Create North East Lincolnshire, in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has introduced a new grant initiative aimed at supporting projects that celebrate and preserve the area’s local history and heritage. The grants, ranging from £5,000 to £10,000, are designed to provide initial funding to organisations working on long-term heritage projects.

These Kickstarter grants will help organisations with the feasibility and development stages of projects, positioning them for potential future funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Eligible projects must focus on various aspects of local heritage, including maritime history, local traditions, industrial heritage, historic buildings, and natural environments in North East Lincolnshire.

Priority will be given to projects that actively involve underserved communities, young people, and groups whose voices are often overlooked. The funding is open to initiatives that highlight tangible heritage like monuments and buildings, as well as intangible elements such as folklore, language, and local legends.

The grants will support activities between October 2025 and August 2026. The application process is split into two rounds, with deadlines in September and November 2025. Interested organisations can learn more through online sessions or by visiting the drop-in events at The Business Hive in Grimsby.

The closure of Prax’s North Lincolnshire site has prompted local leaders to call on the Government for swift intervention to safeguard jobs and secure the site’s future. The council, alongside MPs and union representatives, is urging the Government to act after a potential buyer failed to meet the imposed deadline for acquisition.

The decision to close the site affects hundreds of local workers, with many families dependent on the site for their livelihoods. Despite the closure, there are still interested investors in parts of the site. The council is advocating for immediate Government backing to preserve these opportunities and stimulate new investment to secure long-term jobs.

Local leaders have voiced concerns over the implications of the closure not just for the community but also for national energy resilience. They argue that the Government’s response to date lacks urgency and could lead to further economic setbacks. The council is committed to providing worker support and collaborating with investors, but Government action is essential for turning the site’s future around.

The UK government has announced a series of measures to tackle the growing threat of ransomware attacks, focusing on protecting businesses, public sector organisations, and critical infrastructure. Following public consultation, these proposals aim to disrupt cyber criminals and safeguard essential services, with the intention of reducing the financial and operational impact of ransomware.

Ransomware attacks have cost the UK economy millions annually, with businesses, hospitals, and critical services often targeted. The government’s proposals include banning public sector bodies, such as the NHS, local councils, and schools, from paying ransom demands. This move seeks to target the business model behind ransomware attacks, making these services less attractive to criminals.

For businesses outside the public sector, the government will require them to report any intention to pay ransom, offering guidance and monitoring to ensure compliance with legal sanctions. This mandatory reporting will help law enforcement track cybercriminal activities and provide essential intelligence to disrupt their operations.

The new strategy is designed to protect UK organisations from ransomware threats, with an emphasis on collaboration with industry stakeholders. Businesses are encouraged to enhance their cybersecurity measures, including having offline backups and disaster recovery plans in place to minimise disruption during an attack.

These measures aim to not only mitigate the financial cost of ransomware but also to prevent the more severe consequences, such as disruption to critical services and potential loss of life.

The UK government is considering adding the water industry to its list of sensitive business sectors, which would subject potential deals to heightened scrutiny. This move comes amid regulatory reforms aimed at addressing financial difficulties faced by key players in the sector, such as Thames Water and Southern Water.

Currently, 17 sectors, including communications, energy, and data infrastructure, must inform the investment security unit about certain business transactions. The proposal would extend this requirement to the water industry in response to growing concerns over its resilience in an increasingly volatile market.

The Cabinet Office has stressed that this change is not expected to affect a significant number of deals but is intended to strengthen the government’s ability to oversee high-risk transactions. The goal is to align investment security with the evolving landscape of the economy, ensuring the regulatory framework remains fit for purpose.

Recent financial struggles within the sector have underscored the need for tighter controls. For example, Thames Water is currently seeking funding to stabilise its finances, while Southern Water has requested additional support from its Australian owner.

As part of the overhaul, the government also plans to reclassify certain industries, such as semiconductors and critical minerals, into distinct categories to streamline the scrutiny process.