WIREDGOV

What's the NHS annual budget? How many doctors and nurses are there? What's the cost of an operation? 

 Cllr Eamonn O'Brien, Chair of the LGA responds to the Government’s announcement of a ‘crackdown’ vaping and betting shops

Actuary Georgina Bedenham joined experts at an ILC UK webinar to explore how climate change affects health, ageing populations and future public policy.

Income tax take rises by £1.5 billion.

Government-backed finance enables Coventry-based SME to scale up production and create jobs to meet growing export demand.

Michelle Ferguson OBE, Director, CBI Scotland responds to Scotland's GERS figures for 2025-26

A skills training camp is underway at Coleg Sir Gâr preparing apprentices for the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai this September.

London's Cycleway network reaches 450km in length following the completion of the latest routes across the capital

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

New projects to move UK science away from animal testing

The Local Government Association (LGA) is encouraging retailers to prepare for new measures under the Tobacco and Vapes Act with new government guidance.

The Welsh Government has announced the co-chairs for the new Town Centre Taskforce, alongside £1 million of new funding to support regeneration projects in Bangor and Bridgend.

More than 436,000 sole traders and landlords have successfully submitted their first Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update.

Helping community groups cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Strategic review points to removing or amending measures that may no longer be needed following changes to how markets work, regulation or consumer behaviour.

A van driver who claimed he was delivering a hot tub but was actually smuggling cannabis worth £220,000 into Northern Ireland and across the border to the Republic of Ireland has been jailed after a National Crime Agency investigation.

The UK and Australia are boosting cooperation on radar technology, as Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP kicks off a visit to Indo-Pacific partners this week. 

Child poverty and health inequalities have been entrenched within Wales for generations, with most recent figures showing that 1 in 3 children under the age of four live in poverty, and healthy life expectancy rates are in decline for both men and women. 

Dstl is working on future thermal cameras that will be better at seeing through smoke and dust.

Two men have been arrested as part of an ongoing Environment Agency investigation into illegal waste dumping on a farm at Middlewich in Cheshire.

Leadership comes in many styles, but what all great leaders do is inspire and provide direction towards a common goal. They define the culture of an organisation and how it operates. The best leaders take their staff with them in a shared endeavour and, of course, while leadership starts at the top, it exists at all levels of an institution.

Government reveals the communities in over 40 locations eligible for cheaper electricity bills.

The Timms Review launched last October with the aim of making sure PIP is fair and fit for the future. Its Interim Report, published in July 2026, found that PIP is no longer fit for purpose.

High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown under new powers announced by the Prime Minister yesterday [Tuesday 11 August].

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase the maximum duration of closure orders from six months to twelve months, as part of revitalising our high streets. 

Small and medium sized organisations, and sole traders, across the UK are being encouraged to boost their business fitness by taking new online training from the Information Commissioner's Office, the UK's data protection regulator.  

How can consumer technology support women's health? What is the evidence base for existing FemTech products, and how can new products be developed safely and equitably?

Historic economic and social conditions point to a change of leadership in Russia, but a triggering event is still on the horizon for Putin.

The global climate in 2025 set several new records, including atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, the loss of glacial ice from mountain regions, and the dryness of global soils.

Environment Agency water control structures suffer repeated vandalism which puts lives at risk and worsens drought impacts. Public urged to report incidents.

Cnoc Soilleir opens as £1.5 million announced to boost Gaelic language.

A West Yorkshire Police (WYP) officer has been charged with assault following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into allegations he used excessive force during a man’s arrest.

Modern Service Frameworks aim to make high-quality care more consistent across England. Deputy chief medical officer, Judith Richardson explains how NICE guidance is helping turn evidence into practical service improvement.

On a sunny afternoon, a couple of days after the England men’s team’s heart-breaking semi-final defeat in the World Cup, I sat on the stands at Anfield with a group of young people. 

What is the scale of livestreamed child sexual abuse in the UK and abroad, what technological solutions are there, and what regulatory approaches exist?

Essex company fined after operator ignored warnings to clear overflowing site.

A huge seizure of almost three tonnes of cocaine has been made as part of a National Crime Agency investigation.

Lincoln Arts Centre and Barbican Creative Hub, based at the University of Lincoln, have been granted £219,454 from Arts Council England for the Routes In – Greater Lincolnshire Place Partnership project.

