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Tammy Carter, Carbon Net Zero Programme Lead, gives her 5 step guide to beginning your carbon net zero journey.

A cyclist swerves. Why? A city planner starts to plot a new cycle route. Where? The majority of cyclists choose to turn left rather than go straight on. What for? A local authority wants to encourage the adoption of active travel and get more people to ride bikes. How? 

Please note, on Tuesday 27 July 2021, the Arts Council and 16 museum funders and sector bodies published an updated joint statement on heritage, museums and collections at risk.

Following a recent Archive Service Accreditation Panel, the UK Archive Service Accreditation Committee is pleased to announce that the following archive service has been awarded accredited status for the first time:

Funding for infrastructure upgrades, changes to The Highway Code and new requirements to ensure that active travel schemes' effects are properly assessed.

All adults who have been fully-vaccinated will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus from 7 August, the First Minister yesterday confirmed.

DWP’s national programme for supporting disabled people to find and stay in work is not working and must instead be delivered at a local level as part of a renewed effort to break down unacceptable barriers disabled people face in the labour market, MPs say today.

The Commission has granted €3.7 billion for the recovery and digital and green transition of Spain under REACT-EU.

The Chancellor yesterday praised the “inspiring” people and businesses of Scotland during a visit to meet those supported by the UK Government’s £352 billion Plan for Jobs.

Blog posted by: Gina Gill, Posted on:29 July 2021 – Categories: D&T mission.

New figures show an increase in supply of energy efficient homes as we build back better from the pandemic towards a greener future.

This report summarises the progress made against the actions outlined in the 2017 Digital Strategy for Scotland.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin gave a speech at the official opening UK Space Command, based at RAF High Wycombe.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma yesterday delivered a keynote speech at the launch of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity (VCMI) initiative.

A parliamentary report has highlighted the woefully inadequate condition of women in the UK armed forces. The problems are wider, and deeply rooted. Either way, they require urgent responses.

The healthcare partnership between Kenya and the UK government has been strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

A 31-year old man suspected of importing class A drugs through his links to a Northern Ireland haulage firm has been arrested.

A primary school in Newhaven, which was about to fall empty, is set for a new role at the centre of the community following an award £792,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.

Young people who are about to turn 18 are being invited to have their COVID-19 vaccine in Wales.

Transport for London's (TfL's) cycle hire scheme has seen record hires in April and June so far this year, as part of a wider increase in cycling in the capital over the pandemic.

European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day: Statement given by President von der Leyen, Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Dalli.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday addressed the Global Education Summit.

The new contract will drive forward the concept and assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System.

New eco-locomotive highlights the important role rail freight can play to make transport greener.

The inquiry looked at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on activity levels and the future of the sport and physical activity sector.

Homes and businesses in the South East will be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion under plans published yesterday by the Government and Environment Agency.

In its first meeting, RUSI’s ‘Taskforce on a Transatlantic Response to Illicit Finance’ (TARIF) focused on domestic policy actions – with international implications – that will serve as an essential first step in leading the global fight against illicit finance.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) yesterday published its annual ‘Deaths during or following police contact’ report for 2020/21.

The CMA has imposed over £100 million in fines after Advanz inflated the price of thyroid tablets, causing the NHS and patients to lose out.

The TUC yesterday (Thursday) called for umbrella companies to be banned, as it published a new report on their increasingly widespread use in the UK labour market.

Attendees of Dstl's inaugural Influence Wargaming Conference tested their influencing and decision-making skills against a series of real-life international scenarios.

Health Secretary officially opens national ‘Eye Centre’ and announces £11.5m additional funding to cut waiting times.

PM Boris Johnson yesterday chaired a meeting of the Build Back Better Business Council.

Clearer plans for job creation and ensuring communities benefit from the growth generated by renewable energy development, as well as overcoming infrastructure issues such as grid capacity, will be needed if Wales is to meet its renewable energy potential and maximise the opportunities offered by the shift to net zero. 

At yesterday's Global Education Summit in London, the European Union and its Member States, as Team Europe, pledged €1.7 billion to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to help transform education systems for more than one billion girls and boys in up to 90 countries and territories. 

New report from the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation explores the role of data intermediaries in the future of data sharing.

Clarification of the qualification criteria for the ACSM 1994 and 2011.

NICE yesterday (29 July 2021) published a new rapid COVID-19 guideline to help healthcare staff identify and treat patients who develop the rare syndrome vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

Blog posted by: Alex Smith, Thursday, 29 July 2021.

Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans visited a historic garden in Carmarthenshire to see how the project has used funding from the Landfill Disposals Tax to develop the site and increase biodiversity.

Joanna Lumley, Muir’s model and friend, unveils plaque at designer’s London headquarters and showroom.

President Biden's European diplomacy is underestimated in Poland, and the Polish government is ill-equipped to affect a meaningful engagement with the current US administration.

The FCA is proposing changes to its decision-making process which will enable it to make faster and more effective decisions. This will help the FCA improve how it tackles firms and individuals who do not meet the required standards.

Blog posted by: James Elliott, 28 Jul 2021.

Blog posted by: Laura Payten, 28 July 2021 – Categories: Child Arrangements Service, User centred policy design.

Nearly three quarters of eligible mainstream secondary schools across England to host a summer school.

Almost two thirds of Scotland’s ambulance clinicians have been trained in supplying Take-Home Naloxone (THN) to people who may witness an overdose. 

The Commission has adopted the first Partnership Agreement for the 2021-2027 programming period for Greece, the first EU country to submit its strategic reference document for deploying more than €21 billion of investments for its economic, social and territorial cohesion.

Following the recent publication of Human Learning Systems: Public Service for the Real World – the latest instalment in a series of HLS resources – in this article we explore what HLS means for local government in conversation with Gary Wallace of Plymouth City Council, Lela Kogbara of Black Thrive and formerly Islington LBC and Ed Anderton of Redbridge LBC.

A new report, published yesterday by Public Health Wales, identifies marked declines in hospital care during the Coronavirus pandemic amongst those clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to severe Coronavirus symptoms and advised to shield; and that this population were at a higher risk of experiencing poorer mental health than the general population from March to September 2021.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct yesterday published its annual report on deaths during or following police contact in 2020/21.

Partneriaeth Ogwen, a social enterprise in Bethesda, Gwynedd, will benefit from more than £200,000 from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities programme to help transform a former school into a centre for the community.

Councils are being urged to apply for a share of a £30 million fund to install life-enhancing Changing Places toilets in public places and tourist attractions.

First round of £10 million funding for groups affected by pandemic.

The Met Office has named Storm Evert as coastal gales and rain are set to move into southwestern UK this evening.

The COP President-Designate will meet with ministers to talk about international collaboration and keeping the 1.5 degree temperature limit within reach.

Quantum Computing Can Serve as a Multifaceted Tool to Help Scientists and Engineers Take on the Challenge of Ensuring a Sustainable Future, Say Industry Figures.

Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, has announced the finalists for its annual Project Management Awards, sponsored by RPC UK.

The UK government must commit to the wide-scale deployment of new greenhouse gas removal technologies by 2030 in order to meet its climate change obligations, according to a report by the National Infrastructure Commission.

The UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO in Geneva, Simon Manley, spoke on a variety of agenda items at the WTO General Council 28-29 July 2021.

CBI yesterday responded to the Government's Disability Strategy.

Blog posted by: Dawn Carrington, 27 July 2021 – Categories: security culture.

The Prime Minister will call on world leaders today to invest in children’s education at the Global Education Summit in London.

The Government must renew efforts to get people exercising, concludes a Report by the DCMS Committee, after indications that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused weight gain and a fall in activity levels in children.

Today, the European Commission has published new technical guidance on climate-proofing of infrastructure projects for the period 2021-2027.

Almost three million people have moved off the furlough scheme since March as the economy began to bounce back and businesses reopened, according to new statistics.

Blog posted by: Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem Chief Executive, 27 July 2021.

Planning permission has been granted to build the country’s first national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament.

Plan of work for the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation of a complaint by a driver who was stopped and searched in Walworth, south London, found no case to answer for misconduct but has resulted in three Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers being told to attend a community stop and search event.

Strike action planned by RMT will affect whole Tube network if it goes ahead.

A Roman centurion, a medieval knight, a Second World War Wren and a fool; these are just a few of the English Heritage re-enactors returning to work at our properties across the country this summer for the first time in two years due to the pandemic.

While elections in Libya are long overdue, the chances of carrying off a successful electoral process in December remain low.

The UK government’s plan to have the latest nuclear technology up and running within the next decade has moved a step closer today as part of the drive to reach net zero emissions.

Thorpe Park Resort will today (Thursday) join the roll-call of iconic locations to take part in the NHS COVID vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history and fastest in the world.

