LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The National Drought Group has moved to weekly meetings as drought conditions continue to intensify, despite the recent rainfall. The move marks a further step change in the government's response to the continued threat posed by wildfires and drought and follows the COBR meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The expert group - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, fa...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: July consistent saw a consistent risk level to UK interests, with higher levels of uncontrolled re-entries, fragmentations and space weather activity but fewer collision alerts when compared with June. All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period. Re-entry analysis There was a 17% increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth's atmosphere monitored by NSpOC in July, wh...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: More National Crime Agency officers are being deployed to crack down on people smuggling than ever before, as the government restores order and control to UK borders. The Home Secretary, who visited the NCA's headquarters in Stratford, has announced that there are now nearly 800 officers in post, up from 376 officers at the start of 2025. The dedicated NCA officers are backed by enhanced capabilities and by addi...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Environment Agency is continuing to appeal for information about an illegal waste site which has been shut down near Hinckley in Leicestershire. An investigation was launched following the discovery of dumped waste on land off the A47 Leicester Road on 5 August 2026. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police acted swiftly to shut the site down and prevent further environmental damage. ...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Jobs supported by defence expenditure in weapons and ammunition manufacturing rose by 51% in 2024/25. * Overall year-on-year increase of 26,000 UK industry roles, including nearly 4,000 direct additional jobs in the North West, as investment reaches every corner of the country. * Part of government's work to rebuild the nation'shomegrown munitions manufacturing capability, boosting defence readiness and the re-...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The account you use to sign in to theFind and update company informationservice is calledyourCompanies House account. The sign-in screen will change in late August. GOV.UK One Login will become the main sign-in option. If you already have an account, you can keep signing in with your existing details for now. This option will be further down the sign-in page. However, allnew userswillneeda GOV.UK One Login to a...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister spoketothe Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi,today. Theleaders discussed strengthening the UK-Japan partnership, including closer trade cooperationtodrive growth and create opportunities in both countries. Turningtodefence, the Prime Minister set out his ambition for the UK, Japan and Italytocontinuetostrengthen defence security through GCAP and bothleaders welcomed Canada becoming the ...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The FSA has completed its 2025/26 sampling programme, with the findings supporting the continuation of existing FSA food safety advice for fish from Lough Neagh. Food businesses, such as commercial fisheries, are reminded to follow good processing procedures such as proper evisceration to remove intestines, liver and gills where cyanotoxins can accumulate. Advice to recreational anglers remains unchanged - they...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: GRECO, the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, has today (20 August 2026) published its 6th Round Evaluation Report (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a832e513bd75b81e2329ac2/greco-6th-round-evaluation-report.pdf) (PDF, 1.64 MB, 72 pages) on the United Kingdom. The report was adopted by GRECO's plenary in June 2026. The report assesses measures to prevent corruption and promote integrity at ...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: In June 2025 the interim Certification Officer commissioned an investigation into alleged financial irregularities from 2019 in UNITE the union. The Certification Officer has now received the appointed independent investigator's final report, dated 14 August 2026. The Inspector has found that UNITE failed, during the year ended 31 December 2021, to establish and maintain a satisfactory system of control of its a...