WIREDGOV

An aerospace business in Broughton, which was as set up in the aftermath of the closure of Marshall Aviation Services, is celebrating after winning a new contract with a leading company.

The UK has today signed a trade continuity agreement with a series of countries in the Caribbean.

The Government Chemist team run a very well received workshop providing practical knowledge for assessing the conformity of confectionery items known as jelly mini-cups

Forklift trucks and other equipment will help quickly unload aid from planes and cut the time it takes to get relief items to those in need.

HMRC has today (22 March 2019) announced further details of measures to support businesses with new customs requirements, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Letter from the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU to the President of the European Council concerning Article 50 extension.

The first industry innovation event launched under the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) “SME Searchlight” initiative is to be held on 3 May 2019 at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire.

Charity Commission advises the public on donating safely to help people affected by Cyclone Idai.

Sprint is GDS’s flagship event. It brings together people working across government to learn more about how digital transformation is improving people's lives.

The Home Office has placed pregabalin and gabapentin to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2019.

A Kent police officer has been issued a written warning over his conduct during a visit to a property in Chatham.

Tech-related job opportunities are rapidly expanding in the UK, with employment in the digital tech sector increasing by 13.2% between 2014 and 2017 (according to Tech Nation's Report 2018). But although the jobs are increasing, diversity remains a challenge – specifically gender diversity. 

The UK’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is to be given a boost in Wales thanks to a new partnership between the Welsh and UK governments.

Decision to extend Article 50 offers clear route to avoid a No Deal Brexit, but solution to impasse still needed.

The PLUS Project held a Spotlight on Digital Technology in the homelessness sector on the 20th March. 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation after a man was shot by police in London.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has signed a $1.98Bn deal to purchase five E-7 early warning radar aircraft.

Local authorities across the country will use £6 million funding to increase access to alcohol treatments, with a focus on helping parents and rough sleepers.

MHRA has recalled 3 batches of Losartan tablets due to contamination with the nitrosamine N-nitroso-N-methylamino butyric acid.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s press statement at the EU Council.

The Commission has welcomed the provisional agreement to provide funding for the EU's tax cooperation programme (‘Fiscalis') during the next EU budget period of 2021-2027.

Ethnic minorities, disabled people and women are all under-represented in the UK’s radio industry, according to a major new study revealing a lack of diversity across its workforce.

Recruitment of key workers under threat.

Economy Minister Ken Skates and Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan have today invited those aspiring to work in childcare in Wales to apply for a new Welsh Government funded programme which looks to encourage more people to consider and trial a career in the child care sector.

Delivery date for Government’s programme of reforms has slipped from 2020 to 2022,

Conclusions

New cases of tuberculosis (TB) in England have fallen to the lowest levels since records began.

BRIT School, BBC North and Lowry Trust to partner with schools across the country

Exmoor company’s solar water pump exports grew from 12% in 2012 to 52% in 2018 following support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Government to fund more rape support centres than ever before across England and Wales.

While the NHS has increased the number of people it treats each year, the percentage of patients treated within waiting time standards continues to get worse for both elective (non-urgent care) and cancer treatment, and the waiting list for elective care continues to grow, according to today’s report by the National Audit Office.

Small businesses should train up "cyber security champions" to better protect themselves from the threat of cyber attacks, new government research has suggested.

New analysis uncovers five key findings about children and young people's motivations towards getting active

Budding young artists, dancers and musicians are amongst hundreds of young people across Scotland celebrating a £1.8 million cash boost that will empower them to develop their skills and talents through a range of creative projects.

A remarkable collection of 438 African textiles has been secured by the Cultural Gifts Scheme and allocated to the British Museum. 

Local authorities to be awarded £25m to further bus retrofitting plans

The CMA has cancelled its merger investigation into TopCashback’s anticipated acquisition of Quidco. This follows the companies’ decision to abandon the transaction.

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

A pilot scheme that supported patients and staff at seven Welsh Emergency Departments this winter has been extended into the summer.

A Commission investigation into reports of offensive literature on display at its premises has led to significant improvements in the charity’s governance.

Five men have been convicted of trying to import 1.4 tonnes of cocaine – with a street value of £112million - which was hidden in a 60ft sailing yacht heading for the UK.

