Rail strikes to cause more disruption with walkouts affecting FA Cup final and Epsom Derby
Train companies are warning that services will be “severely reduced” because of industrial action by drivers and other workers. Members of the drivers’ union Aslef have walked out today and will do so on 3 June, while the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has called a strike on 2 June. Read the full story
Mayor announces close to £1m in additional investment for GPS tagging of domestic abuse and knife crime offenders
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a new £900,000 City Hall investment to extend his GPS tagging pilot programme which is working to keep Londoners safe by tagging knife crime and domestic abuse offenders who have been released from prison. The innovative £4.5m scheme works by those who have served custodial sentences for […]
Cutting-edge farming projects to get share of £30 million
Up to £30 million has been awarded to cutting-edge farming projects that will boost food production, move towards net zero, and create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. Alongside the £30 million set to be awarded to more than 50 successful projects, the government has also made a further £12.5 million available to fund innovative […]
Massive boost to childcare payments marks first step in largest ever expansion of childcare
As part of the Government’s biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support worth a total of £900 million from 28 June. Later this month, the Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents in Great Britain can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal […]
UK strengthens pledge to end plastic pollution by 2040
The UK, alongside 52 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution, has signed a far-reaching Ministerial Statement, calling for an ambitious global plastic pollution treaty to tackle plastic pollution and protect the marine environment. The HAC is a coalition of over 50 governments that have since agreed to end plastic […]
Full peak Elizabeth line timetable introduced as railway celebrates remarkable success in its first year
The Elizabeth line’s full peak timetable commenced on Monday 22 May 2023 following the May timetable change. The introduction marked the final milestone of the Crossrail project, realising more of the benefits that were promised by Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) as joint sponsors including higher frequencies, greater connectivity and […]
Millions of people to benefit from £200 million to improve walking and cycling routes
Millions of people across the country are set to benefit from £200 million of government funding for cycling and walking schemes, helping to promote healthy travel, reduce emissions and grow the economy. The latest round of funding will boost high streets and local businesses, and transform the school run for tens of thousands of children, […]
Mortgage rate cut for energy efficient homes under government-backed trials
Homeowners who make their properties more energy efficient could see their mortgage rate cut under a new government-backed pilot. Perenna Bank will receive more than £193,000 in government funding to help develop their long-term, fixed-rate mortgage that will incentivise customers to make their homes more energy efficient by offering to reduce their mortgage rate. Read […]
New £1 billion strategy for UK’s semiconductor sector
The National Semiconductor Strategy sets out how up to £1 billion of government investment will boost the UK’s strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors while helping to grow domestic chip firms across the UK. Working in tandem with the industry, investment made by the government will drive research, innovation and commercialisation through the sector – […]
Scrapping retained EU red tape on wine to unlock £180 million
Wine producers and importers will be freed from unnecessary red tape thanks to proposed changes to retained EU laws on the production and marketing of wine, providing a £180m boost to our wine industry, opening the market to new products, and growing the economy. The changes will allow wine makers the freedom to pick from […]