A new report published yesterday by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, reveals the extraordinary social and economic impact volunteers make to communities.

With the Welsh Government pledging to be the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe, Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn, today launched the LGBTQ+ Action Plan consultation, which will outline the Welsh Government’s determination to achieve this historic ambition.

A Surrey Police Officer who failed to maintain an appropriate professional boundary with a vulnerable woman has been given a final written warning following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Community groups across the UK now have the chance to bid for a share of a £2.6 million fund to support programmes that will help newly arrived families make the best start to rebuilding their lives.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Telekom Romania Communications (“TKR”) by Orange SA (“Orange”). 

Blog posted by: Royce Dsouza – Senior Director, ITSM, 28 July 2021.

The UK’s climate has continued to warm, with 2020 the first year to have temperature, rain and sunshine rankings all in the top 10.

Legislation provides framework enabling the UK to be the first European country to launch spacecraft and satellites from home soil.

Step only possible due to success of vaccination programmes.

Delta AM, an alternative asset manager that is part of Groupe Burrus (via Dôm Finance), has completed the first closing of its senior secured fund, France Économie Réelle (FER), raising around €75 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), backed by the Investment Plan for Europe, an anchor investor alongside Groupe Burrus and nine other key institutional investors.

The Government Communication Service (GCS) has launched a new guide for communication professionals in government, outlining how to use the principles of behavioural science to improve campaign outcomes.

Blog posted by: Fiona Jukes, PR and Communications Manager, Public Sector at YPO, 27 July 2021.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has today published the latest findings of the Food and You 2 survey.

Blog posted by: Sarah Healey, DCMS Permanent Secretary and CS Disability Champion, 28 July 2021 – Categories: A great place to work, A Modern Civil Service, An Innovative Civil Service.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady yesterday responded to the government’s disability strategy.

Plans to strengthen council finances, reduce risk to public funds and ensure councils are delivering value for money for taxpayers published.

Report highlighting the progress made against the initial recommendations contained within the Youth Guarantee - No-one Left Behind: initial report, as well as outlining the next steps against the commitments made in the supporting activity plan.

COP – or Conference of Parties, is an annual United Nations climate summit where world leaders meet to discuss and make decisions on key global issues.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) comment on the UK Government’s announcement on plans to start donating millions of COVID-19 vaccines overseas

The Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland has today published an introductory report on the operation of the Protocol. 

Bob Posner, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, has announced that he will retire from his role in Spring 2022. 

Founder & Managing Partner at Better Boards, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, shares insights into setting up a board and selecting directors in an early-stage growth company.

Over £860m to be invested in flood alleviation schemes this year with further action including improvements to flood insurance.

The foundations for Priestley College’s T Level success had been planted long before the first T Level student stepped foot in the classroom in September 2020.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Newcastle.

CBI yesterday responded to new rules for EU/US air arrivals.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to the Government’s National Disability Strategy, published yesterday 

With insecure work having increased over recent years, the nature of work and the delivery of ‘good work’ is shaping up to be a key political battleground, one that will undoubtedly be contested up to the next general election. This week, the Labour Party has launched a New Deal for Working People campaign in its first major policy announcement following the last election.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday spoke at the National Flagship Engagement Day.

A Warrington optometry company has won funding to develop digital vision charts for remote eyecare consultations – thanks to the support of the Innovation Agency.

ESFA to take a more proactive approach to help colleges realise and re-invest savings and to spot early warning indicators of financial issues

The cross-departmental project team behind Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (PATH-SAFE), a major programme of pathogen surveillance, has been awarded Government funding for the project through the second round of HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund.

A man has been found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine with an estimated street value of £160k into the UK after a “Christmas shopping” trip with his wife in the Netherlands.

Scheme enables community groups to benefit from grants to encourage Londoners of all backgrounds to walk and cycle

Work on the pioneering Lower Otter Restoration Project, which will see the river estuary adapted and enhanced in the face of a rapidly changing climate, has begun

Mark Kowe, Category Manager - Payment Acceptance, reflects on how the coronavirus pandemic has been a catalyst for change in how the public sector must accept payments.

Part of a package of funding for schemes across the Severn Valley

With just 365 days until the next Commonwealth Games, we detail our commitment to creating a lasting legacy

No charge in the evenings to support London's culture, hospitality and night-time businesses

The slate landscape of north-west Wales has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the fourth World Heritage Site in Wales.