Anyone working in the UK public sector can now receive free access to more than a thousand high-resolution satellite images of Britain, the UK Space Agency announced yesterday

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has joined Armed Forces personnel to begin the countdown

Twenty-four ambitious projects, from pharmaceuticals to aerospace, and transport to the creative economy, are to receive early-stage funding to develop full-stage bids that could lead to significant economic growth in places across the country.

Albert Einstein feared the day that technology would surpass our human interaction. He stated the world would have a generation of idiots... is this now the case? In a world where digital fluency and digital literacy are sought after skills to improve communication within business, was Einstein right?

Communities to benefit from multimillion pound investment to rejuvenate cycling and walking across the UK.

The EESC has adopted an opinion proposing an EU-led global peace-building strategy which includes the creation of the WhiteDoveWay, a path of peace from Northern Ireland to Nicosia, to promote dialogue, reconciliation and conflict prevention following in the initial footsteps of the sixth century Irish pilgrim Columbanus.

Social housing residents are to team up with their landlords to trial innovative methods of communicating building safety matters to residents as part of a new government-appointed group.

Funding support to reduce the scale and impact of hate crimes in Wales has been announced today.

New experimental statistics [1] have been released by NHS Digital, showing emergency readmissions for hospitals in England between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

Regular updates on seasonal flu levels during the winter season 2018 to 2019.

Google has abused its market dominance by imposing a number of restrictive clauses in contracts with third-party websites which prevented Google's rivals from placing their search adverts on these websites.

Protecting vulnerable people from harm must be a non-negotiable priority for the entire charity sector, Civil Society Minister Mims Davies has said.

Every generation should harness the passion the young activists and campaigners have shown towards climate change, First Minister Mark Drakeford, today said ahead of the publication of Wales’ plan to reduce carbon emissions.

North West Relief Road given £54 million to provide new route taking traffic out of the town centre.

Communities across the country to educate, commemorate and celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants.

Scotland’s councils are managing to improve and maintain most services. But Scottish Government funding to councils is likely to reduce in future; this, combined with increased demand and less flexibility over spending decisions, means councils need to think differently about how they deliver services to the public.

The EC is reporting on progress made towards an effective and genuine Security Union.

The UK will double the first £2 million of donations from the British public to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Cyclone Idai Appeal.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and European Banking Authority (EBA) announced yesterday that they have agreed a template Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, responds to the National Evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme.

EC takes note of the progress made by online platforms and urges them to step up their efforts

A father who gave up his life abroad at short notice to look after his children was denied his housing rights by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation has found.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock has been urged to suspend the possible privatisation of cervical screening services used by thousands of women in England every year, following claims that the service is in ‘meltdown’.

The National Audit Office has found that the four main regulators – Ofwat, Ofgem, Ofcom and the Financial Conduct Authority – understand the significant difficulties facing consumers across utilities, communications and financial services markets, but cannot prove if they are effectively responding to consumer concerns or offering enough protection for those who need it.

The Joint Committee on the Draft Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill has today published its report on the Bill and called for it to be amended to include a requirement that the Sponsor Body must use the R&R programme to promote public engagement and understanding of Parliament.

Welsh Government has focused successfully on increasing recycling, but prevention should come first, says Auditor General

The EU is acceding to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement for the protection of appellations of origin and their international registration ('the Geneva Act").

Blog posted by: Matthew Coats, 20 March 2019 – Categories: A Brilliant Civil Service, Civil Service Leaders, Programme and project delivery, Skilled people.

The National Crime Agency is appealing for information about the whereabouts of a convicted drug smuggler who has gone on the run after absconding from prison.

Apprenticeship and Skills Minister Anne Milton announces the second round of colleges to receive funding from the Strategic College Improvement Fund

Planning Minister Kevin Stewart has said the significant increase in planning costs associated with the amendments made at the latest Parliamentary stage of the Planning (Scotland) Bill threaten the very aims of the legislation.

Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, responds to the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the devolution of local taxation to councils.

Yesterday’s response to the letter received from UK Prime Minister,Theresa May, requesting to extend Article 50 period until 30 June 2019.

Further detail on the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation's 19/20 Work Programme and 2-year Strategy.

Veterans who have become homeless, or at risk of it, will be supported through an extra £1 million boost.

During the week beginning Monday 25 March we will be carrying out some work in the Research and Enquiries area of the on site reading rooms.

