Press Releases

Warmer homes: government doubles number of pensioners receiving energy bill discount

An extra 200,000 pensioners will get money off their energy bills this winter, as the Warm Home Discount scheme expands for the fourth year.

Foreign Office expresses concern about Hong Kong and welcomes offer of talks

UK urges parties to participate constructively in promised talks in Hong Kong.

Defeating Ebola conference in London: International community pledges more health workers, funding and supplies

Britain rallies international support to combat Ebola in Sierra Leone.

Foreign Office Minister condemns Syria violence and attack

Tobias Ellwood MP condemns attack against civilians in Homs, killing over 45 people, mostly children, after two car bombs exploded outside a primary school.

Foreign Secretary co-hosts the Defeating Ebola Conference

Foreign Secretary co-hosts the Defeating Ebola Conference to drive forward the international response to the epidemic in Sierra Leone.

Rail Minister Claire Perry takes tour in Crossrail tunnel

Minister sees the ongoing work to link Canning Town and Victoria Dock as part of Europe’s biggest infrastructure project.

Chief executive for civil service appointed

Top appointment to drive efficiency across Whitehall and improve execution throughout the civil service.

Work begins on A303 Ilchester Interchange Overbridge

Work to replace bridge joints and re-waterproof the deck of the Interchange Overbridge on the A303 at Ilchester will be completed a week ahead of schedule.

Time has come to dispel the myth of feckless young people, UKCES claims

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) responds to new research from the British Chamber of Commerce, calling for more work to be done to offer work experience and dispel the myth of unprepared young people.

A1 closures in Elkesley as improvement scheme forges ahead

A number of overnight closures will be in place from next Monday 6 October on the A1 in Elkesley as part of a scheme to improve the junctions at Jockey Lane and Elkesley village.

Tyne Valley passengers get a bigger say on rail services

The Tyne Valley Line has been designated as a community rail service.

Thousands more school leavers staying in education or training

New figures reveal more young people are gaining knowledge and skills demanded by employers.

Overnight closures on the A14 Junction 7 to 9 at Kettering, Northamptonshire

Two weeks of overnight closures will take place on the A14 between junctions 7 and 9 at Kettering from Monday 6 October as part of the Highways Agency’s ongoing widening work.

Improved A23 to open next week

Long awaited improvements on the A23 in Sussex will become reality next week, when a newly created third lane on the completed Handcross and Warninglid project opens to traffic

Home improvements up, as planning freedoms take effect

New figures show planning reform and cut red tape have enabled thousands of homeowners to make improvements, and have got Britain building.

£10 million improvements for M4 in Berkshire

A package of road improvements to the M4 in Berkshire with a value of around £10 million is underway.

Koi herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed in Wiltshire

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease has been confirmed in carp (Cyprinus carpio) at Tockenham Reservoir, Wiltshire.

Take care when picking mushrooms, poisons experts warn

Every year dozens of people all over the UK have to seek medical advice after picking and eating wild mushrooms which then make them ill.

DECC appoints new chief scientific advisor

Professor John Loughhead OBE FREng FTSE has been appointed DECC’s Chief Scientific Advisor.

£300 million budget to launch UK auctions for renewables

Renewable electricity projects will compete for £300 million in support this autumn – an increase of £95 million from the indicative budget published in July.