WIREDGOV

Pubs could stay open for extra time next summer.

Up to 35,000 service personnel to receive extra travel support this Christmas to reunite with their loved ones.

Digital Education and Media Literacy in Schools, the latest report from the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), was launched this afternoon at the House of Lords. Supported by Currys, the event brought partners and policymakers together to examine how young people across the UK are navigating a digital environment that is expanding in speed, scale, and complexity.

New programme launched to help schools tackle avoidable costs and agency staff mark-ups, so every penny is invested in young people.

How to report cyber crime and fraud is changing.

People with heart disease will be able to do their recovery sessions from home rather than travelling for rehabilitation appointments after our independent committee conditionally recommended 7 digital platforms for use in the NHS.

A man who repeatedly sent abusive messages which included references to ‘killing Jews’ to a prominent Jewish MP’s constituency office has been sentenced at Leeds Magistrates’ Court today. 

The NHS is facing an unprecedented flu wave this winter with “no peak in sight yet” according to England’s top emergency care doctor.

Energy network companies have been given the green light for multi-billion-pound funding to strengthen the stability, security and resilience of our energy networks. This investment will upgrade power and gas grids, creating a future-ready system that better shields customers from volatile energy bills.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis's speech given yesterday at 22 Bishopsgate on the government's action to tackle cybercrime.

Speaking at the NATO Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Brussels yesterday (Wednesday 3 December), the Foreign Secretary pledged £10million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

A new transitional relief scheme will help businesses manage rates changes from next April.

Trainee teacher numbers reach highest point since pandemic as government progresses towards its pledge to recruit and retain 6,500 additional teachers.

Statement from the Environment Agency and Oxfordshire County Council, on behalf of the strategic communication group for illegally-dumped waste at Kidlington.

This is the first use of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Regime to disrupt funding for Pro-Khalistan militant group Babbar Khalsa.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Fleet Solid Support build programme starts with steelcutting ceremony at Appledore shipyard, as Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry initiates the process.

Savings for families on baby formula as government brings in measures to help tackle child poverty.

Professor Alexis Jay to chair National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.

From Thursday 4 December 2025, anyone needing to report cyber crime or fraud will be directed to our new Report Fraud service.

The result of Russia's war of aggression is a product of the ambivalence of the West, which by turns supported Ukraine's defence in the conflict and refused to escalate its response to a level consistent with the threat Russia poses. The rules-based order is at stake, and Ukraine stands alone in its defence.

More homes, better high streets and support for businesses are on the way as six fast-tracked devolution areas have secured multi-billion-pound funding.

Hundreds of thousands of patients attended A&E last winter for everyday niggles such as hiccups and ingrowing nails, according to shocking new NHS data.

The UK government has accepted all of the recommendations in full.

A package of support designed to help learners and families navigate the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system has been announced, following a review of ALN legislation, listening to families and learnt lessons from delivery across Wales.

TUC Cymru is today (Thursday, 4 December) launching a petition calling on the next Welsh Government to establish a National Care Service for Wales. 

The Electoral Commission yesterday published updated guidance aimed at improving support for disabled people at polling stations in the May 2026 elections. 

APCC Local Policing leads yesterday marked the launch of Winter of Action.

Victims will be put first under plans to modernise the criminal courts and cut delays, the Deputy Prime Minister recently (02 December 2025) announced. 

A former teacher who abused his position of trust to target and groom a girl 20 years ago has been convicted of sexual offences.

In all of the major fiscal announcements last week, most notably Wednesday’s Budget, there was a notable lack of financial support for digital infrastructure, particularly around energy costs.

A Warwickshire Police officer will appear in court this week charged with stealing property including cash and jewellery, following an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The UK government needs a more strategic approach to deal with potential espionage and foreign interference from Beijing.

This year marked the 48th TUC Trade Union Comms awards.

As automated vehicle technologies develop, we want to ensure that they do so in ways that strengthen safety, widen access and safeguard the public.

£500,000 fund opens to help remove employment barriers.

Organisational resilience is the ability of organisations, infrastructure, and communities to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, adapt, and thrive amidst disruption and evolving conditions.

A 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls he was looking after at a nursery in London. All the victims were aged three or four.

On 02 December the Ending Homelessness APPG Co-Chair Bob Blackman MP led a Parliamentary debate focused on funding for homelessness.

First new option since 1902 introduced.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a series of enforcement notices and practice recommendations to several public authorities after identifying significant failures to comply with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000.

Report: Espionage cases and the Official Secrets Acts­

All secondary school pupils will be able to access new education materials designed to help increase understanding about common women’s health conditions

The transformed station will improve links between Wales and the rest of the UK, breaking down barriers to travel and jobs.

Targeted support for island infrastructure.

