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Blog posted by: Brian Stanislas MBE, 16 October 2020 – Categories: A Brilliant Civil Service, A great place to work, Diversity and inclusion, Year of Inclusion.

The European Commission recently (16 October 2020) released a new Financial Tracking Report which tracks the progress of donor funds against their pledges made at the 4th Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region’ on 30 June 2020.

TfL recently (16 October 2020) gave a statement regarding the latest on TfL Funding Discussions.

588 cultural organisations across England are to benefit from a share of more than £76 million, building on the funding awarded from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund last Monday.

The recent (16 October 2020) report from the National Audit Office (NAO) finds that the Superfast Broadband Programme helped the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) to extend the UK’s superfast broadband coverage, although many people still experience poor broadband. 

Talking about the issues, problems and actions taken to counter COVID-19 so far in the aviation sector, plus future plans.

TUC launches free online resource for workers facing layoffs.

Sectors from automotive to aviation, chemicals to creative industries, and farming and food to pharmaceuticals – are united: securing a quick agreement matters greatly for jobs and livelihoods.

National Crime Agency investigators have made a series of arrests as part of two separate investigations targeting suspected people smugglers.

Bethan Flynn, Commercial Agreement Manager, Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programmes sets out 3 vital areas you need to consider to safeguard the health and wellbeing of your workforce.

The Public Accounts Committee is calling on HMRC to give a more honest picture of the likely levels of the so called “tax gap” – between tax that should be paid on the UK’s economic activity and the tax that HMRC actually collects – whether caused by deliberate evasion of various kinds or accidental taxpayer error.

The European Council assessed the current epidemiological situation, which is unprecedented and gives rise to very serious concern.

Blog posted by: Stephanie Hill, Digital Content Producer, Government Communication Service, 19 October 2020.

Saturday 3 October 2020 is now the wettest day on record since 1891 for UK-wide rainfall. It received the greatest rainfall in any single day averaged out across the UK, beating the previous record on the 25 August 1986.

Last week, the United Kingdom and Chile held the first Anglo-Chilean Trade Dialogue, in advance of the United Kingdom-Chile Association Agreement.

The meeting included representatives from organisations including CBI Wales and Federation of Small Business Wales to discuss upcoming changes to the way businesses interact with the EU.

This week will see a change from the mostly dry, cloudy, chilly weather to increasing wind and rain for many and an upturn in temperatures, particularly in the south early in the week.

To exploit the full potential of contact tracing and warning apps to break the chain of coronavirus infections across borders and save lives, the Commission, at the invitation by EU Member States, has set up an EU-wide system to ensure interoperability – a so-called ‘gateway'.

The UK Space Agency recently (17 October 2020) backed a healthcare drone start-up founded by NHS staff, to help in the response to COVID-19.

Ukraine’s latest national security strategy document is yet another step in the country’s decades-long struggle to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The government urges business leaders to step up preparations for Australia-style arrangements from 1 January and launches 'time is running out' campaign.

An Iranian national who ran a financial services company designed to circumvent financial sanctions on Iran, has been sentenced in the US after being arrested and extradited from the UK.

The Welsh Government’s ‘Summer Sorted’ programme has this year helped hundreds of young people across Wales reach their potential and improve their employability and essential skills, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates has said.

Nigeria is experiencing a powerful moment in its democratic journey, as anger and frustration pour out over allegations of police brutality.

Lynn Collins TUC North West Regional Secretary recently (16 October 2020) commented on the announcement that Lancashire is to enter into tier 3 restrictions.

The platform economy brings benefits but also risks. Read about the issues the EU wants to solve with new rules and the solutions proposed by MEPs.

ACE have worked with Google Arts & Culture to present The Way I See It, a new online exhibition created by children and young people during lockdown.

Ofgem has today confirmed plans to strengthen protections for customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills this winter. Following a consultation in June (1), Ofgem is introducing new licence rules for suppliers from 15 December.

