Public Policy
Policy design, regulation, implementation, and government programs.
'Critical third parties': UK puts Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle under financial oversight
The UK Treasury has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as critical third parties for financial services, bringing their cloud operations under direct oversight from July 13. The Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority will use the new regime to scrutinize resilience, incident response and systemic risk.
UK to place Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle under direct financial oversight
The UK has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as critical third parties for financial services, bringing their cloud operations under direct oversight from the Bank of England and the FCA starting July 13.
UK financial regulators to extend oversight to four big US cloud services groups
The UK Treasury has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as critical third parties for financial services, bringing their cloud operations under Bank of England and FCA oversight from July 13, 2026.
UK puts Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle under financial oversight as critical third parties
The UK Treasury has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as critical third parties for financial services, bringing their cloud operations under direct oversight from UK regulators from 13 July 2026.
Apollo makes surprise £5.7bn takeover bid for easyJet
easyJet says it has reached an agreement in principle with Apollo for a possible £7.15-a-share offer valuing the airline at about £5.7bn, and its board is minded to recommend the bid over Castlelake’s revised proposal. Apollo must still make a formal offer by August 7 and address EU ownership rules before any takeover can proceed.
Reeves to launch City skills compact on AI retraining
Rachel Reeves is due to launch a government-backed City skills compact on Tuesday that will require participating financial firms to retrain staff in AI and other future skills, with rolling three-year plans, annual reporting and named senior oversight.
UK watchdog warns electronic tagging expansion could leave offenders untracked
The National Audit Office has warned that England and Wales could expand electronic tagging before fixing weaknesses that leave some offenders untracked. The watchdog cites backlogs, data issues and a probation staffing shortfall, while the Ministry of Justice says performance has improved and it is investing in the system.
Trump's federal grant overhaul plan draws strong pushback
The Trump administration’s proposed rewrite of federal grant rules is drawing broad pushback because it would shift final influence from scientific peer review to political appointees. Axios reported the plan had received more than 93,000 public comments, while AP said the White House argues the changes would improve transparency, accountability and oversight.
Federal Reserve taps task-force leaders including Marc Andreessen and Raj Chetty
The Federal Reserve named outside leaders to five task forces reviewing its operations, with Marc Andreessen and Raj Chetty among the co-leaders. The panels will examine AI and productivity, data sources, the balance sheet, inflation policy and communications, with recommendations expected by year-end.
Andreessen, Chetty among leaders of Fed’s new task forces evaluating operations
The Federal Reserve has named leaders for five outside task forces that will review communications, data quality, the balance sheet, inflation and the economic impact of AI. Marc Andreessen, Raj Chetty and Mervyn King are among the prominent figures tapped as Chair Kevin Warsh pushes a broader operational overhaul.
South Jacksonville boil-water order lifted after June 30 main break
South Jacksonville lifted a boil-water order on Wednesday, July 9, ending a precautionary notice that had been in place since June 30 after a water main break in the affected area.
Sizewell B gets 20-year life extension
The UK government has approved a 20-year extension for Sizewell B, keeping the Suffolk nuclear plant operating until 2055 under a reported contract-for-difference deal.
Texans revolt against data centers
About 500 people packed a Lubbock City Council informational meeting and 67 speakers urged city leaders to pause future data center projects, citing water use, neighborhood impacts and public health concerns.
City watchdog attacks consumer group in £9.1bn car loan payout battle
The Financial Conduct Authority has asked a tribunal to dismiss Consumer Voice’s challenge to its £9.1bn motor-finance redress scheme, accusing the consumer group and its legal partner of lacking transparency over funding and commercial interests. Consumer Voice denies the claims and says the FCA plan underpays motorists.
FCA says lenders want to let 'foxes guard the henhouse' on car finance
The Financial Conduct Authority is defending its £9.1bn motor finance redress scheme in the Upper Tribunal, accusing lenders of trying to shape their own liability while a rival challenge says victims are being underpaid.
Towns asked to document storm costs as Connecticut eyes federal disaster aid
Gov. Ned Lamont is asking Connecticut towns and cities to document storm-related costs and damage after the July 4 severe thunderstorms, saying the estimates will help determine whether the state qualifies for federal disaster aid. He said homeowners should also photograph damage for insurance claims and expects a threshold decision within about a week.
Irish consumer watchdog flags Amazon.ie USB charger plugs and Helly Hansen buoyancy aids over safety compliance issues
Ireland’s CCPC has warned consumers to stop using Security-01 USB charger plugs sold on Amazon.ie and selected Helly Hansen buoyancy aids after safety compliance concerns and a drowning-risk recall.
European unions push for legally binding workplace heat protections
European trade unions are pressing the EU to adopt legally binding workplace heat rules, including mandatory risk assessments, enforceable thermal limits and rights to breaks, shade and water.
FCA appoints new secondary-markets advisory committee
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has named 27 members to its Secondary Markets Advisory Committee for 2026-2028, expanding the panel from 25 seats and adding executives from JPMorgan, BlackRock, LSEG, Rokos Capital Management, Optiver and BP. The committee will advise the FCA on equities, fixed income, foreign exchange and commodities reform.
Somers budget cuts now include Saturday library closure: 'Out of things to cut'
Somers officials have added another round of cuts after a fourth failed budget referendum, including closing the public library on Saturdays and reducing staffing ahead of a July 14 vote on a revised $41.64 million plan.
Raleigh moves to draft youth curfew after teen takeover violence
Raleigh City Council has asked attorneys to draft a youth curfew ordinance after weekend violence tied to a planned teen takeover. Police and city leaders are also weighing broader youth programming and community engagement.
US FDA rejects petition to set PFAS limits in food
The FDA rejected a petition from the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force seeking enforceable PFAS limits in food, saying the evidence does not justify mandatory thresholds. The group says it plans to sue as the agency turns to non-binding action levels instead.
India container manufacturing scheme aims for 10x rise in domestic capacity
India’s Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme is aimed at lifting domestic container capacity tenfold to 7.5 lakh units a year, with a first made-in-India EXIM container unveiled and Maersk placing an order for 1,000 units.
Piyush Goyal asks states to identify imported goods that can be made in India
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has asked state governments to identify products that are currently imported but could be manufactured in India at competitive cost, extending his push for domestic production.