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Showing posts from April, 2025

Local elections 2025: Polls to open across England

Hundreds of councillors, six mayors and one MP will be elected in polls across England. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3TQZkg5

'Unacceptable' to question Supreme Court gender ruling, says minister

Shabana Mahmood said judges at the UK's highest court had provided "legal clarity". from BBC News https://ift.tt/HMnlDW5

MPs watchdog probes Reeves' theatre tickets declaration

The BBC has been told the chancellor accepted a donation but did not add it to the MPs' register of interests. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nQ4cvd1

Chris Mason: A wildly unpredictable local elections

The results of the ballots will mould the national political mood, our political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/isjxUPZ

Government not taking climate seriously - advisers

The government has made little progress in preparing the UK for rising temperatures, climate watchdog the CCC says. from BBC News https://ift.tt/CtXneu6

Jenkyns at odds with Farage on special needs

The Reform leader has previously said there are too many SEND diagnoses for children. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lohSVCX

Blair says current net zero policies 'doomed to fail'

The former PM's call for a change of course is rejected by Downing Street but welcomed by the Tories and Reform. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Q0aJLED

Plans to extend sugar tax to milkshakes

The tax will be applied to manufacturers of milk-based drinks and dairy-based substitutes, under the plans. from BBC News https://ift.tt/UXnktM3

Knife crime could rise without funding - Met chief

Sir Mark Rowley warns that without more funding, the Met will struggle to meet key crime targets. from BBC News https://ift.tt/MxfXcdr

More local grooming inquires expected - minister

The Conservatives said the local reviews would "not do" and repeated calls for a national investigation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/aNACvyW

Migrant crossings hit 10,000 so far this year

It represents an increase of about 40% compared with the same period last year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/53M7GgO

Daughter of murdered MP calls for Kneecap apology

Video emerged of a 2023 gig appearing to show a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory." from BBC News https://ift.tt/cQEs8uD

Ministers face above projected teacher and NHS pay deals

Pay review bodies recommend increases for teachers and NHS workers above the 2.8% the government has budgeted for. from BBC News https://ift.tt/8pUdDmv

School uniforms to change for four million pupils under plans

The government says it will save parents £50 a year, but retailers say it could end up costing more. from BBC News https://ift.tt/cMI0DSE

Urgent care worse than pre-pandemic, think tank says

The Health Foundation argues that the NHS was "in distress" this winter with A&E waiting times reaching a record high. from BBC News https://ift.tt/iRV4UJ2

Tories may need to form coalition with Reform, says Ben Houchen

A pact may be needed to keep Labour out of government at next general election, the Tory mayor says. from BBC News https://ift.tt/tn8K7md

Greens call for single-sex guidance to be withdrawn

Carla Denyer says the equalities watchdog's guidance puts trans people at risk of discrimination. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Q5pEq4R

Will this be the 'anyone but the big parties' local election?

"Slivers" of votes are set to decide the local elections - with the big parties likely to suffer. from BBC News https://ift.tt/EZhDczg

Eligibility case against Reform candidate dismissed

Dame Andrea Jenkyns is standing as a candidate in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral race. from BBC News https://ift.tt/pYoPX42

MPs limber up for London Marathon

Harriet Cross and Cat Smith will be among sixteen MPs taking part in the 26-mile race on Sunday. from BBC News https://ift.tt/gr9tvLJ

Hairdresser fears she could lose home over tax hikes

The British Hair Consortium is calling on Rachel Reeves to cut VAT to 10% in June's spending review. from BBC News https://ift.tt/mjNw1fa

UK claims 90% drop in mail-order cannabis from Thailand

UK Border Force seized 15 tonnes of cannabis in post from Thailand in the last three months of 2024. from BBC News https://ift.tt/9TueQ3A

UK-Irish deal on Troubles legacy could be 'within weeks'

Secretary of State Hilary Benn hosted Tánaiste Simon Harris and Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QOmVwy0

