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Head of Political Economy at the Institute of Economic Affairs Dr Kristian Niemietz responded to Labour’s manifesto announcement, calling for the biggest council and social house building programme for decades 

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel

As the new EU Commission takes office, responsibility for the EU’s sanctions portfolio appears to have moved between commissioners. 

Speech by Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the S&P Global’s European Financial Institutions Conference, Paris

Analysis of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) consultation responses and events which took place over summer 2019.

RoSPA has launched a survey to find out more about the causes of the hundreds of thousands of unintentional injuries that happen in the UK every year.

Editorial and Research Fellow Professor Len Shackleton responded to the Conservative Party’s announcement to raise the National Insurance threshold for workers

Scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) attended the Women in Defence awards last night in Guildhall London, where they were honoured for their contribution to defence, including the coveted Woman of the Year award.

Ten suspected members of an organised crime group were yesterday arrested on suspicion of flying an estimated £15.5million out of the UK to Dubai hidden in suitcases.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Karen Pierce, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the Middle East

Call for Evidence: Understanding the challenges and opportunities for digital procurement in the UK.

Cllr Katrina Wood, Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responded to a report by Action for Children on domestic violence 

Richard Murray, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, commented on the Liberal Democrat manifesto 

The EC has presented its Opinions on euro area Member States' 2020 Draft Budgetary Plans, taken steps under the Stability and Growth Pact and adopted the fourth Enhanced Surveillance Report for Greece.

Conservative plans to introduce lifetime deposits – an idea first mooted by the RLA – has been welcomed.

A statement given yesterday by His Royal Highness The Duke of York.

Services are inconsistent, complex and short term, and victims and survivors find it difficult to get the help they need.

Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs Mark Littlewood commented on the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office gave a statement in response to Russia returning 3 Ukrainian vessels seized in the Black Sea in 2018.

The latest annual report on cervical screening coverage has been published by NHS Digital today.

This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in October 2019.

Blog posted by: Karen Brusch and Neil Robinson – Service Design Consultants, 20 November 2019.

Cabinet Secretary Jeane Freeman, Scottish Parliament

Investment in early help family support services can result in fewer children entering care or needing more intensive interventions, saving money and improving outcomes for children in the long run.

The Adam Smith Institute has responded to the Liberal Democrats Manifesto announcement.

The reminder comes as flood water is discharged out to sea.

Mandatory landlord licensing and rent controls are proposed in the Liberal Democrat election manifesto, that came out yesterday. 

The EC has launched Due Diligence Ready!, an online portal that provides businesses with guidance on how to check the sources of the metals and minerals entering their supply chains – the so-called “due diligence” process.

The first Aston Martin model stamped with the “Made in Wales” marque was officially unveiled to the world’s motoring press at a global launch in Beijing yesterday.

NHS Confederation chief executive Niall Dickson responded to news that doctors in England will have their tax bills covered by the NHS in order to encourage them to take on extra overtime shifts

A new report from Demos looking at financial security for the modern, liquid workforce is calling for the next government to introduce a Self-Employed National Minimum Wage, as a crucial step towards improving financial security for lower paid self-employed workers.

Following just over one year in office, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, outlines her ongoing priorities at a tumultuous time for fundamental rights protections worldwide.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Henderson Investment Funds Limited (HIFL) £1,867,900 for failing to treat fairly more than 4,500 retail investors in two of its funds, the Henderson Japan Enhanced Equity Fund and the Henderson North American Enhanced Equity Fund (the Japan and North American Funds).

UNCRC to be incorporated into Scots Law.

The proportion of applications receiving a positive decision (known as "recognition rate") so far this year was 34%, compared to 33% in the first nine months of 2018.

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake, responded to a report by the Children’s Society on how fewer children are seeking help for mental health problems 

The Labour Party has announced plans to introduce a 45% income tax rate on annual incomes over £80,000 and a 50% rate on incomes over £125,000 from 2020–21. New analysis by IFS researchers, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, examines the likely effects of this policy.

