A new report by the County Councils Network (CCN), County Spotlight, has revealed that almost nine in ten of England’s largest councils are using artificial intelligence, yet are held back from rolling out this technology more widely due to a lack of staff capacity, funding, and training.

Ring road

The A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction scheme in Norwich has received the green light from the government, following over a year of delays.

Train ticket barriers.

Trials for contactless rail ticketing are on track for later this year across the North and Midlands, which will use Global Positioning System (GPS) based technology which will track locations on train journeys.

Scottish notes.

The 2025-26 Scottish Budget has been approved by Parliament, which will invest £21.7 billion in health and social care services.

Child on playground.

The Raising the National Plan Commission, a year-long independent inquiry into why play is critical to the wellbeing of children in England, has published its Interim Report, ‘State of Play’.

The Procurement Act has now come into force.

The government has announced an extra £30 million for Winter Pressures Funding.

Electric vans being charged.

A £120 million investment package is set to benefit drivers, cabbies, and businesses by supporting them making the shift to cleaner vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles and taxis and removing financial barriers to entry.

Children's breakfast porridge

The first 750 schools have been selected to offer free breakfast clubs, as part of the government’s national roll out.

Young apprentice in hi-vis jacket with clipboard

A recruitment campaign has been launched to address workforce shortages in local authorities, and aims to encourage young people aged between 18 to 27 to take up jobs in local authorities.

The Final Budget 2025-2026 has been published in the Senedd, with an extra £100 million for public services.

Councils that are in exceptional need of help are set to receive letters confirming government support to help balance their budgets.

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Event Diary

Returning to the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire from 24-26 June, Road Transport Expo (RTX) is back with its winning ‘All about the truck’ formula.

19-20 November 2025, ExCeL London

elementalLONDON’s debut show is the latest launch from the team behind InstallerSHOW, building on the success of the elemental digital brand, which delivers news, views and solutions on reaching net zero to its audience of built environment professionals.

Supplier Profiles

Frontline Cleaners Express

At Frontline Cleaners Express Ltd, we understand the importance of a pristine, hygienic environme

Tinytag

Gemini Data Loggers, established in 1984, designs and manufactures the Tinytag range of data logg