Press Releases

Government response to the Joint Committee on the draft Protection of Charities Bill

The government has published its response to the Joint Committee on the draft Protection of Charities Bill, after pre-legislative scrutiny.

Government announces refreshed Talent Action Plan

New measures announced to help under-represented and disadvantaged groups succeed in the civil service.

Press briefing: afternoon 26 March 2015

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson answered questions about PM's phone call with President of Iran, Alps plane crash and Speaker vote.

Changes to road layout along the A20 in Dover

Work to change the way that traffic approaches the Port of Dover will begin tonight (26 March)

Overnight closures of A14 for M1 junction 19 improvement

Overnight closures will take place from next week at the A14 to M6 slip road as part of the M1 junction 19 Catthorpe improvement scheme.

State Opening of Parliament to take place on 27 May 2015

Parliament has been prorogued. The Prime Minister will ask Her Majesty to summon the new Parliament to meet on Monday 18 May.

£460,000 safety barriers replacement for M60 bridges

Drivers using the M60 between Swinton and Prestwich in Greater Manchester are being advised a £460,000 project to install new safety barriers will be completed on 31 March – requiring overnight lane and carriageway closures to remove traffic management.

£5.75 million driver information improvements near completion

A major investment in technology to help tackle congestion and give better information to drivers across parts of the North West will be completed by the Highways Agency by the end of the month.

Drivers reminded of 16 hour A1 closure this weekend in North Yorkshire

Drivers are advised to plan their journeys around the A1 in North Yorkshire this weekend as the road will be closed for 16 hours in order to install 12 bridge beams weighing 26 tons at Agricola Bridge.

Overnight closures for eastbound M56 at Altrincham this weekend

Drivers using the Manchester-bound M56 around Altrincham this weekend are being advised a short section of the eastbound carriageway will be closed for up to four nights as work to complete a £4.2 million project to tackle congestion nears completion.

Boost for firms as Small Business Act becomes law

Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act receives Royal Assent.

Fleetwood and PNE fans advised to leave extra driving time for Sunday’s derby

Football fans using the A585 on 29 March to get to the Lancashire derby between Fleetwood and visitors Preston North End are being advised to leave extra time for journeys.

New £5.5 million M56 bridge to open to drivers

A new £5.5 million bridge over the M56 near Manchester Airport is due to open to drivers next Wednesday (1 April 2015).

Global health changes and overcoming regulatory challenges was a major part of the MHRA Annual Lecture

Dr Dan Hartman, Director of Integrated Development for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, delivered the tenth Annual Lecture.

Making waves with mackerel

UK exports of mackerel rose last year, despite an unjustified Russian food ban across Europe.

Over 550 miles of roadworks removed for Easter getaway

More than 550 miles of Highways Agency roadworks will be lifted over Easter to help bank holiday journeys go smoothly.

PhD graduates offered up to £40,000 to work in the classroom

Applications are open for the 2-year Researchers in Schools training programme for PhD graduates.

Paul Gray reappointed as Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC)

The Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, announced today (26 March 2015) that Paul Gray has been reappointed as Chair of SSAC.

Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine

Ms Judith Gough has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Ukraine.

National Grid joins government’s Disability Confident campaign

National Grid has pledged to become a partner of the government’s Disability Confident campaign.

UK and Norway: Building links to deliver energy security and prosperity

The joint statement was issued by the British and Norwegian Prime Ministers on the North Sea Network (NSN) electricity interconnector.

New fraud, error and debt measures will save taxpayer £2.6 billion a year

A government report published today sets out how new measures to tackle fraud and error will save the taxpayer £2.6 billion a year.

Council Tax freeze has kept bills down for hardworking people

Average Council Tax bills in England have fallen in real-terms over the last 5 years.

Commercial use of public data study published

The CMA has published an independent evaluation on the impact of the OFT’s 2006 market study into the commercial use of public information.

New chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council appointed

Sir Gordon Duff appointed as the new chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Manufacturers get more support from government

Today (26 March 2015) the government announced the latest winners from a fund to help rebuild British manufacturing prowess.

Government puts life into Nantwich site derelict for 25 years

Plans to turn derelict gas works into new homes and leisure facilities get the go-ahead.

Black taxis go green with £45 million government investment

Ministers have today (26 March 2015) announced £45 million to support the rollout of greener taxis.

Third release of popular Green Deal Home Improvement Fund fully allocated

The £70 million available through the third release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) has been fully allocated.

New relationship support offered to expectant parents

Couples expecting a baby are to be given professional coaching on how becoming parents may change their relationship.

MHRA assists development of UK manufacturing site for innovative drug-device product

MHRA helps in the development of a UK manufacturing site for BTG plc for varicose veins treatment.

Number of pupils regularly missing school falls to lowest level

New school attendance statistics show the number of persistent absentees is down by nearly 200,000 since 2010.

The heat is on to ensure warmer, healthy homes for everyone

Central Heating Fund enables up to 8,000 fuel poor homes to stay warmer for less.

Joint venture established to run the Planning Portal

DCLG has entered into a joint venture with TerraQuest Limited, setting up a new company to run the Planning Portal.

Diocese of Gloucester: Venerable Rachel Treweek

The Queen has approved the nomination of Venerable Rachel Treweek for election as Bishop of Gloucester.

Lord-Lieutenant for Devon: David Fursdon

Mr David Fursdon is appointed as Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Devon.

Julian Ashby reappointed to regulation committee

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis today confirmed the reappointment of Julian Ashby as chairman of the Homes and Communities Agency’s Regulation Committee.

UK energy statistics: statistical press release - March 2015

Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices published.

Teacher Ethics in Assessment symposium

Ofqual and The University of Oxford are today (Thursday 26 March) hosting a symposium to discuss ‘Teacher Ethics in Assessment’.

Driving forward: a new era for England’s major roads

Highways England, the government-owned company which will deliver the largest investment in England’s major roads in a generation, officially launches next week.

Banks agree protocol on branch closures

High street banks, consumer groups and the government have signed up to an industry-wide agreement to minimise the impact of branch closures.