Press Releases

Minister expresses concern about sentencing of former Maldives President Nasheed

Hugo Swire urges calm across the Maldives and encourages political parties to act with moderation, restraint and within bounds of the law.

Big Society Award for Sainsbury's Active Kids: giving children a healthier, happier head start

Sainsbury’s Active Kids scheme has been recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron with a Big Society Award.

Foreign Secretary attends Egypt Economic Development conference in Sharm el-Sheikh

Foreign Secretary leads UK trade delegation to Egyptian Economic conference and meets President el-Sisi.

New measures help create a bigger, better private rented sector

New measures have been introduced that will create a bigger, better private rented sector for tenants and landlords.

Surge in British built vehicles with British made components

New research reveals that British cars are being made with more British sourced components.

New wave of innovation to update statutory notices for 21st Century

The government announces joint pilots with public and private sector to help make statutory notices fit for the future.

PM meeting with NATO Secretary General, 13 March 2015

The Prime Minister welcomed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Downing Street today, ahead of the Afghanistan Service of Commemoration.

Planned roadworks in Kent and Sussex: Weekly summary for Monday 16 March – Sunday 22 March 2015

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 13 March 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.

Record number of apprentices enter food and farming

Record numbers of young people are looking to forge a career in the UK’s flourishing food and farming sector, with more than 36,000 applications for apprenticeships this year – a nine fold increase since 2010.

A249 Sheppey Crossing maintenance in Kent

Work to maintain and improve the road surface over the Sheppey Crossing on the A249 will take place later this month.

Planned roadworks in Central Southern England: Weekly summary for Monday 16 March – Sunday 22 March 2015

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 13 March 2015 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.

Planned roadworks in the North West – summary for Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of Friday 13 March 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.

Planned road works in West Midlands: Weekly summary for Monday 16 March – 22 March 2015

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 13 March 2015 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.

Scarlet fever: second year of high activity

Latest PHE report shows high number of scarlet fever notifications across England, with 5746 reported cases since September 2014.

A new era for Benson Weir

The Environment Agency has recently completed important maintenance and repair work on Benson Weir in South Oxfordshire.

Meningococcal group W (MenW) immunisation advised for 14 to 18 year-olds

The JCVI has today (13 March 2015) advised that immunisation for meningococcal group W (MenW) disease be offered to 14 to 18 year-olds.

Drivers advised improvement work on the A14 in Ipswich will continue next week

Roadworks taking place on the A14 in Ipswich between Stowupland and Copdock will continue on Monday (16 March) after being cancelled due to poor weather and to minimise disruption to motorists.

Planned roadworks in Yorkshire and the Humber: Weekly summary for Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 12 March 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.

UK matches Red Nose Day funds raised by UK schools

The UK will match up to £10 million raised by school children to help Comic Relief transform the lives of children.

Funding boost to safeguard Cornish language announced

Nick Clegg and Stephen Williams announce that the government is investing an extra £150,000 to promote and develop the Cornish language.

Drivers advised to avoid clockwise M60 at Middleton following serious incident

Drivers in Greater Manchester are being advised this morning’s full closure of the clockwise M60 at junction 19 at Middleton due to a serious incident is likely to last into the afternoon.

Schools given £5 million to work with local nurseries

Minister for Childcare Sam Gyimah announces funding to improve the quality of early years education.

Launch of Great British High Street competition 2015

The government has today launched the second Great British High Street competition.

Final M6 and M55 link road closures at Broughton for ‘Pinch Point’ works

Drivers using the M6 and M55 around Preston in Lancashire are being advised the final programme of overnight carriageway closures has been published ahead of completion of the £7m pinch point widening improvement.

Consumer champion Lynn Faulds Wood to lead product safety review

Leading consumer campaigner Lynn Faulds Wood will lead a review of the UK’s system for the recall of unsafe products.

Change of UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva

Julian Braithwaite has been appointed as UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.