UK News

Britain's bass stocks have collapsed, with commercial fishermen and even recreational anglers facing drastic cuts in what they're allowed to catch. West Country boats are laid up after a total ban on fishing for skate — the latest evidence of our continuing failure to manage our seas properly.

But it is not all bad news. Tough decisions to slash cod quotas in the North Sea in recent years, vigorously opposed by the fishing industry at the time, have led to the stock beginning to recover. But still far too little is being done to ensure we have a healthy, sustainable marine...

Wildlife, communities and local economies are reaping the benefits of England’s new Nature Improvement Areas, according to a report published today.

Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) set up by the government in 2012 have helped farmers to access EU grants, made valuable contributions towards university research and boosted the £210 billion rural economy.

They’ve also attracted outside investment – more than £730,000 from business partners and £7.8 million from NGOs and not-for-profit organisations.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “A healthy environment and...

Independent builder C G Fry & Son Ltd., known for its quality of build and attention to detail, announces the opening of a new satellite office at Victoria House in Victoria Street, Taunton.

The award-winning company is internationally renowned for its prestigious Poundbury development with The Duchy of Cornwall, which has been a NHBC award-winning site for C G Fry & Son on no less than five occasions. The privately-owned builder also picked up a total of four individual NHBC Quality awards in as many different counties in July this year. This included the company’s Fern...

The government is launching a new strategy to support bees and other pollinators that are vital for fertilising plants so they produce fruits and seeds.

Organisations such as Network Rail, Highways Agency and the National Trust which manage more than 800,000 hectares of land in England have signed up to the National Pollinator Strategy, and pledged to take actions such as planting more bee-friendly wild flowers and allowing grass to grow longer.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "As much as one third of the food we eat is pollinated by bees –from apples and pears...