New contract ensures continuation and improvement of train services across UK's most extensive rail network.

Marine Scotland Science today published the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2019. 

National Crime Agency officers have discovered a massive three-floor cannabis farm in a former nightclub in Coventry.

This summer hundreds of children risked their lives embarking on highly dangerous journeys from France to the UK by boat.

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has written to a range of businesses in sectors including fashion, retail and information technology, to seek answers in relation to the Committee’s inquiry exploring the extent to which businesses in the UK are exploiting the forced labour of Uyghur in the Xinjiang region of China.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined British Airways (BA) £20m for failing to protect the personal and financial details of more than 400,000 of its customers.

The CMA has provisionally found that YPO’s anticipated purchase of close competitor Findel could leave schools worse off.

CBI recently (16 October 2020) responded to Prime Minister's statement post-European Council.

Investment management firm ARA Venn to deliver £3 billion scheme that will provide cost-effective long-term loans to registered providers of affordable homes.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee is recalling Department of Finance officials, including Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer Sue Gray, to give further evidence on two Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) reports into which it is conducting an inquiry. 

Today The Duke of Cambridge has become Patron of two wildlife conservation charities, handed to His Royal Highness by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Constitution Committee has published its 17th report of the session on the UK Internal Market Bill.

The European Parliament has launched a journalism prize in tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese investigative journalist murdered in 2017.

The Government launches Export Growth Plan to help businesses build back better.

588 cultural organisations across England to benefit from a share of more than £76 million.

A drugs trafficker has admitted posting dozens of packages of Class A drugs around the world, after a National Crime Agency investigation.

A new coin to mark the profound contribution minority communities have made to the shared history of the United Kingdom will enter circulation next week.

On Tuesday 6 October, the TUC received a letter from the Department for Education saying that ministers have decided to end the Union Learning Fund from March 2021.

In a speech at the EU summit on 15 October, Parliament President David Sassoli insisted it is now up to EU leaders to unlock the stalled negotiations on the 2021-2027 budget.

Blog posted by: Jessica McEvoy, 16 October 2020 – Categories: Digital, Data and Technology, GDS team.

Blog posted by: Amanda Medler 16 October 2020.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace recently (15 October 2020) took part in a videoconference of defence ministers from the Five Eyes nations.

New laws will allow more healthcare workers to administer flu and potential COVID-19 vaccines safely to the public.

Scotland Loves Local encourages community shopping.

K International, a supplier on our Language Services framework (402), discuss everything you need to know about interpreting, from the different types to how to work with an Interpreter. 

Recovery should reduce economic divergence and boost the EU’s long-term social and environmental targets, the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee said on Thursday.

Blog posted by: danielcutts, 16 October 2020 – Categories: A Brilliant Civil Service, Better policymaking, Climate change.

A new report published by Public Health Wales has looked in to the effects of the full Wales COVID-19 lockdown on road traffic crashes. 

A West Midlands Police officer was recently (Friday 16 October) charged with three assaults which allegedly took place during separate incidents in Birmingham over a four-day period.

New regulations to prevent people who live in areas with high coronavirus infection rates across the UK from travelling to Wales came into force on friday (16 October 2020), First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed.

National Crime Agency officers investigating allegations of child abuse in Rotherham have made another series of arrests.

Government launches Export Growth Plan to help businesses in England build back better following the pandemic.

Terms of reference for the National Review of Eating Disorder Services which will provide a full picture of the current system of support that is available for those with an eating disorder, and their families and carers, in Scotland.

Ministers met veteran charities and service leaders yesterday to discuss high priority issues in the sector, in a visit to mark one year since the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) started its work programme.

Joint statement on progress made by the taskforce at their meeting on Thursday 15 October 2020.

CBI yesterday responded as London moves to Tier 2 of Covid restrictions.

Remarks given yesterday by President Charles Michel before the European Council meeting.

Market analyst Tussell has published a web page summarising coronavirus contracts and spending.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement on negotiations with the EU.

