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Pioneering businesses will benefit from an ambitious programme to enhance cross-border innovation, boost entrepreneurship and make regulation fit for the future.

Government has published several linked reports detailing its pathway to net zero carbon emissions. 

Donna Jones, one of two Victims’ Leads at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, has told a panel of MPs the Crown Prosecution Service should be less risk-averse when considering charging suspects of Rape And Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO).

New statutory guidance will tighten up existing laws on gun ownership and mean that medical information must be provided in order to obtain a licence.

Programme published for two-week COP26 Glasgow summit

In response to the publication today of a new government amendment to the Health and Care Bill, which sets out new powers for CQC to have oversight of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), Dr Rosie Benneyworth, Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care, said: "This amendment supports health and care systems to be held accountable and encourages the shift towards more integrated services and improved outcomes for people.

High rate of regulatory performance in England is helping fight climate change impacts, but more must be done to secure a healthy environment, says EA report

£9 million to enhance health workforce.

An action plan to eradicate period poverty and ensure period dignity for all in Wales has been announced today by the Welsh Government.

Action Fraud is warning the public to remain vigilant when making investments, as criminals cheat hundreds of millions of pounds out of victims through cryptocurrency fraud.

Almost 45 million people have been on the receiving end of potential scam texts or calls in the last three months, new Ofcom research reveals.

NICE has today (20 October 2021) announced the next steps for publication of its updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Ambitious plan aims to create 20,000 jobs.  

“Delivering the £1 billion Welsh Metro project will be one of the most ambitious and complex programmes we’ve ever undertaken.”

Facebook has been fined £50.5 million for breaching an order imposed by the CMA during its investigation into Facebook’s purchase of Giphy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with representatives of the automotive sector to discuss the UK’s electric vehicle revolution.

£17.5 million allocated to the first round of funds to support agri-tech innovation

FCA survey finds three quarters of younger high-risk investors say they feel competitive when investing in high-risk products. This comes as the FCA launches its new InvestSmart campaign aimed at helping consumers to make better informed investment decisions.

Today, Ofsted has published its 13th annual report on the effectiveness of care and welfare arrangements for recruits, trainees and officer cadets in Armed Forces initial training.

The Commission responds to new government strategies for achieving net zero.

New bypass to ease transport of goods between the M1 and Midlands, and support development of new homes and jobs.

techUK is working with the Government to map and understand the impacts of supply chain issues on our members as well as the wider tech sector.

The Financial Conduct Authority has fined Credit Suisse over £147 million for serious financial crime due diligence failings related to loans worth over $1.3 billion, which the bank arranged for the Republic of Mozambique. These loans, and a bond exchange, were tainted by corruption. Credit Suisse has also agreed with the FCA to forgive US$200 million of debt owed by the Republic of Mozambique as a result of these tainted loans.

The Sentencing Council has published a consultation on revised sentencing guidelines for four terrorism offences in England and Wales following changes brought in by the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.

The Net Zero Strategy sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The majority (75%) of respondents in the latest national survey of hospital inpatients published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) yesterday (Tuesday 19 October) rated their overall experience as eight or higher out of ten - with more than a third of people rating it ten out of ten.

The strategic partnership with the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst will mobilise £200 million of private sector funding over 10 years.

As Serbia faces numerous challenges in its foreign policy, it is re-engaging with old Cold War partners in the Non-Aligned Movement.

Blog posted by: Karen Elson, 19 Oct 2021.

This week we’re celebrating Get Online Week by sharing tips to help people become part of the digital world.

The government is carrying out research to understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) R&D is commercialised and brought to market.

Existing COVID-19 safety mitigations in schools are to remain for now, following advice from senior clinicians.

Integrated artificial intelligence technologies to support the armed forces are being developed as part of an international partnership agreement.

The CMA yesterday announced its intention to launch a market study into music streaming.

