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  • NEWS STORY : St Martins Preparatory School Minibus Licence Suspended Following Compliance Failings

    NEWS STORY : St Martins Preparatory School Minibus Licence Suspended Following Compliance Failings

    STORY

    St Martins Preparatory School Limited in Grimsby has had its restricted public service vehicle operator’s licence suspended for 14 days after a public inquiry identified serious maintenance and compliance failings. The suspension runs from 25 September until 9 October 2026, while the number of vehicles permitted under the licence has been reduced from two to one until further notice.

    Deputy Traffic Commissioner Gerallt Evans found that the operator had failed to inspect its vehicles at the declared intervals, maintain proper records and meet undertakings concerning drivers’ hours. The inquiry also considered a March 2025 MoT failure involving a school minibus with a tyre cut through to the cord. Evans concluded that the directors had delegated responsibility for compliance to members of staff who lacked the necessary qualifications and resources.

    The commissioner acknowledged that vehicles had been withdrawn from service, staff had received some training and the operator had cooperated with the latest investigation. However, he concluded that the negative features significantly outweighed those improvements and said the licence had avoided revocation by the narrowest margin. The operator must now appoint a clearly identified person responsible for the licence and arrange an independent audit of its transport safety and compliance systems in March 2027.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK steps up humanitarian support for vulnerable civilians in Yemen following Houthi escalation [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK steps up humanitarian support for vulnerable civilians in Yemen following Houthi escalation [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 September 2026.

    Tens of thousands of Yemenis displaced by escalating Houthi violence will be supported by new UK funding.

    Tens of thousands of civilians in Government of Yemen-controlled areas who have been displaced by escalating Houthi violence will be supported by new UK funding, announced today in response to the declining humanitarian situation in Yemen.

    Delivered through the UN emergency appeal for Yemen, the £10m package will provide access to child nutrition and food supplies, as well as emergency healthcare for women and children and vaccines to protect against life-threatening diseases.

    More than 130,000 Yemenis are estimated to have been displaced following the recent escalation in conflict, where over two weeks of renewed Houthi aggression has deepened the suffering for the most vulnerable. The UK is acting to respond.

    Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty said:

    “The Houthis’ decision to escalate the conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact. It attempts to undermine the stability of the region and has already cost civilian lives.

    “The humanitarian situation that is unfolding is catastrophic, with many displaced. Today’s package of support will provide essential access to food, healthcare and nutrition support for the most vulnerable Yemenis impacted by the recent escalation.

    “We remain committed to working with the Government of Yemen, humanitarian partners and international partners to protect civilians, preserve humanitarian delivery and return to a political process. 

    “This government’s position is clear – the Houthis must cease in their attacks and urgently engage with a UN negotiated process.”

    The Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, spoke with the Yemeni Prime Minister on Tuesday [22 September] and met with the Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazeer, during his visit to the UN General Assembly this week. He reiterated the UK’s support for the internationally recognised Government of Yemen and stressed the need for sustained international assistance to those affected by the conflict.

    The UK condemns the Houthis’ resumption of hostilities following years of efforts to secure progress through dialogue. This government has been clear that the Houthis must end their attacks immediately and allow safe, unimpeded humanitarian access.

    The UK is coordinating efforts to support regional stability and is working closely with international partners to secure a strong political response. This includes via multilateral forums, where the UK joined Bahrain in calling an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council following the latest Houthi escalation earlier this month and raising the conflict at the UNSC.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sixth powerful attack submarine departs Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sixth powerful attack submarine departs Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 September 2026.

    UK and Euro-Atlantic security will soon be boosted, as the Royal Navy’s sixth powerful attack submarine departs from Barrow-in-Furness.

    • Latest Astute Class submarine, HMS Agamemnon has sailed from the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
    • She will now undergo sea trials – a major step towards delivering the highly capable attack submarine to bolster security for the UK and the Euro-Atlantic.
    • The UK’s submarine industrial base is benefitting from £6 billion of Government investment over the Spending Review period and sustains thousands of jobs.

    The newest Royal Navy conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Agamemnon and nicknamed ‘Awesome Aggie’, will now begin sea trials – a period of testing ahead of joining active service with the Royal Navy. 

    The Astute Class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy. Weighing 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, they are just short of the length of two Olympic swimming pools. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Submarines nuclear reactor, produced in Derby in the Midlands, the submarine will not need to refuel for the duration of her service life. 

