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.

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.

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.

The Community Wealth Building Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill aims to support investment in communities with councils, health boards and other public bodies focusing on the generation, circulation and retention of wealth in local and regional economies.
This could include for example, buying or procuring more goods and services from local businesses, boosting social enterprises or helping community groups to acquire vacant buildings and land.

The Environment Agency has increased its water enforcement workforce to strengthen its enforcement capability as part of a drive to build a tougher regulatory culture and tackle water pollution.
The water enforcement workforce has increased from 41 roles in 2023 to 195 by March 2026, with further grown planned for later this year.
It is hoped the regulator will now be able to deliver swifter, tougher action against environmental harm - deterring illegal activity, and focusing efforts on achieving a cleaner water environment.

The government has published the multi-year Public Health Grant allocations for local authorities in England.
This is the first three-year public health settlement in a decade.
The allocations cover one year of confirmed allocations for 2026/27 and two years of indicative allocations until 2028/29.
The Public Health Grant has been increased by £224 million in 2025/26 to help local authorities deliver public health services. The consolidated Public Health Grant will be higher in real terms every year of this Parliament than it was in 2024/25.

A new Bill has passed in the Welsh Senedd which aims to transform the response to homelessness.
The Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill will focus on prevention and providing more tools to support people into longer-term homes.
The Bill aims to transform the homelessness system so that is focusses on earlier identification and prevention and target action at those most at risk.
It will focus on a multi-agency response to homelessness, bringing Welsh public services together to respond to the varied causes and consequences of homelessness.