Six men have been arrested by the NCA as part of an international investigation into the so-called QQAAZZ group, a money laundering network which laundered millions on behalf of the world’s most prolific cyber criminals.

National influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.

TUC North West Regional Secretary has commented on today’s announcement of a £40million package to support jobs and workers in Liverpool City Region, Lynn Collins.

Congratulations to the ESRC funded researchers who have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2020.

Inaugural World Evidence-based Healthcare (EBHC) Day takes place on Tuesday 20 October 2020.

Following CMA action, Instagram will do more to prevent hidden advertising on its app and website, signalling an important behaviour shift by a major platform.

The House of Lords EU Committee has today published its report on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill: Part 5.

The UK Government has today opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre in Dundee in the city centre.

The Council yesterday imposed restrictive measures against six individuals and one entity involved in the assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned with a toxic nerve agent of the “Novichok” group on 20 August 2020 in Russia.

Businesses in Scotland have benefited from more than £2.9 billion of UK Government support to protect and support jobs across the country.

The Government yesterday issued its response to the Committee on Climate Progress Report to Parliament, which was published in June this year. 

International Trade Secretary steps up engagement with stakeholders across the UK.

Action plan to address the under-representation of people from a black or ethnic minority background in regulated public appointments.

£500 million scheme to cover Covid-related insurance costs formally launches for registrations.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, has issued a statement the International Food Day.

The Alliance’s newest member could provide a bold and meaningful opportunity for NATO to show how serious it is about its 2030 initiative.

The government has pledged £42 million to level up northern transport infrastructure.

NICE yesterday (15 October 2020) issued a draft guidance which now recommends siponimod (also called Mayzent and made by Novartis) for treating secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Changes to the planning policy to allow Welsh councils to compulsory purchase empty houses and vacant land have been announced by the Minister for Housing and Local Government.

Following close discussions with local leaders, Lancashire will move from local COVID alert level high to very high from midnight on Saturday 17 October.

A new inquiry launched by the DCMS Committee will examine the risks to the future of community sport, highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Geopolitics dominates perspectives on the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, but a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, aggravated by COVID-19 and the onset of winter.

Four men have been arrested and three firearms seized as part of an NCA investigation into an organised crime group involved a range of illegal activity.

Due to the serious public health situation in Belgium and France, the President, in agreement with EP group leaders, has decided that the October II session will take place remotely.

Blog posted by: Iain Hollington – Junior Manager Training & Compliance, Royal Air Force, 15 October 2020.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Public Health England (PHE) are to jointly lead a study to better understand the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools in England.

Nearly 65,000 vulnerable pensioners in Wales will receive a winter windfall of £140 off their fuel bills thanks to the UK Government’s efforts working with energy firms to cut their costs.

A team of scientists led by the UK have glimpsed the final blast of light emitted from a star before it is sucked into a supermassive black hole.

An agreement has been signed between the United Kingdom and the Côte d’Ivoire to secure our trade arrangements.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed 2 new legally qualified members to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €40 million (SEK 416m) loan agreement with Swedish biotech company Oncopeptides AB.

Welsh Secretary welcomes the expansion of the UK Government’s Job Support Scheme.

Direct award of the Cross Country rail franchise to Arriva until October 2023.

Today (16 October) we have published updates on two pieces of work that highlight the issues people face around access to mental health services.

Bus users yesterday (Thursday 15 October) met with council leaders from across West Yorkshire in an online public meeting to call for action on West Yorkshire’s failing private bus network.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge, officially opened Dstl's new state-of-the-art Energetics Analysis Centre and met specialist scientific staff.

Travellers arriving from Italy, San Marino and Vatican City State must self-isolate from Sunday.

There have been allegations of potential criminal activity occurring at banks, whereby home repossessions and other such documents are not being signed by the authorised signatory.

