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Martin Sartorius, Lead Economist responds to latest inflation data for March 2026

The UK Government must go further and faster in tackling poor conditions in temporary accommodation, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee.

 TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak comments on the latest figures showing March CPI inflation rising to 3.3% from 3.0%

The FCA has carried out its first operation with partners to disrupt illegal peer-to-peer crypto trading across multiple London locations.

Households could receive a £183 rebate on their energy bills if the government acts to claw back excess profits made by energy network companies, according to new research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Responding to yesterday’s ONS labour market figures, James Cockett, senior labour market economist for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments: 

The Government has ruled out developing a new national vaccinations strategy, despite the Committee urging Ministers to brand the current one a failure as vaccination rates have fallen over a number of years.

Andrew Johnson, IOPC Director for Policy, Strategy and Impact, said: “We welcome the latest report from the Children’s Commissioner regarding strip searches of children outside of police custody.

Firms will benefit from reduced costs and greater flexibility, and find it easier to comply with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), following reforms set out on 22 April by the FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).

We’re delighted to share that we have been officially approved to deliver the CIH Level 4 Homelessness Service Management qualification. This marks a significant milestone in our work to support and champion the professional development of managers and team leaders across the homelessness sector.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee respondd to a report by the National Audit Office on changing demand for school places

Responding to the HCLG report on conditions in temporary accommodation, Cllr Carl Cashman, Vice Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, warm, and good quality home – it’s a key foundation for a good life and strong community.    

Voters across England are being reminded that they’ll need to present an accepted form of photo ID at their polling station to be able to vote in May’s upcoming local elections. 

A man has been found guilty of sexual assaults on young boys at a children’s home in Hastings in the 1970s.

Almost a third of searches are of children who have been subjected to a strip search by police before, despite an overall drop in the practice – raising serious concerns about the impact of being repeatedly strip searched and missed opportunities to safeguard vulnerable children.  

Boost to Seafood Exports Package will help UK businesses reach new markets

Tim Jarvis responds to the government’s review of Ofgem

The SFO launches public appeal and searches six sites across the UK as it announces new investigation into three companies delivering ECO4 contracts.

Referral to phase 2 comes after period to resolve concerns has expired.

The Charity Commission is today publishing updated guidance for charity trustees on conflicts of interest, with research by the regulator suggesting many trustees are unsure how to recognise a conflict.

The first ‘Chief Regulator’s Rebuke’ has been handed to WJEC CBAC Ltd for serious failures involving 4 of its Eduqas GCSE, AS and A level qualifications.

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

Leading AI companies should work with the UK Government to build AI-powered cyber defence capabilities, the Security Minister Dan Jarvis will tell industry leaders and experts at CYBERUK on Wednesday. 

Billpayers set to benefit from a stronger energy regulator to ensure they are treated fairly

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, has welcomed the publication today of approximately 1,000 Government records relating to the Northern Ireland Troubles by The National Archives

The changes apply to non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has launched its new five-year strategy, marking a renewed commitment to delivering fair and impartial justice for individuals and a greater focus on its role in improving public services. 

Homeless Link is proudly backing the Million Acts of Hope campaign, which celebrates people working hard to change their communities for the better across the country. 

Research and development for defence aims to create new military capabilities or improve existing ones. How is it funded in the UK, and what are the challenges?

Connections reforms and strategic energy planning are both crucial for achieving Clean Power 2030 and wider decarbonisation, and 2026 is an important year of development for both.

A new targeted treatment for a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer has been recommended by NICE for routine use on the NHS in England, giving people more time with better quality of life.

Dstl, in partnership with the British Army, is seeking innovative solutions to remotely assess diverse terrain for safe passage.

Blog posted by: Tom Galpin-Swan, Master Technologist, DXC Technology, 21 April 2026.

Military planners from over 30 nations will today (Wednesday 22 April) advance detailed planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a two-day UK-hosted conference.

Speaking at UK FinTech Week, Jessica Rusu, chief data, information and intelligence officer at the FCA, has confirmed the second group of firms selected to join AI Live Testing.

