Global Scans · Government · Weekly Summary

• [New] A central change is the narrowing of banking supervision, with Fed cutting supervision and regulation staff by c.30% and refocusing oversight on material risks including capital adequacy and major operational weaknesses, focusing less on compliance and documentation issues. / USA DBS
• [New] There will be changes to local councils and more elected mayors introduced across England under new plans for a major redesign of local government. AtkinsRealis
• [New] Last year, the UK government conducted the world's largest AI trial in healthcare, demonstrating how AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot could free up hundreds of thousands of NHS staff hours every month, cut operational costs and help raise the standard of patient care. Healthcare Today
• [New] Food Inspection Coverage by Leveraging State Capacity: FDA will begin creating Better Regulatory Inspections for Dynamic Government Efficiency (BRIDGE), by relying on state partners to carry out more routine food safety systems inspections, while still maintaining FDA's rigorous national standards. www.hoganlovells.com
• [New] Sustained Chinese selling pressure on US government bonds has broader global interest rate implications, prompting discussion over whether China will pursue a slow, gradual sale or a faster, larger-scale, approach. ATB Financial
• [New] The Nature Restoration Regulation, now in force, is translating one of the EU's key biodiversity targets into concrete action - restoring ecosystems to improve water and food security, protect communities from climate risks and support Europe's long-term resilience and prosperity. Environment
• [New] The National Cyber Security Centre has issued a fresh alert warning that Russian-aligned hacktivist groups continue to target UK organizations, particularly in local government, with disruptive cyber attacks. UKAuthority
• [New] The UK government has unveiled a landmark National Cancer Plan, setting an ambitious target for 75% of cancer patients diagnosed from 2035 to be cancer-free or living well after five years. UKAuthority
• [New] If implemented with rigour, the SHANTI Act could well become the cornerstone of India's clean energy transition anchored in policy, driven by harmonious implementation, and aligned with both national aspirations and global responsibilities. Times of India
• [New] Spain is aiming for 80% renewables by 2030 and the UK Labour government is aiming for 95% clean. Clintel
• [New] Heathrow is aiming to progressively increase the uplift of SAF to make up 11% of fuel uplifted at Heathrow by 2030, going beyond the UK Government mandate of 10% across the UK by 2030. Future Travel Experience
• [New] Analysts have predicted a controlled decline of the dollar due to rising U.S. fiscal deficits, policy uncertainty, and the emergence of digital assets. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Forrester expects the tech budget, including staff costs, for the entire government sector in the US to reach $357 billion in 2026, representing 4% year-over-year growth. Forrester
• [New] The Bank of Canada is expected to cut policy interest rates further towards 2.25% from 2.75% at present. / Canada Policy Center
• [New] The Rajasthan Government presented the State Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, outlining fiscal consolidation, enhanced capital expenditure, agricultural strengthening, infrastructure expansion, and social sector prioritization while adhering to FRBM norms. Drishti IAS
• [New] The S&P 500's weight in its top ten names is at an all-time high of nearly 40%, creating a systemic vulnerability that any policy misstep could exploit. Ainvest
• [New] The unwavering privacy policy of Telegram could force Moscow to work on its strategy, trying to balance the needs of security against the threats of suppressing freedom of speech. Techi
• [New] In 2026, life sciences policy will be driven less by legislative compromise than by executive pressure, trade enforcement, and national security framing. Mondaq
• [New] Government technology will account for 12.3% of total US tech spending of $2.9 trillion in 2026. Forrester
• [New] One of the biggest geopolitical challenges facing the new government of Bangladesh will be rebuilding relations with its neighbour India. The Guardian
• [New] As the U.S. government considers its relationship with China, and the national security risks of adopting its technology, the video app often serves as a proxy. Harvard Gazette
• The U.S. government has implemented a set of policies to address critical minerals vulnerabilities, particularly for national security and defence applications (e.g., weapons systems, batteries, magnets, and electronics). Actionable Intelligence Alert
• U.S. trade policy towards Mexico is a key risk factor; additional U.S. trade restrictions could warrant additional monetary support. FocusEconomics

Last updated: 18 February 2026