Opening remarks given yesterday by Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Kyriakides at the press conference on the Vaccination Strategy.

techUK's Defence Commercial Business Forum, in partnership with the commercial senior leadership team in Defence Digital, has launched a new code of practice.

Producers, suppliers, traders and end-users will need to take action to prepare for the end of the transition period.

A man has been charged with drugs, firearms and money laundering offences after the seizure of cocaine worth £1.2 million, a firearm and £23,000 in cash.

Former Chief Constable Michael Fuller has been appointed a non-executive director for the Home Office.

The Welsh Government yesterday (Thursday, October 15) published an independent report into school spending in Wales.

As Europe learns to live with the pandemic, the development and swift global deployment of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 remains an essential element in the eventual solution to the public health crisis.

From 4am Sunday 18 October, people arriving in England from Italy will need to self-isolate.

Blog posted by: Marsha Dennis, 15 October 2020.

Service personnel often live and work all over the UK, moving regularly from posting to posting, so when they leave the armed forces, they may well find themselves hundreds of miles from family and friends.

New figures show that the number of people testing positive increased by more than 35,000 during the first week of October.

Further face covering rules announced and business support scheme to open.

To commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of the Maltese investigative journalist, the prize will reward journalism reflecting EU principles and values.

Policies designed to exclude asylum seekers are leading to human rights violations and undermining the international refugee regime.

Proposals to open up a 50 mile stretch of coast between Salcott and Jaywick have been unveiled by Natural England.

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, yesterday announced Welsh Government funding of £900k for improvements to community-based facilities through the Community Facilities Programme.

For the first time, the annual Remembrance Sunday service will be a closed ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses in Wales benefited from more than £1.3 billion in UK Government support to protect and support jobs as a result of the coronavirus.

Although handwashing with soap  is critical in the fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19,  millions of people around the world have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said ahead of Global Handwashing Day.

New People and Nature Survey reveals clear inequalities for children engaging with nature.

In a spirit of compromise, Parliament made a concrete and realistic proposal for an immediate increase of key programme envelopes in the long-term EU budget by €39bn.

The following areas will move from local COVID alert level: medium to local COVID alert level: high from Saturday.

Part of our 'Resilient State' programme, this report makes recommendations for future cyber security policy.

Lots of historical records focus on the rich, the influencers or the winners of particular periods. But in a new education resource now available on our website, The National Archives focuses on the voices of the poor in British Victorian society.

More than 90,000 vulnerable pensioners in Scotland will automatically receive £140 off their fuel bills thanks to UK Government efforts

Speech given by Commissioner Hahn in the ninth joint DZ BANK – Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum.

TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams yesterday commented on the recent (13 October 2020) ONS figures for earnings and employment, which show payrolled employees in Yorkshire fell by 49,000 between Q2-Q3 this year.

Raja Javid, a learner at South Staffordshire College, is going from strength to strength in his studies.

Work on a major scheme to further protect the A55 against flooding and improve safety is under way, Minister for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates announced today.

Government cuts to early intervention funding in the past decade must be urgently reversed as councils prepare for a surge in demand for support for children and young people who have “disappeared” from view as a result of the pandemic, the Local Government Association says today in a new report.

The Environment Agency in the North East is preparing for winter in a series of training sessions to make sure they are ready to respond to incidents.

In its latest report, the European Scrutiny Committee considers recent draft EU legislation and policy documents deposited in Parliament by the Government.

To fill gaps exposed by COVID-19 and ensure that health systems can face future threats to public health, an ambitious EU health programme is needed, say MEPs.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak and fellow G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors agree an updated action plan to support the global economy through Covid-19.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Qatari counterpart have committed to strengthening the UK-Qatar defence relationship during a joint visit to RAF Coningsby yesterday.

Research on the routes and circumstances of children and young people who have been identified as victims of trafficking and exploitation in Scotland, and their experiences of support services.

Layla McCay, director of international relations at the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, responded to the Nuffield Trust briefing Brexit and Coronavirus 

Martin discusses World Evidence-Based Healthcare Day and how NICE uses evidence to inform our recommendations.

