Tootfinder

Given the remarkable #GreensSurge in members and polling, and the ongoing chaotic infighting at 'Your Party', it's maybe worth reposting my questioning of both leaderships on the eco-planetary crisis and overshoot.
As UK politics turns both right and left, how do we get degrowth onto the agenda? – degrowthUK

As UK politics turns both right and left, how do we get degrowth onto the agenda?
By Mark H Burton In the series, Prospects for Degrowth The last few weeks have seen two opposing developments in British politics, both in the context of the Starmer Labour government and its failu…

More than 600 government files released under 20-year rule https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/more-than-600-government-files-released-under-20-year-rule/

More than 600 government files released under 20-year rule - The National Archives
More than 600 documents have been released by the Cabinet Office today under the 20-year rule. Most are correspondence and work on government policies during Sir Tony Blair’s Labour administration 2004-2005. They include a file about Kim Philby’s archive and another relating to the successful Olympics 2012 bid. There is material relating to the tsunami […]

On the UK CPO Consultation (2022) - UK central government consulted on the operation of Compulsory Purchase Orders in England and Wales as will affect 16WW. - https://m.earth.org.uk/note-on-2022-CPO-consultation.html

On the UK CPO Consultation (2022)
UK central government consulted on the operation of Compulsory Purchase Orders in England and Wales as will affect 16WW.

Dutch government has let all messages within the judicial system run via Solvinity, a company now about to be sold by a UK-based private equity firm to US-based Kyndryl. Which brings the data within reach of the Trump regime.

Niet alleen DigiD: ook geheime info rechtspraak en Justitie in geding bij overname IT-bedrijf
Er is onrust ontstaan over de aangekondigde overname van IT-dienstverlener Solvinity – leverancier van DigiD – door een Amerikaans bedrijf. Door de systemen van Solvinity lopen uiterst gevoelige data van onder meer het ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, het Openbaar Ministerie en de rechtspraak. Die dreigen binnen het bereik van de Amerikaanse regering te komen.

Ban Private Jets Now! #environment #BanPrivateJets

If you agree that the UK government should ban private jets, add your name.
Sign our petition to ban private jets

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730194
9 more days to hit 3M!

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards
We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

Local Hero.
"The head of a leading disability rights charity turned down an MBE in the New Year Honours over what she described as the "simply intolerable" situation facing disabled people in the UK."
"Tressa Burke, chief executive of the Glasgow Disability Alliance, was recognised by the prime minister for her services to people with disabilities."

Disabled charity chief condemns UK government as she rejects MBE
Tressa Burke, chief executive officer of the Glasgow Disability Alliance, says the situation facing disabled people in the UK is "simply intolerable".

The study involved leading laboratories across multiple countries testing identical samples of gut microbiome bacteria. Results revealed startling inconsistencies, with accuracy measures varying dramatically between laboratories – despite analysing the same samples.
MHRA-led study reveals major inconsistencies in global microbiome research

MHRA-led study reveals major inconsistencies in global microbiome research
International collaboration establishes new quality standards to improve reliability of gut health studies – improving accuracy to provide better diagnosis and treatment.

Guardian faffing around the issue.
The government should clearly overturn Javid's cruel decision to strip this victim of grooming of her citizenship.
But they won't, being on human rights, even worse than the last Tory government.
Ministers cannot go on ignoring the Shamima Begum case, for two important reasons | Shamima Begum | The Guardian

The UK has spent more than £500K since 2024, including £350K by the Department for Education, on 215 influencers to promote government campaigns (The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/25/uk-government-spending-social-media-infl…

If you're ever bored, you can while away some time amusing yourself at the UK government's petitions website by looking at the list of rejected petitions.

"Ed Miliband to announce billions in green investment to create 'zero bill homes' in Labour bid to win back voters"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #NetZero

Ed Miliband to announce billions in green investment to create 'zero bill homes' in Labour bid to win back voters | LBC
Millions of Brits will reportedly be eligible for cash to install solar panels, heat pumps and other environmentally friendly devices in a government attempt to create new “zero bill” homes.