A new report published by Public Health Wales highlights how the combined influences of Brexit, Coronavirus and climate change will potentially impact all of us through the food that we are able to buy.

The Welsh Government yesterday launched a new campaign to inspire 16 to 24 year olds to feel confident in and motivated by their future prospects.

Speech given by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law.

New digital twins project looks at language barriers – techUK, AMRC, IET, CDBB, CLC, Alan Turing Institute.

Blog posted by: Dicle Kortantamer, 18 Oct 2021.

The Venice Commission has found that proposals in the Health and Care Bill could undermine public trust in the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), and must be revised.

The CMA will clear S&P’s merger with IHS Markit if competition concerns in certain commodity price assessments are addressed.

CBI yesterday responded to UK Government’s Heat & Buildings Strategy.

The CMA yesterday launched court action against Teletext Holidays over inadequate progress on refunds to package holiday customers.

The Council reiterates its unequivocal commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. 

Certain large businesses will need to set out their green credentials to potential investors under new world-leading reporting rules outlined yesterday by the Chancellor.

GOTO Energy Limited yesterday announced they are ceasing to trade. GOTO Energy (UK) Limited supplies gas and electricity to around 22,000 domestic customers.

At least 30,000 new jobs will be created around the UK thanks to £9.7 billion of new foreign investment.

This report brings together the different sources of evidence and data about the Covid epidemic to summarise the current situation, why we are at that place, and what is likely to happen next.

AQ Khan’s legacy may not be in the nuclear kit he sold, but rather in how he sold it. His departure is a reminder of the limited progress made in countering proliferation networks.

Blog posted by: Angela MacDonald, HMRC Deputy CEO and Second Permanent Secretary, 19 October 2021 – Categories: A great place to work, A Modern Civil Service, Better policymaking.

We have launched a campaign to encourage pregnant women to get the Coronavirus vaccine.

Regular notice that consumers could be in line for compensation.

Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams will be co-chairs of an independent Constitutional Commission to consider Wales’ future.

Poland is not the only EU member state challenging the supremacy of European law, as historic change is happening in how European integration functions.

The Commission yesterday adopted a report on the EU Digital COVID Certificate  and its implementation across the EU.

Blog posted by: Julie Hendry – Agile Delivery Experience Director, Cognizant Microsoft Business Group & Tim Basford, Project Manager, Cognizant Microsoft Business Group, 18 October 2021.

Ensuring that street works are safe, compliant with the rules and well-managed is essential to keeping London moving.

Sir James Bevan sets out hopes of keeping the 1.5°C target alive at COP26, but warns whatever is agreed the damage from climate change will be felt for decades.

​Major international project will solve the most fundamental questions in nuclear physics.

Ofgem has appointed Shell Energy Retail Limited to take on supplying Pure Planet Limited, Daligas Limited and Colorado Energy Limited’s combined total of approximately 252,000 domestic customers and 600 non-domestic customers. This follows a competitive process run by Ofgem to get the best deal possible for customers.

Research by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) shows that 41% of people living in parts of England where water resources are under the most pressure think that water is plentiful where they live.

Professor Jean Jenkins, Professor of Employment Relations at Cardiff Business School, has been appointed to lead an independent commission into the future of employment rights and devolution in Wales.

The Coronavirus vaccine certification scheme became subject to enforcement as of yesterday meaning higher risk venues and events affected must verify customers are fully vaccinated, or otherwise exempt, before entry.

Over 1,000 homes a day could be retrofitted with low-carbon efficiency measures by councils by 2030 - reducing energy bills by nearly £700 million – with the right investment and support, a revolutionary new plan unveiled by the Local Government Association sets out today.

The third annual report of the UK’s ‘supervisor of supervisors’ raises questions about the need for more fundamental reforms of the UK’s AML supervision regime.

The Commission yesterday launched an online consultation platform on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC), allowing stakeholders to share their views and provide common proposals on the work ahead.