A man from Hull has been charged with heading up a crime group planning on smuggling migrants to the UK using small boats.

A sergeant from Cleveland Police will face a misconduct hearing on Monday 25 November following our investigation.

First Minister, Mark Drakeford has welcomed official figures which show Wales continues to invest more in key public services than other parts of the UK.

Raj Parker, the Independent Reviewer into the FSA/FCA’s approach to the Connaught Income Fund Series 1, announces that the Review’s initial call for information has now closed.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is attending the last meeting of foreign ministers before the UK hosts the 70th anniversary NATO Leaders’ Meeting in December

A detailed report on the analysis of the consultation responses and events which took place over the summer

Statement from the Electoral Comission on @CCHQPress Twitter rebrand.

Sets out progress made in taking forward actions in the Progressing the Human Rights of Children in Scotland: An Action Plan 2018-2021 since December 2018

The EU will need to update its long-term climate goals in 2020. Parliament wants more ambitious goals, but will EU countries agree to aim for climate neutrality by 2050?

A majority of private landlords say they are less confident about the market than they were three months ago.

A man has been sentenced after he diverted £31,970 worth of payments from his employer to a service provider, into his and his partner’s bank account.

Teenage Backing the Best athlete won medal at World Championships and set world record this year.

Statement given yesterday by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for the Commonwealth, UN and South Asia, at the Security Council open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

Continued concerns about management of Deacons Charitable Trust and Jalloh Charitable Trust.

The Council Hs adopted conclusions on oceans and seas, stressing that climate change is a direct and existential threat to life in oceans and seas globally.

Two thirds of British people have been caught out by severe weather, according to the latest research from the Met Office, despite regularly checking the weather forecast.

GCS are now accepting applications from departments, agencies and ALBs to host a GCS intern or apprenticeship for the programmes starting in 2020.

Foreign Office statement following a report by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Council of Europe into the conduct of the Belarus elections.

HMRC is giving information to customers to help them avoid scams ahead of the Self Assessment deadline.

A landlord in Camden has been banned from letting property for four years, for a number of health and safety breaches.

Consumption of clothing, footwear and household textiles in the EU uses annually about 1.3 tonnes of raw materials and more than 100 cubic metres of water per person, according to a European Environment Agency briefing.  

On International Men’s Day (19 November), we urged all men in Wales to complete our mental health and the workplace survey.

EUROCHAMBRES and the European Committee of the Regions have conducted the joint survey over the past months, with an objective to identify opportunities and obstacles faced in the implementation of EU FTAs.

An update from the MOD on the future of industry access to the Defence Intranet (DEFNET).

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a statement on the detention and mistreatment of Simon Cheng, a former member of staff at the British Consulate Hong Kong.

Flood-hit homes and businesses will be able to receive up to £5,000 to help protect them from future flooding.

National Procurement Service framework updates.

Blog posted by: Danny Liston – Senior Associate, Ontoit, 19 November 2019.

Environment Agency teams continue to work around the clock to protect people and properties from flooding but, as the flood risk reduces, the focus is increasingly moving to assisting the recovery of affected communities.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician released the Homelessness in Scotland: 2018/19 – Equalities Breakdowns.

The 2019 Chatham House Prize is awarded to Sir David Attenborough and Julian Hector, head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, for the galvanizing impact of the Blue Planet II series on tackling ocean plastic pollution.

A manifesto calling for a mandatory landlord register has been issued by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

Spanish authorities have reported the likely sexual transmission of dengue between two men. This is the first case of dengue described in an area without the presence of vector mosquitoes that has been attributed to sexual transmission, and the first sexual transmission described between men who have sex with men (MSM).

National Procurement Service framework updates.

The incoming – or returning – prime minister may want to stamp his or her authority on government by rearranging departments, but new research lays bare the total costs involved in creating new departments.

techUK comments on the Conservative Party’s plans for the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system.

