LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution and impact investor, has provided aUS$20 million loan facilitytoFirst National Bank Ghana (FNBG). The facility is aimed atexpanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)across Ghana. Speaking at the agreement signing event in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank, Warren Adams, ex...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Self Assessment customers can spread the cost of their tax bill with HMRC's Time to Pay service. * Almost 18,000 Self Assessment payment plans have been set up since 6 April. * The deadline to file and pay is 31 January 2026 - but it's best to act early. With the festive season upon us and some people's Christmas outgoings feeling the strain like Santa's belt after too many mince pies, HM Revenue and Customs (H...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We, the G7 Finance Ministers, held a virtual meeting on 8 December 2025, together with the Heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Financial Stability Board (FSB). We were also joined by Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Finance Ministers, or their representatives, from Australia, Chile, Mexico, In...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * The Brighton-based firm will supply cutting-edge microscopy systems to a medical school in Saudi Arabia * UKEF's Small Export Builder allows small businesses to obtain export insurance with a credit limit of up to £25,000 and build up to £100,000 as they establish a positive trading history with buyers Digital Pixel, a Brighton-based pioneer in advanced microscopy systems, has successfully entere...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Regulator of Social Housing(RSH)has launched a 12-week consultationtoday (Tuesday 9 December)on revisions to the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard(TI&Astandard),ConsumerStandardsCode of Practice,andthe Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs). TheMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)has alreadyconsultedon Competence and Conduct and Social Tenant Access to Information (STAI...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State for Justice has approved the appointment of Her Honour Anne Molyneux MBE as a judicial member of the Parole Board for a 5-year term from 6 December 2025. In addition, the Chair of the Parole Board, Alexandra Marks CBE, has designated Her Honour Anne Molyneux MBE as the Board's Vice Chair. The Vice Chair will be expected to share in the leadership and governance of the Parole Board. The Par...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the appointment of Mark Hamilton as member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). Mark Hamilton's appointment will be for a tenure of 5 years from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2030. The PSPRB provides the government with independent advice on the remuneration of operational prison staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as set out in The Prison Serv...
LONDON, Dec. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The UK Space Agency's new Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme (SECP) is delivered in partnership with 6 of the UK's local space clusters and managed by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. The programme provides targeted research and development funding alongside strategic and commercial business guidance. Supporting innovation and growth The 18 organisations will each receive up to £30,000 to invest in...
LONDON, Dec. 8 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * new Great British Railways brand unveiled - one railway, owned by the public, as landmarklegislation debated in Commons * reforms will bring the railways back into public ownership to deliver a more reliable network * sneak peek at visuals for theGBR ticketing app, which will allow you to buy ticketswithout booking fees, comes after government's freeze on rail fares to put money back in passengers' pockets Pass...
LONDON, Dec. 8 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Christopher Palmer, Canon Residentiary and Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, as Dean of Winchester, in succession to The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle following her retirement. Background Christopher was educated at University of Oxford and trained for ministry at St Stephen's House, Oxford. He served his title at All Saints, Emscote, in the Diocese of Coven...