WIREDGOV

Eight West Yorkshire Police (WYP) officers have been dismissed following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into discriminatory, offensive and bullying messages shared on WhatsApp. 

It will be a wet and windy weekend for many, with very strong winds in the north of Scotland.

The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life.

Synopsys’ purchase of Ansys raises competition concerns in the supply of semiconductor chip design and light simulation products in the UK – but deal could be approved by the CMA if its concerns are resolved.

The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes has given a statement on the situation in the Great Lakes region.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is proud to celebrate the extensive support it has provided to UK’s fishing and seafood industry in 2024 through various administered grant schemes.

We have summarised the work we have done protecting and promoting the public interest during 2022/23 in our latest annual reports.

UK Export Finance supports financing deal which will secure UK contracts for cable protection systems and the charter of an installation vessel.

Homeless Link is proud to join forces with Inside Housing, launching the Reset Homelessness campaign, which calls for a systemic review of homelessness funding in England, ahead of the Labour government’s first Spending Review in spring.

Joint statement between the governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia

UK accedes to CPTPP potentially boosting the Welsh economy by £110 million.

We are aware of the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision to take no further action against police officers involved in a series of arrests at Manchester Airport on 23 July.

Consultation launched on improving safety in the sector.

Two FCA investigations involving unauthorised debt and claims management activities have resulted in arrests.

Two men have been charged with offences after an incident at Manchester Airport on 23 July 2024.

The measures are backed by the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an extra £889m on top of the existing budget for general practice

Retailers reported a moderate fall in year-on-year sales volumes for December, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This marked the third month in a row in which annual sales declined.

UK Gov backs deal by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to save 350 Scottish jobs at yards in Fife and on Lewis, safeguarding cornerstone of defence and clean energy

The Serious Fraud Office today charged five men following the collapse of the law firm Axiom Ince and alleged improper use of over £60 million of client money. 

A former West Mercia Police officer has been found guilty of two counts of misconduct in public office and a computer misuse offence, following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

Additional £1.1 million for people impacted by crime.

End of term celebrations are taking place across schools in Wales this week where, for the first time, all primary school children are entitled to a free Christmas meal.

On 18 December 2024, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced the 2025/26 funding allocations for local authorities on homelessness.

For the first time, NICE has recommended an innovative new treatment to help stop babies, children and young people who are undergoing cancer treatment from losing their hearing.

Criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system.

Councils will receive £1.6 billion in funding to repair roads and fill potholes to start to reverse a decade of decline on our roads.

The UK and Norwegian governments are to share best practice and new technologies to detect and expose eavesdropping devices.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the actions of Essex Police officers prior to the death of a man who had been Tasered, has found that their actions were necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.

Flu levels are rising at a worrying rate, with high levels of other viruses circulating as well.

Thirteen UK research projects that will address urgent global energy and climate challenges have been funded through the Ayrton Challenge Programme.

The FCA has set out plans to simplify the information supplied to investors to boost confidence and drive investment.

Charlotte Wickens, Policy Adviser at The King’s Fund, commented on the latest Estates Returns Information Collection data for 2023/24  

A £1m habitat restoration project designed to boost both wildlife and water quality in Stockton-on-Tees has been finalised.

Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, responds to Ofwat’s final price determinations

On 17 December 2024, DSIT published their latest Call for Evidence: the Technology Adoption Review, which will take evidence on digital adoption in the Industrial Strategy’s eight key growth sectors until Monday 14 February. techUK will respond to this consultation.  

The FCA has called for people who may have invested in fraudulent peer-to-peer firm Collateral to come forward to the regulator so they can receive an apology.

The government must exert its authority over the whole asylum system and avoid short-sighted measures aimed at conjuring an illusion of control, says a new Institute for Government report.

Wales’ Workforce Partnership Council have shared new guidance on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) across public sector workplaces.

Rory Deighton responds to NHS England's announcement that hundreds of thousands of older and frail patients will receive urgent treatment from home.

Trading Standards issue pre-Christmas safety warning to consumers to be on guard from deadly toys, exploding batteries and electric shock from dangerous electrical products

Tube station to re-open before Christmas after essential work to replace its two ageing escalators

Safe and warm hubs are providing vital support this winter, offering welcoming spaces for people to stay warm, connect with others, and access advice and services during difficult times.

