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The Minister for Employment yesterday talked about the progress of the Fuller Working Lives strategy at 'The STIR conference 2019: The 100 Year Life'.

The European Parliament and the Council agreed on the EC's proposal for decentralised & simplified technical rules, giving fishermen a stronger say in deciding on the best measures for sustainable fishing adapted to their specific needs.

According to new research, less than half of people in the UK set their social media to private.

No single power can ‘fix’ the current turmoil in the Middle East. Still, there may be scope for Russia–Europe cooperation in managing the region’s ills.

The NHS must stop relying on pen and paper and should use modern, secure forms of communication instead, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

TfL today announced that a contract for London Underground track renewals will be awarded to Balfour Beatty.

HMRC is encouraging married couples and people living in a civil partnership to sign up to the tax free break, which is worth up to £238 this year.

Love is in the air in Worcestershire as a dating and friendship project for people with learning disabilities has received a boost from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

Carbon dating is the ‘gold standard’ technique applied by archaeologists worldwide to date objects made from organic materials from over the past 50,000 years. However, this can be a very costly process and archaeologists can wait months for samples to be analysed, a timescale that can disrupt research programmes and cause frustration all round.

Legislation laid today will prevent EU vessels from carrying out pulse fishing in UK waters post Brexit.

A hundred students took part in an event hosted by the UK Space Agency to showcase the wide range of careers available using satellite data to monitor and manage our planet.

The government is making changes to existing secondary legislation to make it easier for the first integrated care providers (ICPs) to be set up.

Chris Skidmore yesterday spoke at the launch of the UPP Foundation Civic University Commission's report, looking at the value of universities to their local areas.

The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Wildcat and Apache helicopters will be deployed to Estonia this year, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced at a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels.

The European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the EC have found a political agreement to make the copyright rules fit for digital era in Europe and bring tangible benefits to all creative sectors, the press, researchers, educators, cultural heritage institutions, and citizens.

Scottish Government stepping up ‘no deal’ preparations.

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) welcomes the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Members States on the proposal for a Pan-European Personal Pension Product, the PEPP.

According to figures released this morning by the ONS, consumer price index inflation fell by 0.3 percentage points to 1.8 per cent in the year to January 2019.

Statement given yesterday on behalf of Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK and US.

Scott Mitchell, the husband of acting legend Barbara Windsor, has today issued a Valentine’s Day call for people to heed NHS advice and check loved ones for signs of dementia.

DWP email addresses are changing from 31 March 2019.

Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates officially open the Newtown bypass yesterday which has been delivered ahead of schedule.

One hundred and nineteen children were released by an armed group in South Sudan Tuesday, bringing the total number of those freed since the conflict began to more than 3,100. 

The EC has adopted its new list of 23 third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

A former bank building in Huntly, Aberdeenshire is to become a hub for small businesses, self-employed workers and micro businesses as a move towards regenerating the town centre and creating local employment.

In a unique partnership between the UK and the US, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in collaboration with the Wright Brothers Institute (WBI), are inviting individuals and teams from across industry, academia and the general public to take part in a special hackathon.

Pearson and NCFE have been awarded contracts to deliver the first three T Levels from 2020.

Scientists, engineers and technicians at Daresbury Laboratory are playing a key role in building ground-breaking new technologies that will enable a major upgrade of the ALICE experiment, one of the four main detectors at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, responded to the LGiU/MJ survey into local government finance 

In a new report, Eurojust takes an in-depth look at the experience on the ground in cross-border asset recovery investigations in the EU between January 2014 and March 2018.

techUK is delighted to announce the new Council members.

A £9 million cash injection to speed up the locally-led building of new garden towns and villages across the country has been announced.

Britain needs urgent investment in skills and training, says TUC 

Blog posted by: Mark Prince and Claire Watson, 13 February 2019 – Categories:Design, Live services, User research.

Blog posted by: Andy Bell, Deputy Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health, 13 February 2019.

The Council underlines that the budgetary procedure for 2020 will be the last of the programming period 2014-2020.  In this regard, the budget will play an important role in the delivery of the Union's objectives & priorities under the multiannual financial framework (MFF).

