The Scottish Government has opened applications for the 2025–26 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF), which helps employers cover the cost of essential qualifications for social care staff.
The money will be used to support workers in gaining the qualifications they need for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Around £780,000 is available for the Fund in 2025-26, and each organisation can apply for a maximum of £24,000.
Applications will close ay 5pm on Friday 5 September.

A new Internship Scheme has been launched to get more working class students into the Civil Service.
The Summer Internship Programme will give talented undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. 
At the moment, applicants from lower socio economic backgrounds are less likely to get a place on the Fast Stream.

Cardiff Capital Region has been backed by £30 million to boost innovation and growth, making it one of three UK cities and regions to be supported by the government’s £500 million local innovation fund.

The Scottish government has given Berwick Bank wind farm the green light, which will have an estimated capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW). This makes it one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms.
The site is located approximately 38km from the Scottish Borders coastline at St Abbs, and has the potential to generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland twice over.

Commissioned by the Scottish government in February 2024, an independent review of the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has called for a more simple and accessible application process to better improve access to support for disabled people.

Transport for Wales is introducing new electric trains on passenger services to Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines, which makes the total number of brand-new electric trains in service daily to 19.
The new trial-mode Class 756 trains will provide 50 per cent more capacity and improved accessibility, including level boarding. Part of the Welsh government's £800 million investment in new trains, they will be introduced after a successful second trial on the Cortyon line earlier this year. For the time, this line will also have a Sunday service from December.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to unlock growth for Cornwall through creating up to 1,300 jobs, thanks to a £28.6 million National Wealth Fund investment to supporting the reopening of South Crofty Tin mine.
This follows the recent Industrial Strategy announcement that is set to boost growth in UK industry, as tin is a critical material used in a wide range of electronic products manufactured by the sector. It is used in solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and semi-conductors, meaning its demand is increasing as the country races towards net zero.

40,000 homes could be developed over the next decade, as the government unveils the start of a £1 billion development project to transform brownfield railway land into homes, green spaces, shops, and hotels.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has announced that local leaders will receive funding to unlock research and local innovations.
Local leaders are set to receive at least £30 million each from the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
The money will help target innovation investment and make the most of communities’ expertise to unleash discoveries.
The Glasgow City Region, Cardiff Capital Region, and Belfast/Derry-Londonderry will all receive funding.

The fifth meeting of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel took place yesterday (28th July) to discuss the future of net zero buses