Combined fleet of at least 13 warships, bolstered by autonomous systems, will hunt Russian submarines and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic as part of new agreement.

Best Start Family Hubs to act as one-stop-shop for parents with SEND professional and services to support speech and language development confirmed.

More than 53,000 juvenile fish stocked into South East waters this winter. Fishing-licence income funds habitat improvements across the region.

Local people are invited to join their neighbourhood boards to have a say in shaping their areas over the next decade as part of the Pride in Place programme.

Director sentenced for theft and fraudulently removing company property must repay funds

Funding of up to £130,000 will be paid out to 9 small and medium-sized firms, exploring ways to solve challenges within the freight and logistics industry.

The government has recently taken further action to ease the cost of living having frozen rail fares, prescription fees and uprated the Triple lock.

The Welsh Government has reopened its Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) Development Loan Scheme for 2025/26 and has allocated £36 million to support the delivery of low-carbon homes for rent in the social sector and help improve existing homes.

The Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC) has partnered with the University of Manchester to access its research and expertise and drive forward recommendations for the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Specialist staff to work with donors and their families.

Stroke patients in England are getting life-changing treatment more than an hour earlier thanks to a revolutionary “fast-track” AI tool, a major study has revealed.

Small Business Saturday is celebrating its 13th year of championing small businesses across the country

Landmark regulations that secure Wales' climate commitments and enable the roll-out of the Sustainable Farming Scheme have been passed in the Senedd.

Scheme supporting BRIT and Mercury Prize-winning artists begins new funding round

Plans for Glasgow hub to showcase Scotland.

Rape victims will receive better support and fairer trials under new government reforms to stamp out rape myths and restore faith in the justice system.

High levels of malnutrition continue to endanger the lives and wellbeing of children in the Gaza Strip, compounded by the onset of winter weather accelerating the spread of disease and increasing the risk of death among the most vulnerable children.

Benefit cheats, fraudsters and debtors who can afford to repay but refuse will have money taken directly from their bank accounts or lose their driver's licence under tough new laws approved today.

Over 150 jobs will be created across Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire through a new UK-Germany electric vehicle technology project led by Mercedes.

Pallite Group secures £1.6 million corporate facility from KBC Bank, backed by UKEF's General Export Facility.

GP online access has been rolled out at nearly all GP practices, benefitting patients across England.

Rebecca Gray welcomes the progress made in the sector.

Puppy smuggling bill (Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill) receives Royal Assent.

Billion pound boost for small businesses as councils get new powers to save contracts for local communities

Government doubles the number of models available for the top ECG discount.

A nationwide crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour  this winter has been launched.

Rory Deighton said data is extremely worrying, particularly during another very challenging winter for the NHS.

UK-SA unveil bold science moves in AI policy training, space toolkit & innovation fund to drive health, inclusion, and climate-smart growth.

A new Health and Social Care Committee report urges the Government not to miss a golden opportunity to dramatically improve England’s mental health services. 

The FCA has published proposals to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings are transparent, reliable and comparable.

The number of planned and performed operations in Scotland has reached its highest level since January 2020, new figures published yesterday show.

The UK-US pharmaceuticals agreement marks a major step forward for investment, innovation and patient access. With new tariff-free trade, updated NICE thresholds and VPAG reforms, the UK is creating the right environment for a thriving life sciences ecosystem.

The Police Digital Service (PDS) has announced a new partnership with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, aimed at enhancing digital capability, professional standards, and career development across UK policing. 

Annual report sees great work being done by education and care professionals but there are concerns about the rapid growth in children’s homes, and outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable children remain poorer than their peers.

GAD has maintained its accreditation under the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ Quality Assurance Scheme, demonstrating its commitment to excellence.

Access to free school meals, childcare and emergency support is part of ongoing action to tackle rising costs and reduce poverty.

Essential family tents funded by the UK have arrived in Gaza to provide shelter for thousands of civilians.

APCC Chair’s comment on the IOPC’s report on the role of the police in the Hillsborough disaster.

November 2025 brought very variable weather across the UK, with well-above average rainfall, notable temperature swings, and clear regional differences in sunshine. 

Blog posted by: Adam Mazrani, 01 December 2025 – Uncategorized.

A bill is being prepared to give councils greater flexibility over how they design and implement a visitor levy.  

Firms across the private sector once again expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -27%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. This extends a run of negative predictions that began in late 2024. 

US pressure aims to choke off Russian oil supplies to India. Modi and Putin are seeking to deepen cooperation in other areas. But in the long-term, relations are in a managed decline.

Acquiescence to a bad deal for Ukraine will expose Europe to future security peril and to near-irrelevancy in global foreign affairs. No US backstop can be trusted.

