LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Homes England achieved the highest number of housing completions for six years in 2025/26 and outperformed against two of its three government set targets, preliminary figures show. The government's housing and regeneration agency, working in close collaboration with thousands of regional and national stakeholders: * enabled the completion of more than 40,200 homes, up 9% on 2024/25 (36,900) and a 97% achievemen...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * With UK Export Finance's support, Packaging One Ltd has now fulfilled orders across North America, Europe, the Middle East and East Asia * New export activity has increased the company's workforce, and annual turnover is expected to grow to £16 million by 2028 Cheshire-based Packaging One Ltd has secured a £4 million contract with one of the world's largest technology companies, supported by a loan fr...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * SMILE launches to provide first complete picture of how Earth's magnetic field responds to the solar wind, improving predictions of solar storms that disrupt GPS,communicationsand power grids. * UK Space Agency has provided £15 million for the mission, with Mullard Space Science Laboratory at UCL leading the science and the University of Leicester developing the first instrument toobserveEarth's magnet...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Companies House has published itsbusinessplan2026to2027.This sets outstrategicobjectivesforthefinancial year. These are: * improving the accuracy,reliabilityand usability of register data to increase its value to the economy * preventing,detectingand disrupting economic crime that harms businesses and the public * delivering major reforms to company law with clear communication and minimal burden on busin...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Plans toturnderelictlandin the heart of Leeds into a thriving new mixed-useneighbourhoodwithnearly 2,000homes have taken a major step forward. Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, has announced it will provide a £16 million infrastructure grant to Caddick Group to help deliver Leeds South Village. The long-term funding will allow Caddick Group to progress vital infrastructure wor...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: On the recommendation of the Prime Minister, Michael Plaut has been appointed to The Crown Estate Board, to serve a four-year term effective from 1 July 2026. As well as the full responsibilities of a Commissioner of The Crown Estate Board, Michael will be responsible for providing advice about the conditions, priorities and opportunities in Wales, including about existing and emerging policies relevant to The Cr...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The life sciences industry in Wales is set tobenefitfrommoredirect engagement with the UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), it was announced today,19May 2026. Wales is a leader inMedTech,AI-powered diagnostics, wound healing, regenerative medicine, celltherapyand precision medicineemploying over 13,000 specialists across 300 companies. The MHRA's new programme of events pu...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show is an annual highlight of the UK's horticultural calendar, attracting a diverse global audience. This year's event takes place from 19 to 23 May and marks the eleventh year that the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has exhibited at the show. APHA's exhibit entitled 'Scents and Sensors' - Sniffing Out Plant Pests and Diseases, aims to highlighthorticul...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Environment Agency has secured a third conviction in relation to a major illegal waste site in Kingsteighton, South Devon, where thousands of tonnes of waste were dumped on a floodplain. DTM Grab Hire Ltd has been ordered to pay £16,664 for its part in depositing the waste at the illegal site which was shut down by the Environment Agency in 2022. The Environment Agency has now prosecuted the landowner o...
LONDON, May 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Organised crime gangs operating across Britain's high streets will be hit with a major police offensive in a new nationwide crackdown on dodgy shops. Rogue barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops linked to organised crime will face raids, closures and cash seizures under a new £30 million crackdown targeting money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal working over 3 years. £20 million of f...