RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR LOCAL PLAN INSPECTORS

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Local authorities across England are preparing local plans that will shape their communities for years to come. These plans determine where homes are built, how town centres evolve, and how communities grow sustainably. The Planning Inspectorate needs experienced planning and built environment professionals to join as inspectors to help meet the increasing demand for local plan examinations. About the role Pla...


AUKUS DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETING TRILATERAL JOINT STATEMENT: 10 DECEMBER 2025

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Today the Honorable Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War, hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and the Right Honourable John Healey MP, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the shared commitment to the AUKUS partnership. In line with shared intent to move "full steam ahead" on AUKUS, the Princi...


MHRA CHAIR WELCOMES RE-APPOINTMENT OF THREE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Threemembersof the Board of theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agencyhave hadtheir terms of office extended. Responding,ProfessorAnthony Harnden, Chair of the MHRA, said: "I would like to congratulate our three non-executive directors-Mercy Jeyasingham,DrJunaid Bajwaand Rajakumari Long -who have all been re-appointed to ourBoard. "All three will continue to bring a wealth of knowl...


GOVERNMENT AND POLICE JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE DRINK AND DRUG DRIVING THIS FESTIVE SEASON

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Local Transport Minister joins forces with Sussex Police Chief to spotlight enforcement operations and raise awareness of the dangers of drink and drug driving during the busy festive season * minister also teams up with Captain Morgan to raise awareness of the THINK! campaign to encourage drivers to opt for a 0% drink before getting behind the wheel * comes ahead of the Road Safety Strategy and follows launch ...


FIRST CLEAN ENERGY JOBS FAIR HELD AT PORT OF TYNE

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Energy Secretary and Minister for Industry attendedfirstCleanEnergyJobsFairat the Port of TyneinNorth EastEngland * Up to15,000extracleanenergyjobsexpectedinthe region in thenext five years * Follows the government'sClean Energy Jobs Planto recruit and upskill workers needed for clean energy mission Over a hundredschoolchildrenandstudents haveattended the government's first ever Clean Energy JobsFairtoday (Thu...


NEW FUNDING TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES CUT THEIR COSTS

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Government announces £2 million funding boost to help more SMEs cut costs * Funding is part of a range of new measures to support small business growth, in the Government's response to the Willow Review * 67% of SMEs who adopted sustainable practices like installing solar panels reported reduced costs Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new Government funding and support to help them invest i...


UK GOVERNMENT BACKS FIRST PROJECT AT GRANGEMOUTH SITE

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Scottish biotech companyMiAlgaebackedwith up to£1.5millionto develop an innovativenew projecton theGrangemouthsite,using byproducts from whisky distillation * fundingfrom UK government willhelp to supportaround 310jobs over the next 5 years and helpcatalyse further investment into the site * Grangemouth Investment Taskforce is working toidentifymore projects tohelp secure Grangemouth's long-term industrial...


MAPPING OPPORTUNITY: NEW CONNECTIVITY TOOL LAUNCHES TO PLACE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AT THE HEART OF JOBS, SCHOOLS AND VITAL SERVICES

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * a new clear way of measuring what is a 'sustainable location' for development around transport projects * the full Connectivity Tool is now available tobuiltenvironment professionals,setting anational metric of connectivity * a new Connectivity Tool Lite versionwill be released for the public, we're opening up access online to everyone, free of charge Transport projects will be better connected to jobs, shops,...


DERBY FRAUDSTER JAILED AFTER USING COVID LOAN FUNDS ON SHARE DEALING PLATFORMS

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Derby-basedTemidolaOjelabiillegally obtained£80,000 in Covid support by making two separate Bounce Back Loan applications * Funds were spent on share dealing platforms instead of supporting his business through the pandemic * The 43-year-old has been jailed and banned as a company director following investigations by the Insolvency Service ADerbybusinessmanwhousedCovid support scheme fundson onlin...


MAJOR POTATO PEST ERADICATED FROM UK

LONDON, Dec. 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Amajor potato pest has been eradicated from the UK,the government has outlinedtoday(Thursday 11 December 2025), following extensive operational investigative work and surveillance. The Colorado beetle was discovered in Kent inJuly 2023following laboratory diagnosis of samples, with one finding later that year. The beetle can completely strip the leaves from potato plants and several other crops, including tomato...