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

A Pembrokeshire engineering company that specialises in design and consultancy is expanding with the creation of 22 new jobs, following support from the Welsh Government.

Local NHS leaders welcome NHS Improvement’s intention to hand over more power to integrated care systems to tackle the NHS’ workforce crisis but say any new powers must come with the funding and genuine autonomy to make this work.

ESMA has published a statement on the impact on the MiFIR trading obligation for shares (TO) of the UK)leaving the EU on 29 March 2019 without a withdrawal agreement and without an equivalence decision for the UK by the EC.

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the question of whether additional taxes should be devolved to English local government:

The European Commission welcomes the preliminary agreement on InvestEU, the proposed programme to boost private and public investment in Europe in the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027.

New research shows landlord licensing schemes to be a postcode lottery – with the most expensive schemes costing 21 times more than the cheapest.

By Allan Thomson – PPM Product Ambassador, AXELOS, 20 March 2019.

Delivered on: 20 March 2019 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Lucy Mason, to present keynote speech to showcase innovation success.

Updated advice for UK travellers on the continuity of reciprocal healthcare arrangements in the event of a no-deal EU Exit.

Construction and the services sector boost the economy.

Children’s health visitors have seen a significant fall in numbers and investment is urgently needed to help safeguard the future of our youngest generation, councils say today.

By Sir Stephen Laws QC, Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange, and former First Parliamentary Counsel from 2006-12

The latest ECDC-WHO report Tuberculosis surveillance and monitoring in Europe 2019 (2017 data) shows that despite an overall decline in numbers of people suffering from TB, the disease remains a major public health challenge in the Region.

Efforts to turn the tide of unpaid water bills among tenants in Wales will top the agenda when the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) meets in Wrexham next Friday (29 March).

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that they will be making only minor amends to the previously released draft regulations for Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

Signalling upgrade will mean quicker, more frequent services on Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines from 2021.

A new set of standards, which will raise and improve the level of service for patients in Wales from their GP practices, were yesterday (20 March) launched by Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

World-first Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation will partner with the Cabinet Office’s Race Disparity Unit to explore potential for bias in crime and justice

Payments worth more than a third of a billion pounds have begun, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has announced.

The Education Secretary Damian Hinds is calling on online platforms to help tackle the use of essay writing services used by students at university.

Ormiston Rivers Academy, a secondary school deep in the Essex countryside, is continuing to expand its curriculum with technical qualifications from NCFE. 

The provisional agreement reached by the European Parliament, the Council and the EC revises the European rules on social security coordination to ensure that they remain fair, clear and easier to enforce.

Chris Laws from Dun & Bradstreet shares findings from a recent report that suggest businesses are adopting a more cautious approach to supply chain management.

Today a total of 85 groups across Northern Ireland are sharing in £748,809 from The National Lottery Awards for All programme.

An ex high school associate head teacher has admitted collecting more than 2,000 sexual abuse images of children and possessing class A drugs.

Moving to a customer focused railway won’t be easy and trade-offs will be unavoidable.

The Welsh food and drink industry will receive a £22m funding boost to help the sector continue to thrive post-Brexit, Lesley Griffiths announced today.

BBC underestimated scale and complexity of E20, which will be completed nearly five years late.

Research published yesterday in Nature Communications shows the likelihood of hen harriers dying, or disappearing is ten times higher in areas covered by grouse moor

The EC has adopted work programmes to co-finance joint defence industrial projects in 2019-2020 worth up to €500m. A further €25m has been earmarked to support collaborative defence research projects in 2019.

Onward speech from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss, on the Spending Review.

NEPO is holding a free webinar to help suppliers improve their confidence when using the NEPO Portal, the etendering system used by NEPO and the twelve North East local authorities.

Secretary of State Matt Hancock's speech at the Royal Society.

The Scottish economy grew by 0.3% during the fourth quarter of 2018, according to statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The EC has launched “eLeniency”, a new online tool designed to make it easier for companies and their legal representatives to submit statements & documents as part of leniency & settlement proceedings in cartel cases, as well as non-cartel cooperation cases.

On 2 May, the Committee on Climate Change will publish new advice to the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations on the UK’s long-term climate change targets.

Flights and access for hauliers and passenger transport between the UK and EU will continue whatever the Brexit outcome.