    The submarine’s high-tech capabilities include stealthy precision strike, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. HMS Agamemnon will be armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk IV land attack missiles, able to strike targets at a range of more than 1,000 miles. 

    Alongside their role supporting the continuous at sea deterrent, Astute-class submarines are also involved in protecting maritime task groups and providing support to UK, NATO and coalition operations.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

    Having seen first-hand the dedication and pride of the workforce in Barrow, and that of the thousands of people who work across our submarine supply chain in the United Kingdom, I know how much this milestone will mean to each and every one of them.

    As one of the most advanced submarines ever built, HMS Agamemnon will play a major role in further boosting our security here at home and across NATO.

    Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP said:

    Deterrence is the bedrock of our national security. Another formidable attack submarine going to sea strengthens that deterrence and demonstrates how we are stepping up to meet the threats of a more dangerous world.

    I’ve been on board HMS Agamemnon and met her submariners and the skilled workers who delivered this incredible feat of engineering. It’s a powerful reminder of how strengthening our defence creates good jobs, opens up opportunity, and reindustrialises our country.

    HMS Agamemnon’s departure from Barrow-in-Furness is the result of years of work by a highly skilled workforce. This includes the engineers, technicians and specialists at BAE Systems and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), together with the ship’s company who will take her into service. Their combined expertise reflects the depth of skill sustained in Barrow and across the UK’s submarine enterprise. 

    Maddy McTernan, Chief of Defence Nuclear, said: 

    HMS Agamemnon’s departure is a significant moment for the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise and is a clear demonstration of the engineering and industrial excellence of the Barrow workforce and across the wider UK supply chain.  

    Submarine production will continue to boost British industry for decades to come backed by the commitments announced in the recent Defence Investment Plan.

    Royal Navy First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said: 

    In an increasingly dangerous world, sea power remains fundamental to keeping our country and people safe. Our submarine fleet is essential to that effort, which is why I am delighted that HMS Agamemnon, the sixth of our Astute-class submarines, has now begun sea trials and will soon arrive at HMNB Clyde to join the fleet. 

    She embodies the best of British engineering and the professionalism of our submariners and will be one of the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.  

    As we continue to strengthen our warfighting readiness, HMS Agamemnon will play a central role in keeping the United Kingdom safe, contributing to NATO’s collective defence and ensuring we are ready to lead, fight and win.

    Building on commitments to continuous submarine production made in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, and reinforced in the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), the completion of HMS Agamemnon demonstrates the strength and reliability of British industry and its world-leading nuclear technology.

    The DIP is backed by £298 billion over the next four years, including £47 billion for investment in our submarine build programmes, which also covers maintenance and infrastructure. Part of that spend will enable the UK to produce a submarine every 18 months in support of the SSN-AUKUS programme. 

    Recognising Barrow’s role as a strategic national asset, DNE spending is fuelling substantial growth and expansion in the town. The economic certainty from the government’s commitment to the submarine building programme underpins the 10-year Plan for Barrow, backed by the £200 million Barrow Transformation Fund. More than 14,000 roles in Barrow-in-Furness are supported by defence nuclear work, with 1,800 additional roles created in Barrow under this government. 

    HMS Agamemnon has been delivered as part of a national endeavour by the MOD’s DNE, the partnership organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The DNE supports over 47,000 jobs across the UK, including thousands of highly-skilled roles involved in submarine production. 

    Marking entry into the Royal Navy, HMS Agamemnon was formally commissioned by His Majesty the King in a ceremony on 22 September 2025. She is the sixth Navy vessel to bear the name. 

    The seventh and final submarine in the class, Achilles, is at an advanced stage of construction in Barrow. The Astute Class will be succeeded by up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines from the late 2030s, with steel due to be cut for the first-in-class in Barrow next year, continuing the town’s role at the heart of AUKUS delivery.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Biggest ever overhaul of SEND teacher training begins [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Biggest ever overhaul of SEND teacher training begins [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 September 2026.

    First-of-their-kind training materials published in first step towards every teacher being supported to teach children and young people with SEND.

    Every single teacher in England will be empowered to better support children and young people with SEND, as government kickstarts the most comprehensive teacher training offer in a generation.

