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The UK will cohost a major conference on the future of international development to drive shared growth and prosperity and tackle global challenges head on, it is announced today.

Environment Agency closure comes after arrests. Bumped-up drone squad takes off to fight dumpers from the sky.

European skies to be defended by advanced surface-to-air weapon under new multinational scheme.

HM Treasury has today launched a recruitment campaign for a new Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction.

We welcome the Court of Appeal’s (CoA) ruling that we have succeeded in our appeal against the decision of the Upper Tribunal on DSG Retail Limited (DSG). 

We’ve taken some of our popular children’s titles and brought together a number of products from across our range to show you how they can bring the story to life through play and apply to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 7 Areas of Learning.

Government announces a record £73.4 million in funding in 2026 to 2027 for protective security at Jewish, Muslim, and other faith sites.

Welsh communities will benefit from high-skilled roles as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal boosts autonomous technology

The national governing body for athletics in Great Britain has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter after the death of a Paralympian in London.

Overall, there is evidence that the policy principles of decisions being person-centred and trust-based are being met, however, client experience tended to vary depending on their circumstances.

Speculation is mounting over how the US will act if diplomacy fails and a deal with Iran to remove the country’s nuclear capability collapses. As options are debated, ‘cyber’ remains ever elusive.

New surveillance, detection and investigative capabilities rolled out by Environment Agency to tackle waste crime.

Seven men have been arrested in Nigeria after intelligence identified a scam compound targeting UK victims.

Statement given recently (18 February 2026) by The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, at the UN Security Council meeting on The Middle East.

Free period products and open conversations about menstrual health are now available to families across Wales, with funding helping to break stigma and tackle period poverty.

A company has been ordered to pay almost £10,000 for illegally storing asbestos waste in Northumberland in a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

A Statement given yesterday from His Majesty The King.

This report was issued in February 2026 and covers the time period 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2026 inclusive.

Children’s progress put first as government ends runaway independent special school fees.

It’s vital that Scotland’s communities benefit from our renewable energy resources. This paper has new proposals to strengthen our guidance for community benefits from onshore renewables projects, including on fund levels, technologies, governance, distribution, and support for communities.

An innovative scheme to improve the diagnosis of patients with suspected acute respiratory infections is to be extended in the North West Coast.

At first glance, the Trump administration’s energy dominance policy appears to have been a success. But shifting energy market dynamics has proven difficult.

Despite exceptional demand, overall handover times from ambulances into hospitals have improved on last year.

OpenAI and Microsoft pledge funding to AI Security Institute’s Alignment Project: an international effort on AI systems that are safe, secure and under control.

Thousands of pets and animals across Wales will benefit from improved welfare protections as the Welsh Government confirms £1 million in continued funding for Animal Licensing Wales.

Fishing communities will no longer need to choose between work and health appointments, with free dental, physiotherapy and health checks now brought directly to harbours across Wales. 

Two fraudulent funeral directors have been sentenced after storing bodies in unrefrigerated conditions and denying families lawful burials.

Britain cannot ‘just stop oil’ – and trying to is making us poorer, dirtier and less secure, new IEA paper warns 

Ofcom has announced that it will be fast-tracking its decision on proposed new requirements for tech firms to use technology to block illegal intimate images at source.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, commented on estimates by the County Councils Network that the costs of providing school transport for young people with SEND could reach £3.4bn per year by 2030/31

Budget to provide a record £144m for optometry services.

The Government has published the prospectus for the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (EHCF), setting out eligibility criteria, funding parameters, and the application process for organisations seeking support between 2026 and 2029.

An assessment of the UK's fiscal framework and the case for reform

In its first AI strategy, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) sets out a bold plan to build on the UK’s incredible strengths and potential.

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) has become the first organisation headquartered and operating wholly in Scotland to be awarded the prestigious People Development Partner status (PDP) by the CIPD for its commitment to developing its HR team.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail regulator, has authorised Northumberland Park Station in North Tyneside, the fifth of six stations to open as part of the Northumberland Line project.

At a time when our commitment to mitigate the impact of climate change has never been more urgent, a sustainable approach to technology should be at the heart of any digital transformation strategy.

Analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) of new healthy life expectancy (HLE) statistics published yesterday:

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is streamlining its research translation and commercialisation funding opportunities to make them clearer and more consistent.

In September 2024, we reported on the Welsh Government’s affordable homes target. This article gives a high-level update on some key issues.

