UK government backing enables completion of a 286km electric railway in southern Turkey, connecting major cities with a high-speed, lower-carbon route. €781m support unlocked by UK Export Finance - equivalent to £680m - will enable Rönesans Holding to finish construction of a high-speed electrified railway connecting Mersin with the cities of Adana, Osmaniye and Gaziantep.
Single Malt Welsh Whisky was successfully registered under the UK Geographical Indication (UKGI) scheme today. Single Malt Welsh Whisky was successfully registered under the UK Geographical Indication (UKGI) scheme today (24th July) - protecting its name, authenticity and characteristics.
£170 million investment for Sizewell C comes days after launch of Great British Nuclear. Ministers announce measures to speed up preparations for Sizewell C construction.
Government sets out vision for a future energy market, with better consumer choice and protections at its core. industry invited to shape future of the market, focussing on innovation to unlock competition and usher in new low carbon technologies.
Actions to increase the productivity of Scotland's aquaculture sector and help reduce its impact on the environment have been set out in a new strategy. The Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture includes measures that will: safeguard the natural environment support innovation across the sector ensure local communities receive lasting benefits from aquaculture promote new infrastructure and supply chain developments.
From Monday 24 July, children aged 10 or over will be able to enter the UK using eGates across 15 air and rail ports, helping families travel more easily. This summer more families arriving into the UK will benefit from quicker entry to the UK using eGates, thanks to an expansion of the service to 10 and 11 year olds.
Hundreds of photos from the Caithness County Show 2023. See the gallery link above..
The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is currently in tatters. On July 17, 2023, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea.
Caithness Voluntary Group is one of 53 projects awarded a share of £3.2 million fund set up to tackle loneliness by Scottish Government. Activities delivered by the organisations include community choirs, walking football, Men's Sheds and volunteering opportunities.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding summer travellers of simple steps to reduce their risk of common infections when travelling abroad. Most travellers have a healthy and safe trip, however, we do see various infections in returning travellers such as: diarrhoeal illness measles malaria dengue other infections carried by mosquitoes.
New sanctions come into effect for those found selling illicit tobacco products. More than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized under Operation CeCe in its first 2 years, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards have revealed.
Government Bill to introduce Minimum Service Levels during industrial action receives Royal Assent. Minimum Service Levels balance the ability of workers to strike with the rights of the public, who expect essential services they pay for to be there when they need them.
The Scottish Ministerial Code has been updated to further strengthen transparency and propriety. Updates to the Code include: New text reflecting the updates to the procedure for handling complaints by civil servants about the behaviour of a Minister or former Minister, making clear that for future complaints certain information about concluded cases will be made public, including the Minister's name, the nature of the complaint and the outcome of the complaint, even after a Minister has left office, and setting out the obligation on Ministers to cooperate with the procedure.
Parents who fail to pay child maintenance will face tougher sanctions faster after new laws were passed (20/07/23) to speed up stronger enforcement action. Thanks to a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Siobhan Baillie MP and Baroness Redfern becoming law, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be able to impose tougher sanctions on non-paying parents - such as forcing the sale of property and taking away passports and driving licences – through a quick and simple administrative process.
New rules give consumers greater confidence to challenge decisions. New requirements on banks will protect freedom of expression New rules will give consumers greater confidence to challenge account closures.
Electronic Trade Documents Act receives Royal Assent, making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable. Electronic trade documents to be granted same legal status as physical trade documents, making trade more efficient, cleaner and cheaper for firms.
The Royal Trustees have (20 July) published their review of the Sovereign Grant which sets the proportion of The Crown Estate's net profits used to calculate the amount of government funding to support His Majesty The King. Sovereign Grant to be 12% of The Crown Estates net profits next year, down from 25%.
Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent. Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent.
The UK and Indonesia have concluded the second JETCO. UK and Indonesia conclude second annual Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), aimed at boosting trade ties, in London Unlocks potential for UK businesses to sell more to Indonesia, which is set to become seventh largest economy in the world by 2050.
Written statement by British Ambassador to the USA Karen Pierce on the inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue, which took place on 19 July 2023. The United Kingdom and United States have reaffirmed that sanctions are a key tool of foreign policy, following the inaugural UK-U.S.
