A topping out ceremony has been held at Government Property Agency’s (GPA) First Street government hub.
The ceremony in Manchester marks the building reaching its highest point. Senior representatives from the GPA, Ask Real Estate, BAM Construction and PIC - the investor funding the hub’s construction were in attendance.
The building is scheduled to be ready for internal fit-out by the end of the year.

Following the news that Simon Tse will retire in the summer, Sam Ulyatt has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).
Ulyatt previously worked as commercial director for buildings, before she left to join Home Office as chief commercial officer in July 2020.
Following an external competition, Ulyatt will begin her new role on 8th July to allow a handover period with her predecessor.

More than £100 million will be invested in Welsh public transport, the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and transport, Ken Skates has said.
The 22 local authorities in Wales were to the Welsh Government for local transport improvements in their areas that will help to deliver the priorities and ambitions of Wales’ Transport Strategy - Llwybr Newydd.

It will primarily focus on supporting the chief social care officer for Wales in their role, and delivering a National Care Service for Wales.

According to the latest figures more than £163 million has been saved due to an efficiency drive on the government estate.
The factors behind the reduction are the disposal of unused property and the relocation of civil servants into multi-departmental hubs. The energy bill has been reduced by £163 million and direct emissions cut by 14 per cent compared to the baseline to 2017/2018.

Scotland's £600 million Reaching 100 per cent (R100) programme is now rolling out connections in some of the country’s most challenging rural locations.

Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has been charged with embezzlement in an investigation into SNP finances.
He was re-arrested yesterday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party and charged later in the day.
BBC Scotland has reported that he has resigned his SNP membership.
He resigned as chief executive of the SNP last year.

The Scottish Government has announced a new suite of climate action measures aimed at tackling climate change.
Measures include increasing the number of electric vehicle chargers and an integrated ticketing system which can be used across all public transport.
There will be a new carbon tax on large estates to incentivise peatland restoration and tree planting and renewable energy generation will be consulted on.

Pensioners in five Scottish local authorities will be the first to be eligible for a new disability benefit (subject to parliamentary approval of regulations).
From 21 October, Pension Age Disability Payment will be piloted in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland. The new benefit is a replacement for Attendance Allowance.
It will then become available in 13 more local authority areas on 24 March 2025 before becoming available across Scotland by 22 April 2025.

Residents and visitors to Brecon in Wales recently took part in the world's first full-town digital deposit return scheme.
The results from the DDRS Scan|Recycle|Reward trial are now in and show high levels of engagement. 18,794 rewards were claimed, the equivalent of more than four per household.
The trial was led by DDRS Alliance with support from Welsh Government, Powys County Council, WRAP’s Collaborative Change Programme and local retailers.