Two initial meetings sent a worrying signal and Venezuelans are frustrated.

If you're a smaller Registered Provider (RP), it can be easy to assume that the consumer standards are something only larger providers need to worry about. 

Heatwaves are a familiar feature of UK summers, but the way they are recorded and understood has changed over time.

A man who was creating an illegal firearm at home using a 3D printer has been jailed for four years.

Companies House want to hear your experiences of using the Package Accounts Upload Service.

A man who was obsessed by guns has been jailed for 3D printing a firearm, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Arria meeting on Implementing international humanitarian law: prisoners of war, civilian detainees and foreign fighters, in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Electric vehicle charging bays and forecourts across Wales will benefit from full non-domestic rates relief until 2036.

Women’s charity awarded first Engagement for Change Fund grant to provide support across Northern Ireland

An Amber Extreme Heat warning has been issued by the Met Office with temperatures likely to peak around 37°C in places.

National Drought Group met today as 71.3% of England now in drought.

TfL supporting BTP trial to help catch 'high harm' offenders, including those wanted for sexual offences, robbery and knife crime.

In opposition Hichilema made international friends as a champion of democracy. In power he must resist tipping the scales in favour of his party.

Over 100,000 people in England have accessed potentially life-saving treatment for hepatitis C in the last decade as part of a groundbreaking NHS programme, new figures show.

The Environment Agency has begun a £13 million flood scheme in Skinningrove, replacing Stone Row Bridge and ending the need for manual flood gates.

This report presents findings for Scotland from the 2026 ASH Smokefree GB Youth survey on: use of vapes, cigarettes and other nicotine products; awareness, main source, and type of products used; and experiences and views of users, including reasons for vaping and perceptions of harm.

Offshore energy infrastructure is being built at pace, led by offshore wind and electrical interconnectors, but the security architecture needs to keep up.

A man from Leeds who forced more than 100 victims into sexual activity and self-harm as part of a Com group, including them carving his online username into their bodies, has been sentenced to two years in prison after a National Crime Agency investigation.

Marine Minister Stephen Morgan yesterday visited the Port of Tyne to see first-hand the ongoing response from volunteers and multiple agencies to plastic pollution incident.

Two pilot projects helping farmers and vets to tackle bovine tuberculosis are being extended, following success in Pembrokeshire and North Wales.

Britain's automotive sector will benefit from almost £130 million of investment to ramp up new zero emission technologies, the government yesterday announced.

Health Innovation North West Coast’s fuel poverty project has been shortlisted for an HSJ Award.

Funding for island projects to deliver critical infrastructure, boost local economies and improve access to services has been announced by First Minister John Swinney.

Government Commercial Agency's G-Cloud framework has relaunched, opening up an estimated £14 billion in opportunities for small British businesses.

Government and O2 team up to urge people to Stop! Think Fraud before buying resale tickets ahead of big tours this summer.

New guidance to ensure safe conversions of traditional buildings.

Fifteen organisations have been shortlisted for the 2026 Digital Inclusion Awards, recognising signatories to the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA)’s Charter for Digital Inclusion that are turning shared commitments into practical action.

A North-East building contractor has been sentenced after a bricklayer broke his back after falling through a barn roof in Northumberland.

Five fast-growing firms have joined the FCA’s Scale-up Unit, receiving tailored support to help them innovate, navigate regulation and grow sustainably.

Farmers and growers facing another period of dry weather can access practical support available to help them cope.

Royal Navy warships and helicopters spent 21 days on operations monitoring Russian activity in UK waters and the North Atlantic throughout July.

Used car dealer was convicted of Covid fraud earlier this year.

First phase of £10 million funding announced as FM visits Western Isles.

The Trump administration has pushed through another round of tariffs. While they are being challenged in the courts, unpredictable and costly US trade policy is here to stay.

A Thetford-based chemical manufacturer has been fined £100,000 after an employee suffered hand injuries when it became caught in an unguarded conveyor.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into alleged failures of Met Police officers in their management of registered sex offender (RSO) Simon Levy is ongoing.

Sets out the actions taken by contributors to the Scheme to redress the historical abuse of children and is a requirement of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021.

National grants available of between £4,000 and £2,000.

An international research project has uncovered new silk seal bags in The National Archives collection, demonstrating the richness and diversity of the collections in our care.