“The reforms would give more people access to domestic electricity rates, enabling families to run their EVs for as little as 2p per mile – the equivalent of London to Birmingham for £2.50.
[..]
The government will also work with Ofgem to ensure public costs are fair and strengthen protections against landowners overcharging tenants for home charging above the market rate.”

Government looks to slash red tape to make charging electric vehicles at home easier
Reforms will open up affordable home charging to thousands more households

just discovered this glorious mix of thumping techno and local government service design user research
https://charlieoctogirl.bandcamp.com/track/whens-bins-happy-birthday-gilly

When the UK's new nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C starts to produce power in 2030, its guaranteed 'strike price' will have risen to ~150 £/MWh (170 €/MWh). Average wholesale electricity prices will probably be around half of that, so that's a 50% subsidy.
At an annual production of 25 million MWh (3.2 GW in baseload), I'd say that's £1.9 billion per year in subsidies.

Best headline in the GOV.UK news feed today
> Framework for interrogation of honey authenticity databases
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/framework-for-interrogation-of-honey-authenticity-databases

Framework for interrogation of honey authenticity databases
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.

Sustainable aviation fuel take-up in UK unlikely to hit 2025 target, data suggests https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/26/sustainable-aviation-fuel-mandate-uk-government-data-2025

Yes, it's a higher wage bill for businesses, but it also means more money for people to spend, which means more revenue for those same businesses. And less poverty means a lower benefits bill for the government.
BBC News - Minimum wage to rise again from April to £12.71 for over-21s - BBC News
https://www.bbc.c…

@… This is what the UK government itself has to say: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-digital-id-scheme-to-be-rolled-…

🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on KEXP's #SonicReducer
T.S.O.L.:
🎵 Abolish Government / Silent Majority
#TSOL
https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/track/abolish-government-silent-majority
https://open.spotify.com/track/1R79vtF6xSaDdTrh8qId8W

~13 years ago I knocked on thousands of doors locally to get ~40 homes to install free loft insulation before a government scheme (CERT) ended:
https://www.earth.org.uk/mass-loft-insulation.html

Mass Loft Insulation Project in Norbiton, London (2012)
Helping cut bills and carbon in the neighbourhood before CERT stopped: crowd-conserving? #legwork #loftInsulation #frugal

After the Online Safety Act’s onerous internet age restrictions took effect this summer,
it didn’t take long for Brits to get around them.
Some methods went viral, like using video game Death Stranding’s photo mode to bypass face scans.
But in the end, the simplest solution won out: --- VPNs.
Virtual private networks have proven remarkably effective at circumventing the UK’s age checks,
letting users spoof IP addresses from other countries so that the checks neve…

The VPN panic is only getting started
The UK government is facing calls to add age restrictions to VPNs in order to stop them being used to… get around age restrictions.

"Contracts for Difference: UK Government confirms boost in payments to offshore wind developers"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Energy

Could you spare a minute for the world's forests? I've signed an open letter to Ed Miliband ahead of the UN climate talks in the Amazon.
It urges the UK government to champion Indigenous forest defenders and pass laws to stop UK businesses driving global deforestation.
It’s quick to sign and will make a real difference.
Read and sign here: h
ttps://action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/defend-our-forests-un-climate-talks

One of the many ways the US government is killing its citizens: “Trump EPA moves to abandon rule that sets tough standards for deadly soot pollution” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-environmental-protection-a…

Trump EPA moves to abandon rule that sets tough standards for deadly soot pollution
The Trump administration is seeking to abandon a rule that sets tough standards for deadly soot pollution, arguing that the Biden administration did not have authority to set the tighter standard on pollution from tailpipes, smokestacks and other industrial sources

The cybersecurity news machine is cranking at high levels this week, so don't miss today's Metacurity for the crucial developments you should know, including
--JLR cyberattack is the most economically damaging in UK history,
--CISA warns of Oracle E-Business Suite flaw,
--Spyware developer was targeted by spyware,
--Salt Typhoon attacked a European telco,
--TikTok could be sharing your data with the US government,
--UN Cybercrime Convention slated …

JLR cyberattack is the most economically damaging in UK history
CISA warns of Oracle E-Business Suite flaw, Spyware developer was targeted by spyware, Salt Typhoon attacked a European telco, TikTok could be sharing your data with the US government, UN Cybercrime Convention slated for weekend signoff, UK won't probe Afghan data breach, much more

It's clearly a deliberate choice for the government - and the BBC - to centre "asylum seekers" as the source of abuse, when a closer reading suggests that it's taxi companies ripping off the commercial providers of asylum housing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjn2y…

Government to ban asylum seekers from using taxis
The ban is set to come in February and any exemptions will have to be signed off by the Home Office.

