News Archive

Company Shut Down After Consumers Hit By Direct Debit Scam

The company deceived consumers into signing up to a subscription charging them almost £30 a month.   Paragrim Ltd tricked consumers into signing up to the Mediacraze.net website Consumers were charged a monthly direct debit without their permission and which they were unable to easily unsubscribe from Insolvency Service investigations found no evidence the website provided any actual services or that the company was trading legitimately A company which tricked people into signing up for monthly direct debits has been shut down following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.  

Satellites Could Become More Sustainable, Thanks To New UK Space Agency Funding

The UK Space Agency has announced funding for work which aims to prolong the life of satellites, as part of efforts to ensure space remains sustainable for future generations.   The package includes a £2 million upgrade to the Satellite Applications Catapult's In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) facility at the Westcott Space Cluster in Aylesbury.  

Unlocking The Potential Of Quantum: £45 Million Investment To Drive Breakthroughs In Brain Scanners, Navigation Systems, And Quantum Computing

The government is today investing a total of £45 million in the UK's quantum sector.  It comes as part of its commitment to transforming into a quantum-enabled economy by 2033 - seizing this technology's potential to overhaul healthcare, energy, transport and more.  

New Guidance To Enhance E-bike And E-scooter Safety

information issued for users, owners and transport operators guidance designed to ensure public safety and mitigate fire risk Information around how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters has been published by the government today (1 February 2024) to improve consumer safety.   Following extensive consultation with industry, guidance on battery safety for both e-scooters and e-bikes will raise awareness for owners on how to safely purchase an e-cycle or e-scooter.  

Nature Recovery To Be Accelerated As The Government Delivers On Measures To Protect Land And Sea

One year on since the publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan, the government launches new measures to halt and reverse nature's decline.   Puffins, porpoises, and pine martens are just some of the species set to benefit from new measures set out by the Government today (31 January) to boost nature recovery on land and at sea.  

Cyberflashing, Epilepsy-trolling And Fake News To Put Online Abusers Behind Bars From Today

New offences have been introduced to criminalise cyberflashing, fake news intended to cause non-trivial harm and other online abuse.   New offences introduced to criminalise cyberflashing, fake news intended to cause non-trivial harm and other online abuse.  

The Impact Of Winter Pressures On Different Population Groups In Great Britain: 18 October 2023 To 1 January 2024

In-depth analysis on how increases in the cost of living and difficulty accessing NHS services have impacted people's lives during the winter period.   The following results cover the latest pooled period (18 October 2023 to 1 January 2024).  

Ensuring Adult Disability Payments Meet People's Needs

Edel Harris OBE, former chief executive of the charity Mencap, has been appointed to chair the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.   The Independent Review - a Programme For Government commitment – will consider people's experiences of the Scottish benefit to ensure it continues to meet the needs of disabled people.  

Anti-drone No Fly Zones To Combat Prison Smuggling

Criminal gangs who try to fly phones, drugs and weapons into prisons using drones face finding themselves there instead under tough new restrictions coming into force on 25 January 2024.   New 400m drone ‘no-fly zones' around prisons come into force Ten-year maximum prison sentence for criminals who breach restrictions.  

Great British Nuclear Supports Leadership Role Gender Balance Initiative

Great British Nuclear (GBN) has signed up to support a ground-breaking scheme to give senior board level opportunities within the nuclear industry to women.   GBN is partnering Women in Nuclear UK's (WiN) scheme to create and match senior leadership roles for women at boardroom level, providing the experience needed to equip them for future director and Board roles.