🇬🇧 United Kingdom fact checks

UK Germany Defence Ministerial Council Joint Statement

A joint statement by the UK's Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP and Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius MdB.

Shamonda virus detected in livestock in Great Britain for first time

Shamonda virus detected in GB

Elective home education and children missing education data collection: grant determination

Letter giving local authorities notice of a grant to help with costs of data returns.

Appointments to the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is recruiting five new members to join the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC).

IPO campaign launched as toxins found in counterfeit beauty products

Tests of seized counterfeit cosmetics found potentially harmful substances such as mercury, lead and methanol, as fake beauty purchases rise among young adults.

Asbestos compensation injustice ended for bereaved families

From today (31st October), families of workers who have died from asbestos-related diseases before claiming compensation will now receive the full award.

PM meeting with the First Minister of Wales: 30 October 2026

The Prime Minister met with the First Minister of Wales, Rhun Ap Iorwerth, in Glasgow following a meeting of the National Economic Council today (Friday 30 October)

We support Bosnia and Herzegovina's Euro-Atlantic ambitions, as reflected in the will of the majority of her citizens: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

New logos for registered online veterinary medicine retailers

GB and NI online retailers of veterinary medicines will need to use two separate logos to verify that they are registered with the VMD.

Government gives Northern Olympics and Paralympics hopes a chance

Northern Games could transform region, drive growth and benefit whole country

Triheptanoin (Dojolvi) approved to treat adults and children with a group of rare inherited disorders

MHRA approves triheptanoin to treat adult and paediatric patients with a group of rare inherited disorders.

Edition 8: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — software developer newsletter

HMRC's newsletter for software developers for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

CMA opens investigation into Meta’s commercial terms

Investigation will examine concerns that Meta’s terms and conditions unfairly harm news publishers and other content businesses.

Cornwall's first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair moves hundreds of young people closer to employment

Hundreds of young people attended Cornwall’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair to explore opportunities for jobs, apprenticeships, training and work experience at some of the region’s largest businesses.

Government accepts advice on spring 2027 COVID-19 vaccinations

Government confirms eligibility for the spring 2027 COVID-19 vaccination programme in line with JCVI advice

UK and Ukrainian industry unite to accelerate drone innovation

UK and Ukrainian defence companies have come together at Larkhill Garrison on Salisbury Plain to showcase the latest innovations in battle-proven drone technology.

Joint communique from International Charity Regulator leaders

Charity regulators from nine nations gathered in Ireland for a two-day meeting (19-20 October 2026).

No evidence Donald Trump’s mother said he’d be a ‘disaster’ for the United States

Russia’s justifications for its war do not withstand scrutiny: UK statement to the OSCE

The UK challenged Russia’s shifting justifications for its war of aggression against Ukraine, calling on Russia to explain how its use of force and attempts to alter Ukraine’s borders are compatible with the principles of th…

Regulators Council: letter on regulator effectiveness and reform

A letter summarising the Regulator Council meetings in October 2026 including agreeing the terms of reference for the regulator effectiveness and reform work.

Lord Chancellor visits United Nations to promote British candidate to UN court

The United Kingdom’s candidate to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will help strengthen the rule of law in an increasingly unstable world, the Lord Chancellor will tell the United Nations General Assembly later today…

Government and industry to take on investment bias and workplace culture to support more women in tech

Government announces a major new push to back women in technology by helping tackle barriers facing female founders and workers while boosting growth across the UK economy.

Curfew and clean-up order for Cornwall waste criminal

The developer dumped 25,000 tonnes of waste including asbestos.

Scottish Secretary welcomes apprenticeships at Navantia Fife yard

Douglas Alexander toured the Fife shipyard where the new apprentices will work on building three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Seoul

Dr Rachel Emma-Jane Fentem CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea in succession to Mr Colin James Crooks LVO, who will be leaving the Diplomatic Service.

Lord Chancellor letter to Nick Timothy MP: October 2026

The Lord Chancellor responds to a letter from Nick Timothy MP about the Deputy Chief Magistrate.

More people protected as government acts to make more homes safe

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced new proposals to help more leaseholders at risk of high bills to fix serious building and fire safety defects.

Peace cannot be sustainable while half the population is shut out of shaping it: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Women, Peace and Security.

Warm Homes Loan Scheme: Factsheet

How the government's Warm Homes Loan scheme can help households install clean energy technology and save money on bills.

The Princess Royal to visit Cape Town for Commonwealth Agriculture Conference

The Princess Royal will visit Cape Town on 3 and 4 November 2026 to attend the Commonwealth Agriculture Conference and take part in engagements highlighting links between the UK and South Africa.

Four million illegal cigarettes seized in Border Force crackdown

Border Force officers seized more than 4 million illegal cigarettes, worth an estimated £2.59 million, in a 4-day crackdown at Manchester Airport

New practice guide on contractual control rights now available

HM Land Registry has published a new practice guide to help conveyancers and the wider property market understand and prepare for new requirements on contractual control agreements.

Government response to SSAC Occasional Paper 27: The influence of the social security system on educational and vocational decision-making at age 16

Government's response to the Social Security Advisory Committee report on how the social security system influences educational and vocational decision-making at age 16.

Statement from the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan: one year on from the 26 October 2025 Atrocity in El Fasher

Statement on the 26 October 2025 Atrocity in El Fasher from members of the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan: Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sierr…

Contractual Control Agreements

New regulations coming into force in April 2027 will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry.

Tyneside pizza boss jailed after gambling with money from £150,000 Covid loan fraud

Fraudster obtained three Bounce Back Loans when businesses were only allowed one

Bedfordshire soldiers laid to rest on the Western Front

Private (Pte) George McIntosh, from Ilford, Essex, buried in France on 20 October 2026 alongside an unknown soldier. Identification was made through DNA testing nearly 110 years after Pte McIntosh went missing in action dur…

Middlesex Regiment soldier laid to rest on the Somme

Private (Pte) Percy Tolliday, from Camberwell, London, buried on the Somme alongside two unknown soldiers. Identification was made through DNA testing 110 years after Pte Tolliday went missing in action during the Battle of …

UK sanctions senior commanders implicated in campaign of rape in Sudan and unveils new support for survivors

One year after the fall of El Fasher, the UK is bringing forward a new package of action designed to shine a spotlight on the horrific violence seen during the siege of the city.

UK, Ukraine and Latvia extend crackdown on Russian grain theft

The UK, Ukraine and Latvia agreed to extend the Grain Verification Scheme, widening the net against those profiting from stolen Ukrainian grain