NFCU OPERATION LEADS TO ARREST OVER SUSPECTED £500,000 OF COUNTERFEIT WINE

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: A34-year-old malewas arrestedon suspicion of fraud by false representation, linked to the supply of suspected counterfeit wine. The malehas beenbailedand enquiries continue. Suspected counterfeit wine was sold to an unsuspecting victim - 55 bottles, atnearly £10,000per bottle, to thesum of overhalf amillionpounds. Simon Ashwin,Senior Investigatorat the FSA'sNFCU said: "There'sno excuse forthistype offood...


GOVERNMENT'S JOBS GUARANTEE TURNS PROMISE INTO PAYCHEQUES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * First cohort of young people start work through the Government's Jobs Guarantee, delivering on the Prime Minister's priority to tackle youth unemployment * Scheme aims to create opportunity for those furthest from the jobs market and is backed by major businesses, including Boots and OCS * Over 90,000 fully funded jobs to be created by 2029 through the Jobs Guarantee, a key part of the Government's £2.5 bi...


NEW COUNTER-TERROR HUB LAUNCHED TO PROTECT BRITISH COMMUNITIES

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Action to protect the UK from terrorism is being stepped up with anew international counter-extremism hub to be established in the UK, which willstrengthen efforts to stop violent extremism before it threatens British communities. At the Five Country Ministerial in Sydney, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood secured agreement from her Five Eyes counterparts to establish a permanent joint Countering Violent Extremism ...


DRAFT PRACTICE DIRECTION FOR POSSESSION PROCEEDINGS PUBLISHED

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The digital service for possession proceedings is the first service to be governed by the Online Procedure Rules. This draft practice direction is being published in advance of implementation to support awareness and preparations, ahead of the anticipated first release of the digital service for possession proceedings in September 2026. Developed alongside the Online Procedure Rules 2026 (which establish the pro...


DAVID DINSMORE TO LEAVE ROLE AS PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: David was appointed to lead a major programme of reform across government communications. During his tenure a wide-ranging Government Communications strategy was developed and a Strategy Unit established alongside the Government Media Unit. The foundations have been laid for the next phase of implementation. Following the change of Prime Minister and administration, David and the First Secretary of State have ag...


UK BACKS SOMALIA'S PATH TO SECURITY AND POLITICAL PROGRESS

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The UK has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Somalia during the first visit to the country by the minister for Development and Africa, Kirsty McNeill MP. During her visit,the minister met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud anddiscussed Somalia's political and security prioritiesand the need for progress towards a credible and sustainable transition to Somali-led security. Theminister encouraged leaders from a...


BOTH PARTIES MUST FULFIL THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER RESOLUTION 2803 AND REFRAIN FROM ACTIONS THAT UNDERMINE PEACE: UK STATEMENT AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: Madame President, last November, this Council adopted Resolution 2803, sending a powerful message of international support for President Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. As we have heard from High Representative Mladenov, important progress has been made, which we welcome. But success relies on the actions of the parties themselves. First, all sides must fulfil the commitments they have made. The ceas...


FROM PIPE BAND TO PREMIUM EXPORTER: SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD FIRM SCALES GLOBAL SALES WITH UKEF SUPPORT

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * A £1 million trade loan, guaranteed by UK Export Finance, enables Dean's of Huntly to meet rising export demand in Australia, China, Japan, the US and Europe * Dean's recent growth includes the acquisition offellow Aberdeenshire shortbread maker Duncan's of Deeside, taking local jobs from 140 to 200 Dean's of Huntly, a premium Scottish shortbread maker, has secured a £1 million trade loan, guara...


BREATHING SPACE ON YOUR ENERGY BILL

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: In July 2026, the Prime Minister cut taxes on electricity bills. From 1 October 2026, VAT will be removed from household electricity bills, saving households an average of £45 per year. This has limited the rise in Ofgem's energy price cap. It follows the £150 of costs we removed from bills earlier this year. Around 6 million households are also eligible for our Warm Home Discount this winter, which ...


HM LAND REGISTRY TO PROVIDE PROPERTY IDENTIFIERS FOR PRICE PAID DATA FROM 28 AUGUST

LONDON, Aug. 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) and INSPIRE IDs are to be made available alongside the monthly Price Paid Data dataset from 28 August 2026 * Used alongside other location-based services, these trusted property identifiers will support more accurate matching and analysis * The enhancement responds to customer demand and helps unlock greater value from land and property data From 28 August 2026...