Rent Smart Wales is in the process of preparing for the first round of landlord licence renewals, due next year.

Delays and serious challenges integrating young refugees who have fled war and persecution risk creating a lost generation, finds a new Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) report.  While it identifies some good practices, it urges Member States to learn from each other to give these young people an adequate chance in life.

We have re-established an eProcurement user group which will meet on 27 November 2019, 2pm – 4pm.

IPPR/YouGov poll finds majority across party and Brexit divides in favour of significant changes to how the UK economy is run

Details of the investigations concluded in the last month have been published today by the Electoral Commission. This is an important part of delivering transparency in political finance in the UK.

MEPs have fought for and obtained better support for climate action, research, SMEs and the young in next year’s EU budget, after a second round of talks with Council on Monday.

Between 2018 and 2019, 15 out of 18 Broad Rental Market Areas of Scotland have seen increases in average new let rents for 2 bedroom properties, ranging from 0.2% in North Lanarkshire, up to 5.3% in Greater Glasgow.

“Many areas where significant improvements are required,” says joint review of quality governance.

Suzie Bailey, Director of Leadership and Organisational Development at The King’s Fund, commented on a new report on the wellbeing of doctors commissioned by the General Medical Council 

Consultation relating to the proposed acquisition of Cobham PLC by Advent International.

Guest blog by Chris Gledhill, PDMS on our flagship Building the Smarter State conference.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is asking thousands of Alpha Insurance A/S (Alpha) latent defect policyholders to submit their premium refund claim to the Alpha claims portal on the Danish insurer’s website.

Counsel General and Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles, yesterday announced £1.3 million EU funds to support high level and technical skills training for agricultural and food businesses.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to research by the UK-wide National Referral Database on social prescribing 

False claims about social mobility risk demotivating youngsters from poorer backgrounds and are leading to damaging policies to rectify problems that do not exist, a new Civitas report shows.

Years of crises, the increasing clout radical right-wing voices, and a sense of 'gender fatigue' have impacted EU governments' commitment to gender equality.  New research from EIGE shows that Member States are allocating less attention to the institutional structures that have helped narrow the gaps between women & men.

As we pass through November’s mid-way point, the weather has never been far from many people’s minds with a notably cold and wet start to the month for some.

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Kuwait and Oman between Sunday 1st December and Wednesday 4th December. This visit is at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and will be His Royal Highness’s first official visit to both countries.

Evaluation of the Attainment Scotland Fund: local authority survey findings 2019.

Health leaders across England have urged the incoming Government to address the critical issues that will improve and transform services for patients as they warn that a lack of staffing and failure to address the pensions crisis is putting care at risk.

The Adam Smith Institute has responded to speeches at the CBI’s annual conference.

Rent controls and the abolition of Section 21 repossessions are outlined in the Green Party manifesto, released today. 

A Forum pilot enforcement project in 15 participating countries has found that 12 % of inspected products contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The majority (88 %) of suppliers of these products are failing to communicate sufficient information to their customers about SVHCs in products they supply.

New pension measures to help NHS Scotland retain highly experienced staff have been announced.

There have been historic gains overall for the world’s children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 30 years ago. However, many of the poorest children are yet to feel the impact, according to The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads, a new report released yesterday.

IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop responded to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn’s speeches to the Confederation of British Industry 

Electrical Safety Awareness Week, organised by Electrical Safety First and run in conjunction with the Home Office, aims to promote electrical fire safety in the home.

European Antibiotic Awareness Day takes place every year on 18 November to raise awareness of the threat to public health from antibiotic resistance and the importance of prudent use of antibiotics.

Border Force and Metropolitan Police operation ‘highly commended’ at ‘World Class Policing Awards’

The contemptuous reactions from seasonsed analysts to Emmanuel Macron’s NATO comments actually reinforce the French president’s argument.

