1,200 UK JOBS SUPPORTED BY NEARLY £900 MILLION DEFENCE DEAL TO KEEP MILITARY HELICOPTERS MISSION-READY

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * £879 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to keep the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters mission-ready. * Deal brings support for both helicopter fleets together under one arrangement for the first time, improving efficiency and value for the taxpayer. * Work supports more than 1,000 UK jobs, as record government investment makes defence an engine for growth. More than 1,000 jobs ha...


GOVERNMENT DRIVES FORWARD ITS 150-DAY CLINICAL TRIAL TARGET

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Average set up time for commercial clinical trials in UK reduced to 122 days, down from 169 last year, meaning faster access to new treatments on the NHS * Significant reduction in set-up times marks progress on Prime Minister's commitment to get UK clinical trials up and running within 150 days by March 2026 * Target hit after red tape and unnecessary paperwork was slashed for researchers NHS patients ...


DIGITAL OVERHAUL OF PRISON SYSTEM TO DRIVE DOWN RELEASE ERRORS

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Outdated paper-based prison systems to be digitalised, with up to £82 million package to crack down on mistaken releases * New ID system to be rolled outto track individuals across the systemdigitallyand crack down on errors * Ministers accept independent review recommendationsto tacklelongstanding'systemic' failuresinherited by the Government * Recorded releases in error fallby a third as Government pled...


ASYLUM HOTELS CLOSE AS GOVERNMENT SCALES UP USE OF LARGE SITES

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Eleven asylum hotels havebeenclosed and given back to local communities, with multiple more set to close in the coming weeks,as the government ramps up action to end the use of hotels for illegal migrants. The closures form part of the government'seffortsto fix the broken asylum system - tackling the immediate pressure of hotel use while driving longer‑term reform through faster asylum decisions, higher r...


GOVERNMENT CUTS ELECTRICITY BILL FOR 10,000 MANUFACTURERS IN BOOST FOR UK COMPETITIVENESS

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Chancellor announces bold action on businesses' electricity bills during IMF meetings in Washington, as Government strengthens Britain's economic security - helping deliver stability, keeping costs down, and boosting competitiveness. * Bills cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 manufacturers from April 2027, with no increase to household and business energy bills. * British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS)...


PM CALLS SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES INTO DOWNING STREET

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Prime Minister calls senior leaders from some of the biggest social media companies into Downing Street * Follows government taking powers to act quickly once its consultation concludes, including on measures to protect kids from social media harms * PM puts children's safety first and tells companies this is the time to meet the moment, address parents' concerns and prepare for next steps The Prime Minister ...


DONNA OCKENDEN APPOINTED TO CHAIR SUSSEX MATERNITY REVIEW

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Donna Ockenden confirmed as Chair of independent review intoSussex maternity * Announcement followsmeeting withSussex families, whoworkeddirectly with the Secretary of Stateto discuss Chair and scopeof review * Review is part of a wider government drive to improve maternity safety Harmed and bereaved families in Sussex will get the answers they deserve after the Health Secretary today confirmedDonna Ockenden ...


SPRING INTO THE MENDIP NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Visitors to Mendip National Nature Reserve (NNR) will enjoy the richest wildlife experience between April and early June when the limestone grasslands and woodlands of Somerset come into full bloom. This is the finest season to explore the reserve. The meadows and slopes will fill with spring flora, including a wide variety of orchids some of which are only found on Mendip, such as the Cheddar Pink. Adders eme...


ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SECURES £2.35M FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Agency accepted seven enforcement undertakings after separate pollution incidents at wastewater treatment works and sewer infrastructure across the region. The agreement is part of a record £8.5 million paid by water companies into environmental restoration projects across the country as part of a strengthened crackdown on pollution andpoor performanceacross the sector. This compares to £5.8 mill...


CHANGE OF NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AUTHORITY CHAIR

LONDON, April 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: NDA group Chair, Peter Hill CBE, has announced he is to step down on 17th April to focus on hisother existing and potential future board roles. This is following a successful period involving some significant achievements including reshaping the NDA Board,progressing improvements in the group's governance arrangements, leading the NDA during the 2024/25 Spending Review when it received the largest grant settlem...