LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Following the deployment of a team of investigators to the scene, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has started an investigation into an accident involving the cargo vessel Baltic Klipper that occurred on 6 December 2025 in the Solent, England. At approximately 1800 on 6 December 2025, 16 refrigerated shipping containers fell from the Liberia registered cargo vessel Baltic Klipper as it was prepari...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Legislationtoensure access to funding for ordinary people in 'David vs Goliath' casesconfirmed * Safeguards will mean morecollectiveactionproceedings can be brought againstrich andpowerfulopponents * Measures willbring stability to the litigation funding sector after the PACCAR ruling Ordinary people will have greater access to justice thanks to Government's plans for legislationto help claimants receive the f...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Using our contact form is often the best way to contact us. We'll aim to reply to you within 10 working days. If you need help applying for compensation, or have an urgent enquiry that is not a request for an update on your application, our helpline is open during the following hours: Day Opening Times Monday 22 December 8.30am to 3pm Tuesday 23 December 8.30am to 3pm Wednesday 24 December Closed Thursday 2...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The inquiry examined concerns about the operator's compliance on a variety of issues, including vehicle maintenance, driver hours, tachograph use, and governance arrangements. One of the issues considered was the operator's compliance with the Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations 2020, which require operators of registered local bus services in England (outside London) to publish open data on...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Sir Andrew Steer has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Sir Andrew is a globally recognised leader in sustainable development, environmental economics and climate action, serving as President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund from 2021 to 2025. He previously spent eight years as President and CEO of the World Resources Institute.He was knighted in 2024 for services to s...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today  (19 December2025) approved lenacapavir (Yeytuo) for the prevention of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents. Lenacapavirworks by reducing the risk of the HIV-1 virus multiplying and spreading throughout the body if a person is exposed to the virus. Lenacapavir binds to the HIV-1 virus...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Criminal gangs will face up to 10 years in jail after Germany passed landmark new legislation on Friday 19 December to crack down on the criminal gangs involved in smuggling illegal migrants to the UK. Due to come into force before the end of the year, this law means activities in Germany that facilitate migrant smuggling towards the UK are now a criminal offence resulting in up to 10 years in jail. The new leg...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We have launched a campaign seekinganew member to join the Council for Science and Technology (CST).In this campaign, we are specifically seeking a member with social and behavioural scienceexpertise. CST is the government'shighest-level advisory body on science and technology issues. The Councilprovidesindependent advice directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on strategic science and technology issues that ...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: On 2December 2025, Adam Kelly pleaded guilty to 2 offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001at Liverpool Magistrates' Court. He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 80 hours' unpaid work and 20 hours of rehabilitation.He was also given a £50 fine and must pay a £114 victim surcharge at £500 ofcourtcosts, totalling £664. One of the offences, under Section 22 ...
LONDON, Dec. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 18 December 2025 to reduce the Bank of England base rate to 3.75% from 4.00%. HMRCinterest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate. As a consequence of the change in the base rate,HMRCinterest rates for late payment and repayment will reduce. These changes will come into effect on: * 29 December 2025 for quarterly instalment payments * 9 Jan...