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The UK Government hosted a senior US Government delegation for the second US-UK Strategic Sanctions Dialogue. 

International law must remain in lockstep with the changing 21st century world and the needs of citizens or face irrelevance the Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk, will stress to the G7’s justice leaders today (9 May 2024).

The NHS has met the 28 day faster diagnosis target for cancer for the second month in a row, new figures show today, with ambulances responding to callouts faster than the month before.

New data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows cases of whooping cough continue to increase with 1,319 cases confirmed in March.

Have your say on potential changes to registering historic, classic, rebuilt, and electrically converted vehicles.

Businesses must submit all export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service by 4 June.

New measures to improve performance and ensure the civil service can recruit and retain the best talent were announced this morning by Minister for the Cabinet Office, John Glen at the Reform Think Tank Annual Conference at the BT Tower in London.

Following last year’s successful calendar of events, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is pleased to confirm the dates for its 2024 Wales On Tour sessions. 

300,000 early birds file their Self Assessment tax return in the first week of the new tax year.

£1.8 million from the UK Space Agency will boost British organisations with promising technologies to support space capabilities.

Despite some common interests, Russia and China have different goals in the Arctic.

£11.5m extra funding announced to boost tree planting, habitat restoration and flood management across England through the Water Environment Improvement Fund.

There's a huge range of free activities in Cornwall and Devon as part of National Nature Reserves Week during May.

The move is part of a major package of measures to tighten defences against alleged malign activity by Russia across the UK and Europe.

Landmark proposals to make the Senedd more modern and effective were yesterday (8 May) agreed by the Welsh Parliament.

Wednesday 8 May marked 40 years since the late Queen officially opened the Thames Barrier in 1984.

The 2024 intake of those elected to hold policing publicly accountable in England and Wales is the most diverse since the role of Police and Crime Commissioner was created.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, yesterday gave a speech at the Ash Carter Exchange in Washington DC.

CMA review indicates that some independent and smaller grocery retailers are failing to display clear and accurate prices.

This report presents the findings of the Mid-programme Review of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Programme 2022 to 2027.

A project to improve maternity and neonatal services in the North West Coast has potentially saved up to 102 lives.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has called for grocery stores to prioritise accurate pricing for consumers after finding inaccurate pricing in some stores.

CBI recently (07 May 2024) responded to Rachel Reeves speech on the economy.

Vice Chancellors from some of the country’s leading universities will join forces with the government today (9 May) to discuss actions to address the rise in antisemitic abuse on campus and disruption to students’ learning.

Update for 2024-25 to the national Digital Health and Care Strategy's Delivery Plan which describes activities supporting Health Boards, HSCPs, local authorities, primary care, social care, social work, and care providers to offer new or improved services.

Defence Minister the Earl of Minto yesterday gave a speech at the Malaysia National Security International Seminar.

Locations announced for 16 new special free schools and trusts appointed at a further 7 schools, providing thousands of vital places across England.

New approach puts an end to confusing recycling and excessive bins

Mags Simpson, Interim CBI Scotland Director responds to new Scottish Government Cabinet

The weather will continue to warm up over the next few days, with bright and sunny conditions for many.

The government has set out plans to make the UK food supply chain most cutting-edge in the world

Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Improvement and Innovation Board responds to a Written Ministerial Statement and the publication of the Statutory Best Value Guidance

Transport for London (TfL) yesterday (Wednesday 08 May) advised drivers that the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to southbound traffic across a number of weekends in May and June to help support carriageway works on the northbound Blackwall Tunnel approach. 

Cabinet to drive progress on key challenges for Scotland. 

Alex Smith reports from the webinar held to launch the latest report on women's rough sleeping.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education yesterday (Wednesday 8th May) set out how she will ensure additional learning needs (ALN) reforms are being implemented consistently in Welsh schools and local authorities.

The Finances and Sustainability of the Social Housing Sector, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Housing spokesperson for the LGA responds to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee's report.

