LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Speaking following his engagements with victims and survivors' groups and veterans' representatives, the Secretary of State said: I've been in post for a few weeks now and already I've seen time and again how many people in Northern Ireland and Great Britain are still living with the legacy of the Troubles, often with pain and grief and anger. This week I've met WAVE, the CVS Victims & Survivors Forum, SEFF, th...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * new rules in force this summer mean 18-year-olds can now apply to become train drivers straight after school or college * rule change opens work and apprenticeship opportunities for young people as part of wider rail reforms to put the next generation in the driving seat of Great British Railways * law change tackles train driver shortages while helping young people secure stable, skilled and well-paid jobs As...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The June data shows: * on average, house prices have risen by 0.1% since May 2026 * there has been an annual increase of 2% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £272,000 England In England the data shows, on average, house prices rose by 0.2% since May 2026. The annual price increase of 1.8% takes the average property value to £293,000. The regional data for England indicates that: ...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Forestry Commission is today (Wednesday 19 August) announcing an extension to the demarcated area for Sweet Chestnut Blight in Devon, and into a small part of Cornwall, following further findings close to the current restricted zone boundary.The new area will come into force on Wednesday 26 August. The expanded area subject to restrictions will now include West Devon District and South East Cornwall constitu...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Since 2025, there has been a marked increase in sightings of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The new webpage acts as a single, central source of information on the bloom, bringing together updates from MMO and government, details of ongoing work with stakeholders, the latest scientific research and monitoring activity, and monthly octopus and shellfish landing figures. Infographics previously shared through th...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: You are invited to join our Annual Public Meeting on Thursday 15 October 2026 at 12.45pm. Join online via our livestream or apply to attend in-person in central London. About the event Our Chair Dame Julia Unwin, Chief Executive David Holdsworth and colleagues will provide updates and insight into the Commission's activities and answer questions about our work. This is a hybrid event open to all members of the...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: At around 15:54 on Thursday 13 August 2026, train 1F34, the 14:24 London Victoriato Eastbourne passenger service, operated by Southern (Greater Thameslink Railway), derailed at Lewes in East Sussex. The derailment took place around 1 mile (1.6kilometres) north of Lewes station. Train 1F34 was formed of eight vehicles. The rear three vehicles derailed and subsequently overturned during the accident, coming to res...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has appointed Gill Kernick as Independent Chair of its statutory Residents' Panel. The Residents' Panel is a statutory committee established under the Building Safety Act 2022. It helps ensure that the voices and experiences of residents inform BSR's work to improve the safety of higher-risk buildings (HRBs) and support the building safety regime. The committee provides a for...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Ahead of the kick-off of the Premier League football season this Friday, a UK manufacturing industry that's important to the game has received protection from unfair international trade. Following a recommendation by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the UK Government is imposing a provisional anti-dumping measure on imports of boom lifts from China to help protect British producers. The measure will come into...
LONDON, Aug. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Ministerto setout new plan to shut down the criminal gangs running illegal waste sites, as part of his pledge to bringhopeback to Britain's communities. Better use of drones, a bigger role for the police and the National Crime Agency, moreEnvironment Agency officers on the frontline,and a steep rise in fines will deter, catch, and punish those who dump illegally. Mayors will lead the effort in their o...