Government Business | Business information for local and central government

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Essex

Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the year’s achievements. So, whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive party night, or want something a little different, Essex has you covered.

Conferences & Events

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Using Christmas trees creatively will help drive visitors into towns and villages across the UK over the festive season, say the British Christmas Tree Growers Association and member Charlie Spurway who runs Country Business in Scotland, recommends the Norway Spruce as the perfect species to decorate large outdoor spaces.

Conferences & Events

Ensuring public sector safety in the digital age

Chris Dimitriadis, chief global strategy officer at ISACA looks at how public sector organisations can protect themselves.

Security & Policing

Data centres to be given increased protection from IT blackouts

The government has classed UK data centres – the buildings which store much of the data generated in the UK – as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’ (CNI).
It means the data housed and processed in UK data centres - from photos taken on smartphones to patients’ NHS records and sensitive financial investment information - is less likely to be compromised during outages, cyber attacks, and adverse weather events.

Morgan announces new cabinet

Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan has revealed the new Welsh Government Cabinet.
Huw Irranca-Davies MS will be deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs and Jeremy Miles MS will be cabinet secretary for health and social care.
Former first minister Mark Drakeford has returned as cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language.

Scottish Green Industrial Strategy unveiled

The Scottish Government has published a Green Industrial Strategy which aims to grow Scotland's net zero economy.
The Strategy will be delivered as part of the Programme for Government and intends to put Scotland at the forefront of the net zero economy, with targeted actions to secure growth and investment.

Scottish government funding for temporary accommodation

The Scottish government has allocated an additional £40 million to councils to increase the supply of social and affordable homes.
The funding was originally confirmed in April and has so far boosted the affordable housing supply programme budget to nearly £600m this year. The funding will mostly be distributed to he five council areas with sustained temporary accommodation pressures - Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

Funding to support renewable energy projects in Scotland

Communities across Scotland are to benefit from funding from the government aimed at supporting community renewable energy generation projects.

Renters' Rights Bill introduced to Parliament

The Renters' Rights Bill has be introduced to Parliament.
The Bill will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.
According to statistics, last year nearly 26,000 households faced homelessness as a result of a Section 21 eviction and had to go to their council for support. It is hoped that greater security will give renters peace of mind, so they can build their lives in their communities.