LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new Public Interest Test to be applied before renewing expiring government contracts to prioritise long-term value. * New approach to procurement signals ambition to end the era of outsourcing by default, as government looks to bring cleaners and security staff in-house. * The move follows action taken previously by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jon...
LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * A Members' Voluntary Liquidation is a formal process used by solvent companies that have reached the end of their useful life. * The research wascommissioned to improve understanding of the MVL landscape. * The research looked at 2,309 MVL cases between2016 and 2024. A new research study commissioned by the Insolvency Service has found that Members' Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs)areoperatingeffectively,...
LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Environment Agency has successfully completed coastal flood defence works at Minehead seafront, delivering greater protection for355 properties and businessesin the town. The project, costing just under £1 million, extended existing rock armour to the east of the town, near Butlins and Minehead Golf Course, and was delivered on time and on budget.Works began in spring 2026and have now been completed ahe...
LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, has announced the extension of the appointment of Mitchell B. Reiss as the UK Commissioner to the Independent Reporting Commission from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Northern Ireland Executive nominees, Monica McWilliams and John McBurney have also been extended and the Irish Government has extended the appointment of Tim O'Connor f...
LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Student Loans Company (SLC) is contacting some Plan 2 customers about corrections to their balances. Around 71,000 customers (approximately 1.3% of current Plan 2 customers) have been affected by technical issues. SLC and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are very sorry that this happened. Affected customers won't need to take any action and regular repayment amounts will not change as a result of these issues....
LONDON, June 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Shortly after takeoff the aircraft is likely to have lost power. It appears that the pilot attempted to return to the departure airfield but lost control of the aircraft whilst doing so. The aircraft struck the ground in a cultivated field close to the grass airstrip, resulting in a post-accident fire which destroyed the aircraft. The pilot was fatally injured. In the event of a power loss shortly after takeoff ...
LONDON, June 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Ocean ecosystems will be protected and resilience increased in some of the world's most climate-vulnerable coastal communities thanks to £13.9 million UK investment in new funding, Marine Minister Emma Hardy announced today at the eleventh Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. Channelled through the UK's Blue Planet Fund, which marks its fifth anniversary this year, the investment will support three inter...
LONDON, June 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The announcement was made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy during a visit to the launch of 'Two Rooms' a new interim space for the Jewish Museum London, while it searches for its permanent home. The space is located at JW3 in North London. The visit marked the opening of two new exhibitions celebrating the richness of the museum's collections and the long history of Jewish families in Britain. The Jewish Museum L...
LONDON, June 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Illegal migrants and people smugglers looking to land on UK shores will face enhanced enforcement action as 2 new specialist units are now active on the French beaches. Announced under the landmark UK-France deal and deployed in time for the summer months, the Compagnie de Marche and a brand-new dedicated riot unit are now operational in Northern France to track down illegal migrants and prevent small boat cross...
LONDON, June 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Cinemas, LEGOLAND owner Merlin Entertainments, Greene King-managed pubs and Nando's among businesses to commit to passing on temporary VAT cut to help reduce the cost of days out. * Great British Summer Savings scheme also supports businesses by increasing footfall this summer. * Chancellor Rachel Reeves thanks businesses for their support in passing on savings ahead of the money-saving scheme going liv...