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£20bn of total borrowing over five years for investment on AI, defence and green energy is expected in tomorrow's budget. This would cost less than £1bn in debt interest and running costs in 2029-30, according to new IPPR analysis. 

David Williams responds to the chancellor's budget.

This report was issued in October 2026 and covers the time period 1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026 inclusive.

UK exporters set to benefit from wider eligibility and faster access to government-backed finance of up to £15 million through UK Export Finance’s General Export Facility

Families and businesses in Wales will get breathing space as a result of action announced in Budget 2026. 

An Official Statistics in Development publication for Scotland

From online banking and contactless payments to healthcare and streaming, data centres support the services we use every day, and as new developments progress, communities rightly have questions about what a data centre could mean for their local area. Data Centres Explained is a free resource helping people understand what data centres are, how they function and the role they play in our lives. 

The Prime Minister and Chancellor spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning ahead of Cabinet.

We have reprimanded Staffordshire Police after the force unlawfully disclosed a domestic abuse victim's home address to their alleged abuser.

The King is visiting The Bahamas and Guyana, before being joined by The Queen in Antigua and Barbuda for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The tour will celebrate the people, culture and heritage of each nation, while highlighting themes of environmental stewardship, youth leadership, community service and Commonwealth partnership.

Partnership to accelerate progress for care-experienced people.

The developer dumped 25,000 tonnes of waste including asbestos.

The UK, Netherlands, Finland and Poland update on next steps for the Multilateral Defence Mechanism

 The Cabinet Minister for Finance Elin Jones makes a statement Ahead of the UK government’s Budget

Fairer climate finance to be key priority.

Following this summer's extreme heat, new Met Office research suggests 18-24-year-olds are among the most engaged age group when it comes to following weather warnings and advice.

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of rape and three sexual assaults following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

Douglas Alexander toured the Fife shipyard where the new apprentices will work on building three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Standing charges from household gas bills will be removed for around 23 million homes.

Conditions improve but coastal flood risk remains.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced new proposals to help more leaseholders at risk of high bills to fix serious building and fire safety defects.

The UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Sanders, visits Tanzania ahead of the UN’s forthcoming review of the status of Tanzania’s human rights landscape

The UK will lead development of three advanced undersea sensor payloads for uncrewed vehicles under AUKUS, following a week of testing at the Maritime Big Play exercise in San Diego.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is raising the alarm over the substantial financial contribution and risk borne by UK taxpayers and consumers in the construction of Sizewell C.

It’s been a turbulent twelve months for digital identity in the UK: a national digital identity scheme announced, debated, and then scrapped, all within the space of a year.

The station features the longest escalators on the network, which have been in service for almost 35 years

Customer service must get markedly better, Ofcom has today warned postal operators, as the watchdog considers additional consumer protections for parcel deliveries.

HM Land Registry is consulting on both the future of its fee structure and on increasing access to data on land ownership.

Business announces planned £6 million for first phase of investment.

Statement given recently (26 October 2026) by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait.

Nivalda Santos Pirjani and Klevi Pirjani had their minimum terms increased after an Unduly Lenient Sentence referral by the Attorney General.

Halloween might conjure up images of chilly nights, mist and howling winds, but the UK's weather on 31 October has been remarkably varied.

How the government's Warm Homes Loan scheme can help households install clean energy technology and save money on bills.

Alcohol Minister Maree Todd has pledged further action to tackle alcohol-related harm as new figures show alcohol-specific deaths have fallen for the second year in a row.

Central government has an opportunity to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity, modernise services and help civil servants make better use of information.

New campus for the National School of Government and Public Services opened at York.

The Charity Commission’s decision to take legal action against the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which resulted in the Ombudsman essentially being blocked from laying her reports before MPs, was wrong and must be learned from, according to a new report by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Recent website outages and the launch of the Government’s ‘Be Ready’ campaign offer a timely reminder that resilience is not just about protecting technology. It is about preparing people, organisations and communities to manage disruption.

The TUC yesterday (Tuesday) renewed its call to tax bank windfall profits to cut energy bills ahead of the Budget, as the union body publishes new analysis which reveals the scale of massive pay packets of top bosses at Britain's big four banks.  

Britain will be more secure as a result of a new defence agreement with Poland designed to deter Russian threats.

When people talk about artificial intelligence in the public sector, the conversation often jumps quickly to chatbots, virtual assistants or the idea of AI replacing work traditionally carried out by people. 

The review will examine whether opportunities were missed to prevent Henry Nowak’s murder and how the Nowak family were treated in the aftermath.

Prescribing of NICE-recommended tablets for endometriosis and fibroids has more than tripled in a year across England, giving thousands of additional women another option to manage painful and debilitating symptoms.

The Crown Prosecution Service has today announced that two men have been charged following an incident involving RAF Fairford.

