£30 million boost to help unlock land for new homes

The government is boosting its Land Release Fund and the One Public Estate programme with an additional £30 million.

https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2020/09/09/green-party-announces-jonathan-bartley-and-sian-berry-re-elected-as-co-leaders/

The Green Party has re-elected Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry as co-leaders following an internal election this summer.

Highways England to invest £9m in EV scheme

Highways England is encouraging businesses to make the switch to electric by investing over £9 million in a ‘try before you buy’ scheme.

Steve Rotheram launches England’s first Land Commission

Steve Rotheram has announced the establishment of England’s first Land Commission to review the use of public land for community wealth building.

New marketplace opens for public sector AI

The new Artificial Intelligence Dynamic Purchasing System, from CCS, offers a route to buy artificial intelligence services in the public sector.

Clarke resigns from government for personal reasons

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke has resigned from the government for personal reasons.

Urgency needed to tackle childhood obesity

It is not clear whether the government’s plan to tackle rising childhood obesity will be able to make the step change needed in the timescale available.

Cleaner air could boost economy by £1.6bn

A new study has revealed that aligning to WHO air quality targets could boost the UK economy by £1.6 billion each year.

Councils should improve communication with taxpayers

The government has published the results of an independent review into the effectiveness of local authority financial reporting and audit regimes.

Cambridge Climate Change Charter launched

Cambridge City Council is calling on residents and businesses to help Cambridge become a zero carbon city.

Free electric bike trials for commuters in Leeds

As part of an initiative to promote sustainable travel, commuters in Leeds can now borrow an electric bike free of charge for up to two weeks.

Aberdeen and bp join forces in drive for net zero

Aberdeen City Council has announced a new partnership with bp to help reduce carbon emissions and become a climate positive city.

£1.3m for mental health services in Wales

Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced additional mental health support that anyone in Wales can access when they need to.

Government urged to back digital climatetech sector

A new report from techUK is calling on government to back the UK’s emerging digital climatetech sector.

COSLA publishes new blueprint for Scottish councils

COSLA has launched a new Blueprint for Scottish Local Government, which will build around an ambitious vision for Scotland’s future.

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Event Diary

DISCOVER | DEVELOP | DISRUPT

UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.

The multi-award-winning UK Construction Week (UKCW), is the UK’s biggest trade event for the built environment that connects the whole supply chain to be the catalyst for growth and positive change in the industry.