WIREDGOV

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) today published its advice for parliamentarians considering the UK government’s Employment Rights Bill.

A GP from Salford has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting women whilst examining them.

Senior health and care leaders in Cheshire and Merseyside are collaborating to ensure innovations deliver the greatest possible impact on services.

The Disorder Podcast – a top 20 UK Podcast currently co-produced by Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts and dedicated to understanding the 'novel historical era of The Global Enduring Disorder' – has recently partnered with RUSI.

Statement given yesterday in response to AI Action Plan.

The government will consult on proposals to protect hospitals, railways and public services from ransomware attacks.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have today published guidance for the next series of thematic visits looking at how well children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are being supported.

Amendments to 2 maritime codes: International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG).

The Defence Committee has today (14 January) published a report on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), welcoming the programme’s progress but cautioning the need to stay on track to meet the in-service target date of 2035.

Turkey’s post-Assad ambitions face mounting risks as it backs Syria’s new rulers while navigating the challenges of sectarian violence, a potential Islamic State resurgence, and Kurdish hostility.

Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled.

As the Renters' Rights Bill reaches the next stage of the legislative process in the House of Commons, a range of organisations across the private rental market have issued a joint letter expressing their concerns as regards the Government’s proposal to restrict the amount of rent landlords can request ‘up front’.

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

Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, will lead a review to understand how Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) is currently used in schools across Wales.

The AdBlue manufacturer was fined £3,600 after pollution from its Weston-super-Mare site killed 345 fish, with a former employee being blamed for the incident.

The UK will benefit from boosts to trade and further cooperation on tackling illegal migration as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani visits Downing Street.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, yesterday joined Defence Ministers in Helenów, Poland, from the Group of Five nations: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK.

The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards are open for SMEs to enter until 9 March.

Over £1.2m of grant funding will help tackle litter across Wales and clean up our streets.

Statement given yesterday by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UK-hosted UN Arria meeting on violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees.

The CMA has launched a consultation on its draft Annual Plan for 2025/26, inviting consumers, businesses and investors to help shape its priorities for the year ahead.

The First Minster of Wales Eluned Morgan yesterday welcomed the announcement from the UK Government of a multi-billion-pound investment in Artificial Intelligence.

The owner of a Lincolnshire hand car wash has been banned as a company director for five years after employing illegal workers.

Statement to the Scottish Parliament about support with fuel costs in winter.

The UK Government yesterday unveiled an ambitious new approach to artificial intelligence that aims to strengthen the UK's global competitiveness in AI development and adoption.

Smart data scheme could give people greater control over their energy use and help save money on bills.

NHS staff have ramped up the flu vaccination campaign by jabbing almost a quarter of a million more people this winter compared to last winter.

We have published our inaugural set of climate-related financial disclosures. 

More than £1 million of Welsh Government funding is being made available to boost the marine, fisheries and aquaculture industry in Wales.

The Foreign Secretary is in Saudi Arabia to meet Arab and international partners to drive forward international coordination on Syria.  

Ofgem’s Board has extended Jonathan Brearley’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to 31 January 2030.  

£1 million of funding awarded to 16 ed tech companies to build teacher AI tools for feedback and marking, driving high and rising education standards.

Dame Sue Bruce will chair the review of Creative Scotland, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced.

The Health and Social Care Committee has today published the Government’s response to the predecessor committee’s report on Pharmacy and has written back to the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, to follow up on particular issues raised in the report and response.

As we start a new year, it feels timely to reflect on all that has been achieved in connections reform during 2024.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a speech this morning on the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Report on the 2024 Clyde Cod Closure, detailing both scientific and compliance work carried out in support of this management measure.

Sanctions have hindered Russia's military capabilities by raising procurement costs, increasing reliance on allies and straining its economy – despite Moscow’s evasion efforts.

Statement on legal agreement with McDonald's (08 January 2024).

Plans that would see landlords in Wales have to pay compensation to tenants who have been served with an eviction notice have been branded absurd by the NRLA.

A former takeaway worker who laundered the proceeds of fraud, which saw her rise from living above a restaurant to residing in a multi-million pound rented house, in an affluent part of North London, has been ordered to pay back more than £3.1 million or face extra time in jail.

“Feel the hwyl. Only in Wales” - Visit Wales’ latest campaign - officially kicks off today with a call to visitors from far and wide to celebrate and experience joyful and fun moments unique to Wales.

The Solicitor General issues a reminder that the Restriction Order issued by the independent inquiry contains provisions restricting the publication of certain material.

Forecasts from the Met Office help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in its mission to save lives at sea.

Major electromagnetic technology trial demonstrated deception and countermeasures in both offensive and defensive capacities.