The 50th person to be convicted under the National Crime Agency’s largest ever sexual abuse investigation has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for raping a child and a young woman in the 2000s

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has concluded its regulatory action following the review of policies identified through the UK Government's 2024 call for input exercise on single-sex spaces.

Russian‑aligned hacktivist groups continue to target UK organisations with disruptive cyber attacks

Hundreds of thousands more women attended NHS breast screening last year and thousands more cancers were diagnosed early in England.

Older people across Wales are getting vital support to increase their incomes and claim benefits they are entitled to, thanks to Welsh Government funded advice services.

techUK is pleased to once again partner with Tussell and The Data City on the 2026 Tech 200 list.

Chartered week is always an important milestone for the project profession. 

Sellafield awards £45 million contract to LTi Metaltech to supply products, supporting safe plutonium storage and progress toward long‑term disposal.

Blog posted by: Kathryn McCarter, 19 February 2026 – Uncategorized.

Manufacturing output volumes fell in the three months to February, though at a slower pace than in January – according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect volumes to decline at a similar pace in the three months to May. 

Young carers are often expected to operate in a digital-by-default world while living in anything but. Caring responsibilities interrupt the usual rhythm of schoolwork, online learning, and staying connected with friends. When access is fragile, the smallest technical problem becomes a genuine barrier.

Three constables and a police community support officer (PCSO) will face gross misconduct proceedings over how they dealt with a man in a vulnerable situation who was found unwell at Coventry Central Library and later died in hospital.

The AI Impact Summit in New Delhi is ambitious – but little progress on international governance is expected. Smaller and regional gatherings are a better prospect to develop the solutions the world needs.

This winter has felt exceptionally wet for many parts of the UK, with repeated bouts of rain and very few prolonged dry spells.

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

New resource for supporting people at risk of harm.

The NHS could be facing a “second surge” in norovirus as the vomiting bug reaches its highest level so far this winter.

The Munich Security Conference showed that Europe can chart a path for a new transatlantic relationship through taking responsibility for its own defence, building democratic resilience and supporting Ukraine.

Companies wound-up in the public interest following Insolvency Service investigations

Apprenticeship changes continue to be drip-fed to the sector, with the overarching message that they will be implemented at speed. We sat down with Leanne Poole, Head of EPA Operations, to learn what 2026 might hold as the reforms take effect.  

The UK has formally opened the British Embassy Office in Lviv, expanding the UK’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine as the 2 countries deepen their relationship.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers across Wales will now have access to funding to modernise their businesses and boost sales through £2.2 million of new investment.

The plan to cut long waiting times and the waiting list is working as the number of people waiting has fallen to its lowest level in almost three years.

Thames Barrier to close, temporary defences on Thames and Severn, more pumps in Somerset.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded that Staffordshire Police officers acted appropriately and in line with policy prior to the death of a man detained in Stoke-on-Trent. 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) today detailed steps that will sharpen the organisation's focus on delivering high quality economic and social statistics that are essential to UK decision-makers. 

Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on draft Schools White Paper.

This consultation and modifications report accompanies the Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan. It provides a summary of the representations made to the draft plan at consultation stage, and explains the changes made to policy and text before adopting the plan.

Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, recalls Russia’s pattern of reassurance without transparency and refusal to engage OSCE risk‑reduction mechanisms before its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine – and calls on Russia to explain what practical steps it is now prepared to take to reduce escalation risks and prevent miscalculation (18 February 2026).

Trump’s plan could doom aspirations for a unified Palestinian state. European and Arab states should pressure Washington before it’s too late.

Welcome to Workers and Machines – authoritative, accessible and actionable updates and insights on tech and AI for the British labour movement, allies and anyone interested.

Company boss handed suspended prison sentence and massive bill for illegally dumping thousands of tonnes of waste across England.

Orkney is set to benefit from a new marine plan designed to sustainably manage and preserve the unique way of life on the islands. 

Five people have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into a people smuggling network suspected of transporting Vietnamese migrants to the UK in lorries and small boats.

£300,000 fund distributed in partnership with STV Children's Appeal

Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs responds to the latest inflation data

First-ever AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation marks bold plan to make AI deliver for UK’s cutting-edge science and research efforts.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee commented on estimates by the County Councils Network that the costs of providing school transport for young people with SEND could reach £3.4bn per year by 2030/31

Local anti-poverty and cost of living initiatives set for cash boost.

The government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power unless action is taken to empower communities, warns a new report from IPPR North.

Statement by The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the UN Fact Finding Mission Report on El Fasher

Major new backing for medical imaging centres across the UK including tidal energy testing expansion in Orkney and cutting-edge materials.