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

The Childhood Lottery: Reflecting on the findings and response 27 October 2026.

Chancellor unveils five everyday fixes to ease household costs, support working families and end the Carer’s Allowance cliff edge ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.

Innovate Awarding Limited (Innovate) has been fined £185,000 by Ofqual after the regulator found serious failings in its oversight of a centre delivering a business administration qualification.

More than 1,000 young people attended Norfolk’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs fair to experience first-hand the various professions in the agricultural sector.

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

As HSBC announce Q3 pre-tax profits of $9.6 billion – up 32% on the year – and bringing its 2026 profits to $29.2 billion so far – up 26% on the year – the TUC is today (Tuesday) urging the Chancellor to increase taxes on banks in tomorrow's Budget.

If the Netherlands agrees to US export controls, it must be mindful of its vulnerability to retaliatory measures from Beijing.

Kraken Technologies, National Grid, Octopus Energy, and SSE will sponsor the UK Pavilion at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

An Albanian fisherman who skippered a yacht from France to the UK with 17 migrants on board has been convicted.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Children and Armed Conflict.

Wales is gearing up for the Tour de France Grand Départ 2027, with £4.5 million in Welsh Government investment to boost cycling tourism, attract visitors and support local economies.

Judge condemns operator – 'A deliberate and blatant attempt to get around the law.' Penalty over £47,000 includes costs for dangerous disposal of red diesel.

Imagine a bid team a year after contract award. The social value section named a delivery partner, the commitments went live, and now a performance update is due for publication. 

E5 Defence Ministers' Statement: 26 October 2026.

The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into ADAPT (North East) over serious concerns about how the charity is being managed.

Almost £1m to support ‘ask and act’ projects ahead of implementation of new legislation.

HM Land Registry has published a new practice guide to help conveyancers and the wider property market understand and prepare for new requirements on contractual control agreements.

Retail sales volumes fell in the year to October at the slowest rate since April 2025, according to the CBI's latest Distributive Trades Survey.

Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour could be hit with tougher restrictions as new Respect Orders came into force across England and Wales yesterday.

The nationwide movement is back for 2026, with new research from This Girl Can revealing more than half of women feel unsafe exercising alone after dark. 

When we build an AI application, the question “does it work?” needs a precise answer. Extracting a clause from a contract is one test. Giving someone enough context to assess that clause and use it in their work is another.

The UK, Ukraine and Latvia agreed to extend the Grain Verification Scheme, widening the net against those profiting from stolen Ukrainian grain

Referral rates for managing children’s tooth decay in Wales have remained broadly stable since 2022/23, according to an updated Public Health Wales report.  

Border Force officers seized more than 4 million illegal cigarettes, worth an estimated £2.59 million, in a 4-day crackdown at Manchester Airport.

Funding further increases in defence spending would require hard choices – cutting spending elsewhere, raising taxes or borrowing more – both at this Budget and in the years ahead.

One year after the fall of El Fasher, the UK is bringing forward a new package of action designed to shine a spotlight on the horrific violence seen during the siege of the city.

As of yesterday (Monday 26th October), new Respect Orders have come into effect across England and Wales, giving police and partners tougher powers to crack down on the most relentless adult anti-social behaviour offenders.

We’ve published the latest figures for complaints we’ve received about the UK’s main landline, broadband, mobile and pay-TV providers.

Benefits cheats have been put on notice with tough new anti-fraud measures used for the first time as part of a drive to save billions of pounds for the taxpayer.

Contract signed for first year of delivery of backpacks for P1s.

The next generation of public services will undoubtedly need to rely on better-connected technology. But their success will often come from the insights that can be gained in ordinary moments.

The cost of living, growth and jobs are all impacted by global geoeconomics. To pass the ‘Makerfield Test’ and deliver for ordinary people, the budget should recognize this and build resilience to external shocks.

The NRLA yesterday set out its views on how the Chancellor of the Exchequer can address the private rented sector's supply and affordability issues, ahead of the 2026 Budget on 28 October 2026.

Royal Lofts & Extensions Ltd has been wound up in the public interest following an Insolvency Service investigation into complaints about the company.

People are being urged to be aware and report vandalism, anti-social behaviour and heritage crime at Welsh historic sites this half-term after thousands of pounds’ worth of damage was caused at a newly renovated site in west Wales.

Earlier this month, in a speech at the Innovation Nation Summit, Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out his ambitions to 're-industrialise' the UK, turning it into an "innovation-led" and "research driven" economy.

New Victims' Commissioner panel, backed by £1 million in Home Office funding, will give adult survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation more say in decisions.

Have you ever experienced the rhythm of children in a classroom? Have you witnessed the ebb and flow of conversation and the focused hum of learning when children are in the flow and absorbed in what they are doing?  

