Leaders of the UK, several EU states, the European Commission and other allies issued a joint statement on the E1 West Bank settlement plan on 20 August 2026, setting out their collective position on the proposal.
States the Treasury will reform pub and hotel valuations to make them fairer, aiming to reduce uncertainty for these businesses and support local growth across the country.
Mayors across England will be granted ‘call‑in’ powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas, allowing them to approve or intervene in major local development projects.
The Prime Minister has launched a national drive to end rough sleeping, promising immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by an additional £442 million in funding.
French police prevented 185 small boat crossing attempts and stopped around 4,300 people reaching UK shores in the first three months of a new UK–France deal, the Home Office reports as part of joint efforts to disrupt Channel crossings.
Defence investment boosted UK weapons and ammunition manufacturing employment by 51% in 2024/25, contributing to a broader rise of 26,000 defence-supported roles nationwide as the sector scales up production and supply chains.
Whitehall will second officials into mayoral authorities so departments work directly with mayors, marking the largest transfer of central government capacity to local leaders to date under the PM’s No10 North programme.
From 1 September 2026 the supervision exemption for regulated activity with children will be removed, meaning roles previously considered supervised will be treated as regulated activity and organisations must adjust DBS and safeguarding arrangements.
Government will remove time restrictions on English concessionary bus passes so eligible disabled people can travel free all day, every day, as part of measures to ease cost‑of‑living pressures.
The number of National Crime Agency officers tackling organised immigration crime has more than doubled since early 2025, with a record deployment aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks and enforcing immigration-related criminality across the UK and abroad.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will make his first overseas trip on Monday 24 August, visiting Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day to signal full UK support for Ukraine during his inaugural international visit.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent for the Beacon Fen Energy Park DCO application, approving the proposed energy park’s development under the national infrastructure consenting regime.
The foreign ministries of Australia, Canada and the UK issued a joint statement on Israel’s decision to close the investigation into strikes on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza on 1 April 2024.
Following a COBR meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the National Drought Group has moved to weekly meetings as the Environment Agency coordinates an intensified response to ongoing extreme weather and escalating drought risks across affected areas.
Arron Newble marks Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day in an OSCE statement, praising Ukrainians’ courage defending sovereignty, identity and culture against Russia’s illegal war and reaffirming UK support for Ukraine’s independence.
A new challenge has been launched to develop technologies that store clean energy for longer, aiming to boost UK energy security, create jobs in new industries and reduce household energy bills and exposure to price spikes.
Reports UK House Price Index for June 2026, showing monthly and regional house price changes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and providing the latest movement in property values by nation.
Announces a £300 million investment for the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone as Dell establishes a Scottish base, aiming to support over 3,400 jobs and attract further private investment to the region.
Rape Crisis England & Wales will receive £8.7m of government funding to deliver 24/7 confidential support services for survivors and victims of rape and sexual violence, expanding round‑the‑clock provision across England and Wales.
Change in law now allows 18‑year‑olds to apply to become train drivers, aimed at addressing driver shortages and offering younger people access to stable, skilled and well‑paid rail jobs.
CMA has ordered Vandemoortele to sell a UK production plant following its pastry merger investigation, granting clearance subject to divestment after the businesses engaged constructively with the inquiry team.
Government announces a coordinated crackdown to target criminal gangs running illegal waste sites, bringing together central government, regulators, police, local authorities and Mayors to shut down sites and disrupt profit-making waste crime.
Over 6,000 additional pupils achieved grade 7 or above in GCSE maths, representing the largest ever single-year increase in high grades in the subject, according to the Department for Education announcement on GCSE maths standards.
Publication of the UK’s sixth-round GRECO evaluation, setting out peer-review findings and recommendations on anti-corruption measures, transparency and integrity in public life across relevant UK institutions.
The Trade Remedies Authority has imposed provisional anti‑dumping duties on boom lifts imported from China, introducing temporary trade measures intended to offset alleged subsidised or dumped imports and protect domestic producers while investigations continue.
The CMA has opened investigations into online ‘drip pricing’ practices at Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and RED Driving School, probing whether fees and charges are being added late in the booking process in ways that mislead consumers.
Prime Minister announces a new national plan to close illegal waste sites and disrupt criminal gangs profiting from waste crime, positioning the measures as part of a wider commitment to restore confidence in affected communities.
Government plans introduce ‘clean up squads’ requiring proven fly‑tippers to clear affected sites and reimburse local authorities for clearance costs, aiming to deter illegal dumping and reduce local clean‑up burdens.
Government plans to fast-track development of thousands of homes close to railway stations, aiming to reduce commute times and enable families to live nearer work, schools and transport hubs through targeted planning measures.
The Home Office is rolling out an AI‑driven call‑routing system for non‑emergency 101 calls intended to direct callers to the right service faster, reduce wait times and free police officers to focus on crime and victim support.