Rory Deighton said health leaders will do all they can to minimise the impact and to direct current supplies to where they’re needed most.

Further Scottish Government funding to meet training needs.

Celyn Lloyd-Taylor, aged 13 from Cwmbran, took a well-earned break from his daily caring responsibilities this week to gorge walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Regulations were introduced yesterday and will be enforced in stages over the coming year, bringing important new standards for drivers, vehicles and operators to ensure customer safety

New law requires tech platforms to take down non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours or face fines.

Martin Sartorius, Lead Economist, CBI responds to latest inflation data for January 2026

Up to 30,000 extra care hours projected.

We are pleased to announce that two further individuals have been convicted following our extensive investigation into the unlawful accessing and sale of personal information obtained from over 400 garages across the UK, as well as claims management and insurance companies. 

A former Bolton Council worker has been jailed for defrauding almost £900,000 in DWP benefits from vulnerable adults whose finances he was employed to protect.

Suspended sentence for fraudster who emptied company bank accounts

The CIPD responds to the latest official labour market statistics

New proposals for onshore renewable energy developments.

The UK’s policing leads for child sexual abuse (CSA) are yesterday warning that despite unprecedented levels of law enforcement action to tackle offending, advances in technology and the reliance on online platforms to communicate are significantly increasing the opportunities for offenders to engage with and sexually abuse children.

The Upper Tribunal has upheld the FCA's decisions to ban Stephen Joseph Burdett and James Paul Goodchild from working in financial services. 

Millions of adults facing debilitating anxiety conditions are missing out on treatment that could help them recover and get back on with their lives the NHS has said, as it launches a major new mental health campaign.

William Ellis, senior economist at IPPR responds to the latest inflation statistics

Expansion of NHS 24 Mental Health Hub and support for children and young people in crisis.

New guidance means millions of people will get access to medicines that protect the heart and kidneys, while NHS savings of £560 million from using generic dapagliflozin can be reinvested elsewhere in NHS care.

Public Health Wales has published a new report examining loneliness, social isolation and social connection across the nation, drawing on findings from the 2025 flagship report from the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection.

Illegal skin lightening products continue to be found across the UK, with Trading Standards officers reporting their sale in an increasingly wide range of outlets, including butchers, specialist food shops and small grocery stores, as well as online.

Treasury control over transport spending is holding back regional growth, new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reveals.

Clarifying the law on Religious Observance at school.

The £110 million investment in the North Hykeham Relief Road will also mean faster journeys and less congestion for people across Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

Dstl’s trial has supported the development of next‑generation atomic clocks for the UK’s defence needs.

Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit variation to Rathlin Energy Ltd, following a public consultation on the Agency’s ‘minded to’ decision.

The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Findings show that 2,544 deaths in England were associated with cold weather across 3 cold episodes recorded between November 2024 and January 2025.

A generational UK Government commitment to modernise Welsh rail is set to support 12,000 jobs across Wales.

Almost 1.5 million households have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December, providing vital cost of living support to help people stay warm during cold weather.

A new partnership between English Football, the UK Football Police Unit and Ofcom will streamline collaboration in their collective fight against online abuse in football.

Joint likeminded statement on the occasion of the second anniversary of Alexei Navalny`s death on 16 February 2024.

Nice has recommended the first disease modifying treatment for arginase 1 deficiency (ARG1-D), an ultra-rare, inherited and progressive metabolic disorder, for routine use in the NHS in England.

As the leader behind Supporting People and Everyone In, Dame Louise Casey has celebrity status in the world of homelessness relief. Given her deep understanding of the strengths and challenges of our sector, we have been intrigued to see her launch the Casey Commission, an independent review into adult social care.

The newly-opened Economic Growth and Investment Fund is designed to support companies that offer skilled, well-paid employment opportunities and help them grow.

A rapist has faced justice 20 years after committing his crimes, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

150,000 disabled adults to keep £400 more cash each year to help with cost of living, and £700 million to support tens of thousands of home adaptations.

Vulnerable children to be protected in Sri Lanka, as the country signs a letter of intent to join the UK’s Global Charter for Children’s Care Reform, during a visit to Colombo by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy today (Tuesday 17th February 2026).

The FCA has fined Richard Howson £237,700 for his part in misleading statements being issued by Carillion plc.

The first annual report on hate crime recorded by the police, under Section 15 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

Forensic science in England and Wales is not working. Not for the police, not for forensic scientists or lawyers and ultimately, it is not working for the public and the criminal justice system. 

