NEW LEGISLATION GIVES GOVERNMENT POWER TO BRING BRITISH STEEL INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Government to introduce legislation which would give it the option to nationalise British Steel, subject to public interest test being met. * Primary legislation would give Government a route to safeguard UK steelmaking capacity and avoid sudden halt of production at Scunthorpe, while it considers options for British Steel to help deliver on government's Steel Strategy ambitions. * Move strengthens economic resi...


UPDATES TO THE BOARD OF NATURAL ENGLAND

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Two new appointments and one reappointment have been made to the Board of Natural England. Kate Gibson and Rachel Danemann have been newly appointed to the Board for three-year terms, both of which commenced on 1 May 2026 and will run until 30 April 2029. Kate will serve as Deputy Chair for the duration of her term. Her appointment comes asPeter Unwin steps down after six years on the Board, most recently serving...


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE PUBLISHES CORPORATE PLAN 2026 TO 2027

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The plan outlines how the IPO will continue to deliver a modern, trusted IP framework that continues to support the UK's creativity,productivityand competitiveness. The Intellectual Property Office's Chief Executive and Comptroller General Adam Williams said: Our Corporate Plan reflects both the meaningful progress we have made, and our focus on realising our strategic aims as we enter into this final year of ou...


PM VOWS TO TEAR UP "STATUS QUO" THAT FAILED YOUNG PEOPLE ON APPRENTICESHIPS AND SKILLS

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Apprenticeships put on an equal footing with university degrees as PM vows to "tear up the status quo" that held young people back * Small businesses can take on young apprentices with training fully funded from August, reversing years of underinvestment that locked young people out of opportunity * Part of the Prime Minister's plan to build a stronger, fairer Britain by backing young people with real opportunit...


SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND PUBLISHES MAY REVIEW REPORT

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has today published the May Review Report, and written to the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee with the Department's response. The May Review of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was commissioned following concerns about ICRIR's corporate effectiveness and culture. The publication of the report, al...


MHRA OPENS UK-WIDE CONSULTATION ON REDEFINING GENE THERAPIES

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(MHRA),acting jointly with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland,has today launched a consultation calling to update the legal definition of gene therapy medicinal products (GTMPs) in the UK. The proposed changes aim to ensure UK regulation keeps upwithadvances in gene therapy, synthetic biology, and gene editing technologies. Gene therapies have evolv...


CHEVENING ALUMNI OF SOLOMON ISLANDS CHARTS NEW COURSE WITH NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Under the theme "Strengthening networks, driving impact", the gathering brought together distinguished alumni to celebrate collective achievements and elect the leadership team for the next 2 years (2026 to 2028). The highlight of the evening was the official election of the new executive committee, a group of dedicated professionals tasked with advancing CASI's mission to inspire the next generation of scholars ...


MHRA STRENGTHENS SAFETY WARNINGS FOR FINASTERIDE AND DUTASTERIDE

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued updated safety advice to strengthen warnings about potential psychiatric and sexual dysfunction linked to finasteride and to provide precautionary advice on a similar product, dutasteride. Following anadditionaldetailed review of the evidence, including the outcome of a European regulatory review, the MHRA has published a newDrug Safety Upd...


UK AND FRANCE SET TO HOST MULTINATIONAL STRAIT OF HORMUZ MEETING AS BRITISH WARSHIP TO PRE-POSITION IN THE REGION

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * UK and France to host first meeting of Defence Ministers to advance the Strait of Hormuz multinational mission. * HMS Dragon to deploy to the region, ensuring the UK has options to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow. * The UK will outline its military contributions with further coordinated multinational commitments to be confirmed. Under UK and French leadership, international partners are e...


UK SANCTIONS IRANIAN TARGETS IN RESPONSE TO NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS

LONDON, May 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * New UK sanctions target organisations and individualswhothreateninternational and UK security. * ActiondemonstratesUKcommitment tocounteringIranianthreats toUK national security, regionalstability,andthe global economy. * Sanctions willdeterattacks against dissidents overseas anddisrupt illicitrevenue generation for theIranianregime. Organisations and individuals enablinghostileIranianactivityareamongst thosebe...