LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Lance Percival,of Oxted, Surrey,hadhis sentence increased after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. The court heard that between 2020 and 2025, Percival regularlydrove avulnerablewoman tohersupport services. He repeatedly rapedand sexually assaultedthe victim over five years, knowingher vulnerabilitymeant she could notprovide consent. ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: From today (26 March), the inquiry will begin investigating the violence that arose between police and picketing miners at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984, resulting in 95 arrests and scores of injuries. Those arrested were charged with riot and unlawful assembly, but all charges were later dropped after police evidence was discredited. The terms of reference, which have been published today, were develop...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Specialist teams are beingestablishedto prevent unacceptable behaviour and sexual violence in the Armed Forces, alongside a significant uplift to victim support. An investment of more than £500,000will create five permanent new posts within the Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) at the Ministry of Defence, increasing its capacity to support around 100additionalcases each year. The VWCU provides independent, ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Sweet chestnut blight has been confirmed in Devon, the Forestry Commission has said today(Thursday 26 March). In response to the outbreak,the Forestry Commission has introduced restrictions on the movement of susceptible material in parts of SouthDevon from Thursday 2 April. These measures are designed to contain the disease and reduce the risk of further spread. Sweet chestnut blight is a destructive disease ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales - delivering a key manifesto commitment. A public consultation will open today on how to take the ban forward. Trail hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting. It became popular in the UK after the Hunting Act 2004 became law, as an alternative to traditional fox hunting. This c...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The government has today launched a consultation as part of its commitment to introduce mandatory certification for fire risk assessors in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Fire risk assessors perform a critical role in ensuring fire safety. Fire risk assessments help ensure hazards are identified and the right fire precautions delivered to keep people safe in the buildings where they live, work, and visi...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Visitors to England's National Nature Reserves (NNRs) now have even more reason to explore, after a remarkable discovery. A fungus never recordedbeforein the UK, has been found atthe 150-hectareKingleyVale National Nature Reserve in West Sussex.It comes almost 20 years after a similar discoveryin Spain. Blue-BasedEarthtongue,also known asMicroglossumcyanobasis,was spottedby a member of the public in the reserv...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Ahead of the Easter holidays, Brits are being advised to be aware of extra border checks - the EU's Entry Exit System (EES) - and allow additional time at the border when travelling to the EU. The EU has been gradually introducing new border checks, EES, since October last year. This replaces physical passport stamps. These border checks create a digital record of when non‑EU residents travel to theSchen...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Every year, £400 billion of public money is spent on government contracts. Spending that on Britain businesses and supporting British workers should be a no brainer. The honest truth is that for too long, that's not how it's worked. Doors have been effectively closed to many small businesses, start-ups and charities. Too many workers and communities have lost out. And too often, British businesses felt tha...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit (JEF) earlier today.   The leaders began by discussing opportunities to work more closely together on energy, technology, and defence, noting the long history of close cooperation between two countries.   The Prime ...