LONDON, Nov. 4 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Hamish Falconer, MP, UK Minister for the Middle East, has ended a two-day visit to Lebanon (3-4 Nov). On his first official visit to the country, he met with Lebanese leaders, inaugurated a new base for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in south Lebanon constructed through UK funding, and saw how UK aid funded programmes are helping those impacted by the recent conflict. He was accompanied by British Ambassador Hami...
LONDON, Nov. 4 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Victims of child exploitation and abuse will finally get long-overdue justice, as the government today (4 November) tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to disregard and pardon 'child prostitution' convictions. The new amendments acknowledge the appalling injustice faced by victims of child sexual exploitation, who instead of being supported as victims, were criminalised for actions that occurred unde...
LONDON, Nov. 4 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: British food producers can now benefit from export opportunities estimated by industry to be worth nearly £100 million, following intensive work by its network of agri-food attaches this year. Since January, the 16 attaches have unlocked these opportunities by removing 41 trade barriers and opening new global markets for British producers. This includes securing access to Vietnam's thriving live seafood mark...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Customers of Trident West Industries Ltd and Star Solar Ltd were promised government grant refunds to cover the cost of solar equipment and maintenance * More than £3.1 million was paid into the bank accounts of the two companies between May 2023 and January 2025, but only £7,010 was returned to nine complainants despite total complaints and County Court Judgments of more than £400,000 * T...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Bridge near Vyshhorod, north of Kyiv, reopens to traffic following its destruction during the invasion in 2022 * UK Export Finance (UKEF) provides £26.3m loan guarantee for the Ukrainian Government, directly involving British companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine. * Underlines UK's commitment to rebuilding Ukraine under the 100-Year Partnership. A vital bridge in the Kyiv region that was destr...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Earlier this year we sought views as part of our 2025 stakeholder survey, including performance against our values and the quality of our decision-making. We were delighted to double the number of responses from the previous year with 258 stakeholders offering their thoughts from the worlds of LPAs, planning agents, developers, members of the public and professional bodies. Here's what they told us: (see 'Furthe...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Residents in Lymington will benefit from improved flood protection following essential maintenance work at the town's floodgate on Toll Bridge Road this November. The Environment Agency will replace the floodgate's sill plate, which has become loose over time. The new concrete construction will be more durable and better able to withstand heavy traffic, ensuring the floodgate continues to protect homes and busine...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We offer our sympathy to all those who have been affected by this horrific attack. Victims injured in this attack can apply to theCriminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)for compensation. Compensation is payable to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria of theCriminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. You do not need a paid representative, such as a solicitor or claims management company, to apply...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Carol Pyrah, Chair of the North Committee Carol is an experienced heritage professional with a background in both charities and the public sector. Since December 2024, she has been Chief Operating Officer at Ripon Cathedral. Prior to this, she was Chief Executive of Urban Green Newcastle, an independent charity set up to manage the city's 33 parks and 60 allotment sites, and Executive Director of Historic Covent...
LONDON, Nov. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Dame Julia Unwin Dame Julia Unwin has had a long career largely in the voluntary sector, and has also served on the Boards of a number of regulatory and government bodies, including five years as a Charity Commissioner in the late 1990s. She was a member of the Board of the Housing Corporation for 9 years. She served as Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation from 2007-2016. She has had experience as a ...