UK sugar tax to be extended to more soft drinks and milkshakes https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/nov/25/sterling-volatility-the-budget-rachel-reeves-german-economy-stagnating-…

There are two reasons that Motability includes “premium” brands:
1/ they are often the ones that meet the needs of the users with features like parking assistance for those who cannot see behind them
2/ the leases are often cheaper than non premium brands as their resale value is so much higher.
The effect of these changes might well be that Mobility actually costs the government MORE money 🤦‍♀️

Motability Scheme makes ambitious goal that half of Scheme vehicles leased from 2035 will be British built
Motability Scheme sets ambition for 50% of all vehicles leased to be British built from 2035  Scheme is a lifeline for disabled people and will now further support the UK economy  With government and industry support, ambitious commitment could create demand for 150,000 vehicles annually, boosting jobs and driving new investment  Premium brand vehicles, including Mercedes Benz and BMW, removed from the Scheme 

Sources: the US has paused a tech trade deal with the UK, signed in September, over disagreements about the UK's digital regulations and food safety rules (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/business/economy/trump-uk-trade-deal-tariffs…

U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Hits Stumbling Block
The U.S. government has paused a tech-focused trade pledge with Britain over broader disagreements about Britain’s digital regulations and food safety rules.

This stinks. #Trump is now running the government by strong-arming #billionaires into funding it.
BBC News - Mystery donor gives $130m to US military for paying troops during shutdown

Kingston Community Energy (2012) - Creating non-for-profit community (solar PV) energy schemes was undermined by whiplash changes in government support. #community #microgen -

Kingston Community Energy (2012)
Creating non-for-profit community (solar PV) energy schemes was undermined by whiplash changes in government support. #community #microgen

Also in the news today - Evidence that the great business minds mind their own business and don't give a toss about the folks who actually do necessary work
(Background - The UK is looking at increasing taxes on banks, which are doing very well indeed)
"Among those to call for a rethink on taxing banks was CS Venkatakrishnan, the chief executive of Barclays, who said the government should instead limit public sector pay rises to help curb wage inflation."

Also in the news today - Evidence that the great business minds mind their own business and don't give a toss about the folks who actually do necessary work
(Background - The UK is looking at increasing taxes on banks, which are doing very well indeed)
"Among those to call for a rethink on taxing banks was CS Venkatakrishnan, the chief executive of Barclays, who said the government should instead limit public sector pay rises to help curb wage inflation."

This could just as easily be the US government...
#LLM #AI #Copyright

Responding to hate-speech on hate platforms is futile. Even posting such responses on platforms such as X, however tempting it may be, is lending support to them and amounts to collaboration with the haters.
https://www.

Government says it is ‘fully committed to free speech’ after campaigners’ US visa ban – UK politics live
Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford among five Europeans hit with visa bans over claims they wish to ‘suppress American viewpoints they oppose’

"Government aims to create 400,000 jobs through UK national green energy plan"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Energy

British anti-hate speech campaigners sanctioned by US state department
– Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford are among five Europeans hit with visa bans
over claims they wish to
‘suppress American viewpoints they oppose'
http…

UK government says it was not to blame for collapse of China spy trial (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-says-it-was-not-blame-collapse-china-spy-trial-2025-10-06/
http://www.memeorandum.com/251006/p39#a251006p39

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mtg-government-shutdown-weather-modification-b2847709.html

UK confirms Foreign Office hacked, says ‘low risk’ of impact to individuals https://therecord.media/uk-foreign-office-hacked-china

Hoping the launch of GDS Local brings us closer to the harmonised taxonomy and API of my notional, game changing, local government digital service "when-is-bins.service.gov.uk"
https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/24/gds-local-goes-live/