The government has published ‘Archives at the Heart of Society’, a new national vision for archives in England.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves yesterday (21 April) updated the House of Commons on the Government’s economic response to the Middle East.

CBI yesterday responded to plans to boost clean energy and decouple gas and electricity prices.

The UK’s payments sector is to be equipped for the future of rapid financial innovation through a new package announced today during Fintech Week in London.

The week ahead is set to bring plenty of dry and fine weather for many, with high pressure dominating and helping temperatures edge upwards as the days go on.

Islamabad has an obvious interest in ending the war, to ease energy problems and cool tensions on its border with Iran. But any hopes for economic benefits from the Trump administration may be misplaced.

Enforcement action launched after evidence suggests child sexual abuse material being shared on Telegram and teen chat sites being used by predators to groom children.

Families across the country will be better protected from energy crises, as government moves to break link between gas and electricity prices.

The maturation of Chinese and US strategies to control strategic minerals supply chains echo Cold War structures. Fresh EU and UK plans are already behind the times.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Public sector schools saved £12million last year by choosing YPO’s own‑brand stationery products instead of branded alternatives, helping them stretch increasingly tight budgets and reinvest savings where they matter most.

The Royal Family marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II through a series of commemorative events in April 2026, including a visit by The King and Queen to a Royal Collection Trust exhibition, a personal message from The King broadcast on the centenary itself, engagements at the British Museum and in The Regent’s Park, and a reception at Buckingham Palace celebrating the life, service and enduring legacy of Her late Majesty.

The Group Litigation Order (GLO) Compensation Scheme will close to new applications on 31 July 2026, with a view to the scheme concluding on 31 December 2026.

The publication of the Government’s Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England is a welcome and necessary milestone for the health system. 

Emily Potts, Modern Slavery Advisor, highlights the UK's commitment to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in light of the rapid growth of forced criminality linked to cyber‑scam centres. She underlines the need for cross‑border cooperation, strong victim support, and partnerships with multilateral organisations to address this global threat.

The devastating war in Sudan shows no signs of abating. Diplomatic efforts must prioritize a Sudanese-led political process.

A renewed commitment to PE in schools, ending the 3pm Saturday blackout for women’s football and the removal of unnecessary ‘No Ball Games’ signs are among the recommendations in a new report from MPs aimed at getting people to move more.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband's speech at the Good Growth Foundation’s National Growth Debate (21 April 2026).

New complaints scheme introduced by the Education Secretary for the next academic year to raise concerns about suppression of freedom of speech.

A major exhibition exploring the birth of the United States of America to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 2026.

The Security Minister gave an oral statement to the House of Commons on 20 April responding to recent antisemitic attacks.

The war against Iran has tested two competing narratives about security in the Middle East, and have sharpened the resilience of the Gulf Arab Countries.

APCC Joint Leads for Victims, PCCs Clare Moody and Matthew Scott, yesterday marked the start of National Stalking Awareness Week 2026.

The recommendations made by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, including the masterplan for a permanent memorial in St James’s Park, London, a new charitable trust for regenerating community assets across the United Kingdom, and an online Digital Memorial to allow people to submit their own memories of the late Queen, have been announced.

The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Motegi in Tokyo on 20 April 2026 for the tenth Japan-UK Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

Read Box’s latest insight on building a more connected, AI‑enabled justice system – and what this evolution means for policing, from reducing digital evidence backlogs to improving the speed and quality of decision‑making across the frontline.

Millions more people are now benefiting from lifesaving bowel screening compared to a decade ago, as the NHS urges even more people to get tested.

UK and others condemn systematic repression of independent voices and civil society in the Russian Federation (16 April 2026).

The cross-party Education Committee publishes the Government’s response to its ‘Foundations of learning’ report on improving the school estate.

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised a further charge following a police investigation into an alleged arson attack in Golders Green.

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority.

A man who groomed and sexually abused multiple girls across the UK has his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened.

An easy read version of a route map that lays out reform proposals for empowered community decision-making and the work needed to deliver it.

A new UK-wide independent charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust, has been established on the occasion of the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth to honour her lifelong commitment to public service.