The local authority area data profiles bring together data to give an indication of how different services work together, providing a picture of the health and social care system in each local authority area.

In his spring statement, the chancellor Phillip Hammond outlined that we can soon expect the long awaited outcome of the Augar Review.

Statement given yesterday by Stephen Hickey, UK Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council Briefing on the 1540 Committee (Non-proliferation)

Press statement by Michel Barnier.

Visit Wales’ Gold Award list of accommodation was revealed yesterday.

The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson yesterday announced a new package of measures to drive productivity and innovation in the sector.

Abattoir found guilty following repeated warnings over ‘bunching’ of carcasses.

Pay growth appears to be stabilising at around 3½ per cent per annum.

The aim of these acts is to limit the most severe damage caused by a disorderly Brexit in specific sectors where it would create a major disruption for citizens and businesses.

Yesterday Collaborate CIC and Newcastle Business School (of Northumbria University) are excited to publish our new research into funding, commissioning and delivering in complex environments, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and Tudor Trust.

The number of potential victims of trafficking and modern slavery reported to the authorities has risen by more than 80 per cent in two years, according to figures released by the National Crime Agency yesterday.

Speech given yesterday by Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP.

Future direction of mental health and incapacity legislation.

The EU is taking measures to avoid the disruption of Erasmus+ existing programmes involving the UK at the time of its withdrawal from the EU.

Blog posted by: Chantal Donaldson-Foyer and Thomas Hall, 19 March 2019 – Categories: Global Digital Marketplace, Ways of working.

The following is a response to our letter to the Department for Exiting the European Union, written with the other UK Children’s Commissioners, on the consequences for children’s safety of a No Deal Brexit. It highlights how a No Deal scenario would disrupt some of the mechanisms in place to protect children.

Demolition work has started at RAF Lakenheath as part of a Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) project to prepare the base for the arrival of 2 squadrons of US F-35s.

The UK’s record jobs market continued into 2019.

Reforming the law on setting the personal injury discount rate.

The new rules take the form of amendments to the 2014 regulation governing the statute & funding of European political parties and foundations.

Landlords are being warned that tenants – especially younger renters – are at risk when it comes to house fires.

A group of international partners, including the UK, will lead a review into the books included in the Palestinian Authority’s school curriculum.

The Environment Agency yesterday called for action to address the threat of water shortages in England’s water supply in the fact of pressure from climate change and population growth – following a similar call by the National Infrastructure Commission for action to build a more resilient water infrastructure.

Funding for places of worship scheme set to increase and £5 million for new training programme.

Independent community publishers, also known as hyper-local publishers, were yesterday provided with a £200,000 boost, with Economy Minister Ken Skates announcing Welsh Government funding to support the sector.

Speech given yesterday (19 March 2019) by Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency Waterwise Conference.

A researcher who travelled to ‘the Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais to see how unaccompanied child migrants lived has secured £1 million of funding from the Economic and Social Research Council to study the care of lone child refugees.

UBS AG (UBS) has been fined £27,599,400 by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for failings relating to 135.8 million transaction reports between November 2007 and May 2017.

Blog posted by: Pavel Demin, ITIL Expert, CISA – IT management consultant, Cleverics, 19 March 2019.

Ofgem is minded to approve a proposal by Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) to build a 600MW subsea electricity transmission link from Shetland to mainland Scotland.

Review announced in government's 'Future of mobility: urban strategy' to explore regulation around new transport modes.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician yesterday published Drugs Seizures and Offender Characteristics, 2017-18. The publication provides information on drug seizures made by the police in Scotland and the characteristics of those found in possession of drugs.

The Council reaffirms the EU’s commitment to the purposes & principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that applies to all human beings without distinction of any kind.

Switching to a water meter could help thousands of households pull the plug on rising water bills and prevent next month’s increase from making an April fool of their finances.

Rob Behrens, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman yesterday responded to the publication of the Care Quality Commission's Learning from deathsOpens in a new window report.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined Vote Leave Limited £40,000 for sending out thousands of unsolicited text messages in the run up to the 2016 EU referendum.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething has announced £12m for an ambitious programme to modernise and improve health and social care in West Wales.

A review of the first year of NHS trusts implementing the national guidance.

A programme supporting families with complex problems has reduced the proportion of children going into care, adults claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and juvenile convictions.

