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This festive season, one of the most important and life-saving gifts you can give your child is vaccination, and it’s completely free.

Commitment to improving safety in high-rise buildings.

Charges for strangulation and suffocation have surged since the offence was introduced three years ago, according to CPS data. 

£1m Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold increased to £2.5m from April 2026 – allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5m in qualifying agricultural or business assets between them

A woman has been jailed for 21 years and six months after National Crime Agency officers found £8.5m worth of heroin in her back bedroom.

People should follow NHS inform guidance before calling 111 or 999.

The Crown Prosecution Service has today announced that six immigration officers have been charged with various offences including conspiracy to steal and misconduct in public office following allegations that they stole property from migrants and laundered money.

Almost 240,000 fake Labubus have been seized at the border in a blow to criminals looking to cash in on demand for this year’s must-have Christmas present.

Statement on the introduction of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill in the House of Commons 

Claire Allen, a Trading Standards Officer at Derby City Council, has won the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Product Safety Initiative Award at their annual Hero Awards, held this year in the House of Lords.

Six men have been charged with more than 60 sexual offences against one woman over a 13-year period.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza responded to the Government’s announcement on extending free NHS services for care leavers

Reforms announced at Autumn Budget 2024 will help raise money to fix the public finances while protecting small family farms from unfairly high inheritance tax.

Major boost for children leaving care with free prescriptions, dental and eyecare services.

Two men were jailed yesterday for raping teenage girls in Rotherham more than two decades ago.

Government response: Flood resilience in England

CQC is pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has recently asked us to continue to lead on the programme of Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (ICETRs).

Over 92% of care services in Wales have achieved high standards in the first 7 months of a new ratings system being in place.

The UK has secured bilateral fisheries agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2026, worth approximately £8 million in historic UK landing prices.

Bingo clubs across Britain are celebrating the scrapping of bingo duty as UK tax minister Dan Tomlinson and the Bingo Association’s Paul Swindon joined players in London.

More people facing debt, house repossession or custody battles will benefit from free legal support thanks to a multi-million pound grant for the sector, the Deputy Prime Minister announced today (Tuesday 23 December).

Almost 40,000 former mineworkers across the UK receive first pension increase.

Dominic Allan given suspended sentence after admitting two offences of illegal waste activity on his land. He ignored instructions to stop and clear the waste.

Bolton Deaf Society and Deafway, two charities supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing people, have won the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Diversity and Inclusion Award at the CTSI Hero Awards, held this year in the House of Lords.

A former Merseyside Police officer has been barred from policing after contacting sex workers while on and off duty over a two year period.

A serial conman who posed as a Swiss banker and a MI6 spy to defraud his victim, who was left penniless, has been ordered to pay back £125,000 to her or face more time in jail.

A STFC prototype facility has come online, demonstrating how surplus wind energy could be converted into green ammonia for energy storage.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, responded to the publication of the Government's priorities for adult social care and local authorities 

We know how important the Museum Accreditation Scheme is. For over 35 years, Accreditation has been an accolade to be proudly displayed; an endorsement of your institution as a responsible custodian of culture, heritage and creativity and the bedrock of the museum sector.  

The Minister for Women and Equalities has appointed Ali Harris and Professor Shazia Choudhry as interim commissioners at the EHRC.

The new study analysed data from the Whitehall II study, which received investment by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome.

A man has been arrested in Birmingham as part of a joint National Crime Agency and West Midlands Police investigation into the advertising of people smuggling services on social media.

The Chancellor has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare forecast for 3 March 2026

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies recently visited FareShare Cymru in Cardiff to see how vulnerable families across Wales will benefit from expanded food redistribution services this Christmas.

The UK government and European Commission gave a joint statement following the 17th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights.

UK launches anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imported boom lifts to defend British manufacturers.

A new initiative aims to accelerate the trial of new medicines for improved patient care.

On 12 November 2025, scientists at the British Geological Survey (BGS) issued the highest possible alert for a solar event known as a “cannibal storm.” This rare phenomenon occurs when one solar eruption overtakes another, combining their energy before striking Earth. The result can be powerful geomagnetic disturbances capable of disrupting communications, satellite navigation, and even power grids.

In a major step forward for the modernisation of government communications, the UK Government has appointed media agency WPP Media, part of WPP, to provide media strategy, planning, and buying services across the public sector. 

Colder, more settled conditions expected around Christmas Day as high pressure dominates.

£16.5 million to help researchers, patients and industry partners work together to better understand how dementia begins and progresses.

Remedies proposed to resolve concerns that Vandemoortele’s deal to buy Délifrance could have led to higher costs for supermarkets and commercial foodservice customers.

Over 400 warm hubs across Wales are providing vital support to communities this winter, thanks to £1.5 million Welsh Government funding.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, yesterday afternoon.

International taskforce releases indicators to help businesses and professionals detect corruption

CMA publishes latest report analysing competition in the road fuel market and the factors influencing prices paid by drivers.