Figures show an extra 9,814 police officers have been recruited as the government launches its Beating Crime Plan.

A blog by Michael Murray, ICO’s Head of Regulatory Strategy

Mike Davis and Jo Garvey-Rae of the YPP analyse the results of their recent survey on how transport on future urban roads may change.

The latest steps towards reopening international travel make it easier for people vaccinated in Europe or the USA to travel to England.

A joint advisory from international allies has offered advice for the most publicly known software vulnerabilities.

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List

The FCA has today published a Decision Notice in respect of Markos Markou, the Director and Chief Executive of a mortgage broker firm, Financial Solutions (Euro) Limited (FSE). Mr Markou has referred the Decision Notice to the Tribunal.

Government backs employment rights for disabled workers as part of National Disability Strategy.

The Princess Royal officially opened the new headquarters at the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for the North West of England and Isle of Man (NW RFCA) and sealed a time capsule.

An opinion piece by Cissie Liu, senior regulation analyst at SSE Plc and Mike Davis, chartered engineer and a senior consultant at E4tech; both members of the Commission’s Young Professionals Panel (YPP).

£70 million investment in youth employment.

Council employees have been offered an improved pay increase

The FCA has launched a consultation on proposals to improve transparency for investors on the diversity of listed company boards and their executive management teams. 

A judging panel with expertise in a wide range of sectors and disciplines, from open data to sustainability, has been announced for a £40 million competition designed to unleash a wave of innovation across the water sector to deliver transformative benefits for customers, society and the environment.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Dr Monica Juma signed the deal after agreeing to step up UK support for the key security partner

A blog by James Dipple-Johnston, Deputy Commissioner - Chief Regulatory Officer

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responded to the announcement of the Government’s Beating Crime Plan 

A Civitas report, Inadvertently Arming China? in February this year revealed the widespread sponsorship of scientific research centres in UK universities by Chinese military-linked conglomerates and universities. It found research at some of these centres is being sponsored by the British taxpayer.

Young people are significantly more likely to keep up with news using the internet, over TV and other sources, according to Ofcom’s annual news consumption report.

Foreign Secretary announces the UK will begin to deliver 9 million COVID-19 vaccines around the world to help tackle the pandemic.

90 projects awarded grants to accelerate action to support 2,500 jobs, plant almost a million trees and boost nature recovery across the country

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has today launched an offer to acquire Sheffield Forgemasters International Limited (SFIL).

Extra measures to keep prison leavers off the streets and stop further crimes has been unveiled today (28 July 2021) as part of the Government’s Beating Crime Plan, with a string of new initiatives to tackle the underlying causes of crime.

The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act will be fully coming into force on the 4th January 2022.

The government has appointed Dame Carol Black as an independent advisor on drug misuse and will publish an ambitious new drug strategy later this year.

Initiatives announced to remove barriers and improve confidence for disabled traveller as they return to public transport after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ‘widening cracks’ in local government complaint handling are being highlighted in the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s annual review of complaints 2020-2021, published today.

A clear policy framework is essential to ensure that industry can deliver the vehicles and charging infrastructure required to deliver the Government’s ambition.

More accessible housing, easier commuting and better job prospects are set to become reality for millions of disabled people in the UK through actions set out in the government’s National Disability Strategy.

The Beating Crime Plan will level up the country by ensuring everyone has the security and confidence that comes from having a safe street and a safe home.

Blog posted by: Martin Stretton – Transformation Programme Director, NFER, 27 July 2021.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) launches its 50th Anniversary campaign.

The government recently (Monday 26 July) expanded daily contact testing with 1,200 new sites across frontline sectors, helping to avoid disruption to crucial services.

People seeking help for drug use in East Ayrshire are receiving support the same day through an initiative introduced ahead of new treatment standards for Scotland.

For the first time since the creation of the Innovation Fund, the European Union is investing €118 million into 32 small innovative projects located in 14 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway. 

Blog posted by: Philip Humphries, 27 July 2021 – Categories: A Skilled Civil Service, Uncategorized.

Last year, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) was forced to cancel its annual face-to-face event and ran a virtual Symposium for the first time in its history. The event was ultimately a success, but this year CTSI looks to continue the tradition of a physical event at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham from 28-30 September 2021. 

NICE yesterday (27 July 2021) published a new draft guideline covering rehabilitation after traumatic injury.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has approved GlobalSign as the UK’s first qualified trust service provider [QTSP] under the UK eIDAS Regulations.

