Raab resigns following bullying investigation

21 April 2023
Raab resigns following bullying investigation
Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab has resigned from government following an investigation into reports of bullying.
Yesterday, prime minister Rishi Sunak received a report into the allegations.
There had been several complaints from civil servants about Raab's behaviour, which were investigated by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC. Reports suggested that he could be "pretty belittling" and he made staff cry.
Raab had previously denied the allegations.
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Social housing residents offered training scheme

20 April 2023
Social housing residents offered training scheme
Social housing residents are to be offered a place on a watchdog-style training scheme intended to empower them to hold their landlords to account.
The scheme involves free advice on addressing damp and mould, webinars on how to complain about anti-social behaviour and advice on how to set up a residents panel.
The Four Million Homes programme is backed by £500,000 government funding, and will encourage tenants to take an active roles in how their homes are managed.
The training events are set to begin in May and will run over 24 months.
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Mayor of London calls for action on private landlords

20 April 2023
Mayor of London calls for action on private landlords
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has called for national action, as research has revealed that private landlords are receiving billions for sub-standard homes.
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First minister publishes policy prospectus

19 April 2023
First minister publishes policy prospectus
Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has published a new policy prospectus, which outlines how the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years.
Three missions centred on the themes of equality, opportunity and community will be central to his government.
The policy prospectus was announced during Yousaf's first major statement to Parliament as first minister.
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100,000 new trees for London

19 April 2023
100,000 new trees for London
£3.8 million has been invested to plant 100,000 new trees and expand woodland in London, through the second round of the Green and Resilience Spaces Fund.
The funding is set to improve almost 30 hectares of green space in the capital, create 50 hectares of new publicly accessible woodland and restore nature to over a kilometre of river.  
16 project as set to receive funding to increase tree planting and make green spaces more accessible to Londoners.
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New trees planted for benefit of community and environment

18 April 2023
New trees planted for benefit of community and environment
Trees have been planted in Budleigh Salterton, Devon as part of the The Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP).
23,000 saplings have now been planted across the site, 225 of which were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme.
A lot of the planting is located on the former domestic tip site, which is being reclaimed by nature and become a pleasant green space for the community and visitors.
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Review reveals health impacts of pollution

18 April 2023
Review reveals health impacts of pollution
A review carried out by researchers from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group via Imperial Projects has investigated the health impacts on pollution throughout a person's life.
The report reveals that that air pollution poses a serious risk to people’s health at every stage of life, including prior to birth.
The report found that air pollution negatively affects sperm count and mobility and can also impair normal foetal development in the womb, increasing the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and pre-term births.
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New Smart Data Council to save money on household bills

17 April 2023
New Smart Data Council to save money on household bills
The Department for Business and Trade has announced a new Smart Data Council intended to help lower bills for consumers and small firms by making it easier to switch utility providers.
According to the department, the difference between what loyal and new consumers pay for the same service is £1,114 across mobile, mortgages and broadband.
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All new smart motorways scrapped

17 April 2023
All new smart motorways scrapped
The government has announced that all plans for new smart motorways have been shelved. The reasons for this are stated as financial pressures and a lack of confidence from drivers.
It is estimated that it would have cost more than £1 billion to construct the smart motorways that were planned.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: "All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country.
"That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.
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London boroughs commit to improving social housing services

14 April 2023
London boroughs commit to improving social housing services
London boroughs have launched a new shared vision for delivering landlord services for council tenants.
More than one in ten homes in London is let by a local authority and 19 per cent of England's social housing stock is found there.
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