A major investment of over £8.94 million to strengthen Wales iconic museums, archives, libraries and cultural institutions has been announced today to grow and bolster the nation’s “essential” cultural foundations.

HMRC provides a rundown of the HMRC app in 2025.

Firms across the private sector once again expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -30%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. This extends a run of negative predictions that began in late 2024.

Consultation on national vision for kinship care.

The Minister for Sports is urging football clubs across Wales to take up a mental health training course to better support teams, coaches, and players.

Government launches new plans to protect and improve the lives of our pets, farmed and wild animals

Hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from an expansion of a trial to tackle poor housing and protect taxpayers’ cash from rogue landlords.

Cutting-edge wifi added to South Western Railway journeys between London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth.

Sofia Parente, Head of Policy (production) at WWF commented on the Batters Review

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission staff have more than tripled this year's fundraising target - donating more than £30,000 to their chosen charity, Air Ambulance NI.

Lincolnshire Police must improve how it investigates child sexual and criminal exploitation, and train more officers, the police inspectorate has said.

What if gentle pulses of sound could help keep our brains healthier for longer? That’s the question explored by the 2025 MRC Max Perutz Award writing winner.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, responded to the Employment Rights Bill receiving Royal Assent and becoming law 

AI chatbots have been in the news a lot recently. They are a new and increasingly prevalent tool that some people use for work, study, research, entertainment or simply for conversation.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University respond to the Employment Rights Act 2025 becoming law. Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University commented:

A new independent report has found growing confidence among employers in the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and widespread support for solicitor apprenticeships.

Employers and HR professionals need to understand the roadmap for change that the Government has set out and when changes will impact how they hire and manage people at work

A new community shop and café has opened in Rogiet, restoring services the village had been without and creating a welcoming space for people of all ages.

HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate cut to 3.75% yesterday (18 December 2025).

The Mental Health Act gains Royal Assent following years of work by different governments and lobbying from NHS Confederation to update the 2007 Act.

Children have told the Children’s Commissioner that their parents and carers do not really understand their online experiences and would be shocked by how common some online harms are, but that if something bad happened online, many would not speak to their families first, if at all. 

People smuggling gangs storing small boats and engines in Germany now face 10 years in jail under new German legislation.

Proposals to strengthen protections for customers in Wales when they receive poor service from their water company have received the backing of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).

The Mayor of London’s policy to provide free school meals to all pupils in state-funded primary schools has delivered a wide range of positive benefits despite having a limited effect on academic attainment, concludes a study led by UCL researchers.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred a man’s murder conviction to the Court of Appeal because of a new case which has changed the law to suggest that an alternative verdict of manslaughter should be left, in most murder cases, for the jury’s consideration at trial.  

Professionalising Resilience

Greater access to justice thanks to Government’s plans for legislation to help claimants receive funding to take on powerful organisations in court.   

Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, commented on the potential postponement of local elections in May 2026

On 16 December 2025, the UK government published the UK Security Export Statistics 2024, outlining the latest trends in the security sector’s international sales. The report highlights cyber security as the dominant segment of UK security exports, underlining its expanding global importance.

Changeable weather will continue to dominate in the run-up to Christmas before high pressure builds bringing drier but colder conditions.

A man’s sentence for violent crimes has been sent back to the courts by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) because the time he spent in custody in France awaiting extradition was not deducted from his sentence.    

Individuals and organisations linked to violence against civilians throughout Syria are today sanctioned by the UK as it continues to pursue those responsible for violence against the Syrian people.

Sarah Woolnough, the Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, responded to the latest NHS weekly sit rep data

Consumers should beware of unknowingly buying fake goods to gift to their loved ones this Christmas, says Citizens Advice, as reports of counterfeit goods are sharply rising

Cash grants will support short breaks.

Nearly three-quarters of women who gave birth in September were vaccinated, helping to give their babies vital early protection.

Air pollution will be the subject of the Environmental Audit Committee’s next inquiry, following a call for pitches from experts and the public.

People could find it easier to pay using contactless, thanks to greater flexibility and the removal of red tape by the FCA.

APCC Joint Finance Leads, Roger Hirst and Joy Allen, responded to yesterday’s provisional grant settlement for policing for 2026/27 

Rough sleeping verification is a process used by some local authorities and outreach services to confirm that a person is sleeping rough, usually by an outreach worker directly observing them sleeping outside. 

The Virtual School Model pilot programme has helped to address the needs of children looked after and support their educational progress an independent evaluation has found.

The Met Office outlook for the global average temperature in 2026 suggests an extension of the run of years with a value above 1.4°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has presented its Annual Report and Accounts to parliament for the period April 2024 to March 2025.

After recent flooding, which saw 18,000 properties protected during Storm Claudia, the Taskforce is focused on preparedness for the rest of winter.

Developed by the Department of Health and Social Care, the aim of these guidelines is to promote and support good practice and improve quality of service provision, resulting in better outcomes for people who use alcohol problematically. These are the first UK guidelines on the clinical management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.

More than £10 million in funding will support organisations delivering essential social care services across Wales, the Welsh Government announced today.

