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A man who raped and sexually abused a teenage girl had his sentence extended after the Solicitor General intervened.

At NCFE, we’re gearing up to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by bringing you the latest information and statistics to guide your decision on whether studying an apprenticeship is right for you.

Young people across the country are to benefit from a clearer path into apprenticeships, as the Prime Minister vows to “unlock opportunities for young people across the country” ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.

A 6-year-old boy who cannot communicate verbally made a new friend by pointing at symbols on a colourful board in his local park.

This joint blog post from Ofgem and the Energy Ombudsman helps consumers understand the benefits and risks of AI and ensure they know their rights and protections.

Young people encouraged to claim their Child Trust Fund savings for financial head start.

The UK temperature is rising and that brings the risk of new pests becoming established in the UK, posing threats to agriculture and forestry warns the Met Office.

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.  

Spending on schools across Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade, official statistics show.

The Government’s HIV Action Plan, backed with £170 million in funding is welcome, but further improvements in access to PrEP are required, the Women and Equalities Committee has said, following the Government’s response published recently (February 6) to its report ‘Tackling HIV transmission’.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is marking National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February 2026) with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Institute of Licensing (IoL).

Natural England has approved the release of beavers at two projects in South West England.

The FDA has responded to the latest publication of UK Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Board, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals.

A programme to help support Welsh-speaking teachers to become secondary school teachers in Wales is now open for applications until 22 February 2026.

A new laboratory that will help UK companies develop and test the engines powering the next generation of satellites has opened at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

APM Sustainability Interest Network podcast series.

The Met Office and Microsoft are deepening their partnership with the release of two significant Met Office datasets, UK deterministic (2km) and global deterministic (10km), on the Microsoft Planetary Computer.

A temporary export bar has been placed on Michael Rysbrack’s sculpture of two ‘putti’ supporting an architrave.

This paper summarises further analysis that expands the methodology developed in the “Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy” analysis.

UK Statement at The Gambia’s World Trade Organization Trade Policy Review. Delivered by Kumar Iyer, Ambassador and Permanent Representative for the UK Mission to the WTO and UN in Geneva (05 February 2026).

The US has proved it is serious about creating a new mining and processing ecosystem. Now it must convince investors and industry that its policy will last for the next 10 years.

The TUC and unions are supporting the workplace day of action for Palestine on 12 February.  We continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for justice, freedom and peace.

Social work students to receive targeted financial support, under plans set out in a consultation launched recently (06 February 2026) by the government.

First Minister John Swinney recently commented the announcement of the death of former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.

Funding for housing, farming and agricultural businesses.

The latest forecast from Met Office scientists indicates that the rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) increase this year will remain too fast to meet climate targets outlined for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The UK government has been supporting more than 1 million Ukrainians affected by the energy crisis this winter.

Two thirds of landlords planning to increase rents cite forthcoming tax rises on the sector as a key reason according to new polling.

IFS analysis shows the Scottish Budget relies on ambitious efficiency savings to shift health spending and reshape capital investment.

Latest grants from Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund

New tram-trains that will revolutionise transport in south Wales are now in their final phase of testing before being introduced into service on some of the Core Valleys Lines this spring.

The Environment Agency has completed a flood scheme which will reduce flood risk for 333 properties and unlocks £75 million regeneration opportunities.

The UK Government’s recently published its response to the House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” marks an important moment for the UK’s growing space sector.  

Trade union access reforms in the Employment Rights Act could cost UK businesses over £1 billion, according to new research from the Adam Smith Institute (ASI)

Commission publishes recommendations for a fairer and more effective justice system.

For the permanent fix to the crossbeams on the Menai Suspension Bridge traffic management will be put in place with a tidal flow system operating for this part of the work only.

Multi-agency operation into suspected illegal waste dumping in Liverpool results in arrest and vehicle seizure.

TfL is running a 12-month trial on new bus shelter designs to improve accessibility, safety and customer experience

Flexible working has risen exponentially since Covid, and should be supported where it is genuinely voluntary between employers and staff. However, Government attempts to effectively mandate flexible working risk imposing a “stealth tax” on jobs, wages and productivity, according to a new discussion paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs.

A man has been charged with smuggling firearms and ammunition after 55 loaded Glock pistols were discovered

A serial killer who murdered five women in 2006 has been sentenced for the murder another teenager seven years earlier following groundbreaking forensic techniques.

Illegal migrants and criminals from 3 African countries will be deported following a threat by the Home Secretary to shut down their visas to Britain.

Delays and backlogs in processing Access to Work applications have more than doubled over the past four years. The average time taken by DWP to process applications increased from 28 days in 2020-21 to 66 days in 2024-25, affecting people’s job security and employers’ cashflow and leading to growing complaints, says the NAO

Two people were arrested on 5 February 2026 as part of an ongoing Environment Agency investigation.