Shona Robison to remain in Cabinet.

In a speech in the Senedd, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning outlined her key priorities for her new portfolio.

As the 2024 exam season starts, Ofqual is reminding everyone involved in exams and assessments of the risks of malpractice.

A series of breakthrough projects has been awarded £12 million to address the challenges of rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI).

Rory Deighton said improving waiting times would be a marathon not a sprint.

Following the publication of a report in the Financial Times Thames Water customers will have paid £540mn for London’s ‘Super Sewer’ on 27 April 2024.

The range of financial pressures facing social housing providers has resulted in the building of less social housing and exacerbated a chronic social housing shortage in England, says the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee in a report published today (Wednesday).

A clampdown on parents who refuse to take financial responsibility for their children has been set out by the government today.

The government has announced its new national action plan on antimicrobial resistance to protect people and animals from the risk of drug-resistant infections.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak Comments on the news that James Watt is stepping down as boss of Brewdog after 17 years as CEO

Two lorry drivers have been charged with drugs offences after 104 kilos of cannabis was seized in two separate seizures in England as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into a suspected crime network based in Northern Ireland.

Ahead of the fourth UK Islands Forum hosted on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales today, the UK Government has announced new funding to support island communities.

Public Health Wales has announced that it will focus its research onto six priority areas, to coincide with the long term strategy and Research and Evaluation strategy it launched last year. 

First-of-its-kind counselling and 24/7 support for jurors following difficult cases.

Award-winning Hampshire-based ship outfitter secures government-backed funding from Lloyds Bank as it meets growing post-pandemic demand.

As the UK’s online safety regulator, we have published a package of proposed measures that social media and other online services must take to improve children’s safety when they’re online.
 

A Liverpool drug dealer planned to blast the legs of three people with a shotgun in retribution attacks.

Public health experts have welcomed the publication of a new five-year National Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance. 

Collaborative UK approach to combat infection threat.

Everyone must play their part in preventing one of the world’s biggest killers, Wales’ Chief Medical and Veterinary Officers have said as they launch the next stage of a 20-year plan to reduce resistance to antibiotics.

Today, Ofcom has published its call for evidence focussed on protecting children from harm. The consultation is the second of this phase of the process, following on from one earlier this year on guidance for service providers publishing pornographic content. The second phase of the regulator’s approach to implementation focuses on child safety, pornography and the protection of women and girls.  

The 2024 intake of those elected to hold policing publicly accountable in England and Wales is the most diverse since the role of Police and Crime Commissioner was created. Following last week’s elections, of the 37 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs), 13 are women – including the two first black women to be voted into office.

Tech firms must act to stop their algorithms recommending harmful content to children and put in place robust age-checks to keep them safer, under detailed Ofcom plans today.

Yesterday, 122 community groups across Wales are celebrating receiving a share of over £6.5 million in funding, thanks to National Lottery players. These grants will help groups carry out their important and varied work in supporting their communities. 

£196 million for high-tech nuclear fuel facility and new measures for fusion energy.

Parliament votes for John Swinney. 

London plays host to the UK-Germany Cultural Commission for the first time in over 30 years, and Minister for Europe emphasises culture’s role in Ukraine war

Core grants from the DWP’s Access to Work scheme are now available through our online portal.

The government has announced its new National Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance to protect people and animals from the risk of drug resistant infections.

A call for evidence launched yesterdayday to explore new ways to transport captured CO2 that would enable more UK industries to adopt carbon capture technology.

The former CEO of Shard Capital Partners has been fined £120,300 and banned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

On behalf of the Department for Education, Arts Council England yesterday announced a new generation of Music Hubs, covering every part of England.

Four men have been arrested by National Crime Agency officers investigating the attempted importation of cocaine with a potential street value of around £40 million.

Organisations are now invited to apply to set up a new National Academy focused on Mathematical Sciences.