The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics were yesterday published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the number of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending December 2019.

The National Drought Group (NDG) met on Monday 18 March, chaired by Harvey Bradshaw, Executive Director at the Environment Agency, to assess the latest water resource situation and actions being taken to reduce risk for the summer.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called for wide ranging reforms to the leasehold system in a report published today. 

International Development Secretary delivers a speech about the role of civil society and partnerships in achieving the Global Goals.

The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles begins its fourth study on sexual health and well-being in Britain, led by researchers from UCL in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the University of Glasgow and NatCen Social Research.

A woman believed to have helped Albanian organised crime groups obtain around 500 UK passports has been arrested by the National Crime Agency.

Blog posted by: Simon McDougall, 18 March 2019.

The Scottish Government’s award-winning Academy9 schools initiative inspired by the A9 Dualling programme is the catalyst for a major conference being held today and tomorrow in Aviemore.

Announces the launch of the Future of mobility urban strategy.

Ahead of the 21-22 March European Council discussion on innovation, industry and competitiveness, the EC takes decisive steps to set up a European Innovation Council.

A suite of consultations from government seeking to reframe how we manage and handle packaging in the future will have implications for the future management of waste...

Education Secretary Damian Hinds launches consultation reviewing qualifications at Level 3 and below.

Following the SSRO’s recommendation in January 2019, the Secretary of State for Defence has announced the baseline profit rate and other rates to be used from 1 April 2019 to determine the profit element of qualifying defence contracts and qualifying sub-contracts.

Keith Williams on progress of the Rail Review at Accelerate Rail 2019.

Pakistan’s military is playing a significant role in assisting the country’s prime minister in the conduct of foreign and security policies, and usually with the objective of scaling down confrontations.

The Department for Transport has today published an Urban Mobility Strategy.

DFID will provide up to £6 million of UK aid to send humanitarian relief to people in Mozambique and Malawi affected by Cyclone Idai.

NHS England has welcomed moves by football clubs to improve the nation’s health including cookery classes for bereaved men, exercise sessions for people with cancer and sport to help tackle mental ill health.

Businesses can apply for a share of £1 million for international partnerships that will help develop 5G internet connectivity.

More than £600,000 of Welsh Government and Innovate to Save funding will help accommodate young people in care build a better future, Ministers announced today.

A new network has been launched to strengthen the voice of BME leaders in England and support health and care organisations to meet the needs of all communities.

Female lone parents, black families, severely disabled people and families with more than three children will lose out the most in terms of household income due to tax and spending policies between 2010 and 2022.

A body to ensure that energy workers in the north of England are able to make the most of a “clean energy revolution” should be established as soon as possible, according to a leading think-tank.

Statement given yesterday by David Clay, UK Deputy Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council Open Briefing on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Charity Commission concludes its statutory inquiry into The Suyuti Institute.

Public Sector Employment Statistics for Scotland, released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, show that there were 553,300 people employed in the public sector in Scotland in December 2018.

Referrals of potential victims of modern slavery made by councils have soared ninefold in five years, new figures show, highlighting the demands on local authority services already under significant pressure, the LGA has warned.

THE country’s leading landlord organisation is campaigning to protect the rights of landlords to repossess their properties.

IEA release report on offshore financial centres

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s direct supervisor of credit rating agencies (CRAs), has registered Beyond Ratings SAS as a CRA under the CRA Regulation.

Employees could face a criminal prosecution if they access or share personal data without a valid reason, the Information Commissioner’s Office has warned.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS ) yesterday announced a suite of new, faster economic indicators, developed by its Data Science Campus.

Leading computer scientist Simon Peyton Jones appointed chair of new National Centre for Computing Education.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday wrote to the Prime Minister about the role of the devolved administrations in talks on the future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Implementing EU air quality legislation to protect human health and the environment from pollution can be demanding for countries and cities.

Auditor General sets out key messages to all Welsh public bodies as they plan to manage the implications of Brexit

Deborah Ward, Senior Analyst at The King’s Fund, commented on recent monthly NHS performance figures 

Join us for techUK's 5G Week: The 5G Future from 29 April - 3 May, highlighting the importance of the upcoming 5G network, technologies and applications to the UK.

Organisations can apply for a share of £3 million to help develop agricultural and food systems in collaboration with African partners.