The expiry of New START could further undermine the credibility of US extended deterrence and complicate European and US efforts to strengthen conventional deterrence.

National Apprenticeship Week takes place 9-15 February and is a week-long celebration that shines a light on the economic and social impact of apprenticeships.

An increase in flood risk is one of the biggest climate-related health risks in Wales, with Public Health Wales urging people to be prepared and giving advice on how to find out if you are at risk and what to do next. 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday gave a statement to Parliament following her trip to Adré on the Sudanese border in Chad.

YPO has launched a new Team Leadership Apprenticeship Scheme to support staff with progression and upskilling.

Europe has realized that engaging Tehran without leverage, interlocutors or credible pathways to change is unsustainable. But it should not abandon Iranians altogether.

A man who fraudulently claimed to be Gas Safe Registered (GSR) has been jailed after his dangerous work put the life of a 90-year-old homeowner at risk.

Pioneering defence firms have pitched their innovations directly to major investors in a first-of-its-kind Dragons’ Den-style event, set up by the Ministry of Defence.

The annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180 from 1 April 2026, as required by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, in line with inflation.

The final report and recommendations of the independent Commission on Sentencing and Penal Policy.

Uganda’s leadership is drifting into another authoritarian spiral.

An Oxfordshire landscaping boss who ignored his director ban and left £300,000 in unpaid tax across two firms has been banned from running companies for 12 years.

At the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025, NCFE hosted a breakout session bringing together senior leaders, educators, and practitioners to explore how devolution is reshaping adult skills delivery and what this means in practice for providers, learners and employers.

Deputy Ambassador James Ford condemns Russia’s mass strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during severe winter temperatures. 

New all Wales resources to support current guidance for schools to deal with incidents of weapons in schools and education settings are being developed.

Further batches of Danone infant formula products have been recalled today (6 February 2026). The FSA is asking parents and caregivers to check the batches listed in the Product Recall Information Notices and stop using any that are affected.

Roger and Angela Smith were found guilty of unpermitted storage and disposal of waste and now must repay £600,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

APCC Joint Leads on Criminal Justice, Danielle Stone and Alison Hernandez, recently (04 February 2026) commented on the findings of Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of the criminal courts in England and Wales.

CBI yesterday responded to Bank of England interest rate decision – February 2026.

The final report has considered lessons learnt from the 24 November 2021 Channel tragedy and has provided 18 recommendations to government (5 February 2026) .

Views are being sought on measures to speed up the delivery of new homes as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the housing emergency. 

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has set out its latest report into its priorities, identifying seven priority workstreams for 2026.

GAD guidance supports gender pension gap disclosure in 2025 local government fund valuations.

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, responded to the publication of the National Cancer Plan

UKHSA and MHRA are urging the public not to use 4 specified non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products due to the risk of infection associated with their use.

Eight in 10 councils warn they will become insolvent over mounting deficits related to the cost of supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, a new survey by the Local Government Association suggests.  

Court order blocks access to land near Skipton to prevent dumping of illegal waste.

Twenty-five projects have been successful in securing funding in cycle four of the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, delivered by Innovate UK.

Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs commented on the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates

The UK has imposed new sanctions against 6 individuals fuelling Sudan's war, following the Foreign Secretary's visit to the Sudan-Chad border.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) needs to be more transparent about its progress updating thousands of people about their pension entitlement.

In addition, UKHSA has also identified increases in cases of Salmonella associated with travel to Cape Verde.

The next phase of the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA) implementation commenced yesterday, 5 February 2026. This means that most of the remaining data protection provisions of the Act have come into force, except for the requirement for organisations to have a complaints procedure which is due to commence on 19 June 2026 and some ICO governance provisions which will follow at a later date. 

Professor Ashwin Kumar, director of research and policy at IPPR, and a former advisor to Gordon Brown, responded to Nigel Farage’s plan for pubs

Walkers gain access to stunning coastline between Hayling Island and East Head. New trail joins more than 210 miles of a continuous path on the south coast

“UNICEF is increasingly alarmed by reports of a rapid rise in the volume of AI-generated sexualised images circulating, including cases where photographs of children have been manipulated and sexualised.

Environment Agency shuts down illegal waste site at Power Station Road in Minster, Isle of Sheppey. Access blocked to prevent further waste entering the site.

We have fined MediaLab.AI, Inc. (MediaLab), owner of image sharing and hosting platform Imgur, £247,590 for failing to use children’s personal information lawfully.  

The leading think tank in the north of England says The Great North partnership and government should act collaboratively to establish the north as a great place to invest and ultimately help raise living standards.