This week, 35 community groups from across Wales attended The National Lottery Community Fund Climate Action Boost welcome event. 

Former Chief Constable Michael Fuller has been appointed a non-executive director for the Home Office.

COP26 President Alok Sharma at 'A Sustainable Recovery for People and Planet', part of the 2020 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) (14 October 2020).

A London council has been criticised by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the way it assesses disabled people’s requests for two different transport schemes.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Asia Research and Capital Management Ltd (ARCM) £873,118 over transparency failures. The firm failed to notify the FCA and disclose to the public its net short position in Premier Oil Plc built between February 2017 and July 2019.

The Welsh Government is preparing urgent action to prevent people who live in areas with high coronavirus infection rates across the UK from travelling to Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford yesterday confirmed.

Statement to Parliament about the government's local action strategy and areas in England that will move into local COVID alert level high from Saturday 17 October.

The Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee has written to the Food Standards Agency’s Chief Executive, Emily Miles, to confirm its intention to scrutinise the Food and Feed Safety and Hygiene (FFSH) framework.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to latest statistics on the number of deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2019 

Brits will be able to get cashback from shops without needing to buy anything under new proposals to protect the UK’s cash system announced today (15 October 2020).

Sharon Chatyoka, a Health and Social Care lecturer at Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), was nominated in our 2020 Aspiration Awards for the dedication and impact she demonstrates through her teaching.

The Commission yesterday adopted the 2020 State of the Energy Union Report and its accompanying documents focused on different aspects of EU energy policy. 

Developing your Creative Practice (DYCP) is back and now open for new applications as of today (Thursday 15 October).

We've launched a new consultation on how we plan to inspect Cafcass from 2021: stakeholders can give their views until 11 November.

The UK will join the USA, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore and Brazil to speed up the approval of innovative medicines.

Dr Carolyn Atkins, Research Scientist at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) in Edinburgh is awarded a Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF).

The cash boost will develop 'blue sky' solutions to global issues such as food supply, cancer diagnosis and dementia treatment.

Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, responded to the latest COVID-19 mortality figures published by the ONS 

The Council yesterday adopted legislation to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Channel Tunnel railway connection (Channel Fixed Link) between continental Europe and the United Kingdom after the end of the Brexit transition period. 

The Welsh Government has guaranteed free school meal provision for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021, thanks to £11m confirmed today by Education Minister Kirsty Williams.

The Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss confirms her decision to select Baroness Falkner of Margravine as Chair for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

CBI NI yesterday responded to new restrictions from the Executive.

Minister for Housing, Rt. Hon Christopher Pincher, yesterday gave a speech to the District Councils' Network.

Press statement given yesterday by President von der Leyen on the New European Bauhaus.

Second two-monthly report to the Scottish Parliament on the steps taken to ensure that the solemnisation of marriages and registration of civil partnerships continues to be available and on the number of marriages and civil partnerships that have taken place during the reporting period.

The Prime Minister has had a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to the publication of updated government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable

There have been reports that customers of UK banks living in the European Union have received letters informing them that their current accounts will be closed once the transition period with the EU ends on 31 December 2020.

This is the main finding in new research – funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the Economic and Social Research Council – by IFS researchers published today. 

The European Commission yesterday presented an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions. Methane is the second biggest contributor to climate change, after carbon dioxide.

The death of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah after a 14-year reign might have passed under the radar of the casual Middle East observer, but it marks an important milestone in the history of Arab and Gulf affairs.

Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme tests and trials case study on a farmer-led group on the north-east coast of Britain.

Important flower-rich grasslands in Luton gain national protection through SSSI designation.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) yesterday published their surveillance of the UK economy, which provides analysis and insight of the state of the UK economy and the upcoming challenges.

The ‘Size and Health of the UK space industry’ survey – the primary source of evidence used to track growth in the sector – opened yesterday.

