LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: From Monday 5 October 2026, fees for DBS checks and subscribing to the Update Service are to reduce. The new fees will be as follows: * Basic DBS check: £20.00 (reduced from £21.50) * Standard DBS check: £20.00 (reduced from £21.50) * Enhanced DBS check: £41.00 (reduced from £49.50) * Update Service subscription: £15.00 per year (reduced from £16.00) * Volunteer checks...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * A new class unit will drive forward government work to improve life chances * Social Mobility Commission to be closed down as part of wider government review into arm's length bodies * New unit to focus on improving lives of low-income families, disadvantaged communities and rooting out child poverty Working-class people will be at the heart of a renewed government drive to tackle entrenched inequality, with M...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, has today (9 September 2026) announced the appointment of 2 new non-executive board members to the Department for Transport (DfT) board - Charles Randell CBE as Lead Non-Executive Board Member, and Harjit Sandhu as Non-Executive Board Member and Group Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC) Chair. Non-executive board members are senior figures from outside go...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Over £200 million for 10 major projects, including new operating theatres, children's wards and improved maternity and mental health facilities. * 1.3 billion for maintenance, safety and resilience projects across the NHS estate, including £32 million for specific projects that are improving cooling and ventilation systems and strengthening hospitals' resilience to extreme heat. * Investment will help...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Government preparing legislation to force tech companies to make it impossible for anyone under the age of 18 to take, view or send nude images * Apple and Google make progress but Government will prepare new laws to compel companies to deliver the strongest child safety laws in the world * Growing sexual exploitation and abuse of children in the digital age means Government is taking actionto protect children ...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: What you need to know * Minister Uma Kumaran made her first visit to the Caribbean since becoming Minister for the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and Global Technology * discussions in the Dominican Republic focused on economic growth, regional security, clean energy and stability in Haiti * the programme included meetings with government ministers, business leaders, international partners and organisations sup...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Stacey Sharples, 31, from Farnworth, Bolton, had her sentence increased by two years and six months, after the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, referred her case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The court heard that Sharples contacted men online between 2013 and 2020, arranged to meet them in person, and then made false allegations of rape against them to the police. She rep...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: In his speech at the Housing Community Summit today, Jonathan said: "we are in a world of greater uncertainty and can't predict that it will get any easier in the next few years. There are real pressures in the system. investment in existing homes is really important and comes with a cost." He added "we are seeing that play out in the sector's finances. over two thirds of landlords now have a V2 [viability gradi...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Royal Marines and British Army personnel attended the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on Wednesday. 20 Royal Marines provided a marching detachment lining the route of the funeral procession in Oslo. Personnel from 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, also attended as part of the UK's tribute. The late King, who died on 28 August, maintained a dedicated 45-year relationship with the British Armed Forces as...
LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: Thankyou for that introduction Kirsty and good morning everyone. It is a privilege to take part in this year's Housing Community Summit, and I extend my sincere thanks to the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing for inviting me to do so. It is also a real pleasure to be back in Liverpool - a city region with a hugely ambitious regeneration pipeline and a strong commitment...