While the ongoing attempts of Russia's propaganda machine to promote its narratives and sow discord in the West have come under increasing scrutiny, a different and rather worrying aspect of Russian activities has received far less attention.

On 30 April, 12 of the UK’s regulators published their strategic action plan for AI, at the request of Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of the UK’s pro-innovation approach to AI regulation.

The first working group meeting under the UK-Florida MoU on trade and economic co-operation was held in Tallahassee, FL.

Messages sent to millions of patients via the NHS App have saved the NHS £1.1 million on the cost of previously sending the information via text message. 

We welcome the ruling from the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) on an appeal from Join the Triboo Limited.

CBI yesterday responded to the SNP's leadership announcement.

On 7 May, RUSI launched a new policy brief, building on the invaluable work of investigative journalists to identify common mechanisms by which professional service providers facilitate sanctions evasion.

Students encouraged to download HMRC app to speed up their student loan applications.

Ofsted and the CQC have today published a joint thematic review of Start for Life services, which provide support for parents from pregnancy until their baby is 2 years old.

Rebecca Hilsenrath is confirmed as the acting Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman from 18 April 2024.

Humza Yousaf, the youngest and first person of colour to hold the office of Scotland’s First Minister has formally stepped down. At his time of appointment, he was the first Muslim leader of any Western nation.

As geopolitical tensions grow, governments across the Indo-Pacific region are racing to develop their cyber capabilities in order to ensure their future security and prosperity. 

Each month, techUK's Associate Director for Local Public Services, Georgina Maratheftis, interviews a member active in the local government space about their vision for the future of local public services and where digital can make a real difference to people and society.

National Crime Agency officers recently (5 May) arrested a man as part of an investigation into an organised crime network suspected of organising cross-Channel small boat crossings.

Following His Majesty The King’s Accession in September 2022, a major review of more than 1,000 Royal Patronages and charity Presidencies has been undertaken.

Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers in Wales to be alert to signs of Bluetongue as we enter a period where animals are at an increased risk of contracting Bluetongue virus from midges.

Progress on immigration as numbers on key visa routes fall 24%, detentions start after passing of Rwanda law, and a major crackdown begins on illegal working.

How can we make our resources more accessible to the deaf community? That is the question Met Office staff have been discussing with members of the Deaf Academy.  

Winners of DWP’s Disability Confident Awards crowned in night of disability employment celebration.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) recently (03 May 2024) secured the conviction of former investment manager David Kennedy for his part in a £100 million investment fraud in which hundreds of people lost their savings, following a re-trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Today, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) published a report of the findings from a joint inspection of the multi-agency response to abuse and neglect of children in Cardiff.

The nuclear threat is resurgent – more must be done to avert the havoc of escalation.

Recently (04 May 2024), at the National Association of Headteacher’s (NAHT) Annual conference, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, announced changes to ungraded inspections.

New requirements will be brought forward for single sex toilet facilities in new non-domestic buildings to alleviate safety, privacy and dignity concerns.

Potential impact of demographic change in Scotland over the next decade, and the implications for pupil projections and the corresponding teacher resourcing needs.

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirms a very high probability of a new introduction of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) into Great Britain.

The NHS is to roll out a “game-changing” new laser beam therapy next month to help reduce seizures for patients with epilepsy.

A bogus immigration lawyer with no licence to practise has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years for exploiting at least 19 victims for huge financial gain.

A POSTnote summarising proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983, including research evidence and stakeholder views on the impacts on autistic people and people with a learning disability.

HMS Trent seizes £204m of cocaine in latest drugs bust. It takes the total value of drugs seized in their Caribbean operation to more than half a billion.

Scale AI, the data infrastructure company for AI, has selected London as the location for its first international headquarters, reinforcing the company’s mission to accelerate the development of AI globally. 

Sir Martyn Oliver recently (04 May 2024) spoke about the Big Listen, the changes Ofsted is making and taking the time to collaboratively build a better education system for all.

British AI company Wayve announces $1.05 billion investment to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles.