Professor Richard Prager has been appointed chief scientific adviser (CSA) at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Professor Prager is currently head of the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University and academic director of Cambridge Online Education. Professor Prager is also a chartered engineer and fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering & Technology, and of Queens’ College Cambridge.

Frontline government staff are set to receive training to spot signs of economic abuse in order to support vulnerable people and prevent them from getting into debt.
A new toolkit has been developed, with guidance for frontline staff in departments such as HMRC and DWP.
The Economic Abuse Toolkit includes guidance on spotting the signs of economic abuse and creating an appropriate environment for victims to disclose their experiences. Staff will receive training on how to handle declarations sensitively and ensure victims get the support they need.

Both Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been selected to become Scotland's first Green Freeports.
Following an assessment and selection process led by the Scottish and UK governments, both Freeports will receive up to £52 million in start-up funding, as well as benefit from tax reliefs and other incentives.

The government has announced £230 million of funding for investment in football facilities across the UK.
£168 million will be invested into facilities in England, to be delivered by the Football Foundation - a partnership between the Premier League, The FA, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Scotland will receive £18.1, Wales £12.6 million and Northern Ireland £6.29 million to be delivered in partnership with the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association.

Former energy minister Chris Skidmore has published his Net Zero review, which has revealed that the UK could do more to reap the economic benefits of green growth.

The Government has set out proposals to ensure that lighting in domestic and non-domestic buildings in England, Scotland and Wales meets minimum energy performance standards.
The intention is for households and businesses to cut their energy use and save money by having more energy-efficient lighting.
Under the new proposals, only the most energy-efficient light bulbs will be available in shops.

The Scottish social justice secretary has announced £2.4 million of funding to help those struggling to afford food and other essentials.
Shona Robison announced that the money will be distributed mainly on a cash-first basis via four organisations.
A focus on crisis payments and shopping cards is intended to allow people to choose for themselves what they need.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a new approach to sustainable drainage intended to reduce flood risk and clean up rivers.
A government review has recommended making sustainable drainage systems mandatory for new developments in England. This is expected to reduce the risk of surface water flooding and pollution and help to reduce pressures on traditional drainage and sewerage systems.
New developments can contribute to surface and sewer flood risk, by covering grassland and soil that would otherwise assist with heavy rainfall.

The Scottish Government has published the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, setting out a plan for Scotland's renewables revolution as North Sea basin resources decline.
The plans would lead to a net jobs gain in the energy production sector, and a potential increase in renewable energy exports.
The plan has been published for consultation, which will run until 4th April 2023.

Small and medium housebuilders will be able to access development loans through the Levelling Up Home Building Fund.
The fund will support smaller house builders that often struggle to access finance through traditional bank lenders.
Loans will start from £250,000.