Statement given yesterday from the Children’s Commissioner on plans to tighten online safety laws.

Unlawful developments are being left permanently in place across England because under-resourced councils are running out of time to act, a new report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman yesterday revealed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating following an incident in Liverpool in which a man died after being stopped by police.

TfL's Sarah Hope Line marks a decade of supporting people affected by lifechanging or traumatic incidents on the TfL network.

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.

Convicted takeaway boss ordered to pay back funds following Insolvency Service investigations.

The National Residential Landlords Association has announced a closer partnership with RentGuarantor.

Government are addressing challenges faced by creative businesses in accessing finance.

techUK is delighted to be on the ground in New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit 2026, the first summit in this landmark series to be hosted in a developing economy.  

The Electoral Commission has concluded an investigation into the Irish Republican Socialist Party. The announcement is part of the Commission’s monthly update on concluded investigations.

The first reports from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) latest fire and rescue service (FRS) inspection programme will be published in March 2026. 

The UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre is set to open in London.

Jobseekers are to benefit from the roll-out of mobile jobs vans across Great Britain – appearing outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums.

Some of Scotland’s leading start-up tech companies will have the chance to secure orders and build contacts in New York and New Jersey under an expansion of the Techscaler International programme.

Europe is being recast, sharper and stronger, reflecting the world order at work in the forge.

A construction company has been fined after a worker sustained serious injuries when he fell from a ladder during renovation works in London.

An Assembly Committee has called for urgent action to address, ‘unresolved weaknesses’ in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and expressed concern that recommendations it made five years ago have not been fully implemented.

Baroness Chapman speech given yesterday outlining the UK’s commitment to a modern partnership with Africa, priorities on health security, sovereignty and multilateral reform.

New replacement ambulances and response vehicles will soon be on the road thanks to a £23.1 million investment by the Welsh Government.

On Monday 16th March between 2:30 – 4:00pm Homeless Link will host an online workshop on behalf of the UK Right to Food Commission. 

High Court backs Environment Agency over illegal boats.

Blog posted by: Aggie Michael, 17 February 2026 – Uncategorized.

February is often regarded as a transitional month with winter beginning to loosen its grip while early hints of spring quietly emerge.

UK and international partners to redouble efforts for AI to transform public services, create jobs and drive renewal for people worldwide at AI Impact Summit.

Initial findings from Barnardo’s Scotland consultation with children and young people, on behalf of the Scottish Government to seek their views on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

Joint Statement given recently (14 February 2026) by the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands on Alexei Navalny's death.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has declared an independent investigation following the death of a woman at a West Midlands Police (WMP) custody block.

New TUC analysis published recently (Sunday) revealed that the average woman effectively works for 47 days of the year for free and only starts earning from today compared to the average man.

Innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction.

Milestone reached in energy efficiency support scheme.

The UK has officially gone from a leader to a laggard when it comes to supply chain laws. 

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and California Governor Gavin Newsom sign new  agreement in London, building on decades of cooperation on climate and clean energy.

A new campaign to provide practical ways for organisations to protect themselves from common online threats.

Our comment piece for Inside Housing discusses how our Unhealthy State of Homelessness report can help ensure the government’s strategy breaks the cycle of worsening ill health and homelessness.

The list of celebratory events that will be supported by the St David’s Day Fund 2026 was recently (15 February 2026) published by the Welsh Government.

UK and partners have recently (14 February 2026) exposed the tragic circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny's death and have confirmed there was poison found in samples from his body.

The Government has published a statement and guidance on local supported housing strategies under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

UK will bolster regional security by deploying a Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North.

Dstl’s partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funds crucial defence research, including AI to boost intelligence analysis.

Unpaid carers, disabled people and people with lived experience of social care will have a say on local services after Scottish Parliament regulations come into force.

The Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) Sarah Owen has written to the Business and Trade Secretary and Culture Secretary calling for stronger legislative protections to tackle misogyny and the silencing of victims in the music industry and the creative sector in general.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a friendlier tone to European nations, but the elephant in the room – the rupture between the US and its NATO allies – remains, says Bronwen Maddox.

Thousands of people living with schizophrenia and severe depression are being recruited by the NHS for a major new study which could unlock a “new era” of personalised treatment for severe mental illness.

A total of nine current or former police officers who featured in the BBC Panorama documentary on Charing Cross police station have been found to have committed gross misconduct, following the latest accelerated misconduct hearing held by the Met yesterday.

Rapid testing for bacterial infections is being rolled out in community pharmacies and GP surgeries across Wales.