FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO BE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL OFFENCES PERPETRATED BY MILITARY PERSONNEL FOR THE FIRST TIME

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Victims of sexual offences committed by those serving in the Armed Forces will receive free, independent legal advice, in a UK justice first, under new plans announced today. The Independent Legal Advocacy (ILA) support programme pilot will provide impartial legal support to anyone aged 18 or over, irrespective of whether they are Service personnel or civilians. Anyone who reports a sexual offence or rape that h...


CMA SECURES COMMITMENTS FROM APPLE AND GOOGLE TO IMPROVE FAIRNESS IN APP STORE PROCESSES AND ENHANCE IOS INTEROPERABILITY

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking views on a package of commitments from Apple and Google intended to deliver immediate improvements in certainty, transparency and fairness for thousands of UK businesses dependent on app stores to serve their customers. Additional commitments from Apple will deliver a step change in how developers can request interoperable access to the iOS and iPadOS mobile ...


NEW AUCTION DELIVERS UNPRECEDENTED CLEAN, HOMEGROWN POWER

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Record solar, onshore wind, and tidal projects - building on last month's offshore wind success - deliver Britain's biggest-ever clean energy auction * Largest ever procurement of solar projects in the UK - 4.9 GW secured -providinga major boost for one of the cheapest and cleanest energysources available * Taken togetherwith offshore wind results,government secures 14.7 GW of clean, homegrown power enough to p...


CONSULTATIONS OPEN ON FOUR NEW FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Four new draftfisheriesmanagementplans designed to improve the long-term sustainability of UK fish stocks have opened for consultation today(Tuesday 10 February), securing the health of the UK fishing industry which depends on them. The draft planshave been developed in close collaboration with the fishing industryandset outevidence-basedpolicies and actions designed to protectfish stocksfor future generationsan...


GOVERNMENT UNVEILS EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR ADOPTED CHILDREN

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Adopted children and their families will get better support with their mental health and other needs under proposals put forward by the Department for Education today, as part of the government's mission to give every child the best possible start in life. This is part of the government's wider plan for reforming children's social care and builds on last week's announcement of ambitious plans to create 10,000 ad...


PRISONS AND PROBATION OMBUDSMAN REAPPOINTMENT

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Adrian Usher as Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) for 3 years from 24 April 2026. The appointment of the PPO is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment and reappointment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointment is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Justice Select Committee. Th...


DOORS OPENED FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS TO BECOME TRAIN DRIVERS

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * traindriver ageloweredfrom 20 to 18, opening pathwaysfor young people this National Apprenticeship Week * law change gives school-leavers new opportunities to enter rail industry with fantastic chances for progression * legislationlaidatpivotal time for  the industry, asgovernment establishes Great British Railways School leavers will soon be able to become train drivers, as thegovernmentis set tol...


GOVERNMENT PLANS TO TRAIN NEXT GENERATION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Thousands more young people will be given the opportunity to train as bricklayers, plumbers and engineers as the government creates 13,000 apprenticeship and T Level placement opportunities as part of its plan to transform school buildings. As part of the upcoming education estates strategy, construction firms working on school building projects will have to show that they are providing opportunities for apprent...


IS YOUR CHILD INFLUENCED BY TOXIC CONTENT? NEW GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT HARMFUL ONLINE CONTENT

LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * governmentlaunches campaign toraiseawareness of how harmful body-shaming, rage baitand misogynistic contenton social media is, as part of drive to encourage parents totalkwith their childrenaboutonline content * new online guidancesupports parents in settingsafety settings for social media and starting difficult conversationson topics such as misinformation and harmful content * comes as new researchrevealshalf...


DBS LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST FOR EMPLOYERS AND SAFEGUARDING PROFESSIONALS

LONDON, Feb. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched DBS Discussions: Safeguarding in Focus, a podcast series to help employers and safeguarding professionals better understand DBS services and processes. Each episode will feature a subject matter expert from DBS who will discuss key topics relevant to employers, HR professionals, and those working in safeguarding. In the debut episode, Regional Outreach Manage...