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This year’s London Tech Week delivered a number of headline-grabbing announcements across AI adoption, infrastructure and investment. One that may have flown slightly under the radar, but that nevertheless deserves close attention, is the government's announcement of a new package of support measures for scale-ups and high-growth firms.  

The government has announced that, with immediate effect, the supply, production, importation and possession of seven named orphines, a form of synthetic opioid, has been made a criminal offence. The change has come into effect under a temporary class drug order pending permanent control as Class A substances, subject to Parliamentary approval.

An Accredited Official Statistics publication for Scotland

UK thanks Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal and bolsters joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is deploying public health specialists from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the region.

More than 3,000 zero emission buses now on London's streets, marking a 100-fold increase over the last decade and meaning a third of the fleet is green ahead of Clean Air Day

Hundreds more families in Wales will be able to access funded childcare thanks to a £55 million investment announced today.

The UK is backing Ukraine’s energy security in the face of relentless Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. 

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs were confirmed yesterday morning [June 15 2026].

UK announces major new sanctions package choking off Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts.

A new online form is now available, making it easier and quicker to refer to Veterans Services.

A new national network to coordinate standards for the quantum technologies that will revolutionise everything from medicine to banking and transport.

£219 million boost for sustainable aviation fuel to cut emissions and back UK innovation and jobs.

Clearance decision follows evidence of significant structural challenges facing the UK bakery sector and longstanding losses in ABF’s bakery business.

Thousands of jobseekers could be supported into a new career as the government joins forces with LinkedIn to bolster careers advice. 

Pressure piled on Russia as Prime Minister steps up support to power Ukraine at G7 Summit.

The best locations for 300 hectares of new woodland identified. Hedgerow restoration supports rare species like hazel dormice, turtle doves and barn owls

£1.6 million investment from DCMS and Art Explora will create the UK’s first permanent mobile museum.

The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC has referred the sentence of Vickrum Digwa, convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak, to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The best locations for 300 hectares of new woodland identified. Hedgerow restoration supports rare species like hazel dormice, turtle doves and barn owls

Pharmaceutical company GMP Manufacturing has secured over £500,000 in funding support from White Oak UK, backed by a government guarantee.

While Europe celebrates Pashinyan’s win, the Kremlin is focused on his weakened mandate, accusations of Western intervention and the long game in the South Caucasus.

Learn how NICE's healthtech guidance is accelerating NHS adoption of a simple bowel cancer test, preventing 140,000 unnecessary urgent referrals a year while keeping cancer detection rates stable.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred a man’s sentence for a drug supply offence to the Court of Appeal because the judge made an error when calculating his sentence.

Scotch whisky exporters stand to benefit as the Scottish Government continues to help secure an end to increased US tariffs, protecting hundreds of millions of pounds in trade.

The UK ranks first in the world for robotics research quality [1 ]. We have world-class universities, a growing ecosystem of innovative companies, and genuine expertise in AI, surgical robotics, autonomous inspection, and more.

Two men have been found guilty of three separate arson attacks on properties and a car linked to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

A new National Audit Office (NAO) report examines the progress and evidence underlying the costed proposals for the programme to restore and renew the Palace of Westminster (the Palace) and assesses them against established practice to determine whether the programme is currently set up for success.

UK police to access European vehicle data in seconds, accelerating organised crime investigations.

The faster speed means schools can reliably use digital whiteboards, video conferencing, online learning platforms and resource-heavy applications all at once.

UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer (15 June 2026).

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy on the US-Iran peace deal.

Global space weather forecasting is getting a step-change in capability as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SOLAR-1 satellite becomes operational.

Social media platforms to be blocked from offering services to under-16s, marking a line in the sand and setting a new normal for future generations.

First Minister congratulates Scotland’s Honour recipients.

The government must work with the EU and individual member states to support artists looking to perform in Europe, MPs say, in a report that highlights the financial struggles and missed opportunities they face post-Brexit.

Statement given yesterday by the Children’s Commissioner on the social media ban for under 16s.

The National Archives' Iqbal Singh and Dr Shaniece Martin recently co‑led a workshop at Coventry Archives inspired by the exhibition Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation. Outreach projects like this are shaping our model for future regional engagement.

Innovations in genomics offer significant opportunities to better detect genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease – and our region is well placed to lead the agenda, argues Theun van Veen, Project Manager in our cardiovascular disease team.

Speaking at the All-Island Economy Annual Conference in Dundalk on 11 June, Ibec and the CBI called on the UK and Irish Governments to further co-invest in major infrastructure projects to address critical capacity, as well as ensuring greater all-island alignment on addressing skills constraints.