SQA helped recognise the vital role youth workers, managers and partners play in providing young people with essential life skills, at YouthLink Scotland’s National Youth Work Awards.

The sister of MP Jo Cox is backing an anti-loneliness campaign to help 30,000 people avoid health and wellbeing problems that can come from feeling and living alone.

Sajid Javid yesterday spoke at an interfaith event in Regent's Park following Christchurch terror attack.

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has officially launched a pilot degree apprenticeship scheme in Wales, supported by £20m of Welsh Government funding.

Some commentators have suggested that the UK leaving the EU on the 29th March without a deal remains the “legal default,” even if the EU27 agree to grant an extension. As Open Europe’s Dominic Walsh points out, this is incorrect: if an extension is granted, the 29th March deadline will no longer apply.

More small and newer energy suppliers are failing to meet decent standards of customer service, according to Citizens Advice’s latest energy star rating league table.

Essential service providers could be better coordinated to meet the demand created by welfare cuts and the universal credit rollout

Five years ago, Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in a blatant land grab from Ukraine.

Blog posted by: John Edmonds – AXELOS PPM Portfolio Development Manager, 18 March 2019.

And the answer from the Met Office is no, not this weekend.  Which left many people (including us) feeling quite confused as we read headlines like “Hell storm Hannah” and “Britain to be battered by Storm Hannah” in some national and regional news.

DOH and DCMS want your views on reducing children's exposure to advertising for products that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) on TV and online.

Recently retired doctors are to return to work as part of a new collaboration to support health services in remote and rural areas.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s People & Places Board, responds to the Resolution Foundation’s skills report.

Christopher Snowdon responds to new consultation on junk food

Our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to support small businesses and improve productivity across the country. Some of the help available to small businesses from funding to guidance and advice.

The Serious Fraud Office, working in conjunction with the Financial Conduct Authority, has opened an investigation into individuals associated with London Capital & Finance Plc.

Organisation was founded in April 1999 to improve outcome for health service users

New ideas sought for projects that could transform the aerospace industry through smart, energy-efficient technologies.

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced more than £2.5m of funding for projects to improve care and support services across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.

The government is consulting on proposals to introduce a 9pm watershed on TV and online adverts for food and drink that is high in fat, sugar or salt.

New legislation is being introduced to protect Scottish residents who have chosen to access cross-border healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

The SFO has secured the forfeiture of over £1.5 million from convicted fraudster Nisar Afzal, 61, of Birmingham.

New powers to protect victims of stalking become law.

NATO’s mutual defence guarantees are well-known. But less known is the duty which the Alliance’s member-states have to improve their national resilience.

Readout of Prime Minister Theresa May's call with the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.

Blog posted by: Imogen Farhan, 15 March 2019.

Minister for Equalities Baroness Williams speech at the LGBT Conference 2019.

The government envoys to Syria of France, Germany, UK and US recently (15 March 2019) released a statement on the 8th anniversary of the Syrian conflict.

The House of Commons Treasury Select Committee has published a new report warning of the need to re-order, the UK's anti-money laundering system.

The National Audit Office has released a report detailing the progress to date of the 2016-2021 National Cyber Security Programme.

Our investigation is progressing after a man was fatally shot by West Midlands Police in Lee Bank, Birmingham recently (Friday).

The House of Lords Liaison Committee recently (15 March 2019) published its fourth report of the 2017–19 session, in which it recommends to the House four proposals for new special inquiry (formerly ad hoc) committees in 2019–20.

Amber Rudd backed plans for the first Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) scheme in the UK.

Explanation of Vote by Stephen Hickey, UK Political Coordinator at the UN recently (15 March 2019), following adoption of UNAMA Mandate Renewal.

A consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance post-Brexit aimed at considering how to maintain effective, coherent environmental governance after the UK leaves the European Union has today been launched by Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths.

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall has been awarded £550,000 over three years, as part of the National Partners Programme 2019-2022. 

Committee Chair Meg Hillier MP recently (15 March 2019) commented on the National Audit Office report on the National Cyber Security Programme.

The ‘You Work, Your Pension Works’ campaign from DWP supports the automatic enrolment policy, implemented in 2012 to reverse the decline in the number of people saving into a workplace pension.

The Foreign Secretary welcomes action taken by the EU, Australia, Canada and the US.

