The government has launched an action plan to build stronger communities and stamp out extremism, hate and division.
Described as a 'rallying call for action', the plan includes the first steps towards a more connected, cohesive and resilient United Kingdom.
The government said that the announcement comes after decades of rapid change including technological advancements, demographic change, the increasing cost of living and the decline of vital public services - all of this putting a strain on social cohesion. 

The Scottish Government has announced £5.8 million to prevent child poverty.
Seven projects working in communities will share the funding to drive transformation in whole family support.
The recipients will provide support for families, scale up efforts to tackle child poverty, and improve early child development.
The money comes from the £50 million Whole Family Wellbeing Funding allocation for 2026-27.

From 1 April, new providers of children's homes, fostering services and secure accommodation will no longer be able to make a profit in Wales.
At the moment, some some children's care homes and fostering services are run by companies that make a profit. This profit comes from public money.
The Welsh Government has committed to phasing out the extraction of profit from children’s social care services, specifically children’s homes, fostering services, and secure accommodation, as part of wider reforms under the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025.

Jonathan Brearley has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 
The appointment was made by the cabinet secretary with approval from the prime minister.
Brearley is currently CEO of Ofgem and has previous experience in government and the energy sector.
Brearley will replace Clive Maxwell who was serving as Interim Permanent Secretary while a full external recruitment process was run.

Around 300,000 low-income households are set to have their water bills reduced thanks to a reform of WaterSure.
WaterSure enables low-income households who use high amounts of water to have their water bills capped. To qualify, they must have a water meter and either a specific medical condition or three or more children living at home.
260,000 households are already part of the scheme, which is estimated to save around £325 per household.

The Welsh Government has invested more than £5 million in new funding for the Green Homes Wales scheme in 2026-27.
A Welsh Government initiative, Green Homes Wales is managed by the Development Bank of Wales. It is designed to support eligible homeowners in making energy-efficiency and low carbon heat improvements to their homes.
Almost £12 million have been invested into the scheme since its launch in October 2024.

100 schools and colleges have now installed their Great British Energy-funded solar panels. 250 schools will have completed their installations by summer.
Schools and colleges clustered in areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West were prioritised.
Around 250 schools and colleges are set to save up to a combined £220 million over the lifetime of the solar panels.

Councils in England have been given updated guidance and stronger legal powers to clamp down on litter louts.
The updated guidance has been put on statutory footing, meaning local authorities will have a legal duty to follow it.
Under the new rules, councils will have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £500 for littering, including when litter is thrown from a vehicle. Unpaid fines will double after 28 days.
The guidance says that enforcement should be proportionate, so resources can be focussed on the worst offenders.

£10 million has been announced to generate local renewable energy and reduce energy bills in Wales.

The government has announced that some voters in May elections will be able to vote in a shopping centre and on weekends in a bid to make voting easier.
Four areas will take part in the trial, which will give people more choice over where and when they vote.
In Milton Keynes, people will be able to vote at centre:mk, instead of at a designated poling station.
In Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells and North Hertfordshire, people will be able to vote in person ahead of the election, including at the weekend.