Press Releases

Foreign Office Minister condemns Israeli settlement announcement

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood condemns Israeli settlement announcement and urges reversal of decision.

UK Government action to boost North Wales powerhouse

Alun Cairns: "The UK Government has an economic plan for North Wales and we are determined to create the right conditions for growth."

Planned roadworks in the North West – summary for Monday 2 to Sunday 8 February

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 30 January and could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

£1.9 Million resurfacing investment on M5 between Junction 13 and 14

Resurfacing work totalling £1.9 million will start next week on the M5 in Gloucestershire improving journeys between Junctions 13 and 14 southbound.

Hugo Swire meets new Sri Lankan President

Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire has concluded his second visit to Sri Lanka, the first Ministerial visit since the formation of a new government.

Public Exhibitions on replacement of Merafield Bridge A38

Drivers, business owners and local residents are invited to find out more about a £6 million scheme to replace the bridge which carries Merafield Road over the A38 at Plymouth.

£1.9 million pounds of improvements continue at A38 at Dry Bridge, Rattery

A 1.9 million programme of essential maintenance work to replace a bridge over the A38 near Rattery in Devon, continues on Saturday 7 February with the installation of the new bridge.

Work on new safety measures on the A12 in Suffolk and Essex to start next week

Road users are advised that work on schemes to improve safety for drivers on the A12 at Hughes Corner near Ipswich, Sufffolk, and at Kelvedon near Colchester, Essex is set to start on Monday (2 February).

Planned roadworks in the East Midlands: Weekly summary for Monday 2 to Sunday 8 February

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 30 January but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

Update on Rural Payments service

We are adding new features to the Rural Payments service which means it will be unavailable from 2pm on Friday

Foreign Secretary condemns terrorist attacks in North Sinai

Philip Hammond says UK stands with the Egyptian people in their fight against terrorist violence.

New funds to kickstart joint working with NHS and councils this winter

Extra money for councils to get people home from hospital more quickly and stop them from being admitted in the first place.

Planned roadworks in Yorkshire and the Humber: Weekly summary for Monday 2 February to Sunday 8 February

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 28 January but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

£55m programme brings roads boost across West Midlands

A widespread congestion-busting road improvement programme worth nearly £55 million has now tackled 15 bottlenecks in the West Midlands – with another six due to be completed in the next three months.

£50m programme brings roads boost across East Midlands

A widespread congestion-busting roads improvement programme worth almost £50 million has now tackled five bottlenecks in the East Midlands - with another six due to be completed in the next three months.

New bypass agreed for Chipping Warden

People living in and around Chipping Warden will benefit from a new bypass that will be built as part of the HS2 north-south rail project.

£2m for thousands of Royal Navy personnel in Argyll and Bute

Thousands of naval personnel in Argyll and Bute will benefit from £2 million of UK government support through Libor fines.

Government outlines higher education funding priorities for 2015 to 2016

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has issued its annual Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

New strengthening faith institutions programme: now open for bids

Bids are invited from organisations to run a £400,000 programme to help strengthen and support faith institutions.

Jo Swinson champions speed mentoring for Scottish businesswomen

Minister Jo Swinson joined female entrepreneurs as they pitched their businesses to established entrepreneurs in the search for mentors.

Communities rewarded for saying yes to new homes

Communities across the country will be rewarded for their part in delivering hundreds of thousands of new homes.

Single source regulator launches new rules on £6 billion spend

New defence regulator recommends reduced profit rate for contractors, and launches tighter rules on £6 billion of MOD annual spend.

Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire: Toby Dennis

Mr Toby Dennis is appointed as Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire.

Independent Living Fund reappoint Michael Boyall as a member of the Board of Trustees

Michael Boyall has been reappointed as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Independent Living Fund.

UKEF helps OGN secure multi-million pound contract

Support from UK Export Finance has helped North East-based Offshore Group Newcastle (OGN) secure a multi-million pound contract.

RPA announces SPS target surpassed more than two months early

RPA has already exceeded its SPS 2014 target for the end of March

Business Secretary celebrates record applications for UK higher education

Vince Cable visits Kingston University in Surrey to celebrate the record demand for higher education from across the UK and overseas.