A former senior Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer who sent unsolicited photographs and inappropriate messages to a junior officer has been placed on the barred list following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 

Livestock farmers and animal health officials in Wales are set to benefit from regional disease testing following investment to start the process of establishing a specialist diagnostic centre at Aberystwyth University.

Meteorological Autumn has been wet and mild, with temperatures and rainfall above average, according to provisional Met Office figures.

techUK’s Justice and Emergency Services Committee (AI sub-group) has launched a report exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently being used and how it is likely to be used in the future across Police Forces in England and Wales.

Benefits Facilitation succinctly connects Projects through Results and Uses to Benefits using the PRUB-Logic framework that everyone from project managers to chief executives can understand and use.

Jess Asato appointed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Adviser to reform NHS response as part of the government's mission to halve VAWG within a decade.

CBI Wales yesterday responded to First Minister's speech at Wales Investment Summit.

Andriy Yermak resigned amid a corruption scandal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now re-balance power and strengthen democracy by empowering the government, parliament and local authorities.

Richard Hughes yesterday (1 December) wrote to the Chancellor to resign as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Statement to the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday made a speech on foreign policy at the Lady Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall, London.

Sustained improvement in mental health care for children and young people.

The SpeQtre satellite has launched on a mission to show that ultra-secure quantum communication technology from orbit could make cyber-attacks impossible.

Moscow’s stirring of the tragic past between Poland and Ukraine is a facet of its information campaign against the West, yet understanding that history – and how it is manipulated – can help those confronting Russia.

Milestone deal secures UK’s medicines access for patients, with a wide range of groundbreaking new treatments to reach NHS front-line quicker.

From 2 February 2026, The National Archives will increase fees for some services as we bring charges in line with current delivery costs.

A major new global coalition is being launched today (Tuesday 2nd December 2025), bringing together pioneering women from across the world to tackle violence against women and girls.

Billions of pounds of investment, supporting thousands of high-quality jobs, have flowed into North Wales in the past year.

GAD actuaries discussed the personal injury discount rate and professional standards at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' GIRO Conference.

The Prime Minister hosts Christmas market-style showcase at Downing Street, celebrating small firms, frontline workers and community champions at the annual lights switch-on.

Ofcom yesterday fined Virgin Media £23.8 million, after it disconnected telecare customers during its programme to migrate customers to digital landlines.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has unveiled a new package of resources to showcase the role of local Trading Standards services. 

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured the conviction of the director of AOG Technics, a company that sold aircraft engine parts with forged documentation.

Bold modernisation of the criminal courts to put victims first and restore public confidence in the system.

The ICO yesterday announced that they will be scrutinising how popular mobile games played by children in the UK protect their online privacy.

Regulators share tips on giving with confidence to registered charities this festive season

Business sentiment and activity dropped further across the services sector in the quarter to November, according to the CBI’s latest Service Sector Survey.  

Government acts on commitment to put parents’ experiences at the heart of SEND reform through new public engagement campaign.

Scheme launched to help return more empty homes to active use.

Transport for London (TfL) partners with Official London Theatre to offer a 10 per cent discount on Theatre Tokens, which can be redeemed to attend London's famous West End stages.

The latest meeting of the AI Energy Council - the final round of discussions for 2025 – has taken place in London.

The government yesterday (1 December 2025) announced that it will increase the thresholds NICE uses in evaluations of new medicines to decide which are cost-effective for use in the NHS.

Millions of drivers will enjoy smoother, safer road journeys as the Chancellor ensures every region in England feels the benefit of the government’s record £7.3 billion local roads boost.

Wales yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of a radical change to the organ donation laws, becoming the first part of the UK to introduce deemed consent to help save the lives of hundreds of people in need of an organ transplant.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra yesterday delivered a keynote speech at the 2025 Indo-Pacific Conference hosted by King's College London.

The Department for Business and Trade has published guidance on the new legal duties to protect money held in 'consumer savings schemes' under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system.

Views are being sought on whether the law on Football Banning Orders (FBOs) should be updated to crack down on pyrotechnics use and other forms of football-related disorder.

Prevent has drifted into a catch-all for unmet safeguarding demand. 

An Albanian national who was deported from the UK twice in three years was recently (28 November) sentenced for breaking immigration rules by returning illegally again last year.

In this blog, Jessica Hogg explores how Archives Revealed projects are connecting communities and celebrating diversity and identity.

A music producer who falsified bank statements to convince a finance provider to lend his company £150,000 and fabricated invoices to HMRC has been disqualified for the maximum term of 15 years.

Health and Social Care workers across Wales are increasing their confidence to use the Welsh language with patients and colleagues, thanks to a Welsh Government programme to strengthen language choice within the health service.

Hello from the sky over the Atlantic, where I’m writing this newsletter from. Hope you are all doing well and that work is slowly winding down into December. Below is your latest rundown of global tech, trade, and regulatory developments. 

