WIREDGOV

TfL will work with Barratt London to deliver around 450 new homes, with 50% affordable housing, in Wembley Park.

Today’s update looks at the MPs elected as chairs of their Select Committees and a call made by an MP for the housing element of Universal Credit to be paid directly to landlords.

Initiatives such as Mind and Rethink’s Time to Talk have opened up the mental health debate and made it more acceptable to converse about something that compared to the sparkling flow of words that surround physical health in our offices, was hushed and taciturn in contrast.

techUK would like to invite members of the Communications Infrastructure Programme to vote for the new Chair of the Council.

An investigation has found no indication that Metropolitan Police officers involved in the arrest and detention of 25 year old Daniel Cuffe in August 2015 had breached police professional standards.

NEW restrictions should be placed on the use of high risk vendors in the UK’s 5G and gigabit-capable networks, the government has announced at the conclusion of its Telecoms Supply Chain Review.

New investment to drive forward reversal of the Beeching era cuts.

The Global Preparers Forum (GPF) is seeking new members from 1 March 2020.

techUK CEO Julian David responds to the Government's announcement on the conclusion of its Telecoms Supply Chain Review.

The British government is expected to approve a restricted role for Huawei in Britain’s 5G network. We look at the arguments for that decision.

Ahead of 1 February 2020, the day on which the UK will leave the EU in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement  concluded between the EU and the UK (read the latest news here), the EUIPO has updated the Brexit section on its website.

Scottish youth projects putting young people front and centre of their work are today (Tuesday 28 January) sharing in £1.4m from the Young Start fund.

Amanda Spielman yesterday spoke at the Headteachers’ Symposium on Creativity and Education about arts subjects in schools and initial teacher education.

Series of measures will help secure the future of the UK’s free and independent press.

Minister welcomes figures which shows more learning opportunities for all.

Dstl Fellow Dr Noman Govan has been appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

As part of a package of announcements today, UK Research and Innovation has announced changes to our requirements on ‘Pathways to Impact’.

As operators & designers of public transport services, local & regional authorities and policy makers have the opportunity to shape and structure urban spaces. The best way to make the most positive impact on people’s living conditions, and to influence their daily mobility choices, is to offer the very best options for movement.

Non-custodial sentences are those that do not include imprisonment, such as discharges, fines and community orders. 

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock yesterday (27 January 2020) updated Parliament on Wuhan novel coronavirus.

In a report, published today, the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that the government’s Get ready for Brexit campaign made the public better aware of some of the things they might need to do ahead of the UK leaving the EU on 31 October 2019.

Following a meeting with the family of Harry Dunn, the Foreign Secretary has issued a statement.

More than 3,200 children across North Wales are benefiting from the Welsh Government’s childcare offer with over 600 settings now providing it.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, responded to a report by IPPR which said Big Tech must open up data and help fund digital inclusion as the UK economy moves away from cash in 2020s 

Proposals to extend regulations concerning carbon monoxide alarms are being considered by the government.

The GCS career framework is for everyone in government communications. It's a useful guide that can help you develop your career, as well as improve your skills, raise professional standards and deliver outstanding campaigns.

Blog posted by: Leif Andersson – Change leader, coach, facilitator, IlluminEight, 28 January 2020.

Top scientists to be given fast-tracked entry into the UK.

Scotland’s growing financial technology sector has become the first in the UK, and only the third in Europe, to receive formal accreditation as a cluster of excellence.

People from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are far less likely to be physically active.

A £3.3 billion investment programme in Scotland's infrastructure has enabled more public buildings and new roads to be built. But the Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how and when they use privately financed contracts.

Big Tech must open up data and help fund digital inclusion as UK economy moves away from cash in 2020s, says IPPR

Young people’s work opportunities are significantly unequal in different parts of the country, according to new research by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and Impetus.

Along with a vote on the UK withdrawal deal, this week MEPs will tackle the gender pay gap, call for a common charger for electronic devices and mark 75 years since the end of the Holocaust.

A Brighton Police inspector who engaged in improper relationships with women in Sussex was dismissed on Friday 24 January after being found to have committed gross misconduct following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

Ofsted yesterday published a consultation on a new approach to inspecting initial teacher education (ITE).

Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, giving greater police powers to prevent misuse, has second reading.

Paper highlights acute need for powers over immigration policy.

The ICO marked this year’s annual Data Protection Day (27 January 2020) by highlighting data sharing resources and guidance.

IEA’s Head of Transport Dr Richard Wellings commented on the National Audit Office (NAO) report, urging the Government and HS2 Ltd to be more “transparent” about the costs of the project 

A £2 million National Lottery-backed project to support children’s learning and ease financial pressure on low-income parents starts today (Tuesday 28th January) with 128 schools across the UK set to take action over the next three years.

Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, responded to a joint report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Physicians linking indoor air pollution and respiratory problems in children 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) plan will see all consumer smart devices sold in the UK adhere to the three rigorous security requirements...

New legislation to improve security standards of internet-connected household devices.

Two men who hid £60 million worth of cocaine on a yacht travelling from South America to the UK have been jailed for a total of 33 years for drug smuggling, following a National Crime Agency investigation. 

The extra tax is due to reforms introduced in 2015 to tackle profit diversion.

In the week Wales and the UK leaves the EU, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has insisted Wales’ thriving food and drinks industry must continue to prosper, following a record year of success.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech given yesterday at the Holocaust Memorial Day service 2020.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomes the announcement that bereaved parents will be granted two weeks of statutory paid leave. 

The King's Fund has published a new strategy for the next five years. The strategy focuses on three strategic priorities: building healthier places and communities; tackling the worst health outcomes; and supporting people and leaders working in health and care.

Ahead of the vote on the EU-UK withdrawal agreement on 29 January, Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt gave an interview.

The UK Minister for the Middle East has released a statement on the recent surge in violence in Yemen.

Developing the Practice of Governance is the Association for Project Management’s contribution to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s Project X to identify the real-world issues that affect projects and programmes.

Lieutenant General R A Magowan CB CBE begins his post as Strategic Command’s Deputy Commander.

£2.4 million for better sports activities and teaching.

Companies are benefiting from £170,000 of Scottish Government funding to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle the global climate emergency.

Cllr David Renard, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, responded to a report by Centre for Cities revealing that more than one in 19 deaths in the UK’s largest cities and towns is now linked to air pollution 

Landlords in Brighton and Hove who want to convert family homes into small HMOs will have to apply for planning permission to do so.

Boris Johnson is said to be ready to reshuffle his ministerial team in February – and a new Institute for Government report warns that he should then keep his ministers in place. Excessive ‘churn’ means they never get properly on top of their brief. This has undermined the effectiveness of UK government in recent decades.

As part of a package of announcements yesterday, the government announced changes to Tier 1 Visas for researchers.

Blog posted by: Kevin Oliver, 27 January 2020 – Categories: Improved outcomes.

NHS Chief Sir Simon Stevens recently (25 January 2020) announced the NHS and its staff will step up action to tackle the climate “health emergency” this year, helping prevent illness, reducing pressure on A&Es, and saving tens of thousands of lives. 

Blog post by: Sam Hutcherson, Monday, 27 January 2020.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has written to the UK Treasury demanding that young people in Wales are helped to gain access to their Child Trust Funds.

The Chancellor yesterday (Sunday 26 January) unveiled the first images of the Brexit coin, a 50p bearing the inscription ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ and the date the UK leaves the EU.

Phillip King has been appointed the interim Small Business Commissioner with immediate effect.

Education Secretary John Swinney will hail attainment improvements in refurbished or replaced schools as he joins Ladyloan and Muirfield primary pupils to open Scotland's 99th and 100th Schools for the Future later this week.

A new £25 million scheme to tackle burglary and theft in crime hotspots yesterday (Sunday 26 January) been launched by the Policing Minister.

Letting agent Olympia Estates Ltd has been ordered to pay out £25,000 for illegally operating two properties, following a long-running investigation by a London Council.

Blog posted by: Antonia Romeo, 24 January 2020 – Categories: A great place to work, Diversity and inclusion.

£500,000 to help protect against hate crime.

Autism affects the way that someone engages with and experiences the world around them. This note provides an overview of policy issues that are relevant to autistic people and their families. 

