Passengers to benefit from easier and cheaper travel with new app guidance
Commuters will soon benefit from smarter travel apps that offer cheaper, safer and more accessible journeys, following new government guidance launched on 30 August 2023 to ensure travel and navigation apps benefit all users. The government’s new Mobility as a Service code of practice for app developers and companies aims to ensure they offer more streamlined journeys […]
Ultra Low Emission Zone expands London-wide in a landmark moment for the capital
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has with effect from 29 August 2023, expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide in a landmark moment that will help to make London a greener, healthier city. The new zone now covers every London borough and will bring cleaner air to five million more people and is also […]
HMRC webinar – salaried hours work and the National Minimum Wage
HMRC’s National Minimum Wage team is offering live webinars about salaried hours work and the National Minimum Wage. Their constant review of questions received during their programme of live webinars gave them real insight into what customers wanted to learn. This webinar will cover the key points around salaried hours work, the changes that were […]
Consultation kicks off work on new trade marks and designs services
In July, the government concluded its first transformation consultation. The new consultation focuses on specific trade marks and designs issues, but also includes some proposals on patents and tribunals. The new consultation includes proposals to change or abolish series marks. Series marks allow customers to apply for up to six similar trade marks at a reduced […]
Water pollution, carbon emissions and biodiversity threats set to be tackled by satellite data services
Ten new projects will use Earth observation tools, satellite tracking and data on population demographics, supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI), to produce forecasts and models that can be used by sectors ranging from agriculture and energy, to finance and insurance. Funded by the UK Space Agency, these applications will not only allow businesses, governments and […]
Bank of England lifts interest rates to 5.25%
The Bank of England has lifted interest rates to another 15-year high as policymakers continue to face down the cost of living crisis. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today lifted the base rate by 0.25 percentage points to 5.25%. Read the full story
The UK’s largest-ever scrappage scheme now open to all Londoners with a non-compliant car
As part of the Mayor’s ambitious plans to clean up London’s air, the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will cover all London boroughs from 29 August and from 21 August all Londoners can apply for grants to scrap their older, polluting car or motorcycle. The Mayor has always said that expanding the ULEZ was […]
Consultation launched on unlimited fines for the worst polluters
The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on changes to variable monetary penalties – financial penalties that can be imposed for certain environmental offences. The consultation will run for eight weeks and will close on 8 October. The consultation seeks views on when penalties are used, how they are calculated and the appeals process. This follows the government announcing […]
Small businesses benefitting more than ever from government business
Small businesses won a record-breaking amount of government work, new figures released by the Cabinet Office revealed. The new figures, which underline the government’s commitment to helping SMEs benefit from government contracts show that UK small businesses received £21 billion worth of work in 2021/22. This equates to around £3.8k per British small business. Read […]
AI to help UK industries cut carbon emissions on path to net zero
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform the way industries cut their carbon emissions thanks to a multi-million-pound government investment. Twelve green AI initiatives will receive a share of £1 million to decarbonise and boost generation of renewable energy, contributing to reaching the country’s ambitious net zero goal by 2050. Read the full story
