report, Forgotten victims: Barriers to justice following a road traffic collision.

The Visitors Car Park will be closed for maintenance from Monday 17 August and will reopen on Wednesday 26 August. 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that nothing will ruin a family day out faster than a child dropping their newly bought ice cream. Yet according to a poll commissioned by English Heritage, almost seven in ten Brits (68%) would be too polite to go back and ask for a replacement despite 70% saying that ice cream is one of the highlights of their child/grandchild’s day.

Electrofishing surveys are undertaken to capture and count juvenile fish, primarily in rivers.

Joint statement from the United Kingdom, Albania, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the High Representative of the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

As temperatures continue to reach exceptional levels across parts of the world, one term appears again and again in news reports: heat dome.

The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) has launched a new series of Carbon Literacy® courses for professionals working across the digital and tech sector, helping participants understand the carbon impact of everyday decisions and identify where their work can contribute to reducing emissions

If you've just received your exam results, you may be interested to find out more about how you've been marked, and the comments made about you and your exam paper.

A&E demand hit a record high in July as the NHS faced a “summer surge”, while elective performance reached its best level against the 18-week target in nearly five years.

As young people get their exam results it’s a time for many to think about the future.

Statement from the First Minister of Wales following COBR.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has reprimanded ACRO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) after cyber security failings left the personal information of up to ten thousand people, including some individuals’ sensitive data, potentially exposed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death of a woman who became unresponsive while in police custody in Chester.

Statement given recently by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Palestine.

A process evaluation of the implementation of the Strategic Integrated Impact Assessment (SIIA), one of the documents accompanying the Scottish Budget 2026-27

The Environment Agency’s Greatham Marsh Restoration Scheme in Hartlepool sees the return of the tide for the first time in over 200 years.

While around 60% of women giving birth every month are vaccinated, UKHSA warns many thousands of babies still at risk.

Above-inflation 3.5% and 3.75% increases for doctors and dentists.

More asylum hotels have been handed back to local communities, ready to reopen their doors to tourists, visitors and businesses.