Treve Young was sentenced to 22 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is issuing a stark warning to consumers ahead of the last shopping weekend this festive period to be on their guard against unsafe products that are entering the UK and could pose serious safety risks to shoppers.

The Economic Affairs Committee publishes its report ‘Preparing for an ageing society’.

Views sought on extending Freedom of Information provisions.

The Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States have issued a joint statement on the deteriorating situation in South Sudan.

Above-average rainfall has put Bristol, Somerset, Dorset and part of south Gloucestershire into ‘recovery’ but part of Wiltshire still in prolonged dry weather.

New homes to be built while nature is recovered at scale as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill receives Royal Assent

Their bans as company directors begin on Christmas Day after a court ruling earlier this month

Scotland benefits from the strongest package of winter heating support

 Cllr Matt Boughton, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities committee responds to the announcement of the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG)

Some councils have told the department that elections could derail once-in-a-generation plans to scrap wasteful 'two-tier' councils.

Government pledges to make it impossible for children to take, share or view a nude image – partnering with tech companies.

An Environment Agency investigation into a large illegal waste site in Lincolnshire has resulted in several convictions and large donations to charity.

Former Axiom Legal Financing Fund manager ordered to repay millions to investors. 

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy will focus on healthy relationships and consent, and tackle relationship abuse through a new helpline.

The Mental Health Bill has received Royal Assent to modernise outdated mental health laws and improve care for seriously ill patients.

Statement by the United Kingdom and the French Republic on Nuclear Policy and Cooperation.

Leaders from across the business community, trade union movement and wider civil society have welcomed the Employment Rights Act receiving Royal Assent.

More than £19.6 million in Welsh Government funding is set to revitalise town centres across Wales, delivering transformative regeneration projects that will create thriving spaces for communities to live, work and enjoy.

 Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee responds to the publication of the Public Health Grant 2026-29 for local authorities

New process will cut waiting times and support earlier skin cancer diagnosis.

The government's landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent today.

The AI Security Institute's Frontier AI Trends Report, a public assessment of how the most advanced AI systems are evolving, draws on 2 years of testing AI capabilities in areas critical to innovation and security, including cyber, chemistry and biology.

Almost 100,000 extra outpatient appointments will have been delivered across Wales by the end of December.

A major update to the joint Media Protocol was published yesterday, reinforcing the principle of open justice and supporting greater transparency in the reporting of criminal proceedings.

Defence Programme Manager Jeremy Wimble looks back at the changes to UK Defence in 2025.

New law strengthening protections for sheep, cows and other farm animals.

Over 15 million people across the UK are expected to benefit as the Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent.

Bounce Back Loan fraudster convicted following Insolvency Service investigations

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak comments on the latest inflation figures showing a larger than expected fall of 0.4 points in CPI from 3.6 in October to 3.2 per cent in November

Yesterday UKRI announced budget allocations for the spending review period which includes over £1 billion for quantum technologies. This funding sits within UKRI’s new outcome-focused budget framework and will be delivered across multiple funding streams, reflecting quantum’s role as a cross cutting strategic technology. The allocation spans the full spreading review period, through to the financial year 2029-2030 and is intended to support the entire pipeline from fundamental research through to commercialisation.  

An Official Statistics in Development publication for Scotland

New Board will put farming at the heart of government decision making and back growth for British farmers

Hospitals in England are “on high alert” this week, amid industrial action and a continuing stream of winter viruses.

A former teacher at a school in Surrey, previously convicted of sexually abusing two pupils, has been found guilty of a series of further sexual assaults on a third pupil. 

techUK welcomes the announcement that the UK will rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ programme from 2027. This is a hugely positive step for the UK’s education, skills and talent ecosystem and a clear win for young British students.  

Actions to combat sexual abuse set out alongside next steps in national review.

A joint investigation has been launched by Information Commissioner’s Office and the Data Protection authorities of Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man into the cyber incident that compromised data of the trade union Prospect Custodian Trustees Ltd (Prospect) in June 2025. 

The backlog of people waiting to have their work capability assessed is to be significantly reduced through a package of measures that will reduce UK welfare spending by £1.9 billion by the end of 2030/31.

Ruth Rankine responds to government announcement on changes to urgent dental care.

The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee yesterday published its report, ‘Chagossian views on the Agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago’

Funding to help regions adapt to climate change.  

Local business enjoys sweet success in Japan following UK’s access to major trading bloc.

Supply Coordination Forum launched to mitigate any delivery risk to Northern Ireland’s veterinary medicine supply

Following a referendum vote, the BMA Welsh resident doctors committee formally accepted the proposed contract, negotiated in partnership.

Communities are better protected from illegal waste operators following a successful year of roadside checks by the Environment Agency, police and partners.

A dangerous driver who collided with another vehicle before killing two teenagers had her sentence extended after the Solicitor General intervened.

The funding injection is aimed at restoring pride, and councils will have more resources available to bring back libraries, youth services and community hubs. 

Businesses and workers affected by changes at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site will be able to access an extra £22 million in support from the UK Government.