Following the terrible news of the reported death of a baby from ingestion of liquid nicotine, RoSPA is reminding parents to be vigilant with their e-cigarettes and keep them and their refills out of the reach of young children.

Scientists from across five countries will collaborate on ambitious research to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and their environment in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Blog posted by: Martin Stretton – Director, NOVO (programme and change management), 13 February 2019.

Ofgem is consulting on issuing URE Energy with a final order for being in breach of the Renewables Obligation Order 2015. 

Agreement would create a package of measures aimed at improving the railways for all users on match days.

The Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) scheme has selected 12 projects to run across Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Zambia.

Brexit uncertainty impacting Scotland’s economy.

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, responded to analysis by the National Deaf Children’s Society warning that England’s deaf children are falling behind their hearing classmates at GCSE level 

Harry Evans, researcher at The King’s Fund, commented on the Topol review into technology and the health care workforce

EU member states are committed to strengthening the supervisory framework for European financial institutions.

Blog posted by: Collaborate CIC, 13 February 2019.

We are thrilled to announce that NCFE has been awarded the contract by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) and the Department for Education (DfE) to be the delivery partner for the Education and Childcare T Level.

New legislation to exempt care leavers from paying council tax will come into force from 1 April 2019, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans announced yesterday.

Major conference will raise funds to vaccinate millions of the world’s poorest children.

The UK Government must compensate farmers in the event of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.

Four new commissioners have been appointed to the government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.

The decision concerns the proposed acquisition by Air France-KLM of a 31% joint-controlling interest in Virgin Atlantic Limited, which leads to joint control over Virgin Atlantic by Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines Inc. and Virgin Group.

Minister for Sport Mims Davies yesterday set out her priorities for increasing access to sport and improving health and wellbeing

Blog posted by: Chloe Smith, 13 February 2019 – Categories: Civil Service Leaders.

The police will receive new powers to investigate hostile state activity as new the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act becomes law.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson speech outlining the future direction of the UK armed forces.

The Finance Bill 2018-19 receives Royal Assent.

Health Minister Stephen Hammond has invited air ambulance charities in England to apply for a new £10 million fund for upgraded equipment and facilities.

The Foreign Secretary, with US Secretary of State Pompeo, will co-host a Quad meeting to discuss the Yemen crisis, in Warsaw later today.

The Duke of Cambridge has today become Royal Patron of The Passage, which is the UK’s largest resource centre for homeless and insecurely housed people.

In January the PLUS Project ran a Spotlight event on trans awareness and homelessness. The day was supported by LGBTQ+ housing specialist Stonewall Housing and CliniQ, a London-based trans health and well-being service.

Tenants will be protected from unfair letting fees and will see their tenancy deposits capped at 5 weeks’ rent.

 Germany’s armed forces are beset by problems, and procurement difficulties are proving to be intractable.

Business owners will now find it easier to buy terrorism insurance that will pay-out if they lose custom in the wake of a terror attack because they cannot trade or are prevented from accessing their premises.

Two Technology Associations Partner to Facilitate and Enhance Trade, Strategic Partnering, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Joint Ventures and FDI Between UK & North...

Emergency UK aid package to deliver medicine and clean water to those affected by crisis in Venezuela.

The European Union Committee has published its second report in its new role scrutinising Brexit-related treaties.

Given the increasing risk that the UK may leave the EU on 30 March this year without a deal (a “no-deal” scenario), the EC has adopted a proposal to help mitigate the significant impact that such a scenario would have on rail transport & connectivity between the EU and the UK.

The Welsh Government’s New Treatment Fund, which speeds up patient access to the latest, potentially life improving and life-prolonging medicines, continues to go from strength to strength - that was the message from Health Minister Vaughan Gething as he celebrated two years of the Fund being available in Wales.

Statement by Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger on the Decision by the European Ombudsman of 11 February 2019 on the EC's appointment of a new Secretary-General

The remit of the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group has been expanded to provide independent review of the use of large data sets by the department.

Full, substantially unredacted documents relating to underwriting agreement now published online as part of TfL's continued commitment to transparency.

The latest news round-ups from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

An additional £20 million will be invested in extra support to help GPs with the cost of running their practices, making a total investment of £50 million over the next two years.

techUK’s Georgina Maratheftis & Jessica Russell take a look at transforming local public services with a place based approach and invite members for their views.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council Briefing on Ukraine.

