As of yesterday (20th July 2025), train services across London and Essex are now publicly owned, as c2c’s services become the next to be brought into public ownership through the government’s plans to restore Britain’s railways.

The future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood has launched a consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme and the draft stature instrument, inviting the public and industry to offer their views on the future of self-driving vehicles.

Six areas have been confirmed as priority areas for devolution.
Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, and Hampshire and the Solent are now set to get their own mayors with powers over housing, transport and other vital areas.
The six areas joined the Devolution Priority Programme in February and ministers have confirmed that each area has now met key legal tests to proceed.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has highlighted the importance of social landlords understanding the condition of their tenants' homes.
A new report has concluded that this is essential for keeping tenants safe. 
RSH found that stronger landlords have up-to-date stock condition survey coverage of their homes, which they use to respond quickly to rectify hazards.
Strong landlords also use stock condition data to build a strategic approach to investment and provide better value for money by proactively addressing potential issues rather than reactively.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds would be able to vote at the next general election, under government plans to lower the voting age.

The government has announced that new innovation squads will be rolled out to boost public services.
The squads will back community ideas and work with the frontline as part of a £100 million ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ reform programme to deliver the Plan for Change.
The teams will be deployed from central government and will work alongside local government and service users to tackle the biggest challenges affecting local communities.

Great British Energy has awarded awarded mayoral authorities a share of £10 million in grant funding to roll out clean energy projects at the centre of communities.
The funding will enable community services and institutions to save on energy bills and reinvest into frontline services.
It is estimated these schemes could produce around £35 million of lifetime savings on energy bills.
The funding will pay for solar panels on public buildings, batteries for community buildings and EV chargers.

The Government has launched a new Life Sciences Sector Plan to grow the economy and boost the NHS.
As part of the Industrial Strategy, the new plan sets out a ten-year mission to harness British science and innovation to deliver long-term economic growth and a stronger, prevention-focused NHS.
The life sciences sector is already worth around £100 to the UK economy and employs around 300,000 people.