New figures reveal that three in 10 UK adults (29%) don’t know how to wipe their personal information from an old device or tech product.

Alpesh Paleja, Interim Deputy Chief Economist, CBI, responds to MPC decision on interest rates - December 2024

The UK has designated five Georgian officials for serious human rights violations.

Ofsted has today published the first monitoring report on 132 commitments made in the Big Listen and the response to Dame Christine Gilbert’s independent learning review.

We’ve issued final draft guidance recommending a new once-a-day tablet that is set to benefit around 1,100 people with a type of advanced breast cancer. 

In October 2023, Thames Water made interim dividend payments totalling £37.5 million to its holding company, Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited. In March 2024, the company made further dividend payments amounting to £158.3 million from which they received non-cash benefits

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles, responds to latest NHS Wales performance data: October and November 2024

Views sought on benefits from renewable energy developments.

The Defence Secretary outlined his five principles for supporting Ukraine next year during a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday

£100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices and £26 million to support children and young people’s hospices.

Thousands more homes across the country will be delivered quicker and more easily thanks to new planning changes announced today.

Yesterday, Google announced to organisations that use its advertising products, that from 16 February 2025, it will no longer prohibit them from employing fingerprinting techniques.

Spending plans to be scrutinised by Parliament.

Flu cases in hospital have already surpassed last year’s peak as festive infections “flood” hospitals early this winter.

The Diversity in Sport Governance 2024 report was commissioned by us, along with UK Sport, and conducted by Perrett Laver and provides a detailed breakdown of the makeup of more boards and senior leadership teams of sports organisations

NICE is proposing changes to its routing criteria for Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) to ensure more consistent, predictable and transparent decisions.

Navantia has agreed a commercial deal to purchase all four of Harland & Wolff's shipyards, securing 1,000 UK shipbuilding jobs.

An Official Statistics in Development publication for Scotland.

Substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment are set to be delivered through a £104bn upgrade for the water sector, Ofwat announced today (19 December)

We have issued a warning to law firms, especially those engaged in high volume claims work, about prohibited marketing practices, such as cold calling, door knocking and directly targeted online messaging.

The Office of Rail and Road believes good progress has been made over the past year in the quality of information provided about planned rail replacement bus services, but concerns remain with the passenger experience during the actual journey.

The NHS has been putting plans in place to prepare for the busy winter period – from same day emergency care, live data centres open 24 hours a data and huge vaccination efforts.

A man from Monmouth in Wales has been sentenced to nine years in prison after National Crime Agency investigators proved he had been paying for the live streamed abuse of children

Former trustees of an international aid charity disqualified by Charity Commission.

The Food Standards Agency has released new data about cooking and preparing food at home, and cooking for others on occasions such as Christmas. Are you guilty of any of these bad habits? Check our advice to avoid giving your guests food poisoning this Christmas.

The FCA has charged John Dance with 9 criminal offences, including multiple counts of fraud and money laundering.

State of the art learning campus opens in Fife.

HMICFRS has published part one of its review of the police response to the public disorder during the summer.

The case for a new single social tariff to end water poverty has never been more compelling after Ofwat announced the average water bill is set to rise by 36% over the next five years.

A temporary export bar has been placed on the Fairhaven panels by Flemish artist De Vély

15 community groups will be awarded up to £10,000 each to turn their ideas into viable projects to support Cymraeg in their communities.

National Flood Advisory Service to be established.

Police forces must be better prepared to plan for and tackle serious violence and disorder, the police inspectorate has warned, following a review of the police’s response to disorder in the summer.

A new taskforce, led by Baroness Shriti Vadera and Sir Peter Bazalgette, to help deliver a plan to grow the creative industries met for the first time yesterday.

“Play is a critical part of a child’s development. No children should be missing out on it because of a lack of access to toys.”

Following an increasing number of cases of avian influenza in poultry and kept birds, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has declared a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service over festive period.

Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement published yesterday will provide £69 billion for councils across the country.

Government takes action to strengthen Great Britain's energy regulator.

The UK Government more than doubles funding to support Port Talbot steel businesses and workers.

Changes increase accountability and transparency  

Former police officer Lewis Edwards and his mother Rebekah Edwards have been sentenced after attempting to conceal crucial evidence following an online child abuse and blackmail case.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has laid its Annual Report and Accounts before parliament (on 16 December), for the period April 2023 – March 2024.