Millions of eligible older people and those with a weakened immune system can now get potentially lifesaving protection from COVID-19 with NHS spring vaccinations starting this week.

Statement given recently (17 April 2026) by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

Pakistan, as mediator between the US and Iran, but with nuclear obligations to Saudi Arabia, will need all its agility to avoid abundant pitfalls.

Voters have just hours left to register to vote for the local elections taking place across England on 7 May. Anyone who wants to take part must register before the deadline at 11.59pm tonight.

France and the United Kingdom recently (17 April 2026) convened 51 countries for an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting underlined the determination of the international community to support freedom of navigation, to stand up for international law, and to protect global economic stability and energy security.

A waste management company in Hampshire has been prosecuted by Britain’s workplace regulator after a man had both legs amputated when he was crushed by a 15-tonne excavator.

The war doesn’t seem to have damaged the dollar’s global status. But that may reflect the US’s emergence as the top producer of oil, gas and weapons, which insulates its economy from the crisis.

The UK and Welsh Governments must work collaboratively to ensure coal tip safety, contaminated land remediation, and tackling metal mine pollution remain at the forefront of their joint political agendas, MPs say today.

A nursery practitioner has been jailed for the gross negligence manslaughter of a 14-month-old toddler who died after being suffocated while staff tried to make him fall asleep.

One in four women in England experience mental ill health during pregnancy and postpartum, with inequalities in risk, care quality and access to support.

Statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 19 April.

A Warwickshire Police detective who pursued an inappropriate relationship with the mother of a child victim committed gross misconduct, a police disciplinary panel has concluded, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Following a rigorous process Helen Ghosh has been selected as the preferred candidate to replace Dame Glenys Stacey.

Practical lessons from real-world deployments delivering service improvement, efficiency, and public value.

A vehicle maintenance company in Worcestershire has been fined after one of its workers was crushed under a one-tonne concrete block.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, responded to the Government launching a review into the deaths of young people leaving the care system

Antibiotics and MenB vaccination to be offered to young people in areas of Dorset following 3 cases of invasive meningococcal disease.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to the Public opinions and social trends figures for March 2026 released by the Office for National Statistics.

The Government has published their long-awaited response to the consultation on the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act that took place between February and May 2025.

Launch of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2026

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive, The King’s Fund, responded to the latest NHS waiting list figures

We are expanding our executive leadership team with the creation of four new posts. The new roles - across supervision, risk and data, General Counsel, external affairs – will bring experience, expertise and capacity into the organisation, as we look to tackle broader sectoral challenges and rebuild trust.

On Thursday 16th April, the Government has published its consultation on supported housing.

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe commented following the conviction of Paul Quinn today (17 April) 

NICE has recommended a new take‑at‑home tablet for some people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia whose disease has returned after treatment. The draft guidance could give patients greater choice and reduce the need for frequent hospital visits.

Michelle Ferguson, CBI Scotland Director, responds to Scottish Liberal Democrats manifesto

A number of government compensation schemes have made progress in handling claims and processing pay-outs to claimants but there is still more to do to identify all those eligible and minimise delays, says a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the independent government spending watchdog

Music lovers should be given more representation in policy and decision making with the establishment of a government and industry-backed Music Fans Association, according to the fan-led review of live and electronic music published today. 

Foreign Secretary statement welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon

Critical discussions on the Strait of Hormuz are set to be hosted in Paris today.

New measures to tackle inequality of opportunity and breakdown barriers to healthcare careers

Health Innovation North West Coast (HINWC) is recruiting a Commercial Director, a senior executive role that will play a key part in accelerating the region’s health innovation ambitions.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the use of the veto.

Water cooperation is not only mutually beneficial for India and Pakistan, but essential. Restoring the Indus Waters Treaty could be a powerful foundation for rebuilding trust.

Developing countries will be able to respond faster to economic crises through new proposals developed by the London Coalition and driven by the UK government.

Blog posted by: Josh Dresner, 16 April 2026 – digital services, Our services, User research, User Researcher.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall, spoke at Wayve, launching the Sovereign AI Fund on Thursday 16 April 2026.

