LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: March 2026 The UK-Madagascar Trade Partnership - Building Opportunities Together The United Kingdom's trade partnership with Madagascar is built on two complementary frameworks: the expanded Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and the UK-Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (UK‑ESA EPA). Together, they support Malagasy exporters with: * one of the world's most generous trad...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit (JEF) earlier today.  The Prime Minister welcomed Sweden's leadership in taking disruptive action against Russia's shadow fleet and updated on plans for interdictions in UK waters, including in the Channel, which were announced today.  Turning to Ukraine, the leaders reite...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Up to 700 new Registered Building Inspectors trained, and funding available for upskilling of existing ones * Funding for bursaries in Fire Engineering higher education programmes, higher education provision, research and academic capacity * More building inspectors and fire engineers to approve new homes New £70 million funding has been announced to address shortages in building safety professions and h...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Upto £64 million to back Port Talbot's development as the firstportin the Celtic Sea specifically developed to support floating offshore wind - a major step in delivering the clean power mission * The new port willhelpunlockat least4.5 GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea - helping deliver clean, homegrown electricity,protect households from volatile fossil fuelmarketsand create up to 5,000 new ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The US DIU has launched a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) which is a fast, flexible route for companies to pitch technology directly to government. The programme, called REEF (Robotic Exclusion and Engagement Framework), seeks technology to counter the threat of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The deadline to submit ideas to the challenge is 3 April 2026. Why this matters UUVs, such as autonomous subm...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Lance Percival,of Oxted, Surrey,hadhis sentence increased after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. The court heard that between 2020 and 2025, Percival regularlydrove avulnerablewoman tohersupport services. He repeatedly rapedand sexually assaultedthe victim over five years, knowingher vulnerabilitymeant she could notprovide consent. ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: From today (26 March), the inquiry will begin investigating the violence that arose between police and picketing miners at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984, resulting in 95 arrests and scores of injuries. Those arrested were charged with riot and unlawful assembly, but all charges were later dropped after police evidence was discredited. The terms of reference, which have been published today, were develop...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Specialist teams are beingestablishedto prevent unacceptable behaviour and sexual violence in the Armed Forces, alongside a significant uplift to victim support. An investment of more than £500,000will create five permanent new posts within the Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) at the Ministry of Defence, increasing its capacity to support around 100additionalcases each year. The VWCU provides independent, ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Sweet chestnut blight has been confirmed in Devon, the Forestry Commission has said today(Thursday 26 March). In response to the outbreak,the Forestry Commission has introduced restrictions on the movement of susceptible material in parts of SouthDevon from Thursday 2 April. These measures are designed to contain the disease and reduce the risk of further spread. Sweet chestnut blight is a destructive disease ...
LONDON, March 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales - delivering a key manifesto commitment. A public consultation will open today on how to take the ban forward. Trail hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting. It became popular in the UK after the Hunting Act 2004 became law, as an alternative to traditional fox hunting. This c...