Author: HM Government

consultation launched to shape the 2030 petrol and diesel car phase-out industry invited to have their say on the UK’s approach to the zero emission vehicle transition and how consumers can be supported to make the switch comes as figures show more than 72,000 public chargepoints available, helping the UK become a clean energy superpower and delivering on our Plan for Change The UK automotive and charging industries have been invited to shape the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles, as the UK government works with the sector to harness the huge opportunities for economic growth and improve living standards…

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The Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board met on 19th December 2024. The Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Transition Board, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, sought endorsement from the Board to announce the doubling of funding to the Employment and Skills and the Supply Chain Transition Funds to £30m in total. The Supply Chain Transition Fund has received significant demand, with almost 40 businesses employing 2,000 people having begun the application process. Grants worth millions of pounds are expected to be released in the new year. The majority of voluntary and compulsory redundancies from Tata…

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Diners in Japan will be tucking into authentic UK products this festive period after the country granted special protected status to nearly 40 British food and drink products.    Festive favourites such as Single Malt Welsh Whisky and Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese are just some of the products to receive the status, which means British businesses can export to Japan with confidence that their products are protected against imitation.   The news has been welcomed as an early Christmas present by food and drink businesses across the UK and could see a boost to British exports in Japan. Japan’s population…

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The Defence Secretary visited UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to Estonia to thank them for their vital service at Christmas. Some 10,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, and aviators will spend Christmas Day deployed overseas, sacrificing celebrations with their families and friends to keep the UK safe. The work of the UK Armed Forces continues over Christmas on 60 operations in 44 countries this, while hundreds more personnel are working to protect the UK’s skies, shores, and seas at home. There are 900 British personnel deployed in Estonia, ready to defend NATO’s eastern flank and working alongside French and Estonian forces to…

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From next year, people can choose to use digital identities on their phones to prove their age when buying alcohol in high street pubs, clubs and shops – allowing landlords to serve pints more easily and reducing hassle in grocery queues. Digital identity sector generated £2 billion in revenue in the UK last year and employed over 10,000 people – half of which were outside London – in a further boost to the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change which will secure economic growth and living standards. The new laws will give people a voluntary, safe and secure way to prove…

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Transport Secretary announces nearly £1.6 billion to fix potholes across England for next year and clamps down on disruptive street works  funding goes well beyond manifesto pledge, helping councils fix the equivalent of 7 million extra potholes next year and saving drivers hundreds of pounds in repairs  England’s roads have been plagued by potholes for too long and the government is investing to boost infrastructure as part of its Plan for Change With the drive home for Christmas about to begin, millions of people will benefit from safer roads thanks to a record £1.6 billion investment to fill potholes and…

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We have reviewed the pension costs of the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIEN) for the Utility Regulator (UREGNI). The regulator oversees Northern Ireland’s electricity network and determines whether certain historic pension costs should be passed onto consumers and that ongoing costs are reasonable. As part of its regulatory function UREGNI asked the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) to look at NIEN pensions costs and the RP7 pension cost allowances. GAD’s assessment Regulated companies have historically passed on pensions costs to consumers. At this review, the proposal was to refund consumers, which was reflective of the improved funding environment. GAD reviewed…

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Support fund for businesses and workers more than doubled to £30m. More supply chain businesses will be eligible to apply for support in response to significant interest from businesses reliant on Tata Steel Port Talbot. Businesses now able to claim grants of up to £250,000 to invest in equipment, property, technology. The UK Government is announcing a £15 million boost to steel support funds, more than doubling the funding available to support supply chain businesses and workers affected by changes at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site.  Chairing the latest meeting of the Transition Board today (19 December) Welsh Secretary Jo…

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We wish to raise awareness of an increase in suspected adverse event reports following use of Genta-Equine 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses, specifically batches T-001 and V-001. These reports include: signs of abdominal pain/colic pawing restlessness/agitation groaning shaking/shivering/fasciculation Flehmen response lying down or attempting to lie down staggering increased sweating increased respiratory rate In all reports received to date, events commenced within minutes of administration and all horses recovered. Adverse event reports received may include: reports where more than one product was used the product was used off-label and/or where, on further evaluation, it is considered that there…

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£3.5million funding boost to be shared by 17 NHS areas to trial innovative ways to treat musculoskeletal conditions (MSK)  646,000 people off work with MSK conditions – around 1 in 4 of the record 2.8 million people on long-term sickness benefits   Funding is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to deliver growth, put more money in people’s pockets, and get the NHS back on its feet As part of the Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity – where someone is out of work and not looking for work – 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England will share…

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