Latest research reveals that young investors are making important investment decisions in a matter of hours, rather than taking the time to check out whether the product is right for them in the long-term.

Government has made progress in collecting repayments of COVID-era support loans issued to the sports and culture sectors – although risks remain to future recoveries and whether the repayments can be managed at scale, according to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.1,2

Commitment to openness and transparency.

The Princess Royal visited 29 Regiment The Royal Logisitc Corps (RLC) at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks in South Cerney.

What do an 18th century chest used to select jury members, a Crimean war medal, and a box of mouches (beauty spots) from Paris have in common?

Proposals for a new platform - The Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) - on which shares in private companies will be bought and sold have been set out by the FCA. 

In May 2024 the previous UK government launched a call for input seeking examples of policies or guidance which wrongly suggest that people have a legal right to access all single-sex spaces and services according to their self-identified gender. 

Manufacturing output volumes fell at the fastest pace since mid-2020 in the quarter to December, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect another steep drop in output over the next three months.

Two brothers have had their retrials dropped after their convictions were overturned in 2023 following a reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).  

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, yesterday announced an extension of the Help to Buy Wales scheme, providing continued support for prospective homeowners and the housebuilding industry.

The roll-out of Martha’s Rule in NHS hospitals in England has already begun triggering “potentially life-saving changes in care” for patients, Martha Mills’ parents and the NHS yesterday announced.
 

Bill will strengthen democratic process.

Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, responds to latest inflation data for November 2024

We've recognised pickleball as a sport and Pickleball England as its national governing body.

Major roadworks to carry out essential maintenance work on the A487 near Newport, Pembrokeshire, for eight weeks are set to begin from 6 January 2025.

The Council has yesterday published a new guideline for judges and magistrates sentencing strangulation and suffocation offences in England and Wales. We have also published the Council’s response to our public consultation on the draft guideline.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) confirmed yesterday (Tuesday 17 December 2024) that more support and resources will be made available in the new year for teachers preparing candidates for Higher History in 2025.

This briefing outlines techUK’s position on the changes proposed by the Government to the automated decision making (ADM) regime, as outlined in Clause 80 of the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The briefing also highlights the potential benefits of ADM for the broader economy. techUK supports these reforms. 

Station due to re-open in temporary state on Friday 20 December

We have received an update this afternoon from Stena that the Port of Holyhead will not reopen until 15 January at the earliest following the damage sustained during Storm Darragh.

Hundreds of trees have been planted inside the grounds of a hospital in Cumbria to help improve health and well-being.

The Lord Chancellor has announced that courts can now sit up to 108,500 days this year, helping to tackle the court backlog.

Scottish Secretary chooses Ukrainian schoolgirl’s artwork for Christmas card

Councils across England will receive almost £1 billion of new funding next year to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness.

The Home Secretary has announced a package of measures to better protect the public and young people from youth radicalisation.

People with back, joint, and muscle issues living in areas with the worst waiting lists for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are set to be treated quicker and supported back into employment as the Government gets Britain working.

The Bus Services Bill will overhaul how bus services operate, delivering on our commitment to improve living standards across the country.

Ofsted yesterday published 3 additional recordings of school inspector training materials, following on from the first collection published earlier this term.

The UK has provided £35 million of emergency support to help Ukraine repair its energy grid and support the most vulnerable through a third winter of war, the Prime Minister yesterday announced.

A major deal to bring the Armed Forces housing estate back into public ownership has been agreed by the government.

Education Secretary and Business Secretary host call with business leaders from a range of key sectors to outline how the Plan for Change will deliver for them.

In Scotland there are 21,606 second homes and 43,538 properties empty for more than 6 months.

Data shows 6.3 million properties in England in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water

The gap between women and men choosing Computing degrees is the smallest it has ever been, analysis by the professional body has found.

We’re asking for your views on how we share some of our statistics.

New records reveal how algorithmic tools are being used in public services to enhance citizen support, enable quick and accurate decision-making, and drive technological improvements in critical government services.

There was a 12% decrease in all sector housebuilding starts and a 10% decrease in completions between 2023 and 2024 (year ending September).

There were 11,751 local authority housing stock units vacant as of  31 March 2024.

APCC Chair, Emily Spurrell has responded to the government’s white paper on devolution in England.

The NHS is urging those eligible for vaccination to come forward without delay before the National Booking Service closes this Thursday (19 December).