Cafcass Cymru is recruiting to Business Support roles in South Wales, Gwent and North Wales.

Climate ministers have taken a step forward towards a successful COP26.

RAF Chinooks supporting the French-led counter-terror operation in Mali assisted recovery operations after a French Mirage 2000 jet crew ejected from the aircraft.

We're putting a range of measures in place to encourage greater diversity and inclusion at all levels, and make NHS Digital a truly inclusive environment by 2025.

Arts Council England and the Canal & River Trust have embarked on a revitalised partnership to bring engaging artworks to England’s waterways, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by our Chief Executive, Darren Henley OBE, and the Canal & River Trust’s Chief Executive, Richard Parry. 

Guest Blog: Ross Woodham, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer.

Government encourages fleet operators to convert to battery-electric vehicles in the transition to zero emission road freight.

Just five per cent of private rented households have received government help to fund energy efficiency measures despite having the greatest need.

COP President-Designate opening remarks given yesterday to the press conference following two day ministerial meeting in London.

UK Ambassador Rachel Galloway signed an agreement to set up the Western Balkans Land Regional Coordination Cell in North Macedonia to coordinate UK training in the region.

The Committee's report on batteries and fuel cells concludes that the Government's actions do not align with its ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and issues stark warnings about the future of the UK's automotive industry.

Statement given by President von der Leyen on a new milestone in the EU Vaccines Strategy.

The Home Office is investing £17 million in early intervention and preventative activity to support young people at high risk of involvement in serious violence.

More Albanian criminals will be removed from the UK and transferred from prisons in England and Wales after Ministers signed a new agreement yesterday (Monday 26 July).

Five brand new research centres and projects to help supply chains become more productive are among recipients of £53 million of funding to drive the development of digital manufacturing technologies.

Frontline services for women and girls affected by gender-based violence will receive £5 million to deal with additional pressures that have occurred during the pandemic.

PHE has launched the latest Better Health campaign to encourage adults across the nation to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active this summer.

Prime Minister Abiy’s electoral victory is a pyrrhic one; the task of keeping his country together is far from over.

Defra has issued notices for traders on importing Goods from the EU, an updated Border Operating Model and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The National Crime Agency has issued an alert to furloughed port and airport workers warning they may be vulnerable to organised crime groups seeking to exploit the Covid crisis.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel agree new maritime security treaty between the UK and France.

Businesses are learning to synthesize and balance a number of divergent goals: Digital natives who are, by nature, dynamic and focused on growth with others who are pursuing a stable and passive strategy aimed at defending their markets; and their physical businesses with the urgency of going digital.

A money launderer who was caught trying to smuggle almost £2 million out of the UK in her suitcases has been jailed for almost three years.

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responded to the publication of the Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping’s interim report on the Everyone In initiative 

Blog posted by: Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, 27 July2021.

More data must be collected and a national register must be established to ensure all children out of school get a suitable education, MPs say today. 

The Commission opened infringement procedures against 12 Member States for failing to transpose EU rules banning unfair trading practices in the agri-food sector.

Action Fraud is reminding animal lovers to take extra care when buying a pet online, as new figures show more than £2.5 million has been lost to criminals through fake pet adverts.

Ofwat yesterday confirmed its view that levels of bad debt costs across the business retail market are exceeding 2% of non-household revenue. 

Government’s National Adoption Strategy to improve experience for children and families in the adoption system.

TfL's Lane Rental scheme discourages utility companies from digging up the busiest sections of London's roads at the busiest times.

Eight in 10 residents want to be able to have their say on all new homes built in their local community, new polling by the Local Government Association reveals today.

Economy and finance ministers yesterday welcomed the assessment of national recovery and resilience plans for Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania and Slovenia. 

JRF issues stark warning to MPs about the looming cut to Universal Credit at the start of the parliamentary summer recess.

Efforts to deliver speedier justice have been stepped up today (Tuesday 27 July) after the Government announced a raft of new measures to help courts recover from the pandemic.

Following an eight-month investigation, we concluded that a Cambridgeshire Constabulary officer had no case to answer for misconduct in relation to his role in a missing person investigation concerning a Peterborough teenager.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has managed to trace a missing member of ‘The Stockwell Six’ after launching a recent appeal to find two more men they believe were also wrongly convicted.

