Rupert Douglas

On Monday 9 January, the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), in partnership with the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Forestry Commission, published the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging countries to keep up the momentum on the fight against climate change in the week ahead at the COP26 summit.

UK Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng met with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm at the UN COP26 summit in Glasgow, where they discussed strengthening cooperation to accelerate the global transition to clean energy and build back better ambitions.

The government is to fund £15 million digitisation of the Herbarium at Kew Gardens in major boost to “revolutionise” climate change research during opening week of COP26.

More than 160 projects across Wales will receive a share of more than £46m to help people into work, boost productivity and deliver net zero.

A new campaign launches today (Friday 5 November) across digital channels, radio stations and newspapers, demonstrating the importance of simple ventilation techniques to reduce the risks of catching COVID-19 this winter.

The UK government have released a statement looking at the plans for levelling up the country outside of London. As the UK seeks to ‘Build Back Better’ from the restrictions placed upon the economy by the outbreak of Covid-19, the government are looking at a wide range of proposals.

Every state school with a Reception class in England can now apply for training and resources through an early years catch-up programme funded by the Government, to support thousands more pupils with vital communication skills.

From Monday 17 May, the NHS app will be used to show a persons vaccination status if they have had both doses of the vaccination. The NHS app is separate from the NHS Covid-19 app which is used by contact tracing. The government is advising people to register for the app at-least two weeks before attempting to travel.

Under new proposals released by Environment Secretary George Eustice, every home in England will see a boost to recycling. In an effort to protect the environment and to keep with targets set to eliminate all ‘avoidable waste’ by 2026.

On May 17th, the rules around foreign travel are being relaxed to allow people in England to take foreign holidays. The travel and hospitality industries had been looking forward to the announcement of which countries would be on the green list, meaning that visitors would be able to visit without having to quarantine upon their return.

The Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election by 15,529 vote to Labours 8,859. It is the first time since the seat has been won since it was created in 1974. Jill Mortimer, the Tory candidate has overturned a labour majority of 3,600 to soo n become the first Conservative MP for the constituency.

Right2Learn (R2L), are a campaign group that seeks to show how important properly funded lifelong learning is to the life chances of millions. The group was formed after the publication of the findings from the 2019 Lifelong Learning Commission called for everyone of any age and background to have access to properly funded education.

G7 Foreign and Development Ministers meeting in London this week will invest $15 billion in development finance over the next two years to help women in developing countries access jobs, build resilient businesses and respond to the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19.

Royal Assent has been granted to landmark bill, strengthening the governments ability to investigate mergers and deals that could threaten national security. The National Security and Investment Act will protect the public from malicious investment and makes the UK a more attractive place to invest with clarity and transparency.