On 20 September the Office of Government Science released its review of the UK’s large-scale computing ecosystem (LSC).

Plans to incentivise people to install low-carbon heating systems in a simple, fair and cheap way as they replace their old boilers over the coming decade.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

The Chancellor made a speech at the Global Investment Summit today (18 October 2021).

YPO, one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, has acquired a three-year lease of a 67,000 sq ft distribution centre in Wakefield. 

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to an IPPR report on how there could be a three-year boost to healthy life expectancy in England if the ‘disease of disparity’ is overcome 

The Council today renewed the existing restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them, prolonging the duration of the sanctions regime for a further 12 months until 31 October 2022.

Health inequalities are wide and widening in England.

CBI’s response given yesterday to Government's greening finance report.

Charles Randell has asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to commence the process to appoint his successor as Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). Charles plans to step down in Spring 2022.

A major new initiative to share insight from Britain’s largest construction project with the wider UK infrastructure industry will see the publication of lessons learnt, good practice and innovation from across the project.

Changes made to international travel rules during October 2021.

Opportunities to meet world leaders and climate activists.

Andy Mayer, Chief Operating Officer at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, commented on reports that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering cutting VAT on energy bills 

Statement given yesterday by President von der Leyen on vaccine exports.

The Charity Commission is warning charity leaders to protect their organisations against fraud and cybercrime, after new figures show charities reported almost £8.6 million of lost funds in the last financial year.

Nicola Hudson, NCSC Director Policy and Communications, appeared on BBC's Rip-Off Britain to talk about tackling scams and what can be done to take them down.

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is pleased to announce the finalists for its Celebrating Impact Prize 2021.

A former West Midlands Police officer has been sentenced after admitting engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman he met during the course of his duties.

The Welsh Government will pursue a progressive economic policy that focusses on better jobs, narrowing the skills divide and tackling poverty, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said yesterday.

Statement given following Vice-President Šefčovič's meeting with Lord Frost on Friday 15 October.

Blog posted by: Atos, 15 October 2021.

Blog posted by: Olivia Wood, 14 Oct 2021.

The decommissioning of Oceanic Pintail has “set the standard for others to follow” after 100% of the 3,865-tonne specialist nuclear vessel was recycled.

The CBI, along with 40 trade associations spanning the UK economy, have issued a joint statement outlining how action by the Chancellor at the Budget to reform the current business rates system could unleash a wave of business investment across key government priorities, including net zero and levelling up.

Examining the trade relationship between the UK and the Latin America region, with a particular focus on agriculture, financial services, and trade pacts.

October is Black History Month in the United Kingdom. To mark this occasion, Association for Project Management (APM), spoke with members and professionals from the black community to hear their opinion on the current issues, opportunities, challenges and successes within the project profession.

The Council recently (15 October 2021) adopted a decision launching the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique).

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) recently (15 October 2021) published a review with findings from a joint inspection of multi-agency arrangements for responding to child exploitation in Neath Port Talbot.

You may have noticed solar flares, sun spots and coronal mass ejections have been in the news this week, following a space weather event which led to aurora borealis sightings in some northern parts of the UK between the cloudy weather.

Draft regulations amending existing train driving licensing regulations to implement a bilateral agreement with France for the mutual recognition of British and European train driving licences for the Channel Tunnel and cross-border area.

A major transformation programme that will radically overhaul the way that evidence is handled and used by the criminal justice system has been announced.

NATO has its problems, and the emergence of a European defence identity is an imperative. But the severing of transatlantic links is never the answer.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is today launching the ‘EIT Community Booster – Scaling New European Bauhaus Ventures' in order to support the New European Bauhaus initiative.

A new report from Public Health Wales highlights the increasing concerns that employers have for their employees’ both mental and physical health and wellbeing, following the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The UK continues to adapt to changes and challenges brought about by the pandemic. During this period of uncertainty, we want to be clear about what you can expect from us.