Can UN AI governance bridge the widening digital divide between AI superpowers, middle powers, and developing countries?

Measuring return on investment (ROI) and proving value on technology and digital projects has plagued business and tech people for decades. 

Defence Secretary on his first visit to Scotland tours Babcock’s Rosyth facility and Service Family Accommodation in Edinburgh.

The Prime Minister yesterday announced that he will be rolling out a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help people with the cost of living, kicking off with two measures.

Edinburgh’s festivals provide a “global platform” for Scotland as well as the artists who take part in performances, the Deputy First Minister has said.

Expanded ticketing trials are open to all passengers on Northern Railway's 2 northern routes and include the Leicester to Nottingham, via Derby route.

There are 7.2 million more adults living with obesity adults than would have been if obesity rates had stayed the same as 1993, the year after the first of 14 national obesity strategies was published, with the total number of adults living with obesity now standing at 14.3 million, new analysis from The King's Fund has found.

The Commission is aware of a cyber security incident involving Beacon’s Customer Relationship Management service and is signposting guidance to affected charities.

In partnership with STUDIOCANAL and the Met Office, Imperial War Museums (IWM) will unveil a display of never-before and rarely seen collection items onboard the D-Day veteran ship, HMS Belfast.

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Al-Khair Foundation and has restricted certain transactions.

Barnardo’s Scotland Children and Young People Engagement Report on Religious Observance and Religious Education in Schools.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, responded to the announcement from DHSC on the expansion of new community mental health centres and A&Es 

Instrumentalised migration and Russia’s recruitment of disposable agents exploit the same European weakness: treating deniable acts of coercion as isolated rather than as elements of a wider campaign.

The UK has joined France, Germany and Italy in condemning Russia’s ongoing activities in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The new Welsh Government has approved its first major offshore wind project, marking a major milestone for Wales’ renewable energy aspirations.

CMA proposes that Aldi and Lidl should be covered by the same land agreement rules as the UK’s largest supermarkets to ensure customers get the best choice of where to shop.

Clearer data on qualifications and outcomes means stronger local understanding, says Ofqual’s Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham.

Katherine Hutchinson speaks with the FDA’s newly elected President for 2026-2028, Leila Kelly, about her path to the union and what she considers to be the FDA’s biggest challenges during her Presidency.

On behalf of the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser (OPSCA), techUK is pleased to highlight the Industry Innovation Partner Network, a valuable opportunity for industry to engage directly with policing stakeholders.  

Tributes have been paid to an award-winning UCL historian, filmmaker and lecturer in screenwriting who has died aged 61.

Twenty three company directors were disqualified in the first 6 months of this year for persistent or serious non-compliance with their responsibilities.

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

Findings from a study providing a comprehensive, system level understanding of gambling harm treatment and support services in Scotland.

Blog posted by: Ash Smith, Director GOV.UK & Publishing and Kieran Housden, Director, OnePlatform One Login for Business programme, 6 August 2026 – GDS team.

Intention to invest £100 million through British Business Bank’s Investor Pathways Capital Initiative to boost growth in every postcode.

Team Wales heroes were given a warm welcome home yesterday during a special event to honour and celebrate the nation’s success at the Commonwealth Games.

The Environment Agency has revoked the environmental permit held by a Wolverhampton waste operator, DS Environmental Services of Crown Street.

Businessman controlled company despite three director bans

The endorsed funderpathway of the Global Talent visa (GTV), managed by UKRI, has been expanded to include over 100 UK research-intensive businesses.

A 45-year-old woman has admitted smuggling 51.2kg of cannabis from Thailand on a flight to the United Kingdom, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

More than 500 aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds took part in this year's Government Legal Profession Diversity Summer Scheme, gaining practical legal experience and hearing from senior leaders about the range of routes into a career in public service law.

A record number of pupils missed more school than they attended in autumn term 2025/26, prompting calls for the new Education Secretary to make tackling severe absence an urgent priority.

Innovate UK announces its largest ever Women in Innovation cohort, supporting women founders in businesses across manufacturing, digital tech and life sciences.

Millions of people across the UK aren’t just battling the heat - they are trapped in homes they can’t cool, with little to no control over soaring indoor temperatures. New research by Citizens Advice finds nearly half (44%) of Brits feel they lack the basic control needed to stop their homes overheating