Raft of new powers will enable Mayors to drive economic growth, raise living standards and deliver better services across England.

CBI yesterday responded to English Devolution White Paper – December 2024.

Annual stocking of 52,000 fish is a gift to SE anglers this Xmas. Presents of roach, barbel, chub, dace & native crucian carp delivered to local rivers.

A Blackburn-based engineering company has been fined £80,000 after a man described as ‘caring and loving’ by his family was killed after being crushed under a machine.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is asking passengers to complete a short questionnaire to share their experiences of being penalised for travelling by train, either for travelling without a ticket at all or without a valid ticket.

Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill introduced to Parliament today, putting children’s interests at the heart of government policy.

Refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants in Glasgow are benefitting from English classes to help them integrate into communities, supported by £500,000 in Scottish Government funding which will help 800 learners.

Once reserved for nation-state actors, advanced and persistent cyber tactics are now common among cybercriminals, making them equally devastating in today’s threat landscape.

Government acts decisively to force water companies to double the compensation paid to customers and businesses for service failures. 

The Environment Agency has today (17 December) published details of its National Assessment of Flood and Coastal Erosion risk in England.

The King has approved the award of His Majesty’s Gold Medal for Poetry for the year 2024 to George Szirtes. 

Over £12m of grants will be awarded in 2025 to 2026 to a range of organisations to support curriculum priorities, including extra funding for literacy and numeracy projects.

Up to £820,000 is being made available to help projects protect and enhance their local fisheries.

Events in Syria have undermined Moscow’s claims to be a reliable security guarantor. But Russia’s position in the country remains secondary to the war in Ukraine.

Defence Business Services, on behalf of the MOD, is responsible for delivering a range of services and support for UK Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

Dstl scientists work in partnership with the UK armed forces and industry to ensure that future warfighters have the best air combat capability.

The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The ICO are calling on all water companies to proactively publish information relating to sewage discharges each month.

A woman has been sentenced after throwing a milkshake at a prospective Member of Parliament during a campaign event earlier this year.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak has responded to today’s (Tuesday) labour market data, which show ongoing challenges with falling jobs and vacancies.

The government has announced the members of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, as the government looks to deliver long-term growth in key sectors.

World’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe to receive vital assistance.

Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the first neutrons produced at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (ISIS).

National Parks and National Landscapes empowered to deliver more for people and nature with new legislation pledged.

In the sixth and final episode of Unlocking Opportunities, our live show series in partnership with FE News, we explored the transformative power of further education (FE) in fostering inclusivity and addressing key barriers in education and skills development. 

The government is on track to deliver highest number of returns for 5 years as nearly 13,500 removed from the UK since election.

Families and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of food will receive vital support this winter through £1.7 million of additional funding from the Welsh Government.

The arrest in Wales is part of a wider investigation into suspected illegal and unsafe meat by FSA’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).

All In, an arts access scheme for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people in the UK and Ireland, recently launched its pilot programme in Leeds last week.  

A report by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) finds that local areas are working hard to improve support for young people with SEND, but systemic challenges are limiting their ability to prepare these young people for adulthood.

The government has extended the existing Home Building Fund beyond March next year.

The Scottish Government Budget will prioritise patients and drive improvements to the NHS, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence delivered its first climate-focused strategic wargame, with results that have implications for the Strategic Defence Review.

The Children’s Commissioner is calling for immediate action to stop hundreds of children from being housed illegally in settings including caravans and holiday rentals, at exorbitant cost to local authorities.

A new analysis of reablement care provision in two local authorities in Wales indicates that such services can result in fewer people needing long term care plans.

Blog posted by: Warren Seddon is the Director of FOI at the ICO, 16 December 2024.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves confirms the Spring forecast will take place on Wednesday 26 March.

Ambitious new Green Industrial Partnership will see enhanced cooperation across a range of sectors, including future clean energy innovations.  

Last week, we learned about the Prime Minister’s six key milestones when he introduced his new plan for change. 

Landmark English Devolution White Paper set to unleash power from Whitehall back into local communities that know their areas best

The government aims to achieve a flexible clean energy system by 2030. Building and upgrading the electricity transmission network is essential to reaching this.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in its role as the Agency for UK REACH, recently set out proposals (PDF) to be considered by government ministers in England, Scotland and Wales to restrict the supply and certain outdoor uses of lead ammunition in Great Britain. 