Reform UK criticised for candidates' offensive posts

Nigel Farage says his party has the best vetting - but campaigners find candidates who appear to have slipped through the net. from BBC News https://ift.tt/KqIS8hX

UK bans video game controller exports to Russia

The Foreign Office says Russia was "buying harmless goods and turning them into tools of war". from BBC News https://ift.tt/jySHKh9

Call to fine 'headphone dodgers' who play music on buses

Lib Dems say fines of up to £1,000 would tackle the "blight" of anti-social behaviour on public transport. from BBC News https://ift.tt/K1EDm7B

Trans women expected to be excluded from all-women candidate lists

Updated guidance is expected following last week's Supreme Court ruling that sex is biological. from BBC News https://ift.tt/23nJqep

Chris Mason: Gender debate has changed but it's not over yet

The landmark Supreme Court ruling has changed the tone of the conversation, our political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Y4zHBiE

Police chiefs to be granted powers to remove unfit officers

Police chiefs will be able to automatically sack officers who fail background checks, under new measures. from BBC News https://ift.tt/E7SWRiU

Three more UK interest rate cuts this year, predicts IMF

The IMF said UK inflation will go up as bills rise, while economies will be hit by Trump tariffs. from BBC News https://ift.tt/pH3SIyK

Hereditary Lords speak out on prospect of leaving Parliament

Lords who inherited their titles share their mixed feelings about being ejected from the Upper Chamber. from BBC News https://ift.tt/MZTLemU

Nationalities of foreign criminals to be published

Data is due to be released by the year's end showing nationalities and crimes of those awaiting deportation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/MuPcZCD

Pubs to stay open late for VE Day 80th anniversary

The government has given the go-ahead for pubs and bars to stay open for two hours longer than usual. from BBC News https://ift.tt/WLKyfZ6

Starmer and Trump discuss 'productive' trade talks

The men held their first call since the US president imposed tariffs on UK goods earlier this month. from BBC News https://ift.tt/GQuB2KJ

Fire services get 50% less than police to cover tax rises

Fire services across England say they will struggle to meet the cost of a rise in employer National Insurance. from BBC News https://ift.tt/sQ1yOuV

Trump suggests UK state visit set for September

Earlier this year, King Charles III invited Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit. from BBC News https://ift.tt/1UosIrg

Losing mum and seat in July was traumatic - Coffey

Former MP Therese Coffey says losing her 20,000 majority meant she could spend time with her mother. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Dckr9m3

UK bans EU cheese and meat imports to prevent disease spreading

People coming into Great Britain can no longer bring cured meats or cheese from the EU following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. from BBC News https://ift.tt/zZUmEPj

EU names seven countries as safe in plan to fast-track migrant returns

Citizens from Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia would all have their claims fast-tracked. from BBC News https://ift.tt/NLi4G5n

Former MP paid 'six figures' for Big Brother stint

Former Conservative MP for Lichfield was the first to be evicted from Celebrity Big Brother on Friday. from BBC News https://ift.tt/OZyjt2A

Extra staff to check Carer's Allowance overpayments

Some carers have been told to pay back thousands of pounds after being overpaid the benefit for years. from BBC News https://ift.tt/uWeA4N8

Man in court accused of threats to kill Farage

Afghan national Fayaz Khan is accused of threatening to kill the Reform UK party leader in a TikTok video. from BBC News https://ift.tt/ZXVtpq4

Farage clashes with teaching union over 'far right' claim

National Education Union members call for funds to be used to help campaign against Reform UK candidates. from BBC News https://ift.tt/slQ6P5p

'Watered down' Hillsborough Law no use - Aspinall

On the 36th anniversary of Hillsborough Margaret Aspinall calls for the strongest new legislation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/czDg2Kd

'Good chance' of US-UK trade deal, says Vance

The Trump administration's trade policy shakeup has caused global economic turmoil. from BBC News https://ift.tt/OX70gRJ