The International Development Committee has said that plans for restructuring the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) could risk poverty reduction being deprioritised and renewed its calls for the plans to be paused.

There is no doubt that NHS services are still incredibly busy and under immense pressure.

The UK and US signed a Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals in Washington DC on 4 February.

Government collaborates with Microsoft and other world leading technology companies to create a framework which will identify gaps in deepfake detection.

From Blackpool to Plymouth, 14 areas to be transformed as part of the once-in-a-generation reforms to local government

Government will work with children to create the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims' Code

A wireless sensor the size of a paperclip could transform care for people living with chronic heart failure, enabling them to monitor their condition daily from home and catch warning signs before they become emergencies, NICE has said.

Ambulances handed over patients more than 2 minutes faster last month despite facing their busiest January since before COVID-19.

Minister's speech to National Farmers' Union Scotland's conference highlights UK Government's commitment to industry, as forum explores growth opportunities and challenges in rural Scotland

New guidance will support fairer and more balanced decisions on investment in every part of the country.

The UK and US have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals in Washington DC.

This manifesto sets out techUK’s priorities for devolved governments, focusing on driving economic growth, supporting a thriving tech sector and embedding digital at the heart of public services.

APCC Joint Lead on Addictions and Substance Misuse yesterday expressed disappointment at failure to reclassify ketamine as Class A.

Public Health Wales has confirmed that the investigation into a food poisoning incident linked to The Corner House Inn in Llangynwyd, near Maesteg, has now concluded.

Speech delivered by the Business Secretary, the RT Hon Peter Kyle, at the 2026 UK Trade and Export Finance Forum.

Senior business leaders, metro mayors and universities yesterday [Wednesday 4th February] convened in Manchester for the CBI-Lloyds Mayoral Summit, six months after the launch of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.  

An EFRA Committee report into the Government’s negotiations with the European Union over the trade of meat, plant and animal products says a future deal must avoid disadvantaging UK agriculture and meat businesses.

The shameful lack of action of online marketplaces to keep children safe has been laid bare by BBC Watchdog after a bladed item was found hidden in a children’s stationery kit that was purchased from Amazon.

More than 860,000 sole traders and landlords need to start using digital tax reporting from 6 April.

Martyn Oliver, Ofsted's Chief Inspector, yesterday spoke at the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) 2026 Winter Conference/AGM in London.

The Secretary of State launched the National Cancer Plan yesterday at the Royal Free Hospital in North London.

Royal Proclamation approved by His Majesty the King.

Customers demanded answers from South East Water bosses over the company’s handling of water supply disruption at the first meeting of a powerful new set of government-backed consumer panels.

Climate and nature can no longer be pigeonholed as an environmental problem.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds recently spoke at IBPES-12 on Tuesday 3 February.

Almost 200 containers of low-level radioactive waste that once formed part of Britain’s experiment with fast breeder nuclear reactors are being entombed.

Statement given yesterday by Chris Elmore MP, Minister for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean, at the UN Security Council meeting on counter-terrorism.

HMRC has recently issued a warning regarding the operation of tax credit offset models (TCOM) which could result in potential fraud.

Ofwat has today, 5 February 2026, confirmed that Southern Water has completed all the enforcement actions resulting from its 2019 investigation into the company. Those actions saw £126m paid in redress and penalties by the company, alongside improvements to the operation of its wastewater treatment works and its compliance and governance processes.  

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

The 2026 UN Water Conference can still have a big impact this year – if it can discuss water action as critical to human wellbeing and economic activity and focus on pragmatic solutions.

HMP Northumberland will gain four new houseblocks, boosting its capacity by 240 places, in the latest Government step to make streets safer. 

The Science and Technology Secretary has written an Op-Ed in the Yorkshire Post on Barnsley becoming the UK's first Tech Town.

First Minister announces funding on anniversary of ‘The Promise’.

A simple home test is sparing thousands of people from unnecessary hospital investigations for bowel cancer, while helping them get faster answers about whether they have the disease – with new data showing the impact of NICE's recommendation to use the test.

The FCA and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have today issued a joint warning to claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms involved in motor finance commission claims to make sure consumers don’t have multiple representatives for the same claim and are not charged excessive termination fees.

First annual joint meeting with Cabinet

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has opened formal investigations into X Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) and X.AI LLC (X.AI) covering their processing of personal data in relation to the Grok artificial intelligence system and its potential to produce harmful sexualised image and video content.  

Thousands more people handed the power to decide how millions are spent in their area as Pride in Place expands.

Progress on reducing drug harms in prison will depend on stronger coordination between HMPPS and health services, reacting urgently to security weaknesses and using information on drug prevalence and health needs more consistently to prioritise spending, says the NAO.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have announced the first cohort of banks and building societies to benefit from their joint Scale-up Unit.