Once the EC adopts the work programme for the European Defence Industrial Development Programme, it will launch calls for proposals under the EU budget for 2019-2020. This will help pave the way for the future European Defence Fund for the period 2021-2027.

Following the huge success of the first Mayor’s Community Weekend last year, communities across the West Midlands are being given double the cash to host celebrations this summer. 

These two guidelines set out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy that aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.

People showing erythema migrans, the characteristic skin rash associated with Lyme disease, can be diagnosed without the need for blood tests, NICE says in new guidance.

Independent review says the average time to decide a planning appeal inquiry could be slashed from 47 to 26 weeks.

100 staff to help those who need it most by the end of the year.

The speech was given to the House of Commons on 12 February 2019.

The European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement on the EC’s proposal to facilitate cross-border access to financial information by law enforcement authorities.

The EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee publishes its report 'Brexit: the Erasmus and Horizon programmes', highlighting the impact Brexit will have on UK participation in the EU’s international exchange and research and innovation programmes.

Natural England outlines proposals to extend Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

New figures show that road congestion cost the UK economy £8billion last year – highlighting the need for local solutions to tackle the issue, as recommended in the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment.

New laws bolster powers for police and prosecuting authorities to access data held overseas.

Guest blog, CCS: The Technology Products & Associated Services OJEU is to be released to the market very shortly and the briefing outlined some exciting changes for the...

The Cairncross Review into the future of the UK news industry has delivered its final report, with recommendations on how to safeguard the future sustainability of the UK press.

Organised crime groups led by married couples or families are running pension scams worth millions of pounds.

‘Upskirting’ perpetrators face two years in prison and being placed on the sex offenders register, as a new law making the act a specific criminal offence yesterday (Tuesday 12 February) received Royal Assent.

The government’s ‘Every Day Is Different’ campaign will help fill the 110,000 vacancies in the adult social care sector.

Ordnance Survey and a team of world-leading aeronautic engineers are developing a highly innovative solar powered, High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) that is going to change the face of Earth observation and the way we map our planet.

Stagecoach Group will continue to operate train services on the East Midlands rail franchise.

Charity regulator opens investigation into charity over safeguarding and governance concerns.

Simon McDougall, Executive Director for Technology Policy and Innovation, invites adtech industry stakeholders to a fact-finding forum.

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, has announced changes to the way care is delivered for people previously in receipt of the Welsh Independent Living Grant to ensure they get the support to live independent lives.

Scanners funded by UK aid have helped the Ugandan Revenue Authority make one of the largest seizures of wildlife contraband the country has ever seen.

We're working with the Alzheimer’s Society to help people with dementia live active lives.

The pioneering project run by the Forestry Commission and Environment Agency is once again being offered in the North East and Yorkshire.

Prime Minister Theresa May met Prime Minister Muscat at Downing Street.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the drink driving conviction of William Smith to the County Court in Northern Ireland.

Release of additional provisions to the HS2 bill, plus associated environmental information.

The UK’s role as a leading partner on the global F-35 programme has received another huge boost today.

Victoria Atkins chaired a meeting of the National Retail Crime Steering Group to discuss how to protect retail workers from abusive and violent incidents.

Consultation on draft statutory guidance on measures to protect taxi and PHV passengers.

Blog posted by: Steve Wood – Service manager, GovWifi, 12 February 2019 – Categories: Common Technology Services (CTS).

Organisations are invited to submit ideas that promote competition and innovation in the UK aerospace industry.

There is a lot in the news about 'upskirting' - find out what it's all about and why the law is changing.

Follow online our conference on elections and online manipulation.

techUK and its members are committed to continuing to work with all parties to consider both the analysis and recommendations set out in the Cairncross Report.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts.

Older people in many parts of Scotland are today celebrating a £1.4m National Lottery cash boost that will help them get out of their homes and into their communities for tea dances, lunch clubs, men’s sheds, fitness classes and much, much more.

Under the Paris Agreement, almost all governments worldwide have agreed to collectively limit global warming to 'well below' 2°C, and to 'pursue efforts' to limit this warming to 1.5°C. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday spoke at the Royal Society of Medicine following the publication of the Topol Review.

