theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
Accessibility of private sector products and services for disabled people in the UK
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-16)

Research on access to private sector products and services for disabled people. The report identifies barriers and issues and offers recommendations for improvement.

In 2023, the Disability Unit (DU) commissioned the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) to develop research to better understand the barriers experienced by disabled people in different sectors and at different stages of the customer journey. This was aimed at improving our understanding of disabled people’s access to, and experience of, physical and digital products and services.

The aims of the research were to:
- explore the accessibility of sectors for disabled people and how these sectors were used
- understand the barriers disabled people face at each stage of the customer journey
- explore what could help improve disabled people’s experiences in accessing private sector products and services
This report presents the main research findings.
3. Further information for pet owners, farmers and other end users in Northern Ireland
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-12)

Sourcing medicines via online pharmacies, impact on prices and trading with the EU, such as food products from 1 January 2026.

3.1 Sourcing medicines via online pharmacies

VMD has been working with wholesalers in Northern Ireland to ensure online pharmacies remain available to fulfil prescriptions in Northern Ireland, with several online pharmacies indicating that they have plans to make the adjustments to continue to supply Northern Ireland.

3.2 Impact on prices

We understand that you may be concerned about the impact on prices as a result of these changes. We have seen from a number of pharmaceutical companies that they have made commitments not to increase prices as a direct result of the changes to supply they are making or have already made. Our current assessment is that companies are typically maintaining popular pack sizes for products they are supplying in Northern Ireland. In some cases, this will be the larger pack sizes, and in others, the smaller sizes, as this will vary by species and use.

This is a matter the Government is monitoring closely but are not seeing at a systemic level. We would welcome any further information from you on the estimated costs and what these entail. Please reach out to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

3.3 Trading with the EU, such as food products

The use of these schemes will not in any way impair your ability to sell to businesses and consumers in the EU, including live animals or products of animal origin. Businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to sell in the EU as they do now, and they do not need to make any changes.
DESNZ: spending over £500, February 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-17)

Spending by electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS) over £500.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) publishes details of all spending over £500 using an electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS) on a monthly basis. The ePCS replaced the government procurement card (GPC).

This data is also available on data.gov.uk:
- DESNZ spending over £500 (https://data.gov.uk/dataset/b6e1afac-1a7a-4c31-ae99-6550b198963a/desnz-spending-over-500-also-known-as-epcs-electronic-purchasing-card-solution-or-gpc-government-payment-card)
ECSH84000 - Sanctions for non-compliance: censuring statements
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-01)


If HMRC are satisfied that any person (business or individual) has contravened a relevant requirement imposed on them, regulation 76 of The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) empowers us to “do one or both of the following:

(a) impose a penalty of such amount as it considers appropriate on any person (P).

(b) publish a statement censuring P.

The decision maker (DM) will need to decide whether a censure statement is appropriate. This decision will be made in close consultation with the Economic Crime-Supervision (EC-S) Promote and Policy teams. Cases should be considered for a wider EC-S analysis of the appropriateness of a censure statement if the DM and their line manager consider any of the following three criteria are identified as pertinent to the circumstances of the breach(es) of MLR 2017.

Criteria for identifying a case for possible censure

Those three criteria are:

Publication will contribute to a wider public understanding of the issues and challenges of maximising the Government’s efforts to combat money laundering/terrorist financing and HMRC’s role in that. Greater awareness of HMRC’s role and the successes of its compliance activity will encourage whistle-blowers to come forward in the knowledge that their information will be acted upon robustly.

Publication will help to deter other businesses from non-compliance or, in more positive terms, incentivise them to do what is required to achieve compliance. Censure will add materially to the incentivisation effect, showing the detailed story of how the specifics of non-compliance have led to a penalty (or other sanction).

The censure will act as a learning tool for supervised businesses. By being able to read the story of transgression in detail, businesses (particularly in the same sector) will have a significant learning opportunity to see the sorts of things they want to be checking they are doing correctly.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

A censure statement is subject to a sanction administration charge (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/economic-crime-supervision-handbook/ecsh82630) of £2,000
ECSH47534 - Refusing a money transmitter - contacting the Financial Conduct Authority
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-06)


Money service businesses (MSBs) providing money transmission services must be supervised by HMRC under The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. The FCA must be informed when the application of a MSB that is registering to provide money transmission services is refused by HMRC.