Cllr David Renard, Transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, responded to a report by the RAC Foundation on parking income generated by councils in England in the past year 

The share of employees directly affected by the minimum wage would double under Conservatives’ plans and treble under Labour’s according to new research published by IFS.

Blog posted by: Liz Mear, 18 November 2019.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has announced that she is minded to accept legally binding undertakings offered in the proposed acquisition of Cobham.

The Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (‘PRA’) have decided to ban and fine Stuart Malcolm Forsyth, the former CEO of a small mutual insurer, £78,318 and £76,180 respectively.

Guidance on policy, pests, legislation and inspection relating to bees in Scotland.

Health leaders have warned that the persistent neglect of social care is damaging patient care across the NHS and risks not making the most of the government’s extra £20.5bn investment in the service.

New system needs fundamental reform to make it a ‘safety net, not a tightrope’, says new think tank report

One in three young people are not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission, as it urges young people to sign up before the registration deadline on 26 November.

Blog posted by: Simon McDougall, Executive Director – Technology Policy and Innovation, ICO, 18 November 2019.

A landlord licensing scheme in Nottingham has so far managed to issue full licences to fewer than three per cent of the applications received.

Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, responded to new reports from The Health Foundation and London School of Economics on mortality trends in the UK

A new essay published by Civitas warns of the dangers of reinforcing childhood feelings of ‘gender dysphoria’ at too young an age.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement following violence during protests at university campuses in Hong Kong

Blog posted by: Josh Pritchard, 15 November 2019.

Joint statement from techUK, UKCTA, INCA and ISPA regarding Labour's pledge for free broadband.

One in four black and Asian people are not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission, as it calls on the public to register to vote by Tuesday 26 November ahead of December’s general election.

In Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksa brothers' return confirms the region's autocratic drift.

The scheme has been revised in accordance with the provisions of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990. The Minister for Community Safety has directed that the Association of Commercial Attorneys bring this into force from 18 June 2019.

A report published over the weekend suggests Labour has dropped its controversial plan to offer tenants the right to buy their privately rented homes.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon issued a statement to mark the end of the 34th Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Each year, more than 55,000 young people throughout Wales are involved in workshops to think about how they can become successful entrepreneurs, Economy Minister Ken Skates revealed at the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

A rugby fan from Widnes is urging people to be on the ball and “know their pulse” during Global AF Aware Week 2019.

Twenty-four firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been seized in a joint operation between the National Crime Agency and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Public Health England (PHE) issues cold weather alert following the arrival of colder weather in some parts of England.

Catch-up on what you missed from techUK's first ever #QuantumFuture week by visiting our landing page!

How the government is supporting communities and business affected by the recent severe flooding.

Ministry of Defence response to allegations relating to the conduct of UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan

After making every effort to reach a compromise on an adequate EU budget for 2020 during long hours on Friday, Parliament and Council have suspended the talks without agreement.

Progress Report on the actions from Health and Social Care Delivery Plan, published December 2016.

The following is the text of a Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Small Group on Syria.

A major new package of reforms to local government in Wales, which includes giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote at local elections has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.

Event marks 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (16 November 2019).

RUSI is delighted to announce two substantial donations towards its appeal for 61 Whitehall, the Institute’s iconic home opposite Downing Street, in the heart of the capital.

Blog posted by: Rasha Akar, AXELOS Social Media Lead, 15 November 2019.

Sharp drop in reported permanent vacancies in primary schools.

Have you noticed that the Academy Learning Portal has been updated?  Indeed, under the scope of the strategic project e-learning Portal – Next Generation, the Academy Learning Portal (ALP) has a completely new look and feel with some brand new features.

The Indian government has scrapped a plan to militarize its forests and open them up for commercial exploitation, after a national and international outcry.

A Lancashire Constabulary police constable (PC) is due before a police disciplinary panel following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

Scottish Budget to be published post-Christmas.

Open Europe's Stephen Booth and Anthony Egan explore how the UK party electoral alliances are starting to take shape.