GDS Local goes live – Government Digital Service
GDS Local is a new unit within the Government Digital Service (GDS) that brings central and local government together to improve how digital public services are designed and delivered. Working alongside councils, we’re helping create services shaped around real lives—easier

«Your entry clearance as a Skilled Worker has been cancelled so that it now ends on 14 December 2025.»
Getting this email from the UK home office a year (nearly to the day) after having left the UK, makes me wonder if that's expected or some form of incompetence by my former employer or the UK government. 😂

"Government aims to create 400,000 jobs through UK national green energy plan"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Energy

Despite concerns, Labour MPs and other left-wing UK politicians stay active on X; the UK government says it stopped paid ads on X in 2024, down from £9M in 2021 (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/5b0e3ea9-acc9-4dcc-85fe-2273ea8abb86

This seems about right. Taking smaller family farms out of the plan but retaining the tax above inheritance of 2.5M.
Government waters down farm inheritance tax plan - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e9n3y28g1o

Government waters down farm inheritance tax plan
The government has now said it will lift the intended threshold from £1m to £2.5m.

Today’s sanctions also zero in on eight cyber military intelligence officers for working for the GRU for cyber operations targeting Yulia Skripal with X-agent malware and, five years later, the attempted murder of Yulia and her father on UK soil
https://www.

UK cracks down on Russian intelligence agency authorised by Putin to target Skripals
UK announces sanctions against the GRU as Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report finds Putin personally ordered their activity in Salisbury in 2018.

Fat Putin is a dumbass.
Here's evidence exhibit 2784.
Release the Epstein files.
✅ #Trump scrambles to rehire CDC experts working on Ebola, measles and disease forecasting who were axed in government shutdown cuts

Trump scrambles to rehire CDC experts working on Ebola, measles and disease forecasting who were axed in government shutdown cuts
Hundreds of the fired CDC workers may be brought back, but it’s unclear when they’ll return to work

🌡️ Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050
#uk

Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050
The Climate Change Committee said the UK should make climate change adaptions beyond the Paris Agreement.

Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are facing work without pay,
leading to surging absences and sick says.
Since the shutdown began on October 1, staff absences have contributed to 53 percent of all flight delays compared to the usual 5 percent.
On some days almost 6,000 flights have been hit by delays, with several major airports forced to impose ground stops due to the shortages.
On Friday, more than 4,000 flights were delayed across the c…

Travel chaos as unpaid air traffic controllers abandon towers... while Thanksgiving threat looms
Americans will face more flight interruptions after Congress failed to provide last-minute relief for air-traffic controllers and aviation workers whose paychecks will stall due to the government shutdown.

Most Americans polled irked by vainglorious #WhiteHouse ballroom debacle, which — surprise! — now requires the demolition of the ENTIRE #EastWing.
#Drumpf falsely promised his silly pet project wouldn't "interfere w…

Trump latestnews: Trump to demolish entire East Wing of White House to make space for $300M ballroom
President Donald Trump promised that he would ‘not interfere with the current building’ despite the fact that he is currently tearing down the East Wing

““We visited a dark factory producing some astronomical number of mobile phones,” recalls Greg Jackson, the boss of British energy supplier Octopus.
“The process was so heavily automated that there were no workers on the manufacturing side, just a small number who were there to ensure the plant was working.
“You get this sense of a change, where China’s competitiveness has gone from being about government subsidies and low wages to a tremendous number of highly skilled, educated engineers who are innovating like mad.””
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/10/12/why-western-executives-visit-china-coming-back-terrified/

Despite concerns, Labour MPs and other left-wing UK politicians stay active on X; the UK government says it stopped paid ads in 2024, after spending £9M in 2021 (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/5b0e3ea9-acc9-4dcc-85fe-2273ea8abb86

There are two open consultations about digitising the information about properties for use in the home selling process.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/material-information-in-property-listings

Material information in property listings
​​This consultation seeks views on guidance to make important property information available upfront for home buyers and sellers.

Bill Esterson, Chair of HoC Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, calls Ofgem’s proposal to reduce record levels of consumer energy debt that have more than doubled since 2022 “completely inadequate”, saying the cost crisis demands “out of the box thinking” from Government and Ofgem to ensure that “parts of the sector that are making healthy profits become part of the solution to dealing with the high cost of energy”.

