Prime Minister launches national drive to get everyone in for Christmas

One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham today (Wednesday 19 August) has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by increased funding of £442 million.

• Everyone sleeping rough is to be offered a route off the streets this winter if they need it, the first major milestone in the Prime Minister’s commitment to end rough sleeping
• Under a boosted £442 million package, areas with the greatest need will receive the largest share of support, to get people out of the cold this winter and give people facing long-term homelessness a settled home and the support to keep it
• In a drive to bring everyone together to play their part, the Prime Minister is announcing a first of its kind national summit on tackling rough sleeping to take place in the Autumn.

One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham today

Minister renews calls for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza on first visit to the region

Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty MP, has concluded a two-day visit to Egypt marking his first official visit to the region.

• First visit to Egypt underlines need for rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza with a clear call for Israel to facilitate this
• Visit reflects Egypt’s central role in the humanitarian response and regional diplomacy, including on Gaza, Sudan and Iran
• New migration partnership signed to strengthen UK-Egypt cooperation, as part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle illegal migration

On his first visit to the region, the new Middle East Minister renewed UK calls for

Underpinning the United Kingdom’s approach to working methods is our desire for an action-oriented Security Council: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Political Coordinator, at the Security Council meeting on Working methods of the Security Council.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

19 August 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The United Kingdom welcomes this annual debate.

It is an opportunity to hear the views of Council members, and the wider UN membership alike, on where current Council procedures support advancing the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as thoughts on how these might be refined further.

Underpinning the United Kingdom’s approach to working methods is our desire for an

TRA imposes anti-dumping duties on boom lifts from China

 Boosting fair play: The TRA has imposed provisional anti-dumping measures on boom lifts from China

New anti-dumping measure on imports of boom lifts from China recommended

Ahead of the kick-off of the Premier League football season this Friday, a UK manufacturing industry that’s important to the game has received protection from unfair international trade.  

Following a recommendation by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the UK Government

NAD Group appoints new Chief Digital and Information Officer

Dan Rodenhurst will lead all of the MOD’s digital and data teams, succeeding Charles Forte.

Dan Rodenhurst

Dan Rodenhurst has been appointed as the new Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO), leading all of the MOD’s digital and data teams.

In this role Dan will lead delivery of the digital, data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Warning as investors lose hundreds of thousands of pounds to “Ponzi-style” crypto scheme

Insolvency Service takes action to shut down unauthorised crypto investment firm

• Key Coin Assets Ltd promised returns up to 100%, but investors lost hundreds of thousands of pounds
• Insolvency Service investigations found no evidence of genuine trading
• The Insolvency Service and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are warning investors to be vigilant about similar offers

Would-be crypto investors are being warned to check firms are registered after customers lost hundreds of thousands of pounds to a “Ponzi-style” scheme.

Key Coin Assets Ltd told investors it could guarantee returns of 40% to 100%, with one online post claiming “0 Fees, 0 Risks”.

However, the Insolvency Service acted swiftly to have the company shut down when it found no evidence that any trading actually took place.

Nine investors who complained to Action Fraud paid more than £300,000 to the company between them, investigations revealed.

Key Coin Assets Ltd was wound up at the High Court in London on Tuesday 11 August.

Now, the Insolvency Service and FCA are warning others to be cautious of similar offers.

Anyone thinking of investing in crypto should check the FCA’s Firm Checker to see if the firm is registered, which means it has been through some FCA checks, and see its list of unauthorised firms to avoid.

Consumers should be wary of guaranteed high returns and think twice if a firm asks them to avoid normal payment references or pushes them to recruit others.

Mark George, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Key Coin Assets Ltd promised guaranteed returns but delivered nothing. Their behaviour displayed all the hallmarks of a Ponzi-style scheme.

Investors were told their money was being invested in crypto, but our investigation found no evidence of any genuine trading at all. Instead, funds were simply moved into the director’s personal account, often within hours of arriving.

We would urge anyone considering a similar offer to check whether a firm is registered before handing over their money, and to be deeply sceptical of anyone promising guaranteed returns with no risk.

