Government

Several services across the world are affected by a Microsoft outage this morning (Friday, November 13).

Police and councils in Bedfordshire affected by Microsoft outage

Workhorse: the Ryichi wind-up radio is compact but could be a lifesaver

I tested this £29.99 emergency radio for power cuts

Cllr Mark Arnull (right) Leader of West Northamptonshire Council at the England’s Economic Heartland meeting with (from left) Cllr Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Beds Council, Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council and Cllr Tom Wootton, Leader of Bedford Borough Council.

Devolution plan for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes raises questions

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

The government has confirmed benefit payments are to be paid early this weekend - ahead of the August bank holiday.

The 11 benefits to be paid early this August bank holiday weekend

Cheddington Action Group and Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith. Photo: Kevin Sansbury

Campaign group criticises Local Plan with village earmarked for 7,450 houses

The Tourism Minister chaired the first meeting with local leaders to discuss how the benefits of the Universal United Kingdom Resort will be spread across the region.

Talks held to maximise benefits of landmark Universal theme park

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been called to 37 outdoor fires since the Government issued an alert message on August 14

Fire service issues warning after attending 37 blazes since government alert

Emergency services news. Image: Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters called to bonfire and unattended barbecue

The state-of-the-art facility will be purpose-built

Ad Feature AG&P Industrial launches new fabrication yard

Steph McGovern will host the celebration in Cornwall

Ad Feature Steph McGovern hosts first Vocational Day
Steph McGovern will host the UK's inaugural Vocational Celebration Day to highlight the celebrate vocational training.
Emily Jordan

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Government's 11 emergency essentials every home should have

Gibraltar is entering a new chapter following the landmark UK-EU Treaty

Ad Feature Gibraltar announces residency scheme reforms

Bus windows. Picture: c_shean

Bus fares for young people in Central Bedfordshire increase by 50%

Four in 10 blamed geopolitical factors for rising energy price

Nine in 10 Brits have no idea where their energy bill spend goes

The University of Hong Kong secured the 11th spot in the latest QS World University Rankings

Ad Feature Hong Kong universities rank among the world's top 100

Amira's four cubs, just three weeks old, at Whipsnade Zoo (Picture: ZSL)

Watch: Seven adorable cheetah cubs born at Whipsnade Zoo

It's official, Bedford's resort complex will be named Universal United Kingdom Resort

Universal United Kingdom Resort: Name of Bedford theme park unveiled

Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport commenced operations on 27 May.

Ad Feature Smooth take-off for new terminal at Hong Kong International Airport

Novuna Consumer Finance is one of the UK's leading providers of retail point of sale finance and personal loans

Ad Feature One in eight households couldn't cover essentials for two months

Join our day of action.

How ‘legal bullying’ is silencing journalists and harming democracy

The money is being made available via Central Beds Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund

Extra cash available to help Central Beds residents facing financial crisis

Central Bedfordshire College

Central Bedfordshire colleges to get major £4m upgrade

It comes as SMEs brace for further economic shocks

Ad Feature UK SMEs may turn their backs on apprenticeships, experts warn

Despite their young age, children are spending more time on phones than ever – raising urgent questions for parents about safety, supervision and screen time

Parents turn to safer phones as kids’ screen time warning lands

Central Bedfordshire Council has launched a new Crisis and Resilience Fund to support households struggling with rising heating oil costs

New fund available to support Central Beds residents with heating oil costs

Alex Mayer MP

£7m boost for Beds Police welcomed by MP

Cllr Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council

Central Beds Council Leader: Why a 5% Council Tax increase is necessary
Your new Council Tax bill has probably already arrived by now. We know no one welcomes news of an increase - especially when the improvements aren’t always immediately visible.
Cllr Adam Zerny

The fire in Bletchley, with photo courtesy of Josh Gallop, and inset a Central Bedfordshire Council recycling bin

Kerbside dry mixed recycling collections to resume after waste site fire

Alex Mayer MP

Keeping young people safe online

Central Bedfordshire Council has approved new powers to tackle empty units in the area's High Streets

Council 'takes new step' to bring empty High Street shops back into use

Industry Minister Chris McDonald is tackled by Steph McGovern over apprenticeship fears.

Ad Feature Industry Minister Chris McDonald champions apprenticeship reforms

Alex Mayer MP at Leighton Buzzard Station

Political Opinion: Full steam ahead

Central Bedfordshire Council has backed calls for increased and fairer school funding

Central Bedfordshire Council backs calls for fairer school funding

People will soon see a new NHS campaign to raise awareness of extra urgent dental appointments now available.

Extra urgent NHS dental appointments available for people in Bedfordshire

Alex Mayer MP

Crackdown on “rip off” vet bills welcomed by MP Alex Mayer

Alex Mayer MP

Work starts on super-sized storm tank to protect River Ouzel

Cllr Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council

Column: Government funding changes leave us no choice

Alex Mayer MP win's Cruelty Free's Parliamentarian of the Year award

Political Opinion: A kinder nation

The Autumn Budget might have brought a glimmer of hope - but there’s a catch

The truth behind the £150 energy bill cut nobody mentions

Central Bedfordshire Council headquarters - and inset CBC leader Cllr Adam Zerny. Images: CBC.

Have your say on Council Tax which is set to rise by 5% in Central Bedfordshire

Bedford has been added to the dropdown on Universal's global careers website (Picture: Pixabay)

It's finally happening... Universal adds Bedford to global jobs website

Almost 10,000 ultra-low emission vehicles have been registered across Central Bedfordshire in the year to June

Almost 10,000 ultra-low emission vehicles registered in Central Beds

Alex Mayer MP with Cruelty Free International's Head of Public Affairs Dylan Underhill accepting the first-ever MP of the Year award

Local MP named Animal Welfare MP of the Year

Extra funding for Central Beds Council has been announced

Central Beds Council hits back as government announces 'extra' funding
Central Beds Council has said ‘extra’ government funding does not reflect the ‘reality on the ground’.
Olga Norford

Alex Mayer MP speaking in the House of Commons chamber

Could 2026 mark the last Boxing Day Hunt?

File photo of children in a classroom.

New funding boost to create 130 specialist school places in Central Bedfordshire

Alex Mayer MP

Increased Central Beds Council funding revealed

Universal Studios has been given the green light after the Government granted planning permission (Pixabay)

Universal Studios gets green light after Government grants planning permission

Health authority staff within the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board are being offered voluntary redundancy as the first stage towards a 50 per cent staffing reduction

Beds, Luton and Milton Keynes health staff to be offered voluntary redundancy

The research found overwhelming support for small businesses at a time of economic uncertainty when they are facing multiple financial pressures.

Lower taxes, cheaper energy and rate cuts urged for small businesses

Alex Mayer MP

Funding boost to tackle potholes

File photo of a bus stop. Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Bus punctuality in Central Bedfordshire gets worse

Led by Minister of Agriculture, Samal Mojah Duggins, the 20-member senior delegation also included the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Ian Hanley, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Lanien Blanchette.

Ad Feature Nigeria welcomes first St Kitts and Nevis delegates after visa deal

Alex Mayer MP

Political Opinion: Fare freeze relief

Latest from NationalWorld.com

A cyber attack on critical infrastructure could put the safety of the nation at risk (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Explainer Biggest UK technology outages of 2026

The lights go on in Bond Street

London’s poshest shopping street switches on Christmas lights

Stacey Solomon’s biggest brand partnerships from REHAB to Primark

Microsoft services have been impacted across the globe (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Microsoft outage sparks fresh cyber attack fears

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