LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: From 7 July 2026, APHA customers can now use our new digital contact form to access TB Advice services. New contact forms have already been launched for Pet Travel, Customer Advice (animal health, including diseases) and Welfare with more contact forms being rolled out over the coming months. This new and improved service will allow customers to provide all relevant information needed upfront, which will help to...
LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Getty has delivered a notice to Shutterstock terminating their merger agreement, which the CMA had conditionally cleared earlier this year. Responding to the decision, Margot Daly, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, said: The decision by Getty to abandon its merger with Shutterstock is ultimately a commercial choice. Our investigation cleared the merger on the condition that the co...
LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Home Secretary has today (7 July 2026) confirmed Sir AndyMarsh QPM as the government's preferred candidate for the role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabularyin England and Walesand Chief Inspectorof Fire & Rescuein England(HMCI). Sir Andy Marsh has been Chief Executive of the College of Policing since September 2021. Sir Andy has over 30 years' policing experience, having joined Avon and Somerset Police in 1...
LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Local News Fund is part of the government's Local Media Action Plan - a strategy backing the essential role of local media in our towns and communities * Second year of the Fund will also be used to tackle 'news deserts', by helping to revive a local news presence in communities that currently lack one. Local news outlets can now bid for a share of up to £12 million in government funding over the next two...
LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Changes proposed to current frameworks for inspecting local authority children's services (ILACS) and the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) for providers. * Proposals include removing the 'overall experiences and progress' judgement for the SCCIF, and introducing a 5-grade scale and report cards for both frameworks. * Changes align closely with government reforms, including on supporting fa...
LONDON, July 7 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Every year, Maritime Safety Week gives the industry a chance to pause and aska difficult question: are we really doing enough to keep seafarers safe? This year, I want to focus on safety management systems(SMS)and the importance of closing the gap betweensafety in theory and safety in practice. Athorough and comprehensiveSMS is one of the most powerful tools available tomariners. Required under international law ...
LONDON, July 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation previouslyfaced a "cliff edge" loss of income when increasing their working hours * Newchangestothewelfaresystemwhichencourage work and ensure it always payscome into force in October * Measure to benefit around300,000 vulnerable claimants living in supported housing and temporary accommodation More than300,000residents in supported housing and temporar...
LONDON, July 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * New safeguards to stop foreign money influencing UK elections, including a timebound cap on donations on those who move to the UK from overseas. * Tougher checks on company donations will ensure only legitimate UK-linked businesses can contribute, with donations assessed against profits rather than revenue. * Candidates willbe requiredto prove campaign funding comes from legitimate sources, strengthening transpa...
LONDON, July 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (6 July 2026) approved Retifanlimab (ZYNYZ)as the first treatment given to adults with advanced Merkel cell skin cancer that has spread or returned and cannot be cured with an operation or radiotherapy. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that develops from Merkel cells, specialised neuroendoc...
LONDON, July 6 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * New staff standards to improve working conditions forover one and a half million NHS staff * Hospital performance to be measured on staff wellbeing issues * Delivers on 10 Year Health Plan commitment NHS employers will be formally accountable for how they treat their workforceon key issues for the first time underlandmark staff standards that will measureperformance on tackling racism, violence and improving se...