Local authorities from the UK and Ireland have met to discuss place branding.
16 local authorities (eight from the UK and eight from Ireland) met in Dublin to discuss the topic and how the associated techniques and strategies can be applied to the economic, political and cultural development of cities and regions.
The event was hosted by Dublin City Council in collaboration with the British Embassy and Connected Places Catapult and aimed to identify the strengths and potential benefits of branding places.

Statistics published by Scotland's chief statistician show that there are slightly more women in Scotland's government workforce.
This is part of the latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Information statistics.
It covers the diversity of Scottish Government permanent staff in core directorates, some agencies and some non-ministerial departments and the experiences of different demographic groups.

The Welsh Government has published proposals designed to increase the proportion of women standing as candidates in future Senedd elections.
The Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill aims to make the Senedd more effective by being more representative of Wales.
The Bill is based on recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform. The recommendations were endorsed by a majority of Senedd Members in June 2022.

Local authorities are struggling to implement their electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure plans, according to research from Believ.
This is despite the UK Government’s ambition to have 300,000 public charge points available by 2030.

A new report has revealed that air quality in London has improved faster and more dramatically that the rest of the UK.
In 2016, average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were much higher in London than the rest of the UK. However, in London the concentrations have fallen much quicker than in the rest of the country.

The environment secretary, Steve Barclay, has announced fast-tracked investment of £180m over the next 12 months to help prevent sewage spills.
It is hoped the funding will prevent more than 8000 sewage spills polluting English waterways.
Last December, Barclay directed water and sewage companies to measurably reduce sewage spills over the next year by accelerating commitments and delivering new funding.

International ministers are set to agree new action to take down fraudsters as the first ever Global Fraud Summit begins today. Representatives from the G7, Five Eyes, Singapore and South Korea are attending. 
Home secretary James Cleverly will host and discuss the threats posed by organised crime groups, as well as explore how global law enforcement can tackle it throughout a series of meetings.

Jeremy Miles, education minister, has announced new capital funding of around £12.5 million to improve school and college buildings throughout Wales.

Ofsted’s new Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has opened 'The Big Listen,' inviting views from parents and the sector on Ofsted's work and future reforms.