Keir Starmer paid £54,718 in tax last year

The prime minister, his deputy and the chancellor publish summaries of their taxes for 2023/24. from BBC News https://ift.tt/kPyaO78

Record number of migrants cross Channel in 2025 so far

Some 656 people crossed the Channel on Saturday, the highest number recorded in a single day this year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/D4zH7dZ

Government races to keep British Steel furnaces burning

After passing an emergency law to take control of the plant, ministers are working to obtain coal to power its furnaces. from BBC News https://ift.tt/azMoit8

Some police forces unprepared for summer riots, MPs find

The policing response was "entirely appropriate" given the violence and criminality, the report found. from BBC News https://ift.tt/iA9JqDZ

MP barred from Hong Kong says it was to 'shut me up'

The MP for Bath says she was given no reason for being refused entry, and wants "some answers". from BBC News https://ift.tt/HoQ705i

Reynolds refuses to say if steel furnaces can keep running

The government took control of the steelworks to prevent Chinese owners Jingye shutting down production. from BBC News https://ift.tt/yfnvsgd

Chris Mason: As British Steel law rushed through Parliament, officials waited in hotel

For all of Saturday's drama, the government's intervention so far is just a stop gap, writes our political editor. from BBC News https://ift.tt/yPNd4D9

Lib Dem MP refused entry to Hong Kong

Party leader Sir Ed Davey urges the foreign secretary to summon the Chinese ambassador for an explanation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/e39UkM4

Rail minister admits using phone while driving vintage bus

Lord Hendy has apologised in full for the "error of judgement" and will reportedly accept the sanctions. from BBC News https://ift.tt/POx6f9M

Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list in full

The former prime minister has handed out 36 honours, including to well-known ex-ministers and former advisors. from BBC News https://ift.tt/AXL53sb

Laura Kuenssberg: Can UK afford to save British Steel – and can it afford not to?

The vote later won't determine British Steel's future, but is a first step towards a possible nationalisation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/GKumBvy

Why is British Steel in trouble and who owns it?

MPs are having an emergency debate on the future of the UK's only remaining plant making virgin steel. from BBC News https://ift.tt/IroTGWn

MP sorry for not declaring donation when praising firm

Labour MP Steve Yemm received £10,000 from Power Saving Solutions, who he later praised in the Commons. from BBC News https://ift.tt/trWGP4d

Deadline nears to register to vote in local elections

There are local elections to 24 of England's 317 councils and mayoral authorities on 1 May. from BBC News https://ift.tt/F0UJRu6

Penny Mordaunt joins British American Tobacco

The company says Mordaunt would be "asked to contribute her insights" on tobacco harm reduction. from BBC News https://ift.tt/EjuVKRv

British Steel talks still deadlocked, source says

A source said the issues being discussed by government officials and the firm remain unresolved. from BBC News https://ift.tt/IQPFacn

Matt Chorley: Local elections might lack glamour - but they matter

The 5 live host considers what's at stake on a trip to the heart of some of the big battles on 1 May. from BBC News https://ift.tt/JYR3Gay

MPs call for streaming levy to help UK TV industry

A CMS committee report warns of the need to safeguard "culturally distinct British productions". from BBC News https://ift.tt/5KNw89c

Starmer to set out plan for more police patrols at peak times

The prime minister says he wants to ensure every community has specialist neighbourhood officers. from BBC News https://ift.tt/473XyfM

Talks to save British Steel reach crunch point

The government has two days to reach a deal with the plant's Chinese owners to keep blast furnaces running. from BBC News https://ift.tt/H4yx6rM

Sarah Brown: Our baby loss led to search for answers

There was an outpouring of support from the public after the death of Sarah and Gordon Brown's daughter Jennifer. from BBC News https://ift.tt/YtqB5a2

Government considers nationalising British Steel

There are fears among ministers that the company's blast furnaces could run out of raw materials within days. from BBC News https://ift.tt/c0Wz251

Philip Green loses case over naming in Parliament

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Sir Philip's human rights were not breached. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Cs7FdBq

Starmer criticises watchdog's benefits forecasts

The PM says he "struggles" with how the Office for Budget Responsibility calculates the impact his policies. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3T0riUQ

Neighbouring council to help clear bin strike waste

Lichfield District Council says it will help clear the rubbish that has accumulated on the streets of Birmingham. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dSPjzem

Chris Mason: What can Starmer do in a world buffeted by Trump?