People in the UK will be better protected from illegal harms online, as tech firms are now legally required to start taking action to tackle criminal activity on their platforms, and make them safer by design. 

Financial readiness – guidance for public sector suppliers on how to prepare for financial assessment during the procurement process.

The Scottish Mentoring and Leadership Programme (SMLP) supports disadvantaged youth through MCR Pathways, a mentoring program improving education and life skills, and Columba 1400, which fosters leadership and confidence.

Failings in UK policing have left victims feeling betrayed, prompting calls for the use of restorative practice to rebuild trust, address harm and prioritise humanity over bureaucracy.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has come into force.

Our recent collaboration with NCFE focused on how tagging – an innovative tool within Pupil Progress – enables the assignment of students to groups based on shared learning needs or strategic goals, such as "English 4+ but not Maths."

The FCA has set out proposals for extra support for millions of UK savers to help them make better decisions about their pensions.

techUK’s Public Services Board has elected its new Chair and Deputy Chair.

The Environment Agency’s £29m Stallingborough 3 sea defence improvements project between Immingham and Grimsby has reached a significant milestone.

The Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) announced a comprehensive restructure to enhance competence and safety standards across the built environment.

The Met Office outlook for 2025 suggests that it is likely to be one of the three warmest years for global average temperature, falling in line just behind 2024 and 2023.

Have your say on the proposal to implement the globally agreed international aviation carbon offsetting scheme (CORSIA) in the UK.

The International Development Committee has endorsed the appointment of the new Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) Jillian Popkins, in a report published today.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is appealing for witnesses as we investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a child at the Camden Road overground station, north west London, in September.

Turkey feels its longstanding support of the Syrian opposition has now been vindicated. But its increased influence in Damascus also comes with significant responsibilities.

This report was issued in December 2024 and covers the time period 1 November 2024 to 30 November 2024 inclusive.

A new approach to development and the environment will boost the number of homes being built

Up to 100% non-domestic rates relief for hospitality businesses on Scotland’s islands and specified remote areas will continue in 2025-26, subject to the Budget passing.

We explore the ongoing debate around NICE’s cost-effectiveness thresholds and what the future holds.

A man who tried to smuggle £4m worth of ketamine into the UK has been jailed for three years and nine months after National Crime Agency (NCA) officers recovered footage of him buying wood to conceal the drugs.

An IOPC investigation into an incident where armed police arrested a 13-year-old boy who had been playing with a water pistol, has found that the actions of the officers involved were reasonable in the circumstances.

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan lays out a comprehensive roadmap for the future of energy in the UK, focusing on achieving a sustainable, secure, and economically beneficial energy system.

New funding that will support more people into work has been welcomed by the CIPD in Wales and Transport for Wales, who share a commitment to help create fair work and quality jobs.

New pan-UKRI research data policy framework will maximise the value of data arising from UKRI funding and support an open research and innovation culture.

A rapid review conducted by Public Health Wales in collaboration with Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre has identified interventions that may help support the challenges faced by individuals with obesity on long waiting lists for healthcare services in Wales.

We have published two new thematic reviews into professional obligations, and probate and estate administration. 

The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on policy development within the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) Programme and DESNZ's vision of electricity market reform sits alongside the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

A new report from the Local Government Association (LGA), SOLACE, and CIPFA calls for urgent reform of the local government funding system, highlighting that an outdated and complex funding model is hindering councils’ ability to plan effectively and meet the growing needs of their communities.

A research team led by the University of Liverpool has developed an innovative new technique that can rapidly assess paracetamol levels from saliva.

As the festive season gets into full swing, experts at Public Health Wales are reminding people that while it's the season to share gifts, food and celebrations, sharing germs is a lot less fun and can have serious consequences for vulnerable people in our families and communities.

IPPR has reacted to the National Audit Office report on the rollout of public EV charging points

Britons spend only half as much time speaking on landline phones as we did five years ago. So why do most broadband customers still need to pay ‘line rental’, even if we don’t use our home phones?

Responding to Ofcom's announcement that Royal Mail is to be fined £10.5m for failing to meet its delivery targets in the 2023/24 financial year, Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice said: “Failing to hit a single delivery target for nearly five years is simply unacceptable by Royal Mail and it’s consumers left facing the consequences.