We commented on the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit’s report on Zero Carbon Homes.

Prime Minister Theresa May gave a statement to the House of Commons on Brexit.

The European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional agreement on the EC's proposal for a Regulation on the transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain.

Blog posted by: Paul Wilkinson – GamingWorks, 11 February 2019.

Programme already supports 7,000 jobs and over 2,000 businesses have HS2 contracts.

We have concluded an investigation into Greater Manchester Police (GMP) following the death of a 52 year-old man from Rochdale.

A new, modern vest for London Underground station staff has been launched this week.

Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responded to new guidance on taxi and minicab licensing published by the Department for Transport 

The International Trade Secretary signed the UK-Switzerland agreement in Bern with Swiss Federal Councillor, Guy Parmelin. 

It is no secret that in London – and in other global cities like San Francisco – a shortage of affordable studios, rising rents and the insecurity of short-term leases threatens the future of the capital’s creative workforce and artist community.

Ministry of Justice response to Public Accounts Committee's sixth recommendation in its report Transforming courts and tribunals, Fifty-Sixth Report of Session 2017 to 2019.

Disabled employees will be able to benefit from almost £60,000 a year to assist them at work.

Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the LGA’s Resources Board, responded to the IFS report on the Spending Review

Blog posted by: Luke Heselwood, 11 February 2019.

Natural England announces the notification of two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) to protect fungi in Dorset and Halesowen.

Angelica experienced abuse aged 12. She shares her story and talks about her role in developing NICE guidance.

Proceeds of the new surcharge would be put towards measures to tackle rough sleeping.

Rules would make sure that drivers are fit to carry passengers.

Zero Hour workers twice as likely to work “health risk” night shifts – TUC analysis.

A discussion paper and checklist has been launched to help improve the way decision-makers are held to account

Philip Hammond is yet to confirm how much money will be made available to be allocated among departments at his forthcoming Spending Review. This decision, which may well be announced in the Spring Statement on 13 March, could be one of the most important non-Brexit policy decisions to be made in the current Parliament.

The Home Secretary yesterday (Monday 11 February) announced 2 new initiatives to steer vulnerable young people away from a life of serious violence.

Action Fraud is warning the public to spot the signs of romance fraud ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson outlined the future role of the UK’s Armed Forces in a speech at RUSI yesterday.

Up to £10 million to help commercial deployment of tidal projects.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board, responded to the report by the Civic University Commission, which sets out the place of universities in civic life

A IEA new report on the UK's housing crisis

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has awarded a new £71 million contract to support existing customs compliance work, as it moves inland pre-clearance checks to new multi-purpose sites.

Blog posted by: Mike Bridges, 11 February 2019 – Categories: Diversity and inclusion.

Teenagers accounted for more than 1,000 admissions to hospital as a result of assaults with a knife or sharp object last year, NHS figures show.

A chief inspector alleged to have engaged in sexual activity while on duty with a former victim of crime as well as with a fellow officer will face a gross misconduct hearing.

techUK will be holding a Campaign Week series for its insights blogs for SME Week from 11 -15 March 2019 and we would be delighted to have you contribute to it.

Devil-may-care directors who recklessly put workers’ pensions at risk will face up to 7 years in prison or unlimited fines.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is running an event to encourage collaboration across the Invisible Battlespace competition.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has engaged business leaders and promoted Scottish firms abroad, while visiting Canada and the United States this week.

The annual electoral integrity seminar took place recently (08 February 2019), organised by the Electoral Commission in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Blog posted by: Andrew Haldenby, 8 February 2019.

Two new pieces of guidance published to help employers identify potential causes of the gender pay gap and develop an effective action plan to tackle it.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson gave a speech at RUSI outlining the future direction of the UK Armed Forces.

Girls are substantially less likely than boys to consider taking Science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects at A Level

Responding to the recent report from the National Housing Federation on poverty in the private rented sector, Chris Town, Vice Chair of the RLA said: “The biggest driver of poverty in the private rented sector remains the government’s freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates...

More disadvantaged children will have access to an Outstanding school place as the government launches the second round of the Selective Schools Expansion Fund.

The European Supervisory Authorities has published their final recommendations following a consultation on targeted amendments to the Delegated Regulation covering the rules for the Key Information Document (KID) for Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (PRIIPs).

