LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn the prosecution of Jimmy Lai under the National Security Law (NSL) in Hong Kong that has led to his guilty verdict on December 15, 2025.We continue to express our concerns about deteriorating rights, freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Today (17 December), the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's (VMD) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Hall, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate and Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, issued the following statement: We are pleased to announce that the CFIA and the VMD have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (M...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Natasha Allarakhia, from Norwich, has had her ten-year sentence extended by nearly three years after the Solicitor General referred her case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Police found that Allarakhia was travelling at speeds in excess of 90 mph just moments prior to the collision, 30 mph over the speed limit. The court heard that Allarakhia was travelling towards Sleaford on t...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Throughout 2025, 172 vehicles carrying waste were stopped during 14 road checks, with 26 drivers or companies found to be operating without the required waste carrier's licence. The checks saw enforcement officers provide advice and guidance to 37 drivers and companies about transporting waste correctly. One waste carrier's licence was revoked after the holder was found unsuitable. The year-long multi-agency op...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Enough electricity to power two cities the size of London will be unlocked through the Marine Recovery Fund to safeguard Britain's marine biodiversity and energy security, the Government has announced today (Wednesday 17 December). The new Marine Recovery Fund enables offshore wind developers to pay into a government‑operated funding pot delivering meaningful environmental compensatory measures to restore ...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * UK Government provides over £120m support package as part of £150m joint investment with INEOS to protect vital chemical production and 500 jobs at Grangemouth, plus hundreds more in the supply chain. * Unique plant strategically important for UK's critical national infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, North Sea operations and modern Industrial Strategy. * Deal secures operational commitment from IN...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * The UK has successfully agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, widening opportunities for young people from all backgrounds, learners, educational, youth and sport staff to study and train abroad. * The UK and EU also agreed to start negotiations on electricity market integration and set a deadline to agree a food and drink trade deal and carbon markets linkage next year. * Strengthened UK-EU rela...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The October data shows: * on average, house prices have fallen -0.1% since September 2025 * there has been an annual price rise of 1.7% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £270,000 England In England the October data shows, on average, house prices fell by 0.1% since September 2025. The annual price rise of 1.4% takes the average property value to £292,000. The regional data for Eng...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Evidence to date suggests the market is caught in a cycle of inefficiency, characterised by high costs, and low investment * CMA has provisionally identified significant opportunities to improve how projects are scoped, planned, procured and regulated to better support UK growth The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its interim report as part of its ongoing market study into the civil engin...
LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, has expressed his regret that the latest search for disappeared teenager Columba McVeigh in Co Monaghan has ended. Mr Benn was commenting after the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) confirmed they have ceased the search operation at Bragan Bog, which had been ongoing since the summer after a review of previous operations i...