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, yesterday spoke at the Early Years Alliance's Connect Roadshow in London.

If the UK hopes to end ransom payments, it must build an ecosystem of accredited cyber incident responders to work with government agencies and move as quickly as criminal operators.

The government is inviting EdTech companies and AI labs to bid to develop safe, personalised AI tutoring tools designed to improve learning outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.

Members of the Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office have visited the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) to understand more about its role in relation to the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

Ambassador Holland updates on recent Russian activity in the Atlantic, speaking on behalf of Norway, the Netherlands and the UK (16 April 2026).

A new survey published by the TUC today (Friday) shows 8 in 10 surveyed workers have experienced some form of abuse at work in the last year.

Supporting children as they learn to write is one of the biggest challenges faced by teachers. The Show-me® Bubble Handwriting Scaffold Drywipe Boards are an effective and engaging tool designed to build confidence and consistency in early writing.

In December 2024, Breakthrough Social Enterprise had around 30 learners. A brand new training provider, delivering its first Skills Bootcamps, building everything from the ground up. 

Specialist staff, tougher disciplinary action and bolstered security measures will be deployed at HMP Woodhill to reduce violence, combat drugs and improve safety.

Sovereign AI is the UK’s £500 million bet to back homegrown AI founders, drive growth and create jobs across the UK.

The UK Government yesterday (16/04/2026) published its response to the consultation on the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). 

Ambassador Holland says Russia’s approach to the Easter ceasefire demonstrates its contempt for peace, highlighting thousands of ceasefire violations and attempts to distort the narrative. Ukraine made a good faith commitment to a ceasefire and demonstrated its readiness to engage constructively. Russia made a different choice.

Rare direct talks are unlikely to succeed in the long-term without Hezbollah disarming, but they are a welcome opportunity for the Lebanese state to regain its authority in foreign policy and pursue confidence-building measures with Israel.

Northern Ireland community and voluntary organisations will be able to bid for an additional £1.5 million in grant funding.

Government to back firefighters with tailor made, research backed health support during and after service

Salma Yasmeen, chair of the Health and Care Women Leaders Network, in response to the government's renewed Women's Health Strategy, sets out the network's focus on supporting delivery that improves access, experience and outcomes for women.

Victims across London will see justice delivered faster and fairer as Harrow Crown Court reopens in a major Government drive to cut court backlogs. 

The government has sent an open letter to UK business leaders warning of the rapidly evolving cyber risks posed by advancements in AI systems. This follows the announcement that some new models have the potential to find vulnerable cyber defences at unprecedented speeds.

Almost 1 in 4 NHS patients and carers receive appointment invitations after their scheduled appointment date, new analysis reveals – highlighting widespread administrative failure across the health service.

New research from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has found that inadequate communication is preventing some business customers from realising the full environmental and cost-saving benefits of smart meters.

Rory Deighton responds to the latest NHS performance figures.

If strikes by RMT Tube drivers go ahead, there is expected to be some service on most London Underground lines - but significant disruption is expected with services varying across lines

The FCA has finalised a simpler UK short selling regime that reduces reporting burdens for firms, while maintaining regulatory oversight.

The UK government risks being boxed in by AI backlash if they don’t share the benefits of the technology with the public, according to a new report from IPPR

People across the UK worry processed foods may harm children’s health but say a lack of clear evidence leaves families in the dark, UKRI public dialogue found.

Police forces in England and Wales are struggling to effectively investigate online child sexual abuse and manage registered sex offenders, as rising demand continues to exceed resources, a new report has found.

This blog gives an overview of the key regulations and timescales. Our regulation of homelessness services webpage delves deeper into each area and implications for providers. 

The IEA’s Head of Lifestyle Economics, Dr Christopher Snowdon, commented on the Advertising Standards Authority banning its first food advertisements under the government’s new advertising restrictions

The largest 3D map of the Universe is a major milestone in understanding the force driving cosmic expansion.

Dr Layla McCay responds to findings on NHS administration and communications.