When refusing the registration of a money transmitter, you should set a reminder to contact the FCA 30 days after the date the notice to refuse was issued to the business and take the following action:
- If the business requests a review of the decision within 30 days of the decision being issued, you must not contact the FCA until the result of the review is determined.
(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
- If the decision is overturned at review, you do not need to notify the FCA that the business’ registration was refused.
(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
Dr Susan Tranter
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-24)

Susan was appointed as Chair of the Ofqual Board in January 2025, for a period of 3 years. In addition she is the chief executive of EdAct, a multi-academy trust with 5 schools across north London. Susan is also a member of Ofsted’s behaviour and attendance external reference group and a director of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Susan was a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel from 2018 until 2025.

Susan was appointed as Chair of the Ofqual Board in January 2025, for a period of 3 years.

In addition she is the chief executive of EdAct, a multi-academy trust with 5 schools across north London. Susan is also a member of Ofsted’s behaviour and attendance external reference group (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsteds-external-reference-group-members) and a director of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Susan was a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel from 2018 until 2025.
Update on Zimbabwe: Lifting sanctions on 4 individuals and 1 entity
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-27)

The UK has delisted sanctions against 4 individuals, and the entity Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI).

The UK announces the delisting of sanctions against individuals Owen Ncube, Isaac Moyo, Godwin Matanga, Anselem Sanyatwe, and the entity Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI).

The revocations follow a similar move from the European Union in February 2025, when they delisted their last remaining entity (ZDI) whilst renewing their existing Zimbabwe sanctions framework. The US also removed a number of designations in March 2024.

Media enquiries

Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Vehicle operators who committed road safety offences in 2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-11)

Road safety offences committed by operators in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from January to December 2024.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carries out roadside inspections of goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles to check that:
- the driver is following drivers’ hours rules (https://www.gov.uk/drivers-hours)
- the driver holds the correct licence, insurance and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- their vehicle is carrying the correct load weights and type of load permitted
- their vehicle has no mechanical faults and is in a safe and roadworthy condition
DVSA publishes details of offences found on an annual basis.

About the data

The reports show:
- the operator’s name
- their operator’s licence number (some countries require operators to have more than one operator licence)
- the number of vehicles the operator had registered on their operator licence
- the number of prohibitions issued for mechanical defects
- the number of advisory inspection notices issued for mechanical defects
- the number of offences where a fine was issued for mechanical defects that DVSA found
- the number of drivers’ hours offences DVSA found
- the number of overloading offences DVSA found
- the amount of the fines that had to be paid
- the number of other traffic offences DVSA found
Other traffic offences include:
- failing to produce records
- falsification of records
- tachograph offences
- any offence where an ‘offence rectification notice’ (ORN) was issued by a DVSA examiner
- any other offences not covered under drivers’ hours, overloading or mechanical offences
The data is sorted by country and then by operator name.

Data sources

These reports include defects and offences DVSA found from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024:
- during roadside checks
- during visits to operator sites
These reports do not include data from offences found by the police.

Factors which may affect the report

The following factors may affect the report:
- accurate entry of operator licence numbers by DVSA examiners - if these were entered incorrectly, the offence would be attributed to the wrong operator
- operator licence numbers - some countries only use numbers and do not include letters in their operator licence numbers, this means operators from different countries could have the same licence number, so it’s important to check the country of origin
- variations in spelling of operator names - the DVSA examiner has to manually type in the name of operators from outside Great Britain, this means there might be variations of the operator name
- operators successfully challenging an offence - if an offence is challenged by the operator and DVSA agrees with them, it might still show on the report
- data quality issues - some underlying data might change over time as DVSA finds incorrect data and fixes it
Updates to this page
Self Assessment Campaign Tracking 2024 to 2025 report
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-06)

Quantitative research with Self Assessment customers.

Each year HMRC runs a comprehensive communications programme to encourage Self Assessment customer to file their Tax Return early, register for Self Assessment ahead of the registration deadline, and file their online Tax Return by the deadline of 31 January. A paid-for advertising campaign running between late December and the end of January is a final reminder to customers, driving urgency and prompting customers to file on-time.

This survey research was designed to understand the effectiveness of the 2024 to 2025 Self Assessment advertising campaign. It was conducted with unrepresented Self Assessment customers before (November and December 2024 526 respondents) and after (February 2025 555 respondents) the advertising campaign.
AM Specialists Group Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We AM Specialists Group Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 AM Specialists Group Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- Discounts
We also pledge the following:

promoting the fact that we are an armed forces-friendly organisation via our website and social media

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Oman: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-11)

Information for British nationals who are victims of rape and sexual assault in Oman.

Includes information on:
- medical assistance
- the Oman legal system
- reporting assaults to the police
See also rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad-returning-to-the-uk).