The UK announces a £100M plan to support local AI hardware startups via guaranteed "first customer" payments, and estimates its AI market to be worth over £72B (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/d4d9d091-5fd7-4c20-a3ca-f68f580f7d6b

UK government will buy tech to boost AI sector in £100mn growth push
Liz Kendall unveils plan to offer guaranteed payments for British start-ups making AI hardware

"UK adds 1.9 GW of solar in 12 months"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #SolarPower #Energy

UK adds 1.9 GW of solar in 12 months
Latest government figures record 20.7 GW deployed PV capacity at the end of October 2025, up 10.4% in a 12-month period. Surge in contracts for difference (CfD) supported connections recorded in 2025 with more large ground-mount projects in the pipeline.

Replacing animals in science #AnimalRights

Replacing animals in science - Human Relevant Science
The UK Government has (11.11.2025) published its strategy for “Replacing animals in science”, to deliver on a key pledge from the Labour Party’s election manifesto to set out a clear plan to reduce and ultimately phase out the use of animals in research. The Alliance for Human Relevant Science welcomes this turning point in government-led […]

The UK government begins its review of the BBC's charter, set to expire in 2027, as ministers consider licence fee reforms and allowing more commercial revenue (Jake Kanter/Deadline)
https://deadline.com/2025/12/bbc-charter-review-launched-1236649702/

BBC Charter Review Launched: Government Opens Door To More Commercial Funding & Board Duties On Workplace Misconduct
The UK government has fired the starting gun on BBC charter review, a once-in-a-decade review of the broadcaster's funding and operations.

Ha ha.
If they seriously want to learn about economic growth then they should meet those of us who have been critical of this ecocidal doctrine for over a decade.
Government sends advisors to Greater Manchester to learn about economic growth - Manchester Evening News
…

Government sends advisors to Greater Manchester to learn about economic growth
Greater Manchester's economy has grown faster than anywhere else in the UK over the last 10 years

It's so mad to me that there is now an actual military AI drone company that named itself "STARK".
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/100-new-jobs-created-as-drone-factory-opens-in-swindon

100 new jobs created as drone factory opens in Swindon
Factory will build next-generation uncrewed systems and loitering munitions.

Tories in 5 words:
Don't prevent Armageddon, embrace it.
Cut green spending to make UK ready for war, Conservatives say - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kprwgzlm0o
And I do know much of the UK government's 'green' posturing is just …

Cut green spending to make UK ready for war, Conservatives say
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says defence "must be the first priority of any government".

Jeremy Corbyn says the UK government is endangering pro-Palestine hunger strikers
Former UK Labour leader Cornyn has issued a statement in solidarity with Amu Gib, who is accused of participating in the Palestine Action break-in of RAF Brize Norton airbase this summer.
The action,
carried out in protest of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the UK government’s participation in it,
led to the proscription of the group under “anti-terrorism” laws.
Dozens of protesters h…

Palestine Action activists on trial in UK over Israeli arms maker protest
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.

'Categorically untrue' that China hacked UK intelligence systems, say officials https://therecord.media/claim-of-china-uk-2020-hack-refuted

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will unveil a new £4 million project to reinforce cyber defenses in the Western Balkans, and share expertise in countering disinformation and other malign activity from hostile actors.
Foreign Secretary to put boosting security and tackling illegal migration at the heart of foreign policy during meeting of European partners

Foreign Secretary to put boosting security and tackling illegal migration at the heart of foreign policy during meeting of European partners
Foreign Secretary hosts meeting in Northern Ireland, focused on preserving security and stability in the Western Balkans. 

“This is a complete failure of government policy, and a failure of its duty to protect the wellbeing of people seeking sanctuary. People should be housed in communities, not camps.”
Campaigners slam Labour’s ‘cruel’ plan to move asylum-seekers into military camps | Morning Star
https:…

"‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Climate

Ofcom rules that the BBC's failure to disclose that a Gaza documentary was narrated by the son of a minister in the Hamas-run government was a "serious breach" (Alice Brooker/Press Gazette)
https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/…

Ofcom orders BBC to air on TV finding that Gaza film broke broadcasting rules
Ofcom has accused the BBC of “a serious breach” of the broadcasting Code with its Gaza documentary for its Hamas links.