FSCS wishes to clarify that Assura Protect Limited of 86 Gloucester Place, London W1U 6HP has not been declared in default by FSCS and we understand is still trading and remains Authorised under FRN 678817 by the Financial Conduct Authority.

On Saturday 25 January officers from the NCA’s Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a 40-year-old man at a location in Folkestone, on suspicion of supplying class A drugs and misconduct in a public office.

Donation will help to preserve the site so lessons of the Holocaust live on for future generations.

Wales’ towns are to receive £90 million of additional investment as part of a new Welsh Government approach to transforming town centres across the country, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn announced today.

PM unveils the government’s full plans to commemorate Brexit day on the 31st January.

An article by Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom published in The Sunday Times (26 January 2020).

Sellafield Ltd is set to create a hub for about 100 nuclear workers in Millom.

National Crime Agency officers have arrested three people after two parcels containing cocaine were intercepted in transit.

The EU and Ministers from 16 Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have agreed to develop a multi-party interim appeal arrangement that will allow the participating WTO members to preserve a functioning and two-step dispute settlement system at the WTO in disputes among them.

Blog posted by: Sundeep Singh – Service Manager, Digital Technology Operations and ITIL 4 Managing Professional, Co-op Digital, 24 January 2020.

Ofcom recently (24 January 2020) published the latest league tables on the complaints we receive about the UK’s major home phone, broadband, mobile and pay-TV firms.

Pubs across the UK to benefit from £1,000 business rates discount.

The UK’s exit from the EU is highly likely to negatively impact the most vulnerable people in Scotland, a new report has found.

Fern House Surgery in Witham, Essex, recently (22 January 2020) became the latest GP Surgery to be presented with a Pride in Practice Gold Award.

With Australians experiencing first-hand the risks of climate change, Madeleine Forster and Tim Benton examine the influencers, at home or abroad, that could push the government towards more action.

The RLA has opposed plans to renew and expand an additional HMO licensing scheme in the Castle, Uplands and St Thomas wards of Swansea.

Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission said: "We have investigated an issue relating to duplicate material used by two experts by experience (ExE) and one specialist adviser (SpA) in a number of CQC inspection reports.

The rebranded Global Talent fast-track visa scheme aims to attract more leading international scientists and researchers.

Summer and winter Paralympic Games will remain available for free-to-air television broadcasters.

Northumberland County Council are holding supplier days at three locations to launch a new contract opportunity for their Building & Associated Trades requirements.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has issued an update to British Nationals living in Hubei Province, China.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with President Donald Trump.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked Wales to stand together and celebrate difference as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust.

Whenever there is a new infection in humans, such as the novel coronavirus, it is appropriate to be concerned because we do not know enough about its potential.

Quick Sure Insurance Ltd, a Gibraltar-based insurance company, was declared in default recently (Friday 24 January 2020) by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Soleimani’s successor is an Iranian officer with experience in fomenting trouble in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Blog post by: Lisa Goering, Friday, 24 January 2020.

Changes made to DNA in human eggs, sperm or embryos (germline cells) can be passed on to future generation. 

The UK is set to leave the European Union on 31 January 2020 at midnight (Brussels time). It will no longer be a Member State of the EU. This is a decision that the EU regrets but respects.

Prime Minister’s words on the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement at Downing Street.

The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) and the NHS 111 Directory of Services (DoS) have completed their migration to the cloud, saving public money while making the services more secure and efficient.

This Burns Night, haggis is set to be enjoyed in 20 countries across the globe, including Greece, Ghana, and Hong Kong.

Businesses can now apply for interest-free loans of between £5,000 to £100,000 to help invest in digital technologies and skills.

The webinar presented on Wednesday 22 January 2020, highlighted the differences between project, programme and portfolio management and provided the audience an insight and guide on how to successfully navigate them as a leader.

A Liverpool money launderer has been ordered to hand over more than £131k or face a further 15 months in prison.

Blog post by: GCS, Thursday, 23 January 2020.

Drones (also known as unmanned aircraft) are flying systems that do not carry a pilot. As the technology has become cheaper and more sophisticated, the use of drones for recreational and commercial purposes has grown, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reporting a significant increase in the number of permissions obtained for operating commercial drones in the UK. 