Regulations to be submitted for Parliament’s approval.

£74 million for clean energy upgrades to cut bills for public buildings and create savings for frontline services.

Oxford Economic study demonstrates the significant impact of UKEFs support on businesses and local supply chains.

Huja*, a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), has spoken directly to police, prosecutors and government officials about the urgent need to improve justice and support for victims of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA).

Britain’s defence industry will benefit from an £80 million skills boost to increase places on key strategically-relevant courses.

New group to oversee safety work at Glasgow hospitals.

Yesterday, the House of Lords Public Services publishes its report, 'Medicines security—a national priority'.

Thousands more children in the social care system in England will grow up in loving homes, under plans to create up to 10,000 new foster care places.

A police officer who drove through a red light at speed while responding to a 999 call has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. 

A new nutrient planning tool has been launched to match nutrients to crop and soil need, cutting waste, supporting productivity, and protecting watercourses.

Scotland benefits from unique package of winter heating help.

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that the Probation Service in England and Wales is being placed under significant strain, seriously impeding its ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending rates.

Nine neighbourhoods at the heart of Welsh life have been named as the recipients of up to £20 million each in UK Government funding.

Amendments to Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) Bill.

Offshore wind firms must sign up to a ‘Fair Work Charter’ to participate in government renewables auctions.

Under the government's National Cancer Plan, every patient will be given a tailored plan covering treatment, mental health, and employment support.

Funding will support repair, maintenance and long-term projects.

Sustainable business units are available to lease at two new commercial property schemes in Carmarthenshire, following £15 million in funding from the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council.

Sinema Cymru, a collaboration between S4C, Ffilm Cymru Wales and the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, has announced the recipients of its second round of funding, a scheme aimed at developing several Welsh-language feature film concepts with a view to progressing at least one into production funding.

Short stories inspiring defence and national security thinking.

Foreign Secretary visited Adré on the Sudanese border in Chad and called for urgent global action to secure a ceasefire.

A new consultation for a development corporation in Greater Cambridge has been launched today.

An MOT tester and mechanic have been ordered to do up to 300 hours of unpaid work and face prison if they reoffend after passing 223 vehicles they never tested.

A further arrest made as part of Environment Agency investigation, supported by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Disabled people are set to benefit from the expertise of some of the world's tech giants to help make the workplace more accessible to them.

University of West London failed to properly oversee how a third party delivered graded music assessments and issued certificates.

Government publishes Advanced Nuclear Framework to get pioneering nuclear technology off the ground.

A landmark policy to help reduce deaths and harm from excess alcohol use will be extended in Wales, following a vote in the Senedd.

Historic legislation to end the two-child limit and lift hundreds and thousands of children out of poverty yesterday moved a step closer to reality.  

Communities across the West Midlands will benefit from new high-skilled career opportunities after the government announced a new Transport and Infrastructure Campus, harnessing local expertise to deliver better public investment and services.

Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the government’s landmark new National Cancer Plan.

Dangerous extremists will face tougher ‘supermax’ style restrictions behind bars under Government plans to keep frontline staff safer.

New partnerships across life sciences, quantum and advanced connectivity.

Wales will see a significant boost to the number of neighbourhood police officers on its streets.

A sixth man has been charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration, as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into people smuggling.

Millions of working women will be better off with new measures being introduced to tackle historic gender pension gap.

The Chief Statistician has released figures on local government finance in 2024-25. 

Barnsley has been named the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, with plans to roll out AI across public services, skills, healthcare and local business as part of a place-based regeneration approach. 

Environment Secretary opens international meeting on business and biodiversity.

Sellafield’s Remote Technologies Group is the first to use an innovative contamination swabbing tool for quadruped robots, developed through the RAICo collaboration.

Millions of taxpayers filed their Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year by the deadline.

“It is time for a fundamental reset – to rebuild trust – that work begins now.” – Deputy First Minister.

UPR51: UK Statement on Australia, delivered yesterday by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Australia's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Drugs, migration, China and Venezuela likely to be on the agenda as two outspoken leaders meet in Washington ahead of Colombia’s elections later this year.

Probability-based forecasts can better inform weather-based decision-making, according to new Met Office research.

Update following round 9 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland.

Up to £20 million made available to boards to boost progress.

The House of Lords International Agreement Committee has today published its report on the UK-India FTA. 

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Lutterworth Athletic Football Club (registered charity number: 1175765)

£10 million financial support package for families of children and young people with cancer to cover travel costs to and from appointments.

We have reprimanded Staines Health Group for sending excessive medical details about a terminally ill patient to their insurance company. 

The Welsh Government is setting out its ambition for Wales to be a ‘Carer Aware’ nation, where unpaid carers are recognised earlier and treated as partners in the planning for the person they care for.