    Developed by training experts Ambition Institute, and building on expertise from the sector, the first-of-their-kind free, adaptable and practical training materials for schools and post-16 settings are now available to be used in the way that works best for them, throughout the year or on existing training days.

    The materials will put inclusion at the heart of every classroom and workshop, giving teachers practical techniques such as breaking instructions into digestible steps, pre-teaching specialist vocabulary, and carving out time for children and young people to practise it.

    They will go hand in hand with online training for early years staff, developed and delivered by early years charity Dingley’s Promise, supporting staff to use age-appropriate inclusive practices from day one – like using visual timetables to help children with transitions between activities, or adapting environments to reduce unnecessary noise that can be a barrier to communication and emotional regulation.

    The move is the first step as part of the government’s wider £200 million investment into teacher training to transform support for children and young people with SEND, ending a postcode lottery that has left too many families fighting for support.

    Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, said:

    Every child and young person deserves the chance to thrive, whatever their needs, and that starts with brilliant teaching.

    I’ve heard from teachers, parents and young people across the country about the need for more investment in teacher training and today we are responding to those concerns.

    We are backing staff with the tools to spot and support additional needs from the earliest years, making sure all children and young people feel included.

    One in three teachers in a recent survey said they want more training on supporting children with SEND. Alongside this, a quarter of surveyed teaching assistants in schools reported that a lack of sufficient training was a barrier to them effectively providing support for these pupils.

    This is just start of reforms to change that, with further resources due to published in January and April next year. New fully funded training courses will then follow in September next year available to teachers, leaders and support staff across the country.

    The offer fits into the government’s wider work to ensure there is a pathway for every child, no matter their background or needs. As research finds that young people with SEND are around 80 per cent more likely to be NEET, than average, it is more important than ever to deliver the right support earlier so every child is set up to achieve later in life.

    Claire Heywood, Vice Principal at Kidderminster College, who provided feedback on the materials, said:

    The strongest feature of these materials is that they place inclusive practice at the heart of high-quality teaching, recognising that meeting the needs of learners with SEND is an integral part of effective teaching and learning.

    The attention given to vocational and technical learning, learner independence, progression and preparation for adulthood means the resources feel both evidence-informed and genuinely relevant to the further education sector.

    Crucially, they provide staff with practical approaches and tools that can be readily applied in the classroom and workshops to support the success of all learners.

    Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute, said:

    Every child and young person deserves to feel included and able to achieve their potential. We know that educators across the country want to feel more confident and well-equipped to support children and young people with SEND.

    Our aim throughout has been to create practical, adaptable materials that help teachers and support staff to respond to a wide range of needs and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice.

    At Ambition Institute, our mission is to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better. We hope these materials contribute to helping every child and young person thrive, whatever their starting point.

    Catherine Mole, CEO of Dingley’s Promise, said:

    We are delighted to have been selected to lead on this vital training programme. This programme offers early years educators the opportunity to upskill and gain more confidence to support children with SEND at no cost to themselves or the setting and shows the increasing value being placed on early years education and its impact.

    This government investment is a key step towards ensuring that every child has access to the right support at the earliest point possible to give many more children the best start in life. We would encourage all early years settings to access this training and take a whole setting approach to inclusion as we know first-hand how transformational this can be”.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British companies to access prized Ukraine data to develop AI drone swarms [September 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : British companies to access prized Ukraine data to develop AI drone swarms [September 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 September 2026.

    British companies will gain access to extensive battlefield data from Ukraine for the first time to develop new AI models for advanced drone swarms.

    • New AI-enabled drone swarms will be made in Britain, using battlefield data from Ukraine.    
    • Coveted database available to up to 12 UK companies under inaugural competition which will move to testing at pace.   
    • This advanced technology could boost the UK’s ability to deliver supplies and target enemy capabilities, as the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce puts AI to work to strengthen national security and reindustrialise Britain.   

    The UK is the first international partner to access Ukraine’s coveted Avengers AI Labs, following a landmark deal struck by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The database holds imagery and video gathered by uncrewed aerial systems in Ukraine, using daylight and thermal sensors, and is used to develop, train and evaluate AI models.   

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is now inviting UK companies to submit proposals for how they would use the data to create AI models for the next generation of battlefield drones. This is the first competition under the UK-Ukraine AI Partnership and could see the creation of models that let drone swarms keep working when communications are degraded or satellite navigation is unavailable.  