Blog posted by: Aamenah Vaid, Research and Communication Coordinator at GeoPlace. With Paul Brookin – LLPG and Address Management Officer, Milton Keynes Council – and Gillian Smith – GIS Manager, Milton Keynes Council.

Blog posted by: Civil Service Blog Team, 23 January 2020 – Categories: A great place to work.

Blog posted by: Scott Colfer, 23 January 2020 – Categories: collaboration, Discovery, process.

The UK government has set the date for its Glasgow summit on tackling drug misuse as 27 February 2020.

Joint effort to increase investment in Scottish projects.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab responds to the US decision not to extradite Anne Sacoolas.

The Economic Affairs Committee will follow-up on its 2019 Report "Rethinking High Speed 2", examining the challenges the project faces, what the alternative options for rail investment are, and what the implications of scrapping HS2 would be.

Ian Harrison, Head of Exports for the Midlands at the Department for International Trade, writes for Business Live (24 January 2020).

Results for all five tests for Wuhan novel coronavirus announced by the Scottish Government last Thursday have come back negative.

A former professional wrestler at the centre of a paedophile ring has been convicted for a second time for abusing boys in the North Wales care home system.

Blog posted by: Robbie Cowbury, Friday, 24 January 2020.

Minister for International Relations, Eluned Morgan, recently (24 January 20) backed the announcement that the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales has been put forward as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Study of reasons behind decisions on bail and remand.

HM Treasury, following advice of the Board of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has appointed Christopher Woolard as Interim Chief Executive.

Although river levels remain high in some areas, a drier week has reduced the risk of flooding across England.

The following is a notice for members on practical considerations as the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred for appeal the cannabis production conviction of a Vietnamese woman who was trafficked into the UK and twice trafficked within it.

Improvements include decluttering, planting trees and new cycle parking, as well as using art and creative signage to reflect the identity of the local area

Charity Commission and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants sign information sharing agreement

Nominations close on 20 March for the 2020 UK Cloud Awards taking place in London in June.

The final three members of a Birmingham-based organised crime group dismantled by the National Crime Agency have been sentenced.

Building capacity and increasing support.

The Direct Vision Standard seeks to eliminate dangerous Heavy Goods Vehicle blind spots, proven to be the cause of pedestrian and cyclist deaths and serious injuries

Statement from the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, on Wuhan novel coronavirus.

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP called for a renewed commitment to stand up to antisemitism and prejudice.

The Welsh Government has doubled the funding available to local authorities and local health boards across Wales to protect, improve and support the mental health of children and young people.

Criminals are continuing to target unsuspecting members of the public using Amazon Prime scam calls.

Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service this week lays out the police funding settlement for 2020/21

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill has passed into law unamended and has received Royal Assent.   The PM, Boris Johnson, said that the UK has “crossed the Brexit finish line” and could now “move forwards as one.”

New Maritime Skills Commission to develop skills in the sector.

Opening remarks by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, during a dinner on "Uniting Europe" at the World Economic Forum

In October 2019 we concluded our investigation into how police use live facial recognition technology (LFR) in public places. 

HMRC is urging more than 3 million customers who have not yet submitted their 2018 to 2019 Self Assessment tax return to do so before the 31 January deadline.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore sets out his vision for how to level up research and development so that it benefits every corner of the UK at the opening of the Durham University Teaching and Learning Centre.

THE Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, has approved £3m of funding to bring health services together under one roof in Ruthin.

MEPs want a strong set of rights to protect consumers in the context of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making.

A Metropolitan Police officer has been cleared of assaulting a 17 year old teenager during a routine stop and search yesterday (23 January).

Lord Bracadale to lead inquiry into circumstances surrounding death of Sheku Bayoh.

The independent RIIO-2 Challenge Group, has delivered to Ofgem its report into network companies’ final Business Plans for the next round of price controls.

The Slate Landscape of North West Wales has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Status

During a debate with budget commissioner Johannes Hahn on 22 January, members of the Parliament’s negotiating team for the EU's next long-term budget expressed concern that the Commission’s budget proposal for how the EU should spend its money the next seven years no longer adds up.

Gloucester Gateway Ltd have donated money to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust following an Environment Agency investigation.

Yesterday, Thursday 23 January, Arts Council England and Julie’s Bicycle announce the second cohort for their Accelerator Programme, a strand of work launched in 2018 to foster enterprise, innovation, future thinking and creative perspectives on climate and the environment.

