APPOINTMENT OF THE BISHOP OF DURHAM: 19 FEBRUARY 2026

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Richard (Rick) Simpson, Archdeacon of Auckland in the Diocese of Durham, for election as Bishop of Durham, in succession to The Right Reverend Paul Roger Butler, following his retirement. Background Rick was educated at Keble College, Oxford, and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St. Gabriel's Heaton, in the Diocese of New...


INTRODUCING THE ONE IPO ROADMAP

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The new service offers some clear upgrades over the old services - like the ability to see updates on your patentsalmost inreal-time - that give us a solid foundation to build on. However, we acknowledge that there are areas where the service needs to be improved and we will continue to address those. Below is our current roadmap of planned improvements. You can find out more about what the roadmap is, what it m...


SERIAL WASTE CROOK FORCED TO PAY OVER £1.4 MILLION FOR WIDESPREAD ILLEGAL DUMPING

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: A prolific waste criminal has been ordered to hand over more than £1.4 million for illegally dumping in excess of 4,275 tonnes of waste across England. A nationwide investigation by the Environment Agency uncovered a network of 16 illegal dumping sites, stretching from the northeast to the south coast. Farms, a historic manor house and a nature reserve were among the locations trashed. Varun Datta, 36, of ...


DAME ANTONIA ROMEO APPOINTED AS FIRST FEMALE CABINET SECRETARY AND HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO DRIVE CHANGE AND IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT'S AGENDA

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, following a process approved by the independent First Civil Service Commissioner. Dame Antonia is currently Permanent Secretary of the Home Office. Building on 25 years of public service leadership, as Cabinet Secretary she will lead the Civil Service to drive change and implement the government's agenda. ...


QUEEN ELIZABETH II NATIONAL MEMORIAL: PLANNING SUBMISSION TO WESTMINSTER COUNCIL

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Members of the public will be able to access the full planning application and provide comments on Westminster City Council's planning portal 26/00446/FULLand 26/00447/LBC. Full details of how to participate are available on the planning portal. Westminster City Council will consider the application in accordance with their standard procedures before providing a response in due course. To contact the Queen Eli...


VETERINARY MEDICINES DIGITAL SERVICE UPDATE: CHANGES TO REFERENCE PRODUCT SELECTION

LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We are making changes to the Veterinary Medicines Digital Service (VMDS) to improve the marketing authorisation application process. What's changing From 27 February 2026, applicants submitting generic, hybrid or informed consent marketing authorisation applications will only be able to select valid, authorised reference products within VMDS. This change will: * prevent incorrect or outdated reference product...


FENWICK SOLAR FARM DEVELOPMENT CONSENT DECISION ANNOUNCED

LONDON, Feb. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The schemecomprisesthe installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generating panels, associated electrical equipment, cabling and energy storage facilities together with grid connection infrastructure. The generating capacity of the Scheme will exceed 50MWand its maximum capacity isanticipatedto be 237.5MW. The application wassubmittedto the Planning Inspectorate for consideration byFenwick Solar Project Ltdon1Nove...


PM CALL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP OF THE UNITED STATES: 17 FEBRUARY 2026

LONDON, Feb. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, last night. The Prime Minister reiterated his condemnation of Putin's barbaric attacks on innocent civilians in Ukraine, and the leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations to deliver a just and lasting peace. Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Prime Minister reflected on the current situation in the region and the importance of s...


4,500 NEW HOMES AND JOBS IN LINCOLNSHIRE THANKS TO NEW GOVERNMENT-BACKED ROAD

LONDON, Feb. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * major upgrade will transform travel, unlock new opportunities, and support growth across Lincolnshire * backed by over £110 million in government investment, the new link road will ease congestion, improve journey times and make everyday travel smoother for residents and businesses * vital project will boost the local economy by creating vital infrastructure, unlocking new homes and will increase access to...


UK HOUSE PRICE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 2025

LONDON, Feb. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The December data shows: * on average, house prices have fallen 0.7% since November 2025 * there has been an annual price rise of 2.4% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £270,000 England In England the data shows, on average, house prices fell by 0.7% since November 2025. The annual price rise of 1.7% takes the average property value to £292,000. The regional data for England ...