Companies House will pause the introduction of small companies and micro-entities filing profit and loss accounts while the government considers alternative options to simplify filing processes. The government reconfirms its commitment to mandatory software filing of accounts and other planned reforms for April 2028. 

Backed by up to £300mn of government funding and company commitments, the AI Biosecurity Lab will use AI to strengthen UK resilience to biological threats.

Major package to unlock the opportunities of AI in every postcode, scale up home grown AI firms, and keep UK safe from threats announced by the Chancellor.

UK deepens nuclear defence ties with France in historic first joint air exercise as RAF Typhoon fighters join French Rafale jets in a French nuclear exercise.

Strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, with strong winds possible in northern and western Scotland on Tuesday, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from midweek.

Scottish Government facing projected real-terms block grant cut.

In this year's State of Care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports on a social care market in flux, changing shape rapidly but without a clear destination.

Kazakhstan did not choose between Washington’s Pax Silica and Beijing’s WAICO: it joined both. It needs technology from both superpowers, and a say in the rules.

Carbon dioxide stunning to be replaced with more available humane alternatives

Blog posted by: Emma Nichol, 23 October 2026 – ​Mission delivery, Operations.

Joint Press Release on the R4 Ministerial Meeting with Counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom, Istanbul, 23 October 2026.

A 10 week consultation on school milk provision in Wales has launched.

Joint statement from HM Treasury and Department of Finance Canada, 25 October 2026.

The Prime Minister yesterday set out his confidence that everyone sleeping rough will be offered a route off the street or wider support before Christmas, as he announces a further £432 million to help deliver the ambition and sustain support for years to come.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, recently hosted the tenth Dragon Group meeting last week at Trinity House in London.

Two British nationals have had assets worth approximately £50 million frozen after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) secured its second-ever Unexplained Wealth Order.

Welcome to last week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

Fraudster obtained three Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only allowed one.

Responding to security threats from Russian military capabilities and increasing Chinese activity are largely sensible. But a lack of alignment on climate policy risk undermining the security they seek to strengthen.

CBI recently responded to government's AI resilience and security plan.

Statement on the 26 October 2025 Atrocity in El Fasher from members of the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan: Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone, Sweden, the UK.

Nature recovery projects, including work to restore areas of the Cairngorms damaged by this summer's wildfires, will receive more than £1 million in Scottish Government funding. 

In two separate cases, the CCRC referred the convictions of young people to the appeal courts on the basis that they were victims of trafficking or modern slavery, and their convictions have been quashed. 

Self Assessment customers have just 100 days to file their tax return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year and pay any tax owed.

Five drug smugglers who were arrested as they moved nearly half a tonne of cocaine into Eastbourne Marina, have been jailed following a National Crime Agency investigation.

More than 3,800 new magistrates have been recruited under this Government to help get more cases heard.

CIPD chief executive Neil Carberry calls on government to give employers guidance and time to understand new unions laws before they come in

Government temporarily blocks rare prehistoric battle-axe head from leaving the UK 

A consultation has been launched on a new planning policy in Wales for an undergrounding-first approach to new 11-132kV electricity lines.

Restrictions have been placed on 6 unregulated lenders, known as Annex 1 firms, after the FCA raised concerns about their anti-money laundering policies, controls and procedures while assessing their applications.

BioOrbit sends pharmaceutical research platform to the International Space Station (ISS) following record £9.8 million investment.

Citizens Advice says the Chancellor must avoid a dangerous gap in winter energy support that threatens to leave disabled people and working families behind. The charity warns that failing to expand winter energy support beyond the current safety net risks bypassing some of the very people struggling the most.

When someone is experiencing homelessness, eye care might not be the first thing on their mind. But being able to see clearly can make a real difference to how they navigate everyday life, access support and maintain their independence.

The City of London Police has been recognised for its leadership in digital innovation after winning two awards at the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Digital & Innovation Awards 2026.

Siva Anandaciva, Director of Policy, Events, and Partnerships at the King’s Fund responded to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care report

A landmark centre aims to discover exactly how the human brain develops from infancy for the very first time.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for councils to be made equal partners with the NHS to prevent digital reform in health and social care from failing. 

Four men will appear in court charged in relation to the alleged production of meth – after five Mexican men were charged as part of the same National Crime Agency investigation last month.

Joint ministerial statement by the UK and 31 other partners on the risk of famine in Sudan.

A joint statement between the UK and Oman following the Sultan of Oman's State Visit to the UK.

Add your memories to the Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial before the submission portal closes for public contributions.

Phase 1 of Steps to Safety will enable GP practices across 12 areas in England to connect people experiencing domestic abuse with specialist support.

Passengers can now book tickets for TaithCymru, the new coach service connecting North and South West Wales, which begins operation this Sunday, 25 October.

