LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We are expanding the Appeal a planning decision service to include Enforcement, Enforcement Listed Building, and Lawful Development Certificate appeals. Three local planning authorities (LPAs) - Cornwall, London Borough of Havering, and London Borough of Brent - are trialling the service for Enforcement appeals. Following this trial, we will roll out these appeal types nationally between 26 February and 9 March ...
LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Projects to bring together young Northern Ireland performers and Welsh National Youth Opera alumni to stage operas, and to enable a local charity to work with the Eden Project in Cornwall, are among the latest nine projects to receive over £80,000 funding from the Northern Ireland Office's (NIO) Connect Fund. The Northern Ireland-based community and voluntary groups, including The Ulster Touring Orchestra f...
LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Nearly 20millionillegally tradederectile dysfunction pills have been seized in just five years -equivalent toa singledose forthree in every four adultmen in the UK- as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warns people not to risk their health by buyingunauthorisedmedicines online. Between 2021 and 2025,the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit seized around 19.5 million dosesof erectile dysf...
LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The United Kingdom aims to reinforce its commitment to digital and technology collaboration with Malaysia and the wider region through UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur from 11 to 13 February. Organised by the UK Government in partnership with key stakeholders including the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) and HSBC Malaysia, the th...
LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: New QR code badges have been created for every school, college, training provider and early years setting, which link directly to their individual page on the Ofsted reports website. The Ofsted-branded badges can be displayed anywhere the provider wishes to promote their inspection outcomes, offering instant access to their full report. Since November last year, education providers have been inspected against a ...
LONDON, Feb. 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Consultation on extending smoke-free places and introducing vape-free and heated tobacco-free spaces - as part of the 10 Year Health Plan * Kids'playgrounds and schools set to be smoke, vape and heated tobacco-free to better protect children and vulnerable people from harm * Outside hospitals to be smoke and heated tobacco-free. Outdoor hospitality and wide-open public spaces not included Children and medicall...
LONDON, Feb. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Schools and colleges will soonhave clear and pragmatic guidance instructing them that they must takea very carefulapproach whena child asks to socially transition. Legal duties will be absolutely clear after government embeds guidance within Keeping children safe in education,theestablished statutory safeguardingframework schools are expected tofollow. BackedbyBaroness Cass,whosereviewwarnedthatstro...
LONDON, Feb. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Energy Secretary and Industry Minister joined byaround175pupils and students for Clean Energy Jobs Fair at Barnsley College in South Yorkshire during National Apprenticeship Week * Up to 20,000 extra clean energy jobs expected in Yorkshire & the Humber by 2030 * Follows the government's Clean Energy Jobs Plan&#...
LONDON, Feb. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chair of the YJB, says: I would like to welcome Phil Bowen as the Interim Chair of the YJB. Having served as a YJB Board member since March 2023, Phil brings strong knowledge of the youth justice sector and the Board's work, as well as a shared commitment to evidence-based practice and diversion. Phil'sleadership will provide continuity and stability for the Boardand youth justice serv...
LONDON, Feb. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Seizures of ketamine,cannabisandnitrous oxideare at an all-time highfollowing a record-breaking year of interceptions by Border Forceandpolice. Cocaine interceptions by policeare also at recordlevelswith23,706 seizuresin the yearto March 2025. Almost150tonnes of illegal drugs- equivalent totwoBoeing737s-with a street value of £2.6billionwasseizedby Border Force.This is a 40% increaseon the total quantity s...