The government is leaning into this moment of turbulence but can it make a difference. from BBC News https://ift.tt/XvzZEYT

Steel closures 'far from done deal', minister says

Business minister Sarah Jones says all options are open in response to calls for nationalisation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/rHYiJmC

It was about censorship, says MP denied entry to Israel

Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were barred entering from the country over the weekend. from BBC News https://ift.tt/fthFExM

Former PMs and home secretaries may face asylum centre inquiry

An internal Home Office document says allegations of failures at the holding centre in 2022 are likely to be “reputationally damaging” for the department. from BBC News https://ift.tt/axno0Kp

Apple's encryption row with UK should not be secret, court rules

The UK government sought to keep details of its row with Apple over requested access to its encrypted cloud storage tool private. from BBC News https://ift.tt/OnjXPGr

Rules on UK car firms relaxed ahead of 2030 petrol vehicles ban

The prime minister says the measures are designed to aid the UK motor industry, which has been hit by Trump's tariffs. from BBC News https://ift.tt/oZ4RTSJ

Elin Jones to stand down as Llywydd in 2026

Jones has been the chamber's referee and figurehead since 2016. from BBC News https://ift.tt/bHcMmU8

Falklands surprised to be on Trump's 'worst offenders' list

The British overseas territory is facing a 42% tax on the goods it exports to the US. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lyuPX9R

Lawyer queries Reform UK investigation into Rupert Lowe

MP for Great Yarmouth Rupert Lowe strongly denies accusations of bullying and harassment upheld by a KC. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3275oaG

London mayor could overturn council bans on late venues

Sir Sadiq Khan may be able to "call in" decisions over night-time economy licensing applications. from BBC News https://ift.tt/t9xCdHJ

Watch: The UK and US fallout from Trump's tariffs

The BBC's Henry Zeffman and Anthony Zurcher explain the fallout from Donald Trump's global trade tariffs. from BBC News https://ift.tt/rpjJQAk

Councils putting homeless children at risk, MPs find

An inquiry says children are living in "appalling conditions" and suffering impacts to their health. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nZyVOxR

UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariff

"No one wants a trade war" but "nothing is off the table", UK business secretary says. from BBC News https://ift.tt/ixYIn42

We don't pay enough for our food, says Alan Titchmarsh

The TV gardener tells Radio 5 Live's Matt Chorley people should get tax cuts for growing their own veg. from BBC News https://ift.tt/eCkD3Mz

Who's standing in the Runcorn by-election?

A total of 15 people are vying to be the next MP for Runcorn and Helsby in Cheshire. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Wju2eLX

Grooming inquiry lawyer asked Home Office 'do you still want me?'

Tom Crowther KC suggests there has been little progress nearly three months since his role was announced. from BBC News https://ift.tt/0iGDXvt

FM criticises UK minister for saying she backs cuts

Eluned Morgan criticises a senior Welsh Labour colleague for saying she backed benefits cuts. from BBC News https://ift.tt/7VuWlaC

Private school VAT 'discriminatory', court hears

Families argue that the policy "interferes with the fundamental right to an education". from BBC News https://ift.tt/P6YBvDV

UK has best chance to overturn tariffs, says Reynolds

Jonathan Reynolds says the UK will be hit by tariffs on Wednesday but can reach a deal to get an exemption. from BBC News https://ift.tt/zBlmbGD