Government expands Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route Hong Kongers Offered New Lives as UK Expands Safe and Legal Routes Thousands more Hong Kongers will be able to build new lives in Britain as the government strengthens safe and legal routes to the UK. Adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now be eligible to apply for the route independently of their parents.  Their part

The Security Industry Authority successfully reclaimed £40,941.60 from John Gaines, who was convicted of defrauding his security company’s employees in 2019 Over £40,000 Recovered from Convicted Security Boss The SIA, using its powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, has reclaimed over £40,000 that was earned through fraudulent activities by former security company boss John Gaines, and has returned it to his victims. Mr Gaines was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months’ impr

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responds to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong today Foreign Secretary Responds to Jimmy Lai Sentencing Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: British National Jimmy Lai was today sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for exercising his right to freedom of expression, following a politically motivated prosecution. Beijing’s National Security Law was imposed on Hong Kong to silence China’s critics. For the 78-year-old, this is tantam

Illegal migrants and criminals from 3 African countries will be deported following a threat by the Home Secretary to shut down their visas to Britain Three Countries to Take Back Illegal Migrants After Visa Threat A month after the Home Secretary threatened visa penalties, Namibia and Angola agreed to cooperate on returns. The Home Secretary has now secured cooperation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just weeks after she stripped VIPs and decision makers of...

British jobs and businesses to be supported by enhanced cooperation with China in financial services Landmark Agreements Secured After First UK-China Financial Working Group in Beijing Major commitments boost London’s position as world-leading financial centre.  Includes agreements to pursue UK-China cooperation on innovative biodiversity financing, and more efficient cross-border settlement services, supporting trade and investment flows.  Minister heralds depth of opportuni

Electrical system failures during departure from London Heathrow Airport, 8 February 2024 This statement provides an update on the ongoing investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 747-433 aircraft which suffered electrical system failures during departure from London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft departed in weather of rain, thick cloud, and icing conditions. Electrical failures resulted from water having leaked onto the aircraft’s avionics equipment, the eff

CNC supported a Police Scotland-led operation in Wick that uncovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation worth £7.1m, resulting in seven arrests and charges CNC Supports Police Scotland in £7.1m Cannabis Seizure Cannabis with an estimated street value of £7.1 million has been discovered at a derelict former school in Wick following a Police Scotland–led investigation supported by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC). On Thursday, 29 January 2026, officers acting on intellige

Upcoming changes due to the Employment Rights Act 2025 Upcoming Changes Due to the Employment Rights Act 2025 From 6 April 2026, the statutory recognition scheme is being reshaped under the new Employment Rights Act, introducing several key changes. Unions will no longer need to demonstrate that most workers in a proposed bargaining unit are likely to support recognition, removing the requirement for petitions or similar evidence. When recognition is decided by ballot, unions

University of West London failed to properly oversee how a third party delivered graded music assessments and issued certificates Ofqual Fines UWL £150,000 for Rule Breaches Affecting Thousands of Music Students Ofqual has fined the awarding organisation University of West London (UWL) £150,000 for serious rule breaches which affected thousands of students taking its graded music qualifications.  From January 2020 to November 2022, UWL failed to exercise proper control over o