Robotics is no longer a ‘future technology’ sitting safely in labs and pilot programmes.

Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, highlights E3 leaders’ reaffirmation of unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence, underscores the unsustainability of Russia’s war effort in the face of mounting casualties and minimal territorial gains, condemns continued Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, and calls on Russia to agree an immediate and unconditional ceasefire (12 June 2026).

On Wednesday 20 May, the Department for Education (DfE) published its long-awaited post-16 reforms implementation plan.

The Government Cyber Action Plan aims to boost cyber resilience across the UK public sector by using emerging technologies to manage risk.

CBI recently (12 June 2026) responded to latest GDP figures (three months to April 2026).

A man has been jailed for encouraging the suicide of a vulnerable 21-year-old in the USA via a video call.

Mark Byers, the Chief Operating Officer of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Ofcom has today published a decision by Ofcom’s Election Committee having considered a complaint from the Restore Britain Party in relation to the BBC Question Time Makerfield By-Election Special.

Announces publication of the third cycling and walking investment strategy with projected investment of £4.5 billion.

Targeted programme ahead of further and higher education terms.

Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat removes one of the most important European patrons of secessionist and illiberal actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Will Peter Magyar’s government change course?

Advances in submarine and missile developments are among the achievements of Dstl staff in the latest Honours.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has strong arrangements in place to respond to sudden-onset humanitarian crises and can deliver rapid and effective support.

Statement given recently (12 June 2026) by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

After an extensive revision process, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has published Version 2.0 of its Corporate Net-Zero Standard on 11 June.

HMRC crackdown targets criminals exploiting the high street.

City of London Police are issuing a renewed warning to the public as courier fraud continues to evolve across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics that are driving significant financial harm to victims.

Do you keep a close eye on the weather, or do you just enjoy talking about it? Either way, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with this week’s Met Office weather quiz – World Cup 2026 edition!

At a meeting of leading figures from the UK’s hospitality, tourism and night-time economy sectors, ministers heard the industry’s plans to further bolster safety standards across the industry.

Maternal and child health expert Professor Christine McCourt is to lead a review into improving maternity services across Scotland.

Welcome to the latest Market Access Brief insight. This is a new fortnightly insight which focuses on the events, opportunities, trade missions, as well as wider updates that we have within the techUK International programme and from our members and stakeholders.

Protests about plans for a luxury resort expose issues confronting all developing countries - over natural resources and sovereignty in an age of a triple planetary crisis.

CBI recently (11 June 2026) issued a statement on the Defence Investment Plan.

Baroness Twycross' speech given recently (10 June 2026) at the Libraries Connected Conference in Kenilworth, 2026.

Free family-friendly Live Site offers sporting opportunities.

The Health and Social Care Secretary recently (11 June 2026) gave the keynote speech at the NHS ConfedExpo 2026 conference in Manchester.

UK-Japan Frontier Technology Partnership.

Five more centres to open in first 100 days of new government.

Industrial action by resident doctors will be taking place from 7am on Monday 15 June to 6:59am Friday 19 June 2026.

techUK responds to the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey and what it means for the delayed Defence Investment Plan.

UK-Japan Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation.

More than 80 people from Wales are celebrated in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List for 2026.

Thirteen men have been sentenced this week for their roles in violent disorder following a protest in Southampton.

First ultra-rapid EV hub in Fastned & Places for London partnership lands near Heathrow with a week of free charging

Investments to build on the excitement of the World Cup.

The UK and Japan are expected to agree investment creating tens of thousands of new jobs and more than £18 billion in economic gains, alongside a new partnership at the forefront of next-generation technologies.

Community change-makers up and down the country were celebrated in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List last week, with 1182 recipients awarded from every part of the UK.

British forces this weekend boarded a sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in the latest blow to Russia’s war economy.

Children in every part of the country to get access to enriching activities to beat isolation online and build connections in the real world

The Government yesterday confirmed the timeline for phasing in its ban on imports of refined oil derived from Russia, as part of the recently announced package of sanctions to further squeeze Putin’s war machine. 

Young Brits are set to benefit from Dutch style employment support as the Government steps up localised support to tackle rising NEET numbers.

Two men sentenced in insolvency fraud and money laundering conspiracy

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP opens Europe’s biggest drone testing centre in Swindon, learning lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.

Welsh Government has announced that young people in Wales will be offered a free vaccination against meningococcal B disease (MenB) ahead of the new academic year, in response to a series of outbreaks across the UK.

The Health and Social Care Committee has today published a report outlining amendments to the Health Bill, including legal duties for NHS services to comply with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunals.

New push to get qualified nursery teachers into England's most deprived communities so nurseries can offer more childcare places, helping families save money.