Contact the British embassy or consulate in Oman (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-muscat).
South East Transport Training (UK) Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We South East Transport Training (UK) Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 South East Transport Training (UK) Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Discounts
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Complaints procedure
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-29)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is committed to providing a high-quality service to everyone we deal with.

We welcome your views on the services that the Embassy provides, as they will help us to identify what we do well and what we could do better.

Complaints, feedback and suggestions on consular services

If you have any complaints, feedback or suggestions about the consular service provided, please send details of your complaint using our online feedback form (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/cote-d-ivoire/british-embassy-abidjan), or in writing to:

Customer Interaction TeamConsular DirectorateRoom WH4.36Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeKing Charles StreetLondonSW1A 2AH

We aim to respond to complaints relating to consular services within 20 working days. Find out more about our complaints procedure (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office/about/complaints-procedure).

Customer research

We also work with partner research agencies to conduct customer satisfaction research on our services. If you have sought consular assistance overseas and have provided your contact details to us, we may ask you to take part in our customer satisfaction research. Find out more about our feedback programme and research (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office/about/complaints-procedure#our-feedback-programme-and-research).

We are not able to respond to any queries or complaints about UK visas or British passports.

Passports

If your complaint is about British passports, contact HM Passport Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office/about/complaints-procedure).

Visas

If your complaint is about UK visas, contact UK Visas and Immigration (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about/complaints-procedure).

Or if you have a query or feedback on UK visa services provided in Cote d’Ivoire, please visit the UK visas website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).
Riding an electric scooter: the rules
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-10)

You can ride a rented electric scooter on public roads. Privately owned electric scooters can only be ridden on private land.

It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter (also known as an ‘e-scooter’) in public, for example on pavements, on roads or in parks.

You could be fined and get penalty points on your driving licence. The scooter could also be seized by the police.

You can only ride a privately owned electric scooter on private land with the permission of the landowner.

There are different rules for using mobility scooters (/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules).

Renting an electric scooter

You can only rent an electric scooter through official electric scooter rental schemes in certain areas of the country (/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users). These rental schemes are also known as ‘e-scooter trials’ and have their own rules.

You can ride a rented electric scooter on public roads, including cycle lanes.

It is illegal to ride a rented electric scooter on a pavement or a motorway.

Who can rent an electric scooter

You must have a full or provisional UK licence.

You might be able to use a full driving licence from another country. Check the rules for using your licence in the UK (/driving-nongb-licence).

If you have a provisional driving licence, you do not need to show L plates when you ride an electric scooter.

Insurance

The rental scheme operator will provide third-party motor insurance (/vehicle-insurance).
Homes England RFI releases for August 2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-17)

Our responses to Freedom of Information requests for August 2024.

You can read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make an information request at the bottom of the Homes England homepage (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england).

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 require us to disclose information that is held at the time we receive a request. Information in our disclosure log is subject to change and information contained within a historic request may now be out of date.
Risk assessment: chronic wasting disease to Great Britain from Scandinavia and North America
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-18)

A qualitative risk assessment on the likelihood of chronic wasting disease incursion into Great Britain from Scandinavia and North America, and the potential for subsequent transmission among susceptible animal populations.

This risk assessment provides a qualitative assessment of the risk of susceptible species in Great Britain becoming infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions from affected regions of Scandinavia and North America through various legal movement of animals, their commodities as well as people.

The annual likelihood of entry associated with these pathways was considered very low with low to high uncertainty.

The annual likelihood of exposure ranged from negligible to very low with low to high uncertainty, depending on the specific pathway and deer population considered (wild, farmed, or park deer).

The potential consequences of a CWD incursion, given the possible animal welfare, trade, social, and economic effects, were considered major with medium uncertainty.
UK-ASEAN Collaboration on Responsible Engineering Biology
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-18)

UK and ASEAN Strengthen Collaboration on Responsible Engineering Biology for a Sustainable Bioeconomy

Bangkok, 10 November 2025 – The United Kingdom, in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and delivered by the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), convened a high-level symposium on “Fostering UK-ASEAN Partnerships in Responsible Research and Innovation for Engineering Biology” at Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Bangkok.

The event promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange between the United Kingdom and ASEAN Member States in the field of Engineering Biology (EB), emphasising Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) to ensure that applications of engineering biology are safe, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable for society and the environment. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. David Thomas, Chargé d’Affaires, British Embassy Bangkok; Dr. Punpermsak Aruni, Assistant Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand; and Dr. Surina Mokhtar, Head of S&T Division, the ASEAN Secretariat.