    Drone swarms can fly, swim or drive autonomously, using AI to work together, identify threats and targets and reach decisions, always with appropriate human involvement. For UK forces, that means a small number of sailors, soldiers and aircrew could direct large numbers of drones at once, on tasks from logistics resupply to precise targeting of enemy capabilities and hunting submarines in the North Atlantic.  

    This comes as the Prime Minister drove forward global work on AI at the UN General Assembly in New York, both to ensure it is being used as a force for good and to maximise opportunities to use the technology to deliver safety and security for people at home. The Prime Minister announced the launch of work between the UK and US on a new AI and Autonomy partnership. This collaboration will help the UK protect critical national infrastructure, from sea lanes to air space – enabling us to detect threats and deter our adversaries using the latest AI technology developed on both sides of the Atlantic.  

    Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP said:

    Ukraine is the frontline of freedom for us all. On my recent visit to Kyiv, I saw first-hand the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people. I also saw the extraordinary innovation which is allowing them to repel Putin’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.  

    This world-first access to real battlefield data will allow British companies to continue pushing the frontier of defence innovation, deterring our enemies and making us safer at home as well as further strengthening Ukraine.

    AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:   

    This is the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce delivering: bringing together Ukraine’s hard-won battlefield experience with Britain’s best AI companies to develop and deploy capabilities faster.  

    It is exactly the kind of practical partnership the Taskforce was set up to drive, supporting our ally Ukraine while strengthening sovereign capability here in Britain.

    The database includes sensor information from over 6 million detections of objects, such as tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry, and aerial targets, including Shahed drones and reconnaissance Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles. 

    Access to the extensive database will be initially available for up to 12 UK companies and their proposals must be applicable to both Ukrainian and British defence requirements. To advance this work at pace, those companies will be selected in just a matter of weeks and their exploitation of the data is expected to begin soon after.   

    The work is being led by the MOD’s Taskforce RAID (Rapid AI Delivery) – a team dedicated to ensuring soldiers, sailors and aircrew have access to smarter technology that helps them make better decisions, take on dangerous tasks with less risk, and outpace adversaries who are rapidly developing their own AI capabilities.    

    The activity demonstrates the Prime Minister’s AI Taskforce turning the Government’s ambitions for AI into real-world capability. Working jointly with the MOD’s Taskforce RAID they are harnessing British expertise to strengthen national security, support our allies and reindustrialise Britain by building the industries of the future here in the UK.    

    The recent agreement, which forms a key part of the UK and Ukraine’s 100 Year Partnership, underlines the close relationship between both countries to drive global security and stability and ensure Ukraine has the capability and means to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion.  

    Background

    The MOD is seeking innovative proposals covering one or more of the following areas within drone operations: 

    • Autonomous Target Recognition: AI-enabled detection, classification, prioritisation and tracking of operationally relevant objects across complex and contested environments. 
    • Distributed Decision-Making: Enabling multiple autonomous systems to dynamically adapt routes, priorities and behaviours in response to changing battlefield conditions, without relying on a single point of control. 
    • Adaptive Mission Execution: AI approaches enabling multiple autonomous systems to coordinate actions under constrained communications and decentralised control. 
    • Collaborative Sensing and Information Fusion: Methods for sharing, fusing and exploiting information across multiple platforms and sensors to improve situational awareness and mission effectiveness. 
  • NEWS STORY : Drumcree Dispute Continues After Protesters Block Orange Order March

    NEWS STORY : Drumcree Dispute Continues After Protesters Block Orange Order March

    STORY

    Around 2,000 protesters blocked an Orange Order parade from passing along the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown on Sunday, despite the procession having received legal approval. Members of Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge No 1 assembled at Drumcree Church but were unable to complete the disputed section of the route. Orange Order members remained at Drumcree on Monday morning as political and community representatives sought a resolution.

    The Parades Commission had permitted the procession to use Garvaghy Road for the first time since 1998. A judge temporarily suspended that decision on Saturday, but the restriction was overturned during an early morning court hearing which concluded shortly after 2am on Sunday. The Drumcree parade became one of Northern Ireland’s most contentious disputes during the 1990s, with nationalist residents opposing an Orange Order procession through their area.