Retail sales continued to grow at a rate well above the long-run average in the year to July, while orders grew at the fastest pace since December 2010, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. 

The Respite Rooms Trial Programme will see 12 local areas across England share £3.7 million to fund accommodation and expert support for victims of violence and abuse.

£5 million to help families be there for children in hospital.

Driven to Waste, a new WWF report published in partnership with Tesco, reveals that the amount of food lost on farms globally totals 1.2 billion tonnes. WWF states that ambitious food waste reduction targets from farm to fork are urgently needed to tackle this issue.

The Environment and Climate Change Committee yesterday published a letter to Environment Secretary George Eustice setting out what they believe the Government should do to make COP15 – the United Nations Biodiversity Conference due to be hosted by China in October – a success and to combat the loss of biodiversity.

There is a strong connection between universities with inflated diversity bureaucracies and those that limit speech more generally on campus, researchers at Civitas find in a survey of academic freedom at universities.

President von der Leyen yesterday gave a speech at the event "Fighting Infectious Diseases – Focus on Africa".

The Government’s new Innovation Strategy identifies the challenges facing the UK’s innovation landscape before setting out four key pillars to drive a conversation aiming to boost the UK’s innovative capacity.

It is hoped 2,000 new jobs will be created in the Cardiff area with significant funding as part of the UK Government's Innovation Strategy.

Global alliance to shine spotlight on evidence-based healthcare on Wednesday 20th October.

Blog posted by: Mike Wilson, Monday, 26 July 2021.

If accepted, the slate landscape of north-west Wales will earn its place as the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales.

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, responds to the publication of the Adoption Strategy by the Department for Education.

Farmers and landowners setting up temporary campsites for the summer holidays are being urged to have a flood plan in place to keep campers safe.

Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, commented on the Office for National Statistics report into ethnic differences in life expectancy and selected causes of death between 2011 and 2014 

TfL has awarded a contract for new smart cameras to enforce civil traffic rules at junctions.

At Southwark Crown Court, His Honour Judge Tomlinson yesterday sentenced Ian James Hudson to 4 years’ imprisonment for one count of fraudulent trading, with two additional terms of 14 months, each reflecting a breach of s19 FMSA, to run concurrently following his earlier guilty plea.

Blog posted by: Rita Trehan, 26 Jul 2021.

Stay safe and be aware of the potential dangers of military training areas.

Daily contact testing will be offered to more emergency service and critical workers who would otherwise need to self isolate

Support for industry impacted by Brexit and Covid-19.

Remarks given yesterday by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the ECOFIN press conference.

Blog posted by: Katherine Wright, Deputy Director Public Sector and Local Energy, BEIS, 26 July 2021 – Categories: A Modern Civil Service, A Skilled Civil Service, An Innovative Civil Service.

The NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme England has hit another major milestone by delivering 70 million doses of the life-saving COVID jab.

Your chance to speak to the DASA Team behind Defence Innovation Loans.

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced an additional £250,000 to support children’s speech, language and communication needs. 

Ministers announce intention to remove VI-1 certification requirements for imported wine.

This report sets out the findings of a study undertaken for the Scottish Government which aimed to review the opportunities for Scottish and French organisations to work together to deliver collaborative innovation in floating wind and hydrogen.

Speech given recently by the Eurogroup President, Paschal Donohoe, at The Economist’s “The World Ahead” Gala Dinner, Athens, 23 July 2021.

Over the past 18 months, the telecoms industry has delivered the connectivity needed to power the UK through the pandemic. 

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

Public Health Wales is encouraging parents to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children, as data shows cases are rising sharply.

UK Government welcomes commitments to halt biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution at the G20 in Naples.

Further government support still required to bridge the £500m shortfall remaining this financial year.

The Government has announced the first 'One Step Greener' Climate Ambassadors and launched a nationwide search for climate leaders.

The Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces publishes its report “Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life".

EU ambassadors recently (23 July 2021) approved a provisional political agreement reached with the European Parliament on 12 July on a proposal to revise the Aarhus Regulation, in order to bring it fully in line with the Aarhus Convention.

On behalf of the national Rape Monitoring Group (RMG), HMICFRS has published refreshed data on how cases of rape are dealt with.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace recently (23 July 2021) spoke at the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy.

The government is deploying additional support to the twelve local authorities in the North East.

New rules to protect sibling relationships for children in care.

