Title

DIGITAL

Council hit by suspected ransomware attack

St Helens BC has put in place extra security measures after a suspected ransomware attack on its IT systems and networks.

St Helens BC has put in place extra security measures after a suspected ransomware attack on its IT systems and networks.

The council said it immediately alerted its external cyber security contractor once the attack was identified last week and an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson said: ‘Some internal systems to the council are currently being affected due to the actions we have put in place to prevent any further impact and while a full investigation is undertaken.

‘Please be reassured that together with our cyber security specialists we are working to resolve this incident, but obviously this is a very complex and evolving situation.'

DIGITAL

Police probe Barking and Dagenham housing fraud

By Joe Lepper | 22 January 2026

Police are investigating allegations of housing fraud involving hundreds of properties owned by Barking and Dagenham LBC’s property company B&D.

DIGITAL

Peers raise council capacity concerns

By Martin Ford | 22 January 2026

Questions have been raised over local government’s capacity to play a role in the creation of new towns.

DIGITAL

Scottish councils failing to spend house building funds

By Neil Merrick | 21 January 2026

Councils and housing associations in Scotland are failing to spend significant sums put aside for building homes, figures have revealed.

DIGITAL

Is English devolution in a holding pattern hiatus?

By David Blackman | 20 January 2026

What impact will the delays to the mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk & Suffolk and Sussex & Brighton have on devolution? ...

Popular articles by William Eichler