17-year-old Emma Noble, a student from Ullswater Community College, was nominated in our 2020 Aspiration Awards for her motivation and effort during her studies and has since progressed to Higher Education.

CIPD responds to the latest job figures from the ONS 

The European Commission yesterday adopted the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The Strategy is the first step towards a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment announced in the European Green Deal. 

The Government should give anyone without a job who wants to start a new business £100 a week for a year, says a new report from Policy Exchange – published a day after unemployment surged to the highest level in over three years.

The leaders of the three trade union federations in the UK’s devolved nations and regions have united to jointly express their firm opposition and serious concerns at the Internal Market Bill making its way through the UK Parliament.

UK's Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, recently (13 October 2020) delivered a statement under Item 9 Work Programme on electronic commerce and moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions – request from India.

Blog posted by: Conrad Heine 14 October 2020.

Work to resurface the runways at RAF Lossiemouth has reached a major milestone with the return of aircraft to the Moray station.

Around a million pensioners across the UK will receive £140 off their fuel bills, thanks to government efforts working with energy firms to cut their costs.

Supporting evidence to inform decisions about timings of changes within Phase 3 as set out at the review point on 22 September 2020.

Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, responded to a speech by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on the adoption system 

IEA Editorial and Research Fellow Professor Len Shackleton responded to the latest ONS labour market statistics 

More support will become available for small and medium enterprises from the cultural and creative sectors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland. 

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster yesterday updated the House of Commons on the agenda for a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 19 October 2020 in London.

Keynote by NHS Digital's CEO Sarah Wilkinson (delivered for Public Policy Projects on Saturday 10 October).

A Kent Police Detective Sergeant (DS) has been dismissed without notice at a gross misconduct hearing arranged by the force, following our investigation.

The Welsh Government yesterday announced that increased incentives will be offered to attract more Biology teachers from next year. In the last five years, Biology has fallen into the bottom five subjects for the number of applications per teacher post.

The Council yesterday adopted conclusions on seizing the opportunities of digitalisation for access to justice.

The Prime Minister has confirmed the appointment of Ali Akbor OBE to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel for Phase 2 of its work.

UK's Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, yesterday delivered a statement under Item 8: procedural guidelines for WTO Councils and Committees addressing trade concerns. Statement by co-sponsors of WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5.

Julia Chaplin, a tutor at Brooklands College, received an impressive number of nominations in the Tutor of the Year category of our 2020 Aspiration Awards. 

Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England will receive new guidance to help them reduce their risk from coronavirus, tailored to where they live.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady yesterday commented on the Labour Party’s proposals for a national circuit-break lockdown.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has made two new appointments to its Executive Team.

The Sunshine State is a critical battleground for winning the electoral college, and the presidency.

The Scottish Affairs Committee today launches its inquiry into the impact of welfare reform in Scotland.

The Council yesterday adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restrictions of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 6 April 2020, employers have been able to pay employees up to £6 a week tax-free to cover additional costs if they have had to work from home.

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum addressed a group of journalists for the first time on 14 October, where he spoke about his top priorities and the current threat landscape. 

Gavin Williamson sets out expectations to end burdensome bureaucracy in adoption, marking National Adoption Week.

Findings from research with Social Security experience panels members on the new cold spell heating assistance and winter heating assistance.

The topic of the Tripartite Social Summit was "Implementing together an inclusive economic and social recovery in Europe".

Blog posted by: Sian Morgan, Head of Communications, Department for Transport, 14 October 2020.

Good or bad, the so-called golden age of UK–China relations should be seen for what it was: a geopolitical wager.

Researchers are calling on more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and the over 65s to volunteer for clinical studies through the NHS Vaccine Registry.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has asked Sheffield City Council to make a public apology to the people of the city after numerous problems were found with the way it removed street trees.

UK Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, yesterday delivered a joint statement with Brazil, Japan and United States under Item 7: importance of market-oriented conditions to the world trading system.