UK and others call for action to uphold safety of journalists and media freedom against a deteriorating background within some OSCE countries (27 November 2025).

Nuclear Restoration Services Dounreay’s Kate Thomson has won Modern Apprentice of the Year at the Highlands & Islands Apprenticeship Awards in Inverness.

An unemployed man who hired a team of taxi drivers in a conspiracy to smuggle migrants illegally to France in the back of lorries was recently (28 Novemebr 2025) jailed.

the six business groups involved in tripartite discussions recently (27 November 2025) reacted to the news that the Government has agreed to a six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal in the Employment Rights Bill.

The government’s ambitions are welcome, but require dedicated leadership and international support in order to succeed.

A wind farm management services company has been fined £80,000 after a worker was seriously injured by an electrical flashover.

The UK has taken a major step forward in space-based climate science with the successful launch of HydroGNSS, a new pair of satellites that will monitor the planet’s water cycle from space.

Blog posted by: Amy Harper, Lead Product Manager and Tina Mermiri - Head of Performance Data, Government Digital Service, 1 December 2025 – GDS team, GOV.UK.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be paid to more than 96,000 carers across Scotland from 4 December.

The value of the UK-Ukrainian drone interceptor is not in the characteristics of the munition, but in the process that brought it into being.

New plan sets course for cleaner rivers and air, as well as more nature and wildlife in England.

John Holland created a caravan park in a Site of Specific Scientific Interest without permission from Natural England

Joint statement on behalf of France, Germany, Italy and the UK on the situation in the West Bank (27 November 2025).

More than ten thousand jobs are planned for Wales after £1.4 billion of extra investment was announced by the First Minister today ahead of the Wales Investment Summit.

Aldi is taking the precautionary step of recalling Dairyfine Salted Caramel Filled Gonks because it may contain peanuts which are not mentioned on the label. 

The Attorney General yesterday delivered the UK statement supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the launch of the Office of the Prosecutor Annual Report 2025 .

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's speech at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre on a Britain built for all.

Blog posted by: Neil Barnby, 27 November 2025 – collaboration, Data Science, digital delivery, Digital skills, Our services.

Two men convicted in separate incidents of cannabis- related offences have had their convictions referred to the appellate courts by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) as both were victims of trafficking. 

This report presents findings and recommendations from Scotland’s Breast Screening Modernisation Board. 

A large offshore oil and gas company has been sentenced and fined £560,000 after failing to properly maintain pipework for seven years.

Preventive diplomacy is vital to stop another devastating war in the Horn of Africa amid rising tensions over Tigray and Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak recently (27 November 2025) commented on the update by the Government that it will reduce the qualifying period for full protection from unfair dismissal from two years to six months – and that there will be no statutory probation period

The government has launched a scheme which will see thousands of people benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan.

The Gaelic and Scots languages have gained official status as people across Scotland celebrate St Andrew’s Day.

On Wednesday 26th November the Chancellor announced her Autumn Budget for 2025. This was the first fiscal event since the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in June, and an opportunity for the Government to clarify its intentions and values after several months of mixed headlines. As the CSR contained a number of announcements to do with housing and homelessness, we weren’t expecting a lot of relevant changes for our sector from this Budget.

Wales’s innovative public health approach received international recognition at a major World Health Organisation meeting this week.

New analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research reveals that scrapping the two-child limit will disproportionately benefit working households, contrary to the ‘Budget for Benefit Street’ narrative pursued by some

An Albanian drug dealer has been jailed for more than three years, following a National Crime Agency investigation.

Last week, the UK's attention was focused on one thing: the Autumn Budget. 

BBSRC and MRC have launched a UK-wide survey seeking views on current and future needs across the UK’s animal research facilities and resources.

A recently published US study showed that one simple intervention resulted in 27% fewer visits to emergency services. This included 62% fewer visits to the emergency department for behavioural health reasons (the American term for mental health) and 87% fewer emergency department visits related to substance use.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred a conviction based on new evidence about the Post Office’s Automatic Payment Service (APS) and Automatic Payment Terminal (APT) to the Court of Appeal.  

Matthew Taylor responds to the latest net migration statistics

My Help at Hand team offers advice and assistance to children in care, children living away from home, children with a social worker, and to care leavers up to the age of 25. 

Disabled people remain significantly under-represented across TV and radio and data on class representation remains poor, according to Ofcom’s latest study on the make-up of the broadcasting industry workforce.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University respond to the Government's announcement on unfair dismissal changes to the Employment Rights Bill.

21 apprentices have become the first to graduate from the UK's pioneering degree-level forestry programme.

Joint statement from the six organisations involved in tripartite discussions with the Government as it agrees to a six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal in the Employment Rights Bill