Apparently the UK Government wants to hear from you on Equinor's application for #Rosebank - let them have it!
Take Action:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/th…

UK Unveils Roadmap to Phase Out Animal Testing, Commits £75M to Develop Alternative Methods https://vegconomist.com/science/uk-unveils-roadmap-phase-out-animal-testing-commiting-develop-alternative-methods/

UK Unveils Roadmap to Phase Out Animal Testing, Commits £75M to Develop Alternative Methods - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine
The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap that will allow animal testing to be phased out more quickly. Where possible, the strategy will empower

Sources: Chinese state actors compromised UK government servers for at least the last 10 years, routinely accessing low- and medium-level classified information (Alex Wickham/Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/20

"UK, Dutch agencies pull funding from Total’s controversial Mozambique LNG project"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Netherlands

UK, Dutch agencies pull funding from Total’s controversial Mozambique LNG project
U.K. and Dutch export credit agencies have withdrawn their financial commitments for French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies’ gas project in Mozambique, in an unprecedented move that marks the latest setback for the controversial project. UK Export Finance (UKEF), a government agency, and Netherlands-based Atradius, both of which provide companies with loans, guarantees and insurance […]

It'll be interesting to see how long this takes to cover the whole UK train network - basically allowing anyone with a contactless payment to travel without buying tickets in advance.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/simpler

Simpler train travel to London airports as tap-in, tap-out expanded across south-east England
Buying tickets will be more convenient, more accessible and more flexible, ensuring passengers can get the best fares.

You don't want to miss today's Metacurity for a surprising number of critical infosec developments you might have missed over the weekend, including
--Pro-Hamas hackers stole plans for Australia's next-gen infantry fighting vehicles,
--Australia, UK, Denmark and Norway raise security concerns about Chinese buses,
--CISA 2015 will extend once US government shutdown ends,
--Chinese cyber company with close ties to Beijing suffered massive hack,
--New NS…

Pro-Hamas hackers stole plans for Australia's next-gen infantry fighting vehicles
Australia, UK, Denmark and Norway raise security concerns about Chinese buses, CISA 2015 will extend once US government shutdown ends, Chinese cyber company with close ties to Beijing suffered massive hack, New NSO Group owner seeks US headquarters, much more

Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050 #climate

Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050
The Climate Change Committee said the UK should make climate change adaptions beyond the Paris Agreement.

"Water firms in England could face harsher sewage fines under new Environment Agency powers"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Water

UK Government wants to remove the right to jury trials. Constitutionally terrible, etc, but
During my jury service, I only saw the inside of the waiting room, not the court room. Every case I was assigned to had the defendant plead guilty just before the case was about to start.
I can't tell if this is part of a defence strategy, or just a side-effect of scheduling, where the trail date is when the defence and client are actually in the same place.
I'd fix that fir…

David Lammy considers scrapping jury trials for all but the most serious cases
Senior lawyers criticise justice secretary’s radical plan for England and Wales, saying it could ‘destroy justice as we know it’

"UK government and public overestimate time left for climate action, study finds"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Climate #ClimateChange

UK government and public overestimate time left for climate action, study finds
A new study has found that UK Members of Parliament (MPs) and the public overestimate the time left to meet a critical deadline for limiting global warming.

Microsoft and Anthropic appoint former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser and pledge his role will not include lobbying with the UK government (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/dd9bd202-8520-4042-8811-396a2a0bccde

"UK rejects total ban on bottom trawling in offshore marine protected areas"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment

UK rejects total ban on bottom trawling in offshore marine protected areas
The U.K. government has rejected calls to fully ban bottom trawling in its offshore marine protected areas, despite evidence that the fishing practice tears up seabed habitats and releases large amounts of carbon. Bottom trawling involves dragging weighted nets across the seafloor, often crushing coral reefs and sponges while stirring up sediments. The huge nets […]

The dirty reality underpinning Brazil's social programmes: #extractivism.
Yes, that 'pink tide' was also a brown tide.
Brazil’s government greenlights oil drilling near mouth of the Amazon River | Morning Star

"[Government] launches new APIs" should be a more frequent news story, IMO.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hm-land-registry-launches-new-apis-to-save-customers-time

HM Land Registry launches new APIs to save customers time
The changes bring faster applications and a more reliable service for Business Gateway customers.

