LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Landmark investment in the North will see working people in Northern cities andtownsbenefitfrom faster rail links, shorter commutes, betterjobsand new homes under new growth plan.  * The landmark Northern Powerhouse Rail at the heart of the plans will reverse years of underinvestment and deliver long-awaited faster and more frequent rail across the North, better connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Br...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: British High Commissioner Leigh Stubblefield, on Monday 12 January 2026, presented her Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, marking the formal start of her role as the UK's representative in Malawi. The ceremony at State House in Lilongwe follows tradition observed when a new ambassador or high commissioner takes up their post. A new chapter in UK-Malawi relations S...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Today [14 January], Business Secretary Peter Kyle has appointed three new business leaders with a wealth of experience to support key UK sectors, as the government looks to ramp up economic growth and opportunities for people across the country. Amelia Gould, KeithAndersonand Dana Strong will join the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council-an independent body thatadvisesthegovernment on delivering the Industrial S...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Mr Paul Eastwood has been appointed British High Commissioner to The Independent State of Papua New Guinea in succession to Ms Anne Macro. Mr Eastwood will take up his appointment during February 2026. Curriculum Vitae Full name: Paul David Eastwood Year Role 2024 to 2025 Ofgem, Deputy Director and Head of Energy System Planning 2022 to 2024 FCDO, Lead Energy Adviser 2021 to 2022 ScottishPower Renewables, S...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * governmentlaunchesnewgrowth plan for the North to unlock the region's economic potential and boost livingstandards - growing the productivity of 5 largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year tothe UKeconomy * faster frequent and reliabletrains across Yorkshire,better journeystotheNorth East,andprogressing Leamside Line proposals inplans to vastly improve travel andopen upjob o...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Business Secretary Peter Kyle will set out his ambition for the UK to go toe to toe on economic growth with the US economy to boost living standards today [Wednesday 14 January]. In a speech to top business leaders including from Alphabet, Meta and Ford at Bloomberg's London headquarters, he will lay out how the Government's Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK's world-leading strengths in 2026 ...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Home Secretary willhave thepowerto sackfailingchiefconstables,under plansannouncedby Shabana Mahmood today. Thenewlawswillhand HomeSecretaries'statutory powers toforce the retirement,resignationor suspension ofchief constablesonperformance grounds. Theprevious administrationremoved the power in 2011through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. Currently, it is only police and crime commissi...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has appointed the following new members to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC): * Richard Machin * Owen McCloskey Bothhave been appointed toserve a five-year term, starting on 1 January 2026. Confirming the appointments, DWP Minister ofLords, Baroness Sherlock OBE, said: Richard and Owen bring a wealth ofexpertiseand fresh perspectives that will strengthen ...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Record8.4GWof offshore wind secured in Europe's biggest ever offshore wind auction - enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 12 million homes * as Britain races to cut bills and meet growing energy demand, price for offshore wind agreed at 40% lower than the cost of building andoperatinga new gas power plant * putsthe countryfirmlyon track todeliverthe missionforclean power by 2030, taking back...
LONDON, Jan. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Applications will be open until 31 March 2026 for Expressions of Interest * Competition delivers on the government's Plan for Change, driving local economic growth and opportunity The government has taken its latest step in renewing the country by launching the first ever UK Town of Culture competition. With 11 weeks to apply, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner deliverin...