The HS2 Woodland Fund has reopened to support woodland creation and restoration projects along the HS2 Phase One route.
£3.25 is available to support woodland creation and the restoration of plantations of ancient woodland sites (PAWS).
The fund was first launched in November 2017 his managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of HS2 Ltd.

The Scottish Government has extended protections for tenants due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The private rent cap and additional eviction protections, will be extended for a further six months if approved by Parliament.
Tenants’ rights minister Patrick Harvie has confirmed proposals to keep the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act measures in place until 31 March 2024 at the latest.

The Regulator of Social Housing has published the results of its latest quarterly survey of registered providers’ financial health.
The report looks into the sector's financial data for the past financial year.
The report found that providers face substantial pressures and continue to operate within a very challenging and fast-moving economic environment. High inflation, shortages in labour and materials, increasing borrowing costs, and higher spend on repairs and maintenance continue to impact on providers’ operating costs.

Tower Hamlets Council will become the first council in England to offer free school meals to all school pupils up to the age of 16, after the proposal was formally approved at a Cabinet meeting.
The council has funded free school meals for all primary school children since 2014, and the extension to secondary schools will be rolled out in three phases from September 2023.

Parliament will host a debate on 'The Role of Local Government in Reaching Net Zero' on 5th June.
The debate will examine the the critical role that local authorities play in achieving the UK's Net Zero targets and is set to include the importance of local action and the need for comprehensive policy solutions to overcome the barriers to local Net Zero.
Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay

A new government hub in Croydon has achieved Practical Completion.
The building is set to accommodate over 5,000 civil servants and enable the Home Office to migrate from three current locations in Croydon to one building building in summer 2024.

A new Solar Taskforce has meet to discuss how to drive more rooftop solar installation across the country.
Schools, warehouses and carparks are set to play host to new solar panels under new plans discussed by the government's new taskforce.
The taskforce is led by by energy minister Graham Stuart and Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett.
The government has a target to to increase solar capacity by nearly fivefold to 70GW by 2035.

The Welsh Government has announced £250,000 of funding to be shared between community cooperative projects in order to protect and help the Welsh language to thrive.
Community groups were previously invited to apply for funding to set up or support co-operatives, social enterprises, and community-led housing.
21 groups are set to receive funding.

The Chancellor has announced £650 million of funding to "fire up" the UK's life sciences sector and grow the economy.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has announced the Scottish Government's Financial Strategy, which includes economic growth, progressive taxation and spending plans that targeting those in greatest need.
The Medium-Term Financial Strategy sets out the government's approach to make sure the country's finances are sustainable and at the same time, deliver high-quality public services.