Finalists announced with record numbers of teams participating in the 2019 competition.

Integrated Communities Action Plan sets out next steps to promote better integration amongst communities.

An international project to develop new creative work and collaborations between Scottish and Canadian artists and festivals has been awarded £80,000.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a document listing the thresholds below which an offer of securities to the public does not need a prospectus in the various Member States of the EU.

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee recently published its report on the implementation and enforcement of the EU landing obligation.

New system launched today to maintain EU restrictions on F gases and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) in the event of a No Deal Brexit.

It’s recently been reported that there may be a potential delay in the release of the qualification specifications for the newly reformed qualifications. 

Are you considering a career in communications? The Government Communication Service (GCS) internship offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and the chance to work on some of the biggest communications challenges and issues of the day.

Funding to support Welsh organisations to prepare non-UK EU citizens ahead of Brexit has been announced.

From now on, the industry will have to affix a 2-D barcode and an anti-tampering device on the box of prescription medicines.

techUK is running a free conference on 2 April looking at tech and human rights.

Two men aged 37 and 34 from Masborough, Rotherham were arrested on Tuesday 5 February on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, as part of ongoing investigations under the NCA’s Operation Stovewood.

Bids are being invited from Colleges to apply for funding to help boost standards.

World-leading expertise uniting to support social enterprise.

A man has been sentenced for selling DNP, after a successful prosecution by Allerdale Borough Council.

Researchers based in UK academic institutions can apply for a share of up to £800,000 to support them in commercialising cyber security innovation.

NICE is updating its guideline on Alcohol interventions in secondary and further education.

The new flood scheme will protect 1,600 homes and 400 businesses in Ipswich over the next century.

Eighteen projects have been awarded a share of more than £6 million, enabling companies to invest in infrastructure, upgrade or replace facilities, and purchase new equipment, as well safeguarding 345 jobs, and creating 156 new ones across Scotland.

Group to look at 30 year strategy for Scotland’s infrastructure needs.

Provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on a proposal to ensure new maritime connections between Ireland and the other EU countries on the North Sea-Mediterranean core network corridor of the Trans-European transport network (TEN-T) in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a negotiated agreement.

Project which has seen the development of iPad software to detect sight problems in young children to be expanded.

The government’s planning system is underperforming and cannot demonstrate that it is meeting housing demand effectively, according to the recent (08 February 2019) report by the National Audit Office.

HMICFRS has launched a consultation which welcomes views on our proposed policing inspection programme for the coming year. The consultation is open until Monday 11 March 2019.

The INF Treaty’s demise owes to not only Russian violations but also a fundamental shift in the way the current US administration and much of the Republican Party view arms control.

Beaufort administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have made FSCS aware that Beaufort clients are being approached by individuals claiming to be representatives of PwC or The Share Centre Limited (TSC).

Blog posted by: Veronika Kiesswetter, AXELOS PR and Communications Manager, 08 February 2019.

A list of locations where people can see the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team display during a major tour of North America has been released.

A handwritten draft from Charles Darwin’s revolutionary On the Origin of Species, in which he outlined his theory of evolution, is at risk of leaving the UK unless a buyer can be found.

More paid out in two months than DWP paid in a full year.

Conflict, persecution and general insecurity are the main drivers of migration by sea to Europe, shows research into the Mediterranean migration crisis.

The CMA recently (08 February 2019) referred Tobii’s purchase of Smartbox for an in-depth investigation, after finding competition concerns.

Two reports published recently (08 February 2019) show that the increase in life expectancy that has shown steady progress in Scotland since the Second World War, has now stalled and that health inequalities have worsened.

Learning from our investigation into Staffordshire Police’s response to incidents before a teenage girl was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend is being used by the force to help officer training.

Eye care patients in Wales who are at the greatest risk of going blind are set to receive faster, prioritised treatment in the Welsh NHS thanks to a £3.3m investment by the Welsh Government to transform services, Health Minister Vaughan Gething recently (08 February 2019) announced.

The Faith Leader Training programme will empower faith leaders with the confidence and knowledge to meet the changing needs of their congregations.

First Minister promotes Scotland’s natural larder in Canada.