Wales announces new measures to tackle fly-tipping

19 February 2026
Wales announces new measures to tackle fly-tipping
The Welsh Government has announced new measures to tackle fly-tipping including funding for new surveillance cameras and a review into fixed penalties.
According to figures, there were 42,171 fly-tipping incidents reported in Wales between April 2023 and March 2024, with 71 per cent involving household waste.
Fly-tipping Action Wales is providing local authorities with 150 new trail cameras to target hotspots and help clean up communities.
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£1.5 million households receive Cold Weather Payment

19 February 2026
£1.5 million households receive Cold Weather Payment
Almost 1.5 million households have received a £25 Cold Weather Payment since December 2025.
This winter over £35 million has been paid to vulnerable households across England and Wales this winter.
Those eligible include low-income pensioners and families with young children.
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£110 million for North Hykeham Relief Road

18 February 2026
£110 million for North Hykeham Relief Road
The government has announced £110 million of funding for the North Hykeham Relief Road.
Work will begin next month on the brand-new dual carriageway between the A46 and A15.
It is hoped the link road will open up new job opportunities with improved connections to Lincoln, as well as reduce congestion in surrounding villages and improve road safety.
Safe cycling and walking provisions will be built into the scheme.
The road is expected to be completed by May 2029.
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Seven new stations for Wales

18 February 2026
Seven new stations for Wales
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan have announced seven new train stations for Wales alongside major rail funding.
The funding is set to support 12,000 jobs across Wales.
Seven new stations will be built in Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Cardiff Parkway, and Deeside industrial park.
Work will start on the stations next year and as a result, workers should find it easier to commute to Cardiff and Newport.
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Mobile Jobcentres to offer employment support

17 February 2026
Mobile Jobcentres to offer employment support
Mobile Jobcentres are set to take to the road around Britain, offering expert support on job searching and training opportunities.
The vans will appear outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums, bringing support to the centre of communities.
Following successful trials in the Scottish Highlands, North and Mid Wales and Greater Manchester, the vans will now visit six new areas. After testing their impact further, the schemes could be rolled out more extensively.
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Postponed May elections to go ahead

17 February 2026
Postponed May elections to go ahead
The government has announced that local elections will go ahead in May.
The decision to postpone 30 local elections has been reversed.
Minister of Housing Steve Reed has written to local authorities to inform them of this decision, which was made after legal advice.
The government has also announced that up to £63 million of new capacity funding to help councils across the 21 reorganisation areas to better deliver local government re-organisation.
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Government proposes 13 new bathing spots

16 February 2026
Government proposes 13 new bathing spots
The government has proposed 13 new bathing spots across the country.
Included in the proposals in the first ever designated bathing spot on the River Thames in London.
The new designations will bring the country's total bathing spots up to 464.
It is hoped the designations will bring benefits such as increased tourism and strengthened community pride.
Local communities are now invited to have their say as part of a six-week public consultation.
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Government launches consultation on extending smoke-free places

16 February 2026
Government launches consultation on extending smoke-free places
The government has launched a new consultation on stopping people smoking, vaping or using heated tobacco in public playgrounds and education settings in England.
Under the proposals, areas outside healthcare locations would also become smoke-free and heated tobacco-free.
Indoor spaces where smoking is already banned would also become vape-free and heated tobacco-free.
The proposals are part of the 10 Year Health Plan and the shift from sickness to prevention.
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Government introduces new rules on political interference

13 February 2026
Government introduces new rules on political interference
The government has announced new rules on political interference, meaning foreign actors will no longer be able to financially interfere.
Changes to boost transparency and accountability in politics will be introduced through the Representation of the People Bill.
New measures will include strengthened rules on company donations, new “Know Your Donor” guidance, and tighter requirements for unincorporated associations.
The bill is part of the government’s zero-tolerance approach to foreign interference in UK democracy.
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AI transcription in social work saving time

13 February 2026
AI transcription in social work saving time
A new report from the Ada Lovelace Institute has found that AI transcription tools are saving time in social work, but are also introducing new risks to people such as bias and ‘hallucinations’.
39 social workers with experience of using AI across 17 local authorities were interview by the researchers, alongside senior staff members involved in procuring and evaluating them.
The research found that resource restraints are inspiring widespread piloting, adoption and evaluation of AI transcription tools.
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AI transcription