"Brits growing more fearful over net-zero costs, Government polling finds"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #NetZero #Climate

Sources: the UK government wants Apple, Google, and others to block explicit images at the OS level by default to protect kids and have adults verify their ages (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/0ef79775-eadf-4cc9-b32c-e97b0eff816f

Government to invest in AI solutions to reduce administrative errors.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deputy-prime-minister-announces-new-measures-to-bear-down-on-releases-in-error-and-keep-public-safe<…

Deputy Prime Minister announces new measures to bear down on releases in error and keep public safe
Immediate action to clamp down on mistaken releases from prisons and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system has been announced by the Deputy Prime Minister today (Tuesday 11 November).

"Almost all external insulation fitted under Tory scheme needs repair or replacing, report finds"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Houses

Scotland "..there are 17 live planning applications for hyperscale data centres across the country, with more in the pipeline; enough to increase energy demand by 4,450-4,950 megawatts."
Scottish government face calls for data centre moratorium | Morning Star
https://www.

UK government continues to communicate the current bird flu status by amending a 2022 news item. (Because if there's one thing covid taught us about communicating the status of a multi-year unplanned event, it's... been lost to attrition.)
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/…

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

'while the British government “may not agree with the flotilla’s mission, they have a responsibility to their citizens.'
“They have not said a single word in public,” she said. “It’s inexcusable. They are meant to care about international law.”
US and UK 'immensely let down' families of detained Gaza flotilla activists | Middle East Eye

US and UK 'immensely let down' families of detained Gaza flotilla activists
Israel still holding hundreds of activists in Ketziot prison, with British and American citizens receiving little help

I wasn't previously aware, but apparently the government is looking, again, at updating the Computer Misuse Act 1990 with proposals to protect researchers. (Although I haven't seen an open consultation since 2023.)

ReformUK and their ilk keep claiming it is easy for asylum seekers. Like if they eventually get settled status, the Home Office immediately makes them homeless. So easy for them, our beneficent welfare system. That's after living on a pittance while awaiting a decision, so no spare money to put down for a deposit.
Andy Burnham makes demand after claims government policies creating homelessness - Manchester Evening News

Andy Burnham makes demand after claims government policies creating homelessness
It comes after the government set out a new plan to tackle homelessness

DfT have released a public version of their tool that shows the "connectivity" of any location in England and Wales, but because it doesn't use URLs meaningfully, the reports can't be bookmarked or shared.
(Which is the sort of thing I would hope comes up in a service assessment.)
https://connectivity-t…

"UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Nature #Environment…

A headline emphasising the government's support for Britain's High Streets.
> Thousands to get free digital training so everyone has the chance to shop around for cheaper deals online
https://www.gov.uk/government…

Thousands to get free digital training so everyone has the chance to shop around for cheaper deals online
Free support to get people online is rolling out in communities in every region of the country.

I'm particularly interested in what the thresholds will be for mandatory "incident" reporting of cyber attacks. When reporting is mandatory and thresholds are low, any (possible) attack is a potentially successful DoS, if the resources used, for even a cursory analysis, are human.
https://www.

Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill proposes new laws to improve UK cyber defences and protect our essential public services.

Article doesn't say if the capacity for remotely-disabling machines is something the government ordinarily wants?
Basically any device that can receive remote firmware/software updates from a manufacturer can be remotely disabled - intentionally or otherwise.
https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/…

UK asks cyberspies to probe whether Chinese buses can be switched off remotely
: Norwegian testers claim maker has remote access, while UK importer says supplier complies with the law

Since the new Chinese Embassy in London is back in the news:
I repeat my call that the government, per Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, make a version of the NUAR for Royal Mint Court publicly available.
And that this be done routinely for any prospective embassy or chancery.
https://www.leg…