Marking the third collaboration between the UK and ASEAN in this domain, and funded by the UK Government, the event brought together over 50 participants consisting of policymakers, funding agencies, academia, startups, and industry representatives from ASEAN Member States and the UK. It served as a platform for experts to exchange insights and define strategic directions for leveraging engineering biology to advance the bioeconomy in ASEAN, while addressing social and ethical considerations.

Key Highlights:
- Day 1 (10 Nov): Focused on the context and significance of engineering biology in the UK and ASEAN, responsible research practices, and standards in EB. Featured speakers included Professor Chris Johnson, Chief Scientific Adviser, UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, President of Thailand Academy of Science and Technology.
- Day 2 (11 Nov): Explored gene-editing techniques and agricultural applications, alongside policy discussions, ethical considerations, and investment opportunities in EB.
- Day 3 (12 Nov): Examined EB applications in healthcare and precision medicine, as well as future opportunities and challenges for EB in ASEAN.
The seminar underscored the potential for advancing engineering biology, policy development, and workforce capacity across Thailand and the ASEAN region, while reinforcing UK-ASEAN cooperation to expand future collaborative initiatives.
Reventus Limited
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Reventus Limited will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Reventus Limited recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Tim Robinson CBE
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-31)

Tim was appointed Lead Non-Executive Director at the Home Office in February 2023. Tim has followed an international career in the technology and science sectors, spanning engineering, commercial and corporate leadership. He was most recently the Chairman of LGC and served as CEO between 2013 and 2021. LGC is an international life sciences company with its HQ in London. Founded in 1842 as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, LGC was privatised in 1996. Tim started his career with a decade at IBM in the UK and Asia. He subsequently held senior executive positions in global technology companies including Thales (Paris) and Silicon Graphics/Cray Research. Tim has served as a non-executive board member of the UK Government Department for International Development; a non-executive board member of UK Trade and Investment; a member of the association of Oxfam, serving on their audit committee; and a non-executive director of the Camelot Group. He was awarded a CBE in the new year honours list 2020 for services to the government in digital technology.

Tim was appointed Lead Non-Executive Director at the Home Office in February 2023.

Tim has followed an international career in the technology and science sectors, spanning engineering, commercial and corporate leadership.

He was most recently the Chairman of LGC and served as CEO between 2013 and 2021.

LGC is an international life sciences company with its HQ in London. Founded in 1842 as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, LGC was privatised in 1996.

Tim started his career with a decade at IBM in the UK and Asia. He subsequently held senior executive positions in global technology companies including Thales (Paris) and Silicon Graphics/Cray Research.

Tim has served as a non-executive board member of the UK Government Department for International Development; a non-executive board member of UK Trade and Investment; a member of the association of Oxfam, serving on their audit committee; and a non-executive director of the Camelot Group.

He was awarded a CBE in the new year honours list 2020 for services to the government in digital technology.
RFIG22180 - Statutory Residence Test (SRT): supplementary guidance: home and accommodation for SRT purposes: When accommodation is not considered to be an accommodation tie
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-04)


Accommodation owned by an individual but which they have wholly let out commercially would not be considered as available to live in unless they retained the right to use the property or part of the property.

Accommodation that is available to an individual but in which they have not spent at least 1 night in the tax year will not be an accommodation tie.

Short stays at hotels and guesthouses will not usually be considered to be an accommodation tie. However, if an individual books a room in the same hotel or guesthouse, (and does not cancel those bookings), for at least 91 days continuously in a tax year, bearing in mind that short gaps may be discounted, they will have an accommodation tie. (See example 4 in RFIG22170 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/residence-and-fig-regime-manual/rfig22170))
Mr T Metodiev v LSH Automotive Mercedes Benz: 1305032/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-28)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Mr T Metodiev v LSH Automotive Mercedes Benz: 1305032/2024 - Partial Strike Out (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b6ff8f0495029f3e1c6a4f/Mr_T_Metodiev_v_LSH_Automotive_Mercedes_Benz_-1305032.2024_-_UDL_S.O.pdf).
King Charles III England Coast Path from Bawdsey to Aldeburgh: Natural England's proposals
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-01)

Find out about Natural England's proposals to improve coastal access in Suffolk.

On 3 February 2021, Natural England submitted a collection of reports to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-bawdsey-to-aldeburgh) (BSA).

The opportunity to comment closed at midnight, Wednesday 31 March 2021. You can no longer make an objection or representation.

All representations and objections were considered before the Secretary of State made a final decision about the report.

