Tag: News Story

STORY

The Government has confirmed changes to the planning system which are intended to speed up the approval of nationally significant infrastructure projects, including wind farms, solar farms, nuclear power stations, reservoirs, roads, rail schemes and other transport links.

Ministers said the removal of mandatory pre-application consultation requirements from 24 July 2026 could reduce delays by up to 12 months and save industry up to £1 billion during this Parliament. The Government said the reforms formed part of its wider programme to increase the number of major infrastructure decisions.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the changes were intended to help the UK become a world leader in building infrastructure. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said faster approval of clean energy infrastructure was needed to improve energy security and support economic growth.

STORY

Jemima Gordon-Duff has been appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said Gordon-Duff will succeed Melanie Barlow, who is transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Gordon-Duff will take up the role in August 2026.

Gordon-Duff joins the post after serving as Deputy Director for International Climate Change in the Scottish Government from 2022 to 2026. Her previous diplomatic and international development roles include work in Accra, Jerusalem, Maputo, Islamabad, Quito and Kathmandu.

She was Head of Social Sectors in Accra from 2018 to 2021 and Head of Governance and Security in Jerusalem from 2016 to 2018. Earlier in her career, she worked as a governance adviser in Mozambique and Pakistan, Deputy Head of Mission in Quito, and Second Secretary Political in Kathmandu.

Gordon-Duff joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2003, initially working as a desk officer for Serbia and Montenegro. She later served as Head of Human Rights and Democracy in the Human Rights Department.

The ambassadorial role in Laos covers the UK’s diplomatic relationship with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, including political engagement, development, climate, trade and regional issues. The FCDO said the appointment had been made in succession to Barlow, who has served as ambassador to Laos since 2021.

STORY

The House of Lords Constitution Committee has published its legislative scrutiny report on the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill.

The bill forms part of the Government’s wider legislative programme on digital resilience and network security. The committee’s publication adds constitutional scrutiny to a policy area increasingly linked to public services, critical infrastructure and national security.

The committee has also recently scrutinised the National Security (State Threats) Bill. Its work reflects continuing parliamentary concern over how the Government balances security, resilience and constitutional safeguards in new legislation.

STORY

The House of Lords National Resilience Committee is taking evidence from emergency service, health and supply-chain experts as part of its inquiry into national preparedness.

The committee was scheduled to hear from senior representatives of the National Fire Chiefs Council, National Police Chiefs Council and St John Ambulance. It was also due to take evidence from NHS Supply Chain, the Centre for Health Security and Medicines UK.

The inquiry is considering national resilience, including the role of local resilience. It follows growing political attention on preparedness for major risks, including public health emergencies, supply disruption and wider national security challenges.

STORY

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has begun taking oral evidence in its inquiry into reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

MPs questioned representatives from the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council and the Peace Summit Partnership on the meaning of reconciliation today and the role of social, cultural and political factors. Written evidence to the committee has highlighted links between reconciliation, racism and economic insecurity.

The inquiry is part of wider parliamentary scrutiny of legacy issues and follows the committee’s December report examining the Government’s approach in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. MPs are expected to examine social barriers such as housing segregation and peace walls.

STORY

The Women and Equalities Committee has questioned ministers and health officials over access to reconstructive surgery for survivors of female genital mutilation.

The session followed the committee’s earlier recommendation that ministers facilitate and fund research into the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors. The committee had said that, if evidence showed the surgery was effective, the NHS should provide it.

The committee heard from Women’s Health Minister Baroness Merron, the Department of Health and Social Care’s chief scientific adviser Professor Lucy Chappell and NHS England representatives. MPs were expected to examine research funding, international comparisons, health services and mental health support.

STORY

The public is being asked to help shape how National Lottery funding for good causes should be distributed in future.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has opened a 12-week call for evidence, saying no Government had asked the public for two decades how National Lottery good-cause money should be spent. The review will consider where future investment can have the greatest impact and how access to funding can be improved.

The Government said the National Lottery generated more than £8 billion in ticket sales in 2025, with at least £1.7 billion going to good causes. Funding is currently split across arts and culture, sport, heritage and community projects.

STORY

The Government is seeking to expand UK services exports to China as part of renewed trade engagement between the two countries.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle told a UK-China event that recent meetings had helped rebuild a relationship that had been dormant for too long. He said previous engagement had unlocked £2.2 billion in new export deals and £2.3 billion in market access wins over five years.

Officials have also discussed a Joint Feasibility Study on a possible Trade in Services Agreement. The Department for Business and Trade said the talks reflected a pragmatic, business-focused approach intended to support jobs, growth and investment.

STORY

More than 60 universities and research organisations have signed a new Women in Research Charter intended to improve family leave, flexible working and protections against harassment.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the charter would require signatories to strengthen support for doctoral researchers, including at least 52 weeks of maternity leave with a full stipend for the first 26 weeks and a minimum of two weeks’ paid leave for partners.

Science Secretary Liz Kendall said the aim was to ensure women did not have to choose between a career and family life. The Government said women remain under-represented in senior research roles despite making up a majority of science undergraduates.

STORY

New welfare reforms affecting the Motability scheme have come into force, with ministers saying the changes will save taxpayers £1 billion by 2030.

VAT will now apply to advance payments on some new Motability car leases, while Insurance Premium Tax will apply to new leases. The Department for Work and Pensions said the changes followed the removal of luxury vehicles, including BMW and Mercedes models, from the scheme after the Budget.

The Government said disabled people on enhanced mobility benefits would continue to receive their full award and remain eligible for the scheme. It also said the changes would not apply to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and would not affect existing leases.