Our 2019 Talent Plan laid out our strategy to help develop the world’s best talent system and how investing in producing more and better athletes remains a key objective for us.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) have signed a legal agreement with Britain’s national equality body, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), committing them to improving their assessment and review of the impact of their policies on people with protected characteristics which will put equality considerations at the centre of their work.

The British Army has spent £3.2 billion on its Ajax family of vehicles, but as major problems beset the programme and its role in the force remains poorly defined, the Army faces a stark choice between doubling down or moving on.

Proposals published to trial automatic switching for customers on expensive default energy tariffs to cheaper deals, and government to tackle 'loyalty penalty'.

NHS Digital is improving transparency about how patient data is accessed by launching its new Data Uses Register.

Increasing the number of women in digital jobs is an urgent priority to ensure the diverse mix of skills the tech industry needs to benefit society and the economy – according to the latest book to be published by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

The Welsh Government is encouraging employers to do all they can to support their workforce to get vaccinated.

G20 Climate & Energy Ministerial in Naples agrees to action in line with the Paris Agreement and global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.

Benefit now available in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles.

In response to Italy's request for assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to help in the fight against the ongoing wildfires in Sardinia, the EU is mobilising immediate support from France and Greece.

Blog posted by: Allan Thomson – AXELOS ProPath Product Ambassador, 23 July 2021.

Last week [July 20] the Government and Ofgem published a plan that will help revolutionise how we all use and pay for energy not just how we generate it.

New road will ease congestion in Long Stratton, cut noise and air pollution, and support plans for new homes and jobs in the area.

In just five years, the HealthTec Cluster at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus has tripled in size, creating more than 700 new jobs.

At the recent (23 July 2021) meeting of deputy permanent representatives to the EU, the Council has reached an agreement on draft proposals to bolster the role of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and to amend an EU law on cross-border threats to health.

Eight months after the latest war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, a new status quo has emerged. 

The Minister for Women and Equalities recently (23 July) began recruitment for a new Wales Commissioner and a new board member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The CMA has set out measures to ensure a national network of electric vehicle chargepoints is in place ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

The survey of 250 manufacturing businesses reported output increasing in 16 out of 17 sub-sectors, led by the motor vehicles & transport equipment and food, drink & tobacco sub-sectors.

A temporary export bar has been placed on painting The Nativity by Baldassare Tommaso Peruzzi worth over £460,000

Changes are being made to self-isolation rules for close contacts of COVID cases to allow essential staff in critical roles to return to work to maintain lifeline services and critical national infrastructure.

The European Affairs Committee has published a report on Citizens’ Rights for UK citizens resident in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK.

Team GB athletes have been invited to help kick plastics out of sport by making a pledge to tackle plastic pollution.

Bringing leading figures from industry together, techUK discusses how the Government’s ARIA can be an asset for innovation in the tech sector.

Environment Secretary George Eustice and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have outlined plans for daily contact testing for the food and drink industries.

A woman from Kent who headed up a crime group that supplied over half a tonne of cocaine and laundered millions of pounds in illicit cash has been jailed for 15 years.

Tax credits customers have until 31 July to renew their tax credits claim or risk their payments being stopped.

CBI yesterday responded to the publication of exemption list.

The clouds of conflict are gathering over the Eastern Mediterranean.

The FCA and Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) have published an updated assessment of the UK’s access to cash infrastructure, taking into account the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19), alongside new research on consumers who rely on cash.

Blog posted by: Steve Crosskey, 22 Jul 2021.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace MP, has visited Japan, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam on a trip to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Respiratory infections in young children have begun to rise out of season, following low infection levels in response to COVID-19 restrictions and good infection control measures that have been in place.

A new accreditation scheme that encourages businesses to provide secure contracts, flexible hours and payment of the real Living Wage is to launch.

The European Commission recently (23 July 2021) adopted the Annual Report on Monitoring the Application of EU Law, which sets out how the Commission monitored and enforced EU law in 2020, and how the Member States performed in various policy areas.

The Euros final and Grand Prix put online abuse once more in the spotlight. The UK’s Online Safety Bill provides a strong framework for tackling the problem.

Leeds City Council failed to follow guidance on summer-born admissions when deciding when an August-born girl could start school, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found.

A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has been dismissed without notice after a disciplinary panel heard the officer lied about how he retrieved handcuffs from a man who had earlier run away from officers who attempted to stop and search him.

The First Minister recently (22 July 2021) announced her Majesty the Queen has accepted the recommendation that Owen Evans should become the new HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.