LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * The Ultra-Long Duration Energy Storage Challengewilloffer £28 million tocreate tech which can store clean energy for over 100 hours * Following another record-breaking heatwave, this launch boosts government's clean energy ambitions to combat climate change The public will be better protected from potential hikes on their energy bills, as a new initiativelooks to cut the UK's reliance on more expensivesou...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Hundreds of thousands of pupils across the country are celebrating today after receiving their GCSE and Level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualification results. Overall, GCSE outcomes improved (up 0.2 percentage points at grade 4+ for 16-year-olds), with maths as a standout success story. Over 6,000 more 16-year-olds achieved a grade 7 and above in maths this year, the largest ever uptick in standards as y...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * CMA clears Vandemoortele / Delifrance merger subject to sale of a UK plant and sales operations * Early engagement sees investigation conclude 7 weeks ahead of deadline * Inquiry chair Martin Coleman commented "Transferring Vandemoortele's UK sales operations to an independent operator will protect competition and help keep prices in check for consumers." The independent inquiry group leading the Competition a...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Leaders discussed the range of opportunities across jobs and skills, education and training, creative industries, culture, heritage, tourism and local transport connectivity * The project is expected to create 28,000 jobs between construction and employment and generate nearly £50 billion for the UK economy, bringing new jobs, skills and investment to Bedford and the surrounding region * Demonstrates gover...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Fly-tippers will be forced to clean up our communities and pay the costs of clearing up their mess under government plans for 'clean up squads', launched for consultation today (20 August 2026). The proposals would give councils stronger powers to issue conditional cautions requiring offenders to complete up to 20 hours of unpaid clean-up work. Councils will also be able to recover the costs of the clean-up dire...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The National Drought Group has moved to weekly meetings as drought conditions continue to intensify, despite the recent rainfall. The move marks a further step change in the government's response to the continued threat posed by wildfires and drought and follows the COBR meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The expert group - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, fa...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: July consistent saw a consistent risk level to UK interests, with higher levels of uncontrolled re-entries, fragmentations and space weather activity but fewer collision alerts when compared with June. All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period. Re-entry analysis There was a 17% increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth's atmosphere monitored by NSpOC in July, wh...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: More National Crime Agency officers are being deployed to crack down on people smuggling than ever before, as the government restores order and control to UK borders. The Home Secretary, who visited the NCA's headquarters in Stratford, has announced that there are now nearly 800 officers in post, up from 376 officers at the start of 2025. The dedicated NCA officers are backed by enhanced capabilities and by addi...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Environment Agency is continuing to appeal for information about an illegal waste site which has been shut down near Hinckley in Leicestershire. An investigation was launched following the discovery of dumped waste on land off the A47 Leicester Road on 5 August 2026. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire Police acted swiftly to shut the site down and prevent further environmental damage. ...
LONDON, Aug. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Jobs supported by defence expenditure in weapons and ammunition manufacturing rose by 51% in 2024/25. * Overall year-on-year increase of 26,000 UK industry roles, including nearly 4,000 direct additional jobs in the North West, as investment reaches every corner of the country. * Part of government's work to rebuild the nation'shomegrown munitions manufacturing capability, boosting defence readiness and the re-...