The report is available as a series of separate documents. You can:
- read the overview which includes background information to help you understand the proposals and maps
- use the index map to find the relevant chapter for the length of coast you are interested in
- open the corresponding chapter of the report for more information
Outcome

On 11 November 2021, the Secretary of State approved the proposals for length BSA3 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-bawdsey-to-aldeburgh).

On 2 May 2025, the Secretary of State approved the proposals for lengths BSA1, BSA2, BSA4 and BSA5 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coastal-access-section-52-notice-for-bawdsey-to-aldeburgh).

Natural England will publish further details of the approved route in due course.
Catherine Vaughan CB
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-02)

Catherine Vaughan CB was appointed as Finance Director General for the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) in October 2022. Before joining DWP , Catherine was the Director General and Chief Operating Officer for the Department for International Trade ( DIT ). Catherine began her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ) in public sector audit. She is a qualified accountant with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy ( CIPFA ). Her subsequent roles have included: Director of Finance and Resources for Brighton and Hove City Council Chief Finance Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority Director of Finance and Business Services at HM Land Registry Catherine is a member of the Government Finance Function Leadership Group and leads on SCS talent. She has also been Non-Executive Director on the Board of England Netball.

Catherine Vaughan CB was appointed as Finance Director General for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in October 2022.

Before joining DWP, Catherine was the Director General and Chief Operating Officer for the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Catherine began her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in public sector audit. She is a qualified accountant with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). Her subsequent roles have included:

Director of Finance and Resources for Brighton and Hove City Council

Chief Finance Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority

Director of Finance and Business Services at HM Land Registry

Catherine is a member of the Government Finance Function Leadership Group and leads on SCS talent. She has also been Non-Executive Director on the Board of England Netball.
Cost of school uniforms survey 2023
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-09)

This research provides an understanding of the costs of school uniform in England and updates previous research completed in 2007 and 2015.

This report surveys the cost of school uniform in 2023 and assesses the relative changes to that cost since the previous study. It also provides information on the changes schools are making to their uniform policy in the light of statutory guidance.

Statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms) was published in November 2021 and came into force in September 2022. It states that schools should:
- ensure their uniforms are affordable
- give high priority to considerations of cost for parents
- be able to demonstrate how best value for money has been achieved
Schools must have regard to the guidance when developing and implementing uniform policies.
Digital version of Veteran Card launched
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-17)

Veterans can now apply for and download a secure digital version of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card via the GOV.UK One Login app.

Nearly 2 million veterans can now get and benefit from a digital version of the Veteran Card, which will make it easier and quicker to access key services and discounts via their smartphones.

From today, Friday 17 October, it will give veterans a seamless way to confirm their status in person and will include information already featured on their physical card - displaying their name, photo, latest service, and date of birth with the security features that protect their personal information.

More information can be found on Gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-version-of-veteran-card-launched-for-quicker-and-easier-access-to-support)
Miss Esi v Barchester Healthcare Ltd: 2406734/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-04)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Miss Esi v Barchester Healthcare Ltd: 2406734/2024 - Partial Strike Out (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68652bd73b77477f9da07297/Miss_Esi_v_Barchester_Healthcare_Limited_-_2406734_2024_-_Preliminary_-_Judgment.pdf).
The Whipton Surgery
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We The Whipton Surgery will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 The Whipton Surgery recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Product Safety Report: One-Piece Anti-Kick Knitted Baby Sleeping Bag sold via AliExpress (2503-0230)
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-07)

Product Safety Report published for One-Piece Anti-Kick Baby Knitted Sleeping Bag presenting a serious risk of suffocation.

Summary

Product: One-Piece Anti-Kick Knitted Baby Sleeping Bag sold via AliExpress

Hazard: The product presents a serious risk of suffocation as it has no arm openings, which could allow the baby to slip down into the sleeping bag while unattended.

Corrective action: The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (AliExpress).

Product information

Hazard

The product presents a serious risk of suffocation as the product has no arm openings. This could lead to the suffocation of the baby if they slip down into the sleep bag while unattended, and the garment covers their face.

The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

Corrective action

The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (AliExpress).

We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.

Additional information

PSD notification number: 2503-0230

Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Wild Search
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Wild Search will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Wild Search recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS) Early Process Evaluation
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-13)

The findings of an early process evaluation of GIS intervention activity

BDUK commissioned Ipsos UK to conduct an early process review of the Government Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS) programme. This provides information on what has worked well and less well in terms of providing the GIS intervention to date, and to allow BDUK to reflect on and potentially enhance the processes used for the remainder of the intervention or for subsequent programmes.