Insolvency Service investigations found that money paid in by new investors appeared to have been used by Key Coin Assets Ltd to pay off earlier ones.

Bank records showed funds were moved quickly into the personal account of the company’s director, often on the same day they arrived, and then became difficult to trace.

The company also posted fake customer testimonials online without permission, and told investors to avoid using words like “crypto” or “investment” when making bank payments, in a bid to escape scrutiny.

Accounting records were not handed over to the Insolvency Service when requested.

The company repeatedly changed its official address, including to a flat whose occupants said they had never heard of it.

Filings at Companies House also claimed assets of up to £42 million, far higher than its actual banking activity suggested.

The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of Key Coin Assets Ltd.

Further information

• Key Coin Assets Ltd (company number 11621809)
• The Insolvency Service can investigate complaints about corporate abuse by live companies. This may include serious misconduct, fraud, scams or dishonest practice in the way the company operates. Further information on our live investigations can be found here
• Directors can find information about their obligations and responsibilities at the Insolvency Service’s Director Information Hub
• The FCA only regulates cryptoassets for anti-money laundering purposes and financial promotions at present. Most cryptoasset activities are not currently regulated in the UK. Cryptoasset activities will become regulated from 25 October 2027.
• Search the FCA’s warning list of unauthorised firms and find out more about how to check a firm or individual is authorised
• Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available here.

Prime Minister supports West Midlands to take public control of local bus network

Government and local leaders join forces to keep vital bus services running for millions of people across the West Midlands.

• Government and local leaders join forces to keep vital bus services running for millions of people across the West Midlands
• Partnership between No10 North and the West Midlands will save bus services at risk by bringing them under local control 
• Marks first major milestone in drive towards regionalisation and localisation of essential public services under this government, empowering local leaders to deliver better, more affordable and more reliable bus services

Millions of people will be able to rely on vital bus links across the West Midlands thanks to

Libya’s leaders must use this window of opportunity to make progress on Libya’s political process: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

18 August 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Madam President, three points on the political process, the importance of stability, and human rights.

First, the United Kingdom reaffirms our support for SRSG Tetteh and for all efforts aimed at advancing an inclusive, credible, and Libyan-led political process.

Almost a year ago, this Council welcomed SRSG Tetteh’s briefing setting out a roadmap

Better WiFi on remote trains and access to cutting edge tech for British farmers through £13 million boost to drive next-gen satellite communications

More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food.

• Reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and access to cutting-edge tech for British farmers among 16 new projects backed by £13 million.
• Funding to help transform access and availability of 5G and 6G networks – boosting connectivity and driving growth.
• Projects will create high-value jobs across the UK, strengthen national security, and help cement Britain’s position as a global force in satellite communication technology.

More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food are among a raft of new projects which will bring the benefits of space technology into everyday life.

The UK Space Agency is funding 16 projects through a £13 million government investment,

MHRA advises against the use of rectal catheters in infants

 MHRA advises parents and healthcare professionals against the use of rectal catheters (known as gas and colic relievers) in babies.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has today issued a Device Safety Information (DSI) notice warning healthcare professionals, parents and carers not to use rectal catheters (gas and colic relievers) on their babies.  

These products are sometimes used by parents and caregivers to help with colic,

Latest crane lifts mark major progress on SIXEP Continuity Plant

Sellafield's SIXEP Continuity Plant has reached an important milestone, with key equipment installed as the project reaches 75% completion.

The SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) has reached an important milestone. Teams have completed a series of major crane lifts on the Sellafield site.

The new plant, being built through the Programme and Project Partners (PPP), is now three-quarters complete. It’s on track to begin operations in 2029.

The main buildings are finished and protected from the weather. Work is now focused on

AI to slash 101 wait times and free vital police time

New AI call-routing system for 101 will get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police to tackle crime and help victims.

Getty Images

New AI software will slash waiting times for reporting crimes to the police, helping to unclog the 101 service amid huge levels of misdirected, nuisance and prank calls. 

The police’s non-emergency line receives 20 million calls each year. Around 20% – four