Extensive communications campaign has been taking place to make people aware of the new zone, 18 times the size of central ULEZ.

Blog posted by: Sian Cook and Liam O'Brien, 12 October 2021 – Categories: Continuous improvement, User research.

Blog posted by: Telespazio UK, 15 October 2021.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU state aid rules, a €700 million French scheme to support certain retailers and services affected by the coronavirus pandemic and restrictive measures taken by the French government to limit the spread of the virus.

Blog posted by: Shane Nithsdale – Director, e-Careers, 15 October 2021.

Blog posted by: Sarah Smith, 12 October 2021 – Categories: a great place to work, Business Analysis, Our services.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji.

Research using sound waves to suspend oil droplets has shown that the air pollution coming from the tiny droplets may be impacting larger areas of the environment.

The Commission recently (15 October 2021) received an official recovery and resilience plan from Bulgaria.

With a focus on evacuations from Afghanistan, the situation in Europe is often forgotten as thousands of asylum seekers continue to wait for their cases to be settled.

Statement given recently (15 October 2021) following UK Health Security Agency announcement regarding UK Lighthouse Lab.

Blog posted by: Janette Wolf, Internal Communicator at Department for Education, 14 October 2021.

Blog posted by: Mark Rowland, 13 Oct 2021.

Half of working mums don’t get the flexibility they request at work, according to a new survey published by the TUC and campaigner Mother Pukka recently (Friday).

Increasing capacity for testing candidate HGV drivers, combined with supporting legislation, aims to relieve the pressure on the haulage industry.

Annual report of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) showing activity for the year 2020 to 2021.

Despite heightened expectations, significant Chinese assistance to Afghanistan is unlikely to materialise soon.

The European Commission has approved a €31.9 billion Italian scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has written to Alok Sharma MP, President for COP26 ahead of the conference on 31 October. 

Lord Frost and EU Commission Vice President Šefčovič met on 15 October in Brussels.

NEPO have supported Sunderland City Council in buying the North East region’s first electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV).

New powers will incentivise other countries to co-operate with the removal of those who have no right to be in the UK.

Business volumes rose for a second consecutive quarter in the three months to September, according to the latest CBI/PWC Financial Services Survey.

The Environment Agency recently (15 October 2021) welcomed a new chalk stream strategy to protect ‘England’s rainforests’

A man who sexually assaulted young children and was actively seeking opportunities to offend again has been jailed for 12 and-a-half years after a National Crime Agency investigation.

It’s never been more important to protect yourself from scam phone calls and texts.

The National Lottery Community Fund and IKEA UK have announced over £75,000 (£76,694) of funding to 18 community groups across Wales to inspire, enable and resource people to invest in their local community as an extension of their home.

West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe, the APCC's Lead on Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, writes:

Following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into a police shooting in Liverpool, Merseyside Police has made changes to ensure more incidents are fully captured by officers’ body-worn video cameras.

Building on the success of the first Power Up initiative, Good Things Foundation is delighted to be continuing its partnership with J.P. Morgan.

New breeding populations of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) have been discovered in Kent and East Sussex.

The awards celebrate the contribution of volunteers to the policing family.

Ordnance Survey is pleased to be working with leading engineering and project-management consultancy Atkins to build a National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) for the UK.

The Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in the River Lea in Tottenham following a pursuit by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers.

The Government Opportunities (GO) Welsh Public Procurement Conference 2021 is coming to Wales on 30 November!

The Environment Agency has today welcomed a new strategy launched to protect England’s chalk streams.

More than three million top up COVID-19 jabs have been delivered in just four weeks, as the NHS vaccination rollout continues to protect those most at risk from coronavirus.

Military to support busiest time of the year.

On Thursday 14 October, techUK welcomed Julia Lopez, Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to Our Network Future, our first marquee telecoms summit. 