The high street, in the Rhondda Valley, was named ‘High Street of the Year’ and wins £15,000 for the local community.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab responds to the US decision not to extradite Anne Sacoolas.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) paid tribute to its British members on 22 January 2020 at the last plenary session they will attend before the UK leaves the EU on 31 January. 

Over £500,000 has been given to 10 NHS trusts in England today to build new Changing Places toilets for severely disabled people.

A forecast of the atmospheric concentration of carbon-dioxide shows that 2020 will witness one of the largest annual rises in concentration since measurements began at Mauna Loa, in Hawaii, 1958.

Tough new security measures will be introduced at 16 of the most challenging jails – a major part of the government’s crackdown on crime behind bars.

The Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendment) Bill has been re-introduced into Parliament. The Bill was originally introduced in May 2019 but the Bill’s passage was halted by the 2019 general election.

The Constitutional Affairs Committee agreed on Thursday to recommend that the EP plenary should approve the UK withdrawal terms.

Health professionals can consider digital and mobile interventions as a supplement to regular services to support behaviour change in people at risk of developing chronic conditions.

Expert rapid response teams will be on hand within two hours to help support older people to remain well at home and avoid hospital admissions, under new plans outlined by the NHS yesterday.

Today’s report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that the High Speed Two railway is over budget and behind schedule because the Department for Transport (DfT), HS2 Ltd and wider government have underestimated its complexity and risk. Significant challenges to completing the programme and delivering value for taxpayers and passengers remain.

Three winners to receive a Pacer carriage for community use.

The FSA has published a consultation on updates to its existing technical guidance to reflect changes to food allergen labelling legislation in England which comes into effect on 1 October 2021.

Dstl developed a Space weather miniature sensing suite in 1 year for a joint mission with the US NRL to enhance Space modelling capabilities.

Drug company Tiofarma has admitted that it took part in an agreement that resulted in significant price hikes for an essential medicine.

It’s a great start to the year for 219 arts, sports and community groups across Scotland, thanks to a National Lottery cash boost of £1,551,849

This week saw publication of a new and valuable contribution to the debate about electoral reform, with the release of the report ‘Defending our democracy in the digital age’ by the UK Parliament’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electoral Campaigning Transparency. A cross party group of MPs formed in the last parliamentary session, the member MPs took evidence from over 70 organisations – including the Commission – before publishing this welcome addition to the debate. 

The National Digital Policing Strategy 2020-2030 has been launched at the Police ICT Summit 2020.

Interviews with young people under 18 years old who reported drinking alcohol found that Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) did not impact on the their acquisition, consumption or related behaviours, either positively or negatively. 

The CMA has launched a consultation on its annual plan for 2020/21

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, has responded to the latest NHS performance statistics and announced an extra £10m, on top of the £30m earlier this year, to support health and social care delivery in recognition of increased pressure this winter.

Highland Council must make significant savings and change the way it delivers services to ensure it can live within its financial means.

Nine new National Leaders of Further Education and National Leaders of Governance will help support colleges to improve.

The NCA has secured a civil recovery order for around £120,000 allegedly linked to the South East Antrim UDA under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lancashire with an interest in healthcare will benefit from a new programme that offers guidance on funding and investment opportunities.

Colleagues from the ICO’s access to information and compliance department share their experiences and involvement in raising awareness of our regulation of access to information legislation.

Analysis shows tens of thousands of people have completely lost their disability benefits since 2013.

Citizens Advice is warning the government it risks fatally undermining the country’s ability to achieve net zero by 2050 unless it puts the public at the heart of the process.

New data shows graduate earnings for each university in every region of England to help students make informed choices about higher education.

The Age Appropriate Design Code (published 22 January) outlines 15 standards that online services should meet.

APCC Performance lead, Matthew Scott PCC responded to today’s Office of National Statistics Crime Survey for England and Wales report for year the ending September 2019 

Proposals to provide more guidance to courts in England and Wales for sentencing drivers who claim exceptional hardship when facing disqualification were launched yesterday in a public consultation by the Sentencing Council.

Expert Group focused on children and young people.

Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, responded to a report from University College London’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health on how 80 per cent of children in care have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) 

David Styles, Director of Corporate Governance, talks about the key highlights of the Annual Review of the UK Corporate Governance Code, which was published earlier this month.

The revised rules for posting of drivers, drivers’ rest times & better enforcement of cabotage rules  aim to put an end to distortion of competition in the road transport sector and provide better rest conditions for drivers.

Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and Natural England outline a share vision to use nature-based solutions to tackle the climate emergency.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Deputy Minister for Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas will today unveil an exciting future for the visitor economy in Wales.

Prisoners in Scotland’s largest prison are to receive enhanced employment support in a bid to reduce re-offending rates in Scotland.

AstraZeneca announced yesterday that it will support UNICEF with a $12.5 million grant to support programming which will reach more than five million young people, train 1,000 youth advocates, and positively shape public policy around the world, over the next six years.

The UK has committed to becoming a Net Zero economy by 2050. Meeting that goal requires a transformation in land use across the UK. Government must confront the rapid changes that are now needed, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says in its first ever in-depth advice on UK agricultural policies.

Parents who suffer the devastating loss of a child will be entitled to 2 weeks’ statutory leave.

MenB vaccination programme has reduced cases of meningitis and septicaemia in young children by almost two-thirds.

New accessibility guidance for maritime operators.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, responded to Alzheimer’s Society’s data revealing emergency admissions for people with dementia up more than a third in five years

‘More than managing’ sets out a range of suggestions to build on the Cabinet Office’s ‘Outsourcing Playbook’ - launched at the CBI by the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP CBE last year.

In a joint action by French & Dutch authorities, 23 persons have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating the illegal transport of approximately 10 000 Kurdish migrants to the UK in refrigerated lorries & small rubber boats, starting from various parking areas in France.

Sandwell council refused to let a vulnerable mother have her representative present at an important meeting – and made serious and unsubstantiated allegations about both of them during an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Government yesterday launched a new online portal that will strengthen its support to charities handling safeguarding concerns or allegations.

Wellbeing focus needed to deal with challenges of our time.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to an Alzheimer’s Society report on an increase in emergency hospital admissions for people with dementia 

The European Union Committee has published its sixteenth report on Brexit-related international agreements.

Record levels of payments across Basic Payment Scheme, Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship made by the end of December.

Dame Philippa Russell, Vice-President of Carers UK and Topic Adviser for the NICE guideline on Supporting Adult Carers.

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

A more holistic approach is needed in order to tackle the issue of fuel poverty in Wales’ private rented sector, says the RLA.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced an extended deadline of six months to ensure regulators take effective action tackling the loyalty penalty.

Poor air quality is a ‘top concern’ for councils, but most feel unable to address it, the latest NLGN Leadership Index has found.

FCO Minister Heather Wheeler held the meeting with senior diplomats from ASEAN countries to discuss strengthening the UK’s partnership with Southeast Asia.

Blog posted by: Megan Glynne, 22nd Jan 2020.

Military veterans to get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends.

The latest PHE data confirms that HPV16 and 18 infections are now at a very low level in young sexually active women with high vaccination coverage.

Youth projects share cash seized from criminals.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community and Wellbeing Board, responded to the Government’s consultation response to the veterans strategy published yesterday 

Calls from politicians, including the Mayor of London, to introduce rent caps are misguided and would impose immense economic and social costs on the capital, according to a new report from Swedish think tank Timbro, part of the IEA’s EPICENTER network.

Woman jailed for her part in illegal, family run waste storage and processing business.

The CMA has fined Fender Europe £4.5 million for breaking competition law by preventing online discounting for its guitars.

A Nottinghamshire man with autism was left relying on his parents to part-fund his care when the county council cut his package without identifying a suitable alternative, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found.

Blog post by: Lester Posner & Anna Milne, 22 January 2020.

The Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill has achieved another milestone by reaching the final stage of Assembly scrutiny.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is recognised with a Calorie Wise Gold Award for displaying calorie information on all menu items in restaurants across five of its hospital sites.

New research reveals households have not taken steps to change their home energy usage, despite the opportunity to save money and cut contributions to global warming.

A new website which makes it easier for businesses to get information and support is one of the measures in a refreshed Economic Action Plan for Scotland.