Farmers in Wales will have their voices heard on red tape, as the Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, appoints an independent chair to lead a review into the bureaucratic burden on family farms.

More than £6 billion of new investment and around 8,000 new jobs have been announced this week, as companies from around the world choose to build, hire and scale here – reinforcing Britain’s position as a global hub for AI.  

Two-dose MenB vaccine to be offered to young people ahead of the autumn as part of a one-off vaccination programme in England.

TfL is offering free Santander Cycles annual subscriptions to help prospective taxi drivers complete their Knowledge of London studies more efficiently and affordably

The public will be better protected from crime under a major expansion of tough Texas-style courts which will see thousands of offenders monitored by judges.

The expanded fleet strengthens integrated transport links, connecting rural and urban communities where rail services are limited.

Bridgwater Tidal Barrier won the Digital Excellence award at the Flood & Coast Excellence Awards 2026, recognising design partner AtkinsRéalis’ standout digital design work.

Joint Statement by the Foreign Minister of Australia and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

With Scotland back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and England hoping to win a first men’s major trophy in 60 years, the Culture Secretary believes the coming weeks can deliver a series of much-needed, shared national moments.

The Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator have today published new, joint guidance to help people who want to raise funds for charity.

Young people in Wales will be offered Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination for the first time, in autumn 2026, as part of a time limited programme.

Strategy aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings over the next 5 years.

Biodiversity, conservation and human influences on the natural world among the topics of study, as public encouraged to have their say on the new qualification.

Ofsted has today published the first of our annual updates to the education inspection toolkits and operating guides.

New regulations coming into force in April 2027 will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is appealing for witnesses after a man died shortly after police contact at a counter-protest in Bristol earlier this year.

Siva Anandaciva, Director of Policy, Events and Partnerships at The King’s Fund, responded to the inaugural publication of Official Statistics on Corridor Care and latest performance statistics from NHS England

‘Groundbreaking’ NHS teams that have freed up thousands of hospital beds, accelerated cancer diagnosis, and transformed care for patients have been recognised at the inaugural 2026 NHS Excellence Awards.

David Williams says NHS leaders welcome the confirmation of how their organisations will be assessed and overseen in 2026/27.

The government will offer flu vaccination to those experiencing homelessness beginning in Autumn.

Investigators uncover additional funds relating to £8.2m investment fraud.

A major new book restating the moral, philosophical and theological case for free-market capitalism has been published by the Institute of Economic Affairs.

The FCA has decided to fine Carlos Fuenmayor, the Chief Executive of BancTrust, £99,600 for failing to disclose 3 separate matters to the FCA.

Matthew Hopkins, interim acute and ambulance network director at The NHS Alliance, responded to the latest NHS performance figures and corridor care data 

Around 60 per cent of Tube stations that are 'underground' now have coverage, with the whole network set to be connected by the end of the year

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) are working together, along with government and industry, to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace.

More than three-quarters of employees who consistently saved into a pension stop doing so when they move into self-employment.

UKHSA publishes its first Health Security Risk Assessment (HSRA), which characterises the most significant health security risks facing the UK over the next 5 years.

Lizzie Crowley, Skills Adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, responds to the government's AI job centre initiative

The new approach will spread funding more fairly, target family farms and give farmers greater certainty.

We’re delighted to announce that our accredited qualifications covering frontline practice, outreach work, and service management, are now open for applications, with funded cohorts starting this July.

The government risks undermining its own ambition to cut homelessness unless it urgently strengthens support for people leaving the asylum system, according to new analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Measles activity increased earlier this year, mainly due to outbreaks in London and the West Midlands.

Funding for councils is failing to keep pace with rising costs and demand despite a small real terms increase in funding.

Two men have been found guilty today, 11 June 2026, of running a secretive international arms brokering operation including attempting to flood conflict zones with weapons ranging from assault rifles to surface-to-air missile systems.

The TUC is today (Thursday) calling for an emergency energy social tariff to shield households from spiralling energy bills as a result of Trump’s illegal war. 

A&Es experienced their busiest month on record in May, as last month’s heatwave piled pressure on NHS services.

Up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

Joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of the UK, Australia and Canada on the launch of the International Peace Fund for Israelis and Palestinians

New research reveals only 1 in 7 people (14%) have a clear understanding of how their smart devices collect and use their personal data – yet almost all of us (97%) own at least one.

On June 8th, as part of a series of announcements during London Tech Week and at the Government’s AI Adoption Summit, the government has launched a £1.1bn “UK AI Hardware Plan”, which aims to secure UK future capabilities across semiconductors, compute and AI. You can read the full plan on gov.uk here. 

