LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Building contractor Tahir Haq overstated his company Integral Maintenance Team Ltd's turnover by almost £200,000 to obtain a £50,000 Bounce Back loan when it was only entitled to just over £3,000 * He then failed to provide evidence that all of the funds were used for the economic benefit of his business * The High Court banned Haq as a company director for 11 years and ordered him to repay all th...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: A crucial new coastal defence scheme that will protect thousands of homes and businesses from flooding has been launched at Pevensey Bay beach. The Environment Agency met community representatives on Friday 27 June to launch the short-term Pevensey coastal defence phase of the broader Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management scheme. The short-term project will manage the 8.5km Pevensey Bay frontage for the ...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Three dangerous, terrorist groups will be banned under plans announced by the Home Secretary today. A draft proscription order has been laid in Parliament which will proscribe Palestine Action (PA), as well as two further groups: the Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC) and the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM).  This will make it a criminal offence to be a member of one of these groups or to invite or recklessly expre...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Technology Secretary Peter Kyle announces plans for the Regulatory Innovation Office to work with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum to cut red tape, and support fintech innovation, fuelling our Plan for Change * RIO push includes backing for new tech to help innovators use AI to better navigate complex digital regulations, from fintech to consumer services * UK's world-leading fintech sector supported th...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Passing on a previously used laptop might seem like a simple act of generosity-but at Sellafield, when it comes to boosting educational attainment, our laptop recycling scheme is helping bridge the digital divide across our local communities. The initiative, in partnership with our IT supplier Atos and Information Services Organisation (ISO), is now in its fourth year of repurposing decommissioned laptops-which a...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, in her role as Chair of the Transition Board sought endorsement from the Board for the development of an £11.67 million Economic Growth and Investment Fund. £6.67 million will be provided by UK Government and £5 million from Tata Steel UK. This joint funding is aimed to boost inward business investment in the region and to support longer-term g...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * UK Defence Innovation begins work today to streamline delivery of innovative technology to Armed Forces personnel. * £400 million annual budget will help create high-skilled jobs in the dual-use technology sector and turbocharge growth, as part of the government's Plan for Change. * UK Strategic Command will be renamed Cyber & Specialist Operations Command to reflect its evolved role and enhanced responsibi...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Thank You Mr Vice President, We commend Fiji's engagement with the UPR process. We welcome Fiji's establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to promote healing, truth telling and national unity. The UK is pleased to have provided legal and communications assistance to support these efforts. The UK recognises the emphasis Fiji places on freedom of expression and assembly. We encourage Fiji to go furt...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Sir Brian Leveson as the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) for a third three-year term, with effect from 20th October 2025. Sir Brian was appointed as the second IPC in October 2019, succeeding Sir Adrian Fulford. Before retiring as a senior judge in 2019, he was President of the Queen's Bench Division and Head of Criminal Justice for England and Wales. Th...
LONDON, July 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Kenya, William Ruto, to Downing Street today. The leaders began by celebrating the new UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership, which will see both countries work together to drive economic growth and strengthen regional security. Turning to migration, the Prime Minister and President welcomed a new UK-Kenya security agreement to disrupt organised immigration crime and human t...