This week, DCMS have opened a consultation to consider the minimum age for playing the National Lottery. This is ahead of the competition to run the 4th National Lottery licence. A changing landscape around the National Lottery, including a significant growth in online gambling, has altered the …

The Government Equalities Office has launched a new consultation reviewing current legislation surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace. This is a technical consultation which primarily seeks responses from organisations and explores the following points: The evidence for the introduction of a mandatory duty on employers …

DEFRA has opened a Call for Evidence on Flooding and Coastal Erosion as the governement prepares to set out its policy direction in these areas by the end of 2019. They are seeking responses on a wide range of related challenges, from examples of local, …

The Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government has launched a consultation on mandating provision of Changing Places Toilets in specific, large public buildings undergoing construction or substantial building work. There are currently 1,300 of these facilities across the UK, up from 140 in 2007. They meet …

In November 2018, Foster and Partners proposed a controversial 305.3 meter tall tower, to be built alongside the Gherkin in London in the shape of a tulip. Early this year, the Greater London Authority planners found the tower failed to follow the London Plan for …

The Government has published an interim report on how to promote and increase the use of high-quality design for new build homes and neighbourhoods. In Creating Space for Beauty, the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission sets out the work carried out so far ahead of the final …

The Environment secretary, Michael Gove gave a speech at Kew Gardens on Tuesday encouraging urgent action to tackle climate change and reverse wildlife loss. He outlined ambitious proposals for an Environment Act, which would involve the creation of an Office of Environmental Protection. This new …

The UK Government has announced its Green Finance Strategy setting out plans to increase investment in sustainable projects and infrastructure. The Strategy will ensure financial risks and opportunities from climate change are integrated into mainstream financial decision making and increase availability of finance to make …

Vicky Foxcroft has been named as the Labour Party’s new shadow minister for civil society, replacing Steve Reed who is becoming shadow children’s minister. Foxcroft is MP for Lewisham Deptford and is joining Tom Watson’s Shadow DCMS team after working for just under four years …

Set out in the new EU Strategic Agenda is a recognition of the strategic value of cultural heritage for the future of Europe. This follows an Open Letter signed by the President of Europa Nostra, Plácido Domingo, which urged EU leaders to recognise cultural heritage as a top priority …

EU nationals coming to the UK for postgraduate studies now have guaranteed funding for studies starting in 2020. This follows an announcement in May that undergraduate EU students beginning courses in 2020 will also have guaranteed home fee status and financial support for the duration of their …

The regeneration of high streets in England has received a boost with the creation of a new Task Force that forms part of the Government’s Plan for the High Street. A new consortium led by The Institute of Place Management (IPM) which includes Civic Voice …