    First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald joined protesters on Garvaghy Road, while DUP leader Gavin Robinson expressed support for the Orange Order and said that the legal decision should be respected. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant appealed for calm and compromise. The PSNI said that its operation had prevented violence and disorder, although evidence was being gathered to identify any offences. Protesters dispersed after midnight after being told that a process would begin to address the dispute, with further talks expected on Monday.

  • NEWS STORY : Darren Anderson Jailed for Four Years Following Fraud Offences Worth More Than £200,000

    NEWS STORY : Darren Anderson Jailed for Four Years Following Fraud Offences Worth More Than £200,000

    STORY

    Darren Anderson, who falsely presented himself as a doctor and aristocrat while operating under several aliases, has been jailed for four years following a series of fraud and theft offences. Anderson, of Gamston in Nottinghamshire, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court after businesses and individuals suffered estimated losses of £205,455 through his activities across 13 companies during 2022 and 2023. He was also disqualified from acting as a company director for a further 15 years.

    The court heard that Anderson made 106 unauthorised direct debit payments worth £79,488 using the bank details of a debt recovery company. His other activities included leaving more than £46,000 in unpaid rent on a hairdressing salon, failing to pay for £15,000 of equipment and leaving a manager with £600 in unpaid wages. He also provided false evidence of payments, submitted inaccurate company accounts and left debts of more than £27,000 after renting a cottage in Derbyshire, from which he later stole furnishings.

    Anderson had previously been disqualified as a company director under the names Miles Prestland-Windsor and Timothy Ahlbeck, but continued controlling companies while banned. The Insolvency Service said he had seven previous convictions covering 41 dishonesty offences since 2002 and had used fictitious employees and senior managers to make his businesses appear more credible. The agency is now seeking to recover fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

  • NEWS STORY : Councils to Gain Faster Powers Over Long Term Empty Homes

    NEWS STORY : Councils to Gain Faster Powers Over Long Term Empty Homes

    STORY

    Councils in England will be able to intervene after a home has stood empty for six months under reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders. The present qualifying period is two years, meaning local authorities will be permitted to act eighteen months sooner when a property has been left unused.

    An order allows a council to take over the management of a privately owned empty home and return it to occupation for up to seven years, while the owner retains ownership. The application process will also be simplified by removing requirements to provide evidence about matters including antisocial behaviour and community support for intervention.

    The Government says the changes will help prevent vacant properties falling into serious disrepair and make better use of existing housing. Ministers are considering additional reforms after figures cited by the Government showed that around 300,000 homes have been empty for the long term, although the effectiveness of the policy will depend on councils making greater use of the orders.

  • NEWS STORY : First Time Buyers Could Purchase New Homes with 2.5 Per Cent Deposits

    NEWS STORY : First Time Buyers Could Purchase New Homes with 2.5 Per Cent Deposits

    STORY

    The Government has announced a new equity loan scheme intended to help first time buyers in England purchase newly built homes with deposits of 2.5 per cent. Your First Home is expected to provide a Government backed equity loan worth 20 per cent of the property value, reducing the size of the conventional mortgage required.

    The equity loan will include an initial interest free period and will be available only on homes sold by participating developers. Ministers say the scheme will be targeted through household income limits and local property price caps, while developers will be expected to contribute towards its costs.

    Chancellor John Healey will confirm the full terms, cost and implementation timetable in the Budget on 28 October. The Government says registration will open by the end of 2026 and argues that the scheme will address the deposit barrier while supporting demand for new homes during a difficult period for housebuilders.

  • NEWS STORY : Andy Burnham Pledges Free Social Care Plan for Next General Election

    NEWS STORY : Andy Burnham Pledges Free Social Care Plan for Next General Election

    STORY

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to put a plan for a universal social care service before voters at the next general election. He said care should operate on principles similar to the NHS, with services free at the point of use and the cost spread across the population.

    Burnham said the detailed proposal would include a precise explanation of how the system would be funded. He acknowledged that the plan could require difficult or unpopular choices, but said the present system was unfair and placed unsustainable pressure on families and the health service.

    The Prime Minister does not intend to introduce the new system during the current Parliament, with the next general election due by mid 2029. His commitment leaves the final design and tax implications unresolved while placing social care reform at the centre of Labour’s programme for a possible second term.