Thousands of disabled people and those with health conditions and more complex barriers have moved closer to work following support from the Government’s landmark Supported Employment scheme.

The post-16 reforms in England bring challenges and apprehension about the future for educators and learners. 

France, Germany, the UK and the United States (the Quad) yesterday delivered a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board on Iran's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement

UK Space Minister unveils more than £19 million at London Tech Week to support British companies developing next-generation space technologies.

We have today published our finalised guidance on consumer Internet of Things (IoT) products and services, setting out clear expectations for manufacturers and developers on how to use people’s personal information responsibly. 

Marking errors affected more than 60,000 candidates taking international English language tests.

Officers across England and Wales will spend less time behind desks and more time protecting their communities.

Chief of Defence Staff speech on AI in defence and the announcement of Rapid AI Delivery Task Force (10 June 2026).

In a keynote speech at the AI Summit during London Tech Week, AI Minister Kanishka Narayan argued that the central question of AI is not just what the technology can do, but who gets to shape it.

Funding boost for charity fundraiser’s World Cup campaign.

The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) incentive in priority subjects will rise by £5,000, to £20,000 from September 2026, as part of the new Welsh Government's 100-day plan.

Delays to the UK’s Defence Investment Plan do not bode well for the UK’s Armed Forces transformation, or confidence the government is prioritising defence spending.

Experts recommend new science-led approach aiming to protect farmers and reduce infection

Government invests in AI technologies to modernise the NHS and reduce waiting times.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

The Welsh Government has announced a package of work to reform vocational skills training in Wales.

A new national centre focused on the development and responsible use of artificial intelligence in policing in England and Wales has been launched.

Surveillance cameras spot vehicles – five now prosecuted over village dumps

New powers introduced to crack down on organisations carrying out hostile activity on behalf of foreign states, including proxy groups who do their bidding.

Universities across England awarded a share of £80 million to offer up to 2,500 student places, as well as help build new facilities to support increased capacity growth over the next decade.

Pension savers will be better protected from scams under new plans announced recently (Tuesday 9 June 2026), as the Government acts to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraudsters who rob people of their lifetime savings.

TfL Travel for Life awards recognise schools working to deliver the activity, safety and environment goals of the TfL Travel for Life Programme.

The ICO has made temporary changes to the governance around how the Information Commissioner’s responsibilities are carried out.

Budget airline Ryanair is under investigation by the CMA over fees that parents must pay to sit with their children – including those with disabilities.

The NI business community stand united in strongly condemning the violence, disorder and intimidation witnessed in recent days across Northern Ireland.

Senior leaders from business and civil society are being brought in to support the Government to deliver a digital ID system that works for the public.

It outlines how the transfer of decision-making powers to local communities provides a major opportunity to improve access to sport and physical activity and support better health for all

​On 05 June 2026, the UK Government published a study assessing the profile of the Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) sector. The study revisited DSIT’s earlier ACT definition and taxonomy, measuring the sector against economic contribution, future workforce, and investment and innovation.  

Matthew Lesh, Public Policy Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs responded to the Government’s plan to regulate images on devices

A new scoping review from Public Health Wales and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe found that inequities in digital infrastructure between regions risk creating uneven access to innovation.

Claire Daly, Head of Policy and Advocacy at WWF Scotland responded to the latest Scotland latest Greenhouse Gas emissions 

MPs are ‘not convinced’ the magistrates’ court will be able to cope with the potential increase in caseload the Government’s flagship court reforms could generate and it requires ‘significant additional support’, a new Justice Committee report has warned.

Policy makers should take Japan and Sweden's approach of creating a 'national mission' to support England's near 'super-ageing' population, a major new report by The King's Fund and International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) has concluded.

In the third of a series of blogs on new regulations in the homelessness sector, Homeless Link Associate Consultant Becky Elton explains how the Competence and Conduct Standard will shape how providers train, support and manage staff across housing management.

Sir Ciarán Devane, the new chief executive of The NHS Alliance, has warned that staff from diverse backgrounds feel particularly under threat at present.

The number of contactless payment cards checked by TfL enforcement officers increased by 50 per cent last year, while the number of penalty fares issued was up by nearly 10 per cent

Midlands Mindforge, the investment company dedicated to supporting university spinouts in the Midlands, has completed its first round of investments.

Daniel Freeman, Managing Editor at the Institute of Economic Affairs, responded to Conservative proposals to repeal the Public Sector Equality Duty 

Customer debt to water and energy companies has climbed to more than £7 billion while millions of households continue to miss out on financial support, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO).

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, responded to a new report by the Children’s Services Funding Alliance, warning that the cost of children’s social care is at a record high