A road in the Vale of Glamorgan has been recognised in the ‘Constructing Excellence in Wales’ Awards 2020, as the St Athan Northern Access Road was awarded the ‘Civils’ Project of the Year.

The UK Space Agency, NASA and other partners have signed a historic agreement on principles for space ahead of a future mission to the Moon.

A ‘diplomatic romance’ between old friends ultimately reflects a convergence of interests – Canada and the UK have good reasons to gravitate towards each other.

NCFE has joined forces with Northumbria Police to put a stop to hate crime in the North East by launching internal Hate Crime Champions.

Parliament’s new committee on tax matters will become “the European hub for debate on tax issues”, promises Dutch S&D member Paul Tang, the committee’s newly elected chair.

Blog posted by: Barclay Rae – Service management expert, 13 October 2020.

Military veteran presented with new railcard ahead of its launch.

The UK’s first large-scale farm that will use insects to convert food waste into sustainable feed for farmed animals has moved a step closer, thanks to a £10 million Government funding boost.

Dalia Dawoud, Scientific Adviser at NICE Science, Evidence and Analytics Directorate explains NICE’s role as co-host of HTAi 2021 in the UK.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday allowed the EU to raise tariffs up to $4 billion worth of imports from the U.S. as a countermeasure for illegal subsides to the American aircraft maker, Boeing. 

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, yesterday made an oral statement in the Senedd to mark Hate Crime Awareness week.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham highlights the positive results of the ICO’s engagement with the UK devolved administrations on the use of data in the fight against COVID-19.

A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.

CBI yesterday commented on labour market statistics – Oct.

To coincide with National Adoption Week, the Education Secretary calls for overhaul of overly bureaucratic adoption system.

An experimental statistics publication by the Scottish Government.

EU Services Sub-Committee publishes report on professional and business services.

The democratic opposition in Belarus, Honduran environmental activists and the Archbishop of Mosul are the 2020 Sakharov Prize finalists.

Funding available for councils as part of LGA’s digital connectivity programme.

Poultry keepers are urged to prepare for winter avian flu and reduce the risk of disease in their birds over the winter

Two men have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into the attempted importation of a firearm into Northern Ireland.

This announcement follows the conclusion of a Home Office competitive fund.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady yesterday commented on the latest employment figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show unemployment up by 209,000 from this time last year and the steepest quarterly rise in redundances on record.

Blog posted by: Jo Pennington, Head of Standards, Performance and Innovation for the GCS, 13 October 2020.

Blog posted by: Alistair Godbold, 13 October 2020.

A judge-led review into how allegations of wrongdoing are raised and investigated will help tackle the uncertainty faced by military personnel on future overseas operations, the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yestertday announced.

Freight routes secured after government signs contracts with ferry companies.

Findings of wave 1 of the Scottish COVID-19 (SCOVID) Mental Health Tracker Study based on questionnaire data collected between 28 May and 21 June 2020 (a period which coincided with the Phase 1 easing of lockdown measures).

Dawn Harrison, Interpreting Team Leader from BID Services - a supplier on our 402 framework - discuss how to successfully host multi participant British Sign Language interpreted meetings over video relay. 

The Government has published a document setting out operating principles to support commissioners, staff and volunteers of rough sleeping accommodation (night shelters) as well as rough sleepers themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic, should the decision be taken to open a shelter.

The Council adopted conclusions on human rights, participation and well-being of older persons in the era of digitalisation. 

Blog posted by: Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, 13 October 2020.

The latest NCSC statement concerning an incident affecting Hackney Borough Council.

Universities and researchers can apply for a share of £2 million to work with researchers and businesses in Africa on solving challenges in food supply.

The Welsh Government is to give Local Authorities the power to fine people parking on pavements.

Support will give local areas the tools and funding they need to protect people from life-threatening cold weather and the risks posed by coronavirus.

Applications for the Self-Isolation Support Grant have opened for low income workers who are asked to self-isolate and would lose income if they needed to isolate.