A new report reveals that the most popular climate policies among the public would go even further than the UK’s 2030 emissions targets while avoiding hitting the lowest-income families in the pocket. However, to make this happen, the UK government needs to put clear action plans in place now, ensuring the transition to Net Zero is open and affordable to all.  

Employers could undo the progress made over the last 18 months and deepen workplace inequalities if organisations fail to override the deep-rooted perceptions of ‘office culture’, a leading think tank has warned.

New Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund launched.

The UK Government and Scottish Government yesterday (14 October 2021) agreed in principle the scope of the independent report that will inform the subsequent review of the Scottish Government’s Fiscal Framework. 

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to new analysis by Age UK, which found that council tax would need to increase by another 10 per cent next year to allow social care just to ‘stand still’ 

We've recently announced guidance for video-sharing platforms (VSPs) to help protect the people who use them from harmful content.

There are less than two weeks until the return of Wales’ largest international food and drink event, BlasCymru / TasteWales.

Funding allocated to local island projects.

Riverside, Stoll, Alabaré and Launchpad are the four main providers of supported housing for veterans in the United Kingdom. Director of Operations at Riverside, Lee Buss-Blair, tells us how they have been working together to highlight the growing crisis they face and the significant risk of collapse of specialist housing for homeless veterans.

NHS leaders responding to an NHS Confederation survey warn that an insufficient capital settlement will impact on health services.

Five teams of researchers have been recognised at Research Capability 2021, an event held by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), recognising outstanding, innovative research carried out using ONS secure data or data managed by the ONS on behalf of others.

£3 million funding extension for network of grant funded organisations to support EU Settlement Scheme applicants

UK and Scottish governments discuss first stage of the Fiscal Framework Review.

A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been acquitted of causing the death by dangerous driving of 18-year-old moped rider Lewis Johnson in Hackney in February 2016.

School-based counselling needs to be available and fully funded by the Government in all state funded secondary schools and academies to help support rising numbers of children and young people reporting mental health issues during COVID-19, the Local Government Association urges today.

Announcing a consultation to temporarily amend cabotage rules and a package of measures to support the pig industry.

The £2.5 million project to remove the Dovecliff weir at Egginton, South Derbyshire is now complete following a 24-month programme of works.

More than £5.8 billion of foreign investment in green projects has been secured since the launch of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan.

Suspected criminal cash totalling almost €560,000 will be returned to the public purse after the National Crime Agency secured a forfeiture order following a smuggling attempt by a Dutch man.

From 24 October fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a cheaper lateral flow test, on or before Day 2 of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from 22 October.

The Environment Agency has purchased a thermal imaging camera for fisheries enforcement activity in East Anglia.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation found no evidence that the actions of Gwent Police officers contributed to a man’s death in Blackwood in 2018.

UK and Australia Trade Ministers welcome new partnership between Transport for London and global communications infrastructure company BAI Communications.

A new series of coaching courses aimed at supporting innovators in the North West Coast has been launched by the Innovation Agency, the Academic Health Science Network for the North West Coast.

Daligas Limited yesterday announced they are ceasing to trade. Daligas Limited supplies gas to around 9,000 domestic and non-domestic customers.

Sluice gates which manage water levels in the River Wansbeck will be open for three months as part of efforts to reduce silt build up.

Our previous Consultancy Services framework (664-17) proved popular with many public sector customers with over 1,000 awards - in particular local authorities - so we have launched a new and improved version to continue our support.

A project breathing new life in to 1 of Norfolk’s famous broads is to proceed to its next phase, Natural England has announced.

The Prime Minister will chair a virtual meeting of the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, First Ministers of Scotland and Wales on Monday 18 October.

A Lancashire health tech firm has won a £500,000 funding boost to develop its ground-breaking technology that helps patients better manage their medicines in their own homes.

Night Tube will resume on busiest Central and Victoria lines on Saturday 27 November

UK’s biggest celebration of social research returns this November as ESRC’s festival highlights the impact of social sciences and economics on people’s lives.