Over three million more women are active now than when our campaign began in 2015.

Trump’s economic policies may prove surprisingly benign in the short term. But steps that undermine domestic US institutions and international alliances would do serious and lasting damage.

OS believes the outdoors is the ultimate gym and has launched a new campaign encouraging people to exercise in the fresh air this winter instead of the gym.

A manufacturer in Sheffield has been fined after a steel pallet landed on an employee, leaving him permanently disabled.

Our response to the final report by the Independent Expert Group for the Unlocking the Value of Data programme. The aim of the programme is to unlock the value of Scotland’s public sector personal data in secure, ethical and transparent ways, to realise public benefit.

Ukraine has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) is already delivering military advantage in conflict and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) should embrace the change AI is bringing to defence, a report by the Defence Committee has found.

Artificial intelligence will deliver a decade of national renewal, as part of a new plan announced today (13 January 2025).

Online searches for NHS advice on common childhood illnesses surged in 2024, according to new figures compiled by NHS England.

Closer financial services links with China to support secure and resilient growth in UK as government’s number one mission.

Wales’ leading doctor Sir Dr Frank Atherton has announced he will stand down after 8 and half years as the Welsh Government’s Chief Medical Officer.

The FCA has fined Arian Financial LLP (Arian) £288,962.53 for failing to ensure it had effective systems and controls against financial crime.

Get involved with our sustainability work in 2025!

We have finished our investigation into the actions of officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police during an incident in Poplar, east London, where a man was Tasered and his two dogs fatally shot after police responded to a report that a woman and her dog had been attacked.

The NRLA has provided its response to the Welsh Government accepting a number of recent recommendations made by the Senedd’s Housing & Local Government Select Committee on the future of the Welsh PRS.  

Flu combined with other winter viruses and staff sickness is making a challenging winter even more difficult.

An export bar has been placed on a Sutton Scotney Iron Age brooch that is at risk of leaving the United Kingdom

Joint statement from the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States on a peace agreement in South Sudan.

Gwent Police needs to improve the oversight of its custody services and how it manages risk to keep detainees safe, the police inspectorate has said.

The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into Community Accountancy Self Help over a repeated pattern of failures in submitting accounting information.

Sofia Parente, head of policy (production) WWF reacted to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs speech at Oxford Farming Conference

New DSIT commissioned research suggests the digital identity sector in the UK is projected to achieve approximately £4 billion in revenue by 2030

Those using the platform Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation are being warned they could be targeted with emails or messages requesting payments from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters. Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.

2024 was the warmest year on record globally and the first year that was likely more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels: a stark reminder global temperatures are continuing to rise.

How to apply for compensation if you were a victim of the terrorist attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 1 January 2025.

Police officers who followed an e-bike in Salford before it was involved in a fatal collision acted in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation concluded.

A new cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events are among measures that have been announced by the government today.

The Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS) has announced the CDLS Commendations 2024 recipients.

A ceasefire that leaves Ukraine unprotected would only provide a pause before a wider war. Washington and Kyiv must agree viable security guarantees before any negotiations with Putin begin.

The UK government is pushing forward with defunding Level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to a Master’s) through the Growth and Skills levy.

The recognition lavished on Angola’s President João Lourenço by the outgoing US administration exposes the West’s failure to champion democracy over strategic convenience in Africa.

Thousands of parents and children across England will be able to give their child the best start in life thanks to a £126 million government funding boost.

A man has been charged after drugs and money were seized from a car and flat in west London.

Today FSCS publishes its Budget Update, which outlines its proposed 2025/26 management expenses.

Extra funding confirmed today will support the recovery of the equivalent of 266 rugby pitches of seagrass by 2030.

As Children’s Commissioner, I want England to be the best place for children to grow up, where every child can be safe, healthy and happy.

In their September 2024 joint report on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s super-complaint about the police response to stalking, HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing made recommendations for organisations across policing to improve their response to the crime of stalking.

Top UK business leaders will spearhead a major new drive to get thousands of offenders into stable jobs and away from a life of crime.

First Minister says harm reduction approach will help save lives.

To protect the innovation and emerging technologies critical to Western military advantage, the US Bureau of Industry and Security must reconsider its expectations for banks.

Charity Commission worked closely with West Midlands Police to support investigation into individuals connected to Sikh Youth UK.

Eligible Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employees will receive a substantial pay rise in 2024/25, with agreement including key reforms and modernisation.

Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys made between 17 January and 31 March 2025 across Great Britain.

While engaging with China’s leaders can be beneficial, it must be underpinned by a clear strategy to counter covert influence and manage the risks of economic and technological dependencies.

