National Flood Resilience Review published

8 September 2016
National Flood Resilience Review published
New approaches to make the UK more resilient to flooding have been outlined in the government’s National Flood Resilience Review.
Andrea Leadsom, the new Environment Secretary in Theresa May’s Cabinet, has reviewed the lessons that have been learnt from the flooding last Winter, where 16,000 houses in Cumbria and Yorkshire were flooded, with the Review hoping to make the country more prepared in the years to come.

Scrap HS2 Rail, says think tank

8 September 2016
Scrap HS2 Rail, says think tank
The Adam Smith Institute has branded the High-Speed 2 rail project ‘economically irresponsible’ and has called for it to be scrapped.

Support for Cambridge devolution

8 September 2016
Support for Cambridge devolution
A public consultation has shown support for proposals to devolve power and funding from Westminster to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Birmingham Council signs £2bn Chinese deal

8 September 2016
Birmingham Council signs £2bn Chinese deal
Cllr John Clancy, the leader of Birmingham City Council, has signed a development deal worth up to £2 billion with a Chinese company.
Declaring the region ‘open for business’, Clancy and Chinese property development company Country Garden have agreed a deal that will see the Guangdong-based company explore large scale investment opportunities in Birmingham city region area, with particular focus on regeneration and investment options related to the HS2 project.

Urgent repairs could force Westminster vacation

8 September 2016
Urgent repairs could force Westminster vacation
A senior Parliamentary Committee is to recommend that all MPs and peers vacate both Houses of Parliament for six years to allow for urgent repairs.
The £4 billion restoration project will tackle asbestos, frail stonework and ageing electrics and wiring. It has been said the Grade I-listed building would be knocked down if it was not protected, with the committee report suggesting this means MPs may need to relocate as early as 2020.