Innovative AI technologies have the potential to act like a ‘second pair of eyes’, helping radiologists review prostate MRI scans.

Ahead of the UK-EU Summit, techUK CEO Julian David OBE has written to the Prime Minister, urging the Government to make technology a strategic focus of the summit.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has today published it's annual State of Care report.

The NHS’s support for people to lose weight should be overhauled with obesity treated as a long-term, managed condition like diabetes, the Health and Social Care Committee says in a new report.

Young people supported by social care in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from a new mental health pilot.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has had success in reducing tax debt as a proportion of tax receipts for three consecutive years, while managing significantly more new debts since the pandemic, the National Audit Office says in a report published today (Friday 23rd October 2026)

State of Care is our annual assessment of health care and social care in England.

Not immediately. But a Democratic victory could set the terms for a new approach by the next president.

British businesses will get a bit more breathing space as the Chancellor announces new plans to slash the red tape choking firms.

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker's speech given yesterday at the official opening of Telford Gun Hall.

Statement sets out how the Government Legal Department will work with chambers and counsel to build a more diverse pool of talent across the Attorney General's panels.

Seventh annual progress report on Scotland's land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026.

Social cohesion is the one pillar of the EU's Hybrid Toolbox with no funding of its own. Countering Russian hybrid warfare means building it locally.

Children across the country are benefitting from a record high in payments being made by parents through an improved Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

On Tuesday 13 October, over 350 delegates joined us for the Welsh Public Health Conference in Glamorgan Cricket, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

UK Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford condemns Russia’s latest mass strikes against Ukraine and its continued denial of Ukrainian agency. Respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and Ukraine’s democratic choices is essential for genuine dialogue and any lasting peace settlement (22 October 2026).

Babies born in Wales will be screened for more conditions in the future thanks to a £1.21 million investment for a new laboratory facility announced yesterday.

Five members of a drugs smuggling gang who were part of a plot to import cannabis worth £13.8 million into the UK via Birmingham Airport have been sentenced.

The London Assembly Transport Committee has published its report on autonomous passenger services in the capital. techUK contributed written evidence to the inquiry earlier this year, as did a number of our members.

Blog posted by: Vedika Lall and Jessica Kyriacou, 22 October 2026 – Our services, strengths-based thinking, User Centred Design.

Prosecutors continue to receive a record number of rape cases and pre-charge receipts between April and June 2026 – the seventh quarter in a row to each have the highest referral volumes recorded for that period. 

The Financial Services Regulation Committee has today published its report Home and travel insurance regulation: more for the FCA to do.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating allegations a detective used artificial intelligence (AI) inappropriately during criminal investigations. 

France’s violent protests put further pressure on Macron’s already weak government, give Marine Le Pen fresh political ammunition – and offer a stark warning for Europe.

The Defence Secretary yesterday spoke on British industry and sovereign production capacity at the official opening of Telford Gun Hall.

Private market firms vary in how well they identify and manage conflicts of interest, according to an FCA review.

Ministers' principles of charging for water services from 2027 to 2033.

Homelessness services are being encouraged to raise awareness of an upcoming deadline for veterans affected by the armed forces LGBT ban to access financial and non-financial recognition by using the Ministry of Defence’s Ally Pack.

Vast majority of newly licensed private hire vehicles could be zero-emission from 2028

New IPPR research shows that disadvantaged pupils are nearly three times less likely to achieve the highest marks in SATs taken by Year 6 pupils in English state schools

In the past few years, companies have been seeing what AI can do. Now they're finding out what it takes to put AI to work across an entire organisation, and that's turning out to be a much harder challenge.

Support workers on strike, key TUC campaigns and more: actions from the October 2026 round up.

Report monitoring respiratory viruses for the 2026/27 season.

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial has launched in the UK, which could cut years from the search for treatments that work for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to Office for National Statistics figures on employee earnings in the UK in 2026.

Through Project QUIVER, the British Army is exploring opportunities to improve the speed, resilience and scalability of 155 mm artillery ammunition handling, resupply and reload activities across the logistics chain.

Manufacturing output is expected to stabilise in the next three months, according to the latest quarterly CBI Industrial Trends Survey. That follows a decline in the three months to October, which extended a period of generally flat or falling production that began in mid-2022.

Findings from the report show that 2,200 deaths were associated with cold weather in England during winter 2025 to 2026.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will support four national networks and nine partnerships connecting research and industry.

Postponing council tax revaluation yet again is unjustifiable and risks entrenching an out-of-date system in Wales and beyond.

Most organisations do not struggle to experiment with AI. The harder challenge is turning those experiments into capabilities that can be deployed repeatedly, governed confidently, and scaled sustainably. 

Diabetes is one of the biggest long-term health challenges facing NHS Wales.