The government's target to drive removal of foreign criminals and immigration offenders to highest level since 2018 has been smashed, with 16,400 people removed.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have announced a new initiative to enhance cyber skills and explore innovative ways to secure the UK against cyber attacks.

The Institute of Economic Affairs is proud to announce the republication of the seminal “No Room! No Room! The Costs of the British Town and Country Planning System”, by the late Professor Alan Evans. Originally published in 1988, this hard-hitting analysis of the planning system can be considered the original manifesto of “YIMBYism”.   

Telford’s skilled manufacturing base is helping equip soldiers with high-tech equipment and drive the government’s growth mission, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has said.

Tai ar y Cyd, a collaboration of 23 Welsh social landlords, have produced a groundbreaking pattern book that will help make building homes in Wales more sustainable, energy efficient and cost effective.

The CIPD urges employers to offer flexible working options during periods of cold weather and travel disruption

A Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation has found Brentwood council has been gatekeeping access to its homelessness services when people approach it for help.

New work looks at funding for education in England in 2025–26.

A Met police officer is due to appear in court this week on an assault charge, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).  

A London charity has been issued with an Official Warning over a fundraising campaign in support of a soldier of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

All Scottish councils must learn from the weaknesses that allowed an Aberdeen City Council employee’s £1.1 million fraud go undetected over 17 years.

Deputy First Minister tells conference he will 'always stand up for a fair and sustainable future for farmers'.

Sarah Arnold, Senior Policy Lead at The King’s Fund, responded to the latest monthly NHS performance data and latest NHS weekly winter sit reps 

Taxpayers and military families will benefit from a deal to bring more than 36,000 military houses back into public ownership, which has formally completed today.

Amber Cold-Health Alerts are in place for all regions of England starting midday 2 January.

25 businesses adopting emissions-cutting projects supported with £51.9 million as part of Plan for Change to drive economic growth and rebuild Britain.

The Environment Agency has urged people to stay vigilant to the risk of flooding and stay away from swollen rivers.

It comes as a further £190m for the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine was announced following further pledges from allies

A former Lincolnshire Police officer would have been dismissed if still serving for his use of force on a man at a roadside following an apparent road rage incident. 

Victims of anti-social behaviour are to get better information and access to support.

Two men have been charged as part of a joint National Crime Agency and NHS England investigation into the creation and online sale of fraudulent Covid 19 vaccination records during the pandemic.

Environment Secretary to set out his vision to boost farmers’ profitability and sustainability as part of the Plan for Change.

The UK government is introducing new laws to ban the creation of sexually explicit "deepfake" images. 

The UK will develop a new sanctions regime to cripple people smuggling crime rings and starve them of illicit finance fuelling their operations.

NHS staff experienced the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance services last year, new figures show today, as flu continues to pile pressure on hospitals into 2025.

The Charity Commission has launched statutory inquiries into TBF Trust, Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life, Reconciliation Trust and Servants Fellowship International (SFI).

Wales has had a long and close relationship with Japan since the first investments in Wales by Japanese companies in the 1970s.

Improving water bill reductions for single people living with medical conditions which rely on higher levels of water use is among a raft of sweeping changes to the WaterSure support scheme, being proposed by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).

The government will seek expert advice on reclassifying ketamine to become a Class A substance.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, addresses the 2025 Oxford Farming Conference.

Read techUK member Okta's guest insight into how identity and access management can bolster the public sector.

The responses to the recommendations made in the  Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing report into the Suzy Lamplugh Trust super-complaint regarding the police response to stalking have been published.

The Egni Economic Impact Project, a project funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), has delivered a range of successful outcomes for the low-carbon sector across North Wales.

Major reforms to protect thousands of vulnerable children hidden from sight took another crucial step forward yesterday.

As AI systems gain human-like capabilities, organisations must tackle emerging risks from AI insiders, drawing on insights from managing human insider risks to enhance security.

Putin’s government considers inflation an existential threat. But Trump’s preoccupation with China may prevent the US exploiting Russian weakness.

Following the publication of amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill proposed by the Government, the NRLA has issued its response to the news that the Government seeks to restrict the amount of rent landlords can request ‘up front’ from tenants.

The UK Government has announced a full asset freeze against Blood and Honour.

Optimism in the FS sector fell at the quickest pace since September 2022, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. That is despite business volumes growing at a faster pace in the quarter to December.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s (APCC’s) Joint Leads for Victims have welcomed the government’s announcement that it plans to make the creation of sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ images of adults a criminal offence, along with the introduction of new offences of taking an intimate image without consent and installing equipment with the intent to commit these offences.

Homes and businesses across Wales will no longer be stuck with slow internet speeds as the UK Government’s rollout of gigabit connectivity races ahead.

We are delighted to announce that the new techUK Central Government Council members have been elected.