LONDON, March 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Skills England launches Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation practitioner apprenticeship to help businesses boost productivity and adopt emerging technology safely and responsibly * Wider AI training now available also includes new apprenticeship unit and short courses made available with tech companies for the AI Skills Boostprogramme to upskill 10 million people * AI has the potential to add...
LONDON, March 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: With effect from 17 March 2026, the guideline rates for overnight accommodation in certain cities are increasing for both providers and experts. LAA guidance is also being updated to ensure a consistent approach to travel and subsistence across criminal and civil legal aid. What will the new rates be? The rates will increase to up to £120 in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle (per pers...
LONDON, March 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Successful new court model that puts children at centre of proceedings to be rolled out nationwide * Child Focused Courts proven to resolve cases quicker - sparing children months of trauma * Part of the Government's Plan for Change to protect children and deliver fairer and faster justice Thousands more children will receive swifter justice and be better protected from further trauma under plans to roll out ...
LONDON, March 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Richard Beal has been disqualified as a company director for five years after his management consultancy Larter Beal Limited went into liquidation owing more than £120,000 in unpaid corporation tax and VAT * Beal had previously been banned as a director for three-and-a-half years in 2015 after his previous company, Bretteal Limited, also failed to pay its tax liabilities * The 60-year-old's actions have b...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Event celebrated the landmark 25th anniversary of the Football Foundation, a charity set up by the Government, The FA and the Premier League delivering thousands of facilities and pitches to help people get active. * This event announced an extra £10 million injection this year, including at least £5 million into cricket and tennis facilities. Sporting star Sir Andrew Strauss was at a Downing Street...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: An FCDO spokesperson said: DPRK's ballistic missile launches on 14 March are another breach of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), destabilising regional peace and security. The UK continues to urge North Korea to stop provocations and return to dialogue. Media enquiries Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk Telephone 020 7008 3100 Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions,soon to be known as UK Fusion Energy will appointILIOSas the construction partnerfor the STEP Fusion programme. The contract, valued at £200 million, is a major milestone in transforming the West Burton site into the UK'sworld-leadingprototype fusion energy plant. The announcement follows the publication of the government's new fusion strategy from DESNZ, setting the directio...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Christina McAnea Appointed from 26 January 2026 to 25 January 2030. Christina has worked in the trade union movement for more than 35 years, leading national pay negotiations across key public services, including local government and the NHS. In 2021, she became the first woman to head up UNISON, the UK's largest union, where she helped support public service workers through the pandemic. She also had an impor...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Britain becomes first country in the world with a clear path to commercial fusion that could ensure lasting energy security * Construction partner announced for STEP prototype fusion power plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, with plant construction expected to start from 2030 * Government backs innovation including developing the world's most powerful fusion-dedicated AI supercomputer Britain isanotherstep...
LONDON, March 16 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: At the 26thCommonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (CFAMM) in London last week, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reinforced the UK's commitment to working multilaterally with the Commonwealth, a diverse network of 56 nations representing 2.7 billion people. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa MulipolaAnarosaAleMolioo, the Commonwealth's current Chair-in-Office, and attended by 36...