UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is inviting a broad range of local and regional partnerships to bid for government funding to support research and innovation projects in their area through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
Leaders can bid for up to £20 million of support in each new competition.
The competition is designed to back partnerships that can turn existing research breakthroughs into practical solutions that create jobs and improve people’s lives.
It is aimed at helping regions across the UK build on their existing strength.

As Challenge Poverty Week begins, Scottish first minister John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is committed to putting “more money in people’s pockets".
He said that the Scottish Government’s cost of living guarantee, which includes free bus travel for 2.3 million people, more than £6,000 in early learning and childcare support for each eligible child, free prescriptions and other measures, is delivering real savings for families across the country.

The Scottish Parliament has passed legislation to transform homelessness prevention and improve standards in rented housing.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill will place a duty on certain public bodies to prevent people from losing their homes by asking about their housing situation and taking action.
It increases Ministers’ powers to implement ‘Awaab’s Law', which will be implemented in Scotland’s rented sector from March 2026, subject to Parliament’s agreement.

Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies warns.
High-needs spending by councils, which primarily covers additional provision for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), has surged by 66% in real terms, increasing from £7.5 billion in 2016 to an estimated £12 billion in 2025.

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) has launched ACT for Local Authorities at International Security Expo.
ACT stands for 'Action Counters Terrorism'.
ACT for Local Authorities uses CTP’s regional network of Counter Terrorism Security Advisers and Prepare Officers to enhance the capabilities of local authorities in delivering the Protect and Prepare elements of the national counter terrorism strategy.
It will be run by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO).

Extra funding has been confirmed for Great British Energy solar panels.
Thanks to up to £75 million in funding from Great British Energy, around 50 more schools and over 70 further NHS sites will save money on their energy bills.
Great British Energy has also agreed a new partnership with the Ministry of Defence which will see technologies such as solar panels and micro-wind turbines deployed across a range of military sites, including remote training ground and equipment stations. This means energy bill savings can be redirected towards defence spending.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has announced a £500 million investment in fair pay agreement for adult care workers across England.
The investment marks the first ever fair pay agreement for adult care workers.
A new body to negotiate changes to pay and terms and conditions for care workers will be set up including both employers and trade unions. This body will work to improve recruitment and retention, giving staff better recognition for their important work.
Care workers can expect to see an increase to their yearly wages by 2028.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has announced a new UK Town of Culture competition, which will see multiple towns vying for the title.
The winning town will deliver a cultural programme, which will help to boost pride in place by shining a spotlight on multiple towns and enabling them to tell their unique story. 

The government has awarded £25 million to six UK regions with strengths in creative industries such as film and TV, music, fashion and video games as part of the Creative Places Growth Fund.
The fund was announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan in June, as part of the Industrial Strategy. The government plans to to invest £150 million in the creative industries of six regions outside of London - Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, West of England, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA) has shown that older industrial towns and cities in England could deliver £13 billion in untapped economic potential, if government provides the necessary support to unlock local economic opportunities and break down place-specific barriers to growth.
The research looks at older industrial towns and cities, many of which face challenges such as slow job growth, low pay, worklessness and low skills, and inadequate infrastructure (including digital) for the modern economy.