Blog posted by: Julia Longbottom, 15 March 2019 – Categories: Health & Wellbeing.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP and Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns MP on Wales' growing export potential (15 March 2019).

Secretary of State Matt Hancock's speech at the Spectator Health Summit.

Jobs are set to be created at the former Pinneys of Scotland plant in Annan, after it was purchased by food processing company Bhagat Holdings Limited.

Chemical weapons are prohibited, however recent chemical weapons attacks in Malaysia, Syria, Iraq and the UK have raised concerns about their use. In the UK in 2018, four people were taken seriously ill and one person died following exposure to a Novichok, a type of nerve agent.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency recently (15 March 2019) gave a speech at the Women’s Engineering Society Centenary Conference.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently (15 March 2019) published its second thematic review of the debt management sector, looking at commercial and not-for-profit firms that provide debt advice and administer debt management plans to help customers deal with their debts.

Councils across England will receive an immediate cash boost from a £9.75 million fund to back their efforts in cleaning up high streets and town centres.

Four organisations have been chosen as preferred bidders for a 20-year partnership set to revolutionise project delivery at Sellafield.

As of 15 March 2019, the UK’s 6 month Chairmanship of the Executive Committee has concluded.

Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles will today call on the UK government to change its plans for immigration after an independent report revealed the impact on the Welsh economy.

Housing Minister seeks meeting with UK Government

UK aid will match £2 million of public donations to Comic Relief support mental health programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa

The ESMA recently issued a statement which sets out the implications for credit rating agencies (CRAs) based in the UK, including the endorsement of UK credit ratings, should the UK withdraw from the EU without a withdrawal agreement (no-deal Brexit).

Two Essex Police officers have been convicted of falsifying a document purportedly from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), manipulating CPS advice on their systems and destroying exhibits during child abuse investigations.

A new campaign aimed at getting hundreds of family doctors to return to general practice will be launched this week.

Government has published a new International Education Strategy outlining plans to increase student numbers and income generated from international education

Powerful new particle accelerator will drive huge physics experiment.

At the OECD meeting recently (15 March 2019), Rt Hon Mark Field MP discussed with partners how the organisation could strengthen its work in southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Theresa May recently (15 March 2019) made a statement on the New Zealand terrorist attack.

Ofsted's Chief Inspector recently (16 March 2019) spoke at the ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders) Annual Conference 2019 in Birmingham.

ESPO’s Consultancy Services framework (664) is designed to create a simple and efficient solution for those looking to procure trustworthy advice from pre-approved suppliers.

Education Secretary recently (15 March 2019) addressed the Association of School and College Leaders’ annual conference in Birmingham.

Home Secretary pledges £600,000 to helpline to give advice to offenders.

The UK government is investing Ksh. 220 million (US$2.2 million) in the development of 2 solar plants in Kenya to give more people access to affordable, clean energy.

To coincide with British Science Week, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has announced an extra £6.6m of funding to support higher education research in Wales this year.

Glasgow company achieves international success, as British Science Week (8-17 March) celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) across the UK.

Ambitious plans unveiled to invest in innovative research and development, creating jobs, growth and opportunity across the country.

Opt-out organ donation: Max and Keira's Bill passed into law

New pilot scheme will help carefully vetted prisoners learn digital skills and £1.2 million will help underrepresented groups get jobs

£82 million boost to Welsh food and drink industry thanks to Project HELIX.

Motorists across Britain will have greater protections against bogus parking fines as new measures to clamp down on rogue private parking firms become law.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has issued a good practice guide which shares lessons from complaints to help adult social care providers improve their services.

The hard-hitting Fire Kills advertising launched by the Home Office last Friday highlights the everyday accidents that can cause fire in the home.

A96 dualling programme hailed by pupils and teachers

The UK Government’s temporary tariffs on imports, which would come into force in the event of a no deal Brexit, could see Welsh ports, particularly Holyhead, lose out Economy Minister Ken Skates has said.

The top 9 food retailers publish October - December 2018 campylobacter results for fresh shop-bought UK-produced chickens.

Businessman Sidney Nicholls was sentenced to one year in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay £30,000 costs.

Discussions around the steps retailers must take to stem the tide of non-household complaints will be at the top of the agenda, when we hold our next business customer meeting in Birmingham on Thursday (28 March).