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STORY

MPs are due to debate NHS dentistry in the House of Commons as Parliament begins a new week of business. The debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee and follows continuing concern over access to NHS dental care in England.

Parliamentary briefing material prepared for the debate says MPs are expected to consider patient access, the dental contract and the Government’s timetable for reform. Dental organisations have encouraged MPs to take part and to raise cases from their constituencies.

The debate comes during a week in which MPs are also expected to consider the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the National Security (State Threats) Bill. Ministers will face scrutiny across health, security and infrastructure policy as the Commons returns to its regular business.

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The UK has joined France, Germany and Italy in welcoming the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. The joint statement from the four European leaders described the agreement as a diplomatic breakthrough and thanked those involved in the negotiations.

The leaders said the deal created an opportunity to restore regional stability and support the global economy. The statement also congratulated the United States, Iran and mediators including Pakistan and Qatar.

The UK Government’s response places the agreement within wider foreign policy concerns over security, energy markets and Middle East stability. Ministers are likely to face questions over the implications for UK diplomacy, sanctions policy and future relations with allies in Europe and the Gulf.

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The UK and Japan have agreed a new economic security partnership following talks between Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The declaration covers cooperation on supply chains, emerging technologies, economic resilience and security challenges.

The Government said the wider package included more than £18 billion in investment and economic gains, with commitments covering infrastructure, clean energy, financial services and advanced technology. The two Governments also agreed to deepen work on frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, space and cyber security.

The agreement also sits alongside defence cooperation through the Global Combat Air Programme, involving the UK, Japan and Italy. Ministers have presented the partnership as part of a wider effort to strengthen UK economic security and build closer ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific.

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The Government is considering proposals to allow England’s regional mayors to retain more of the revenue raised from business rates. The plan is part of wider work on fiscal devolution and would be intended to give regional leaders more control over economic development and public services.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has said regions should benefit from growth generated in their areas, while retaining arrangements to prevent poorer areas being disadvantaged. The proposals could be developed further by the Treasury ahead of the Budget.

Business rates remain a significant source of revenue and have been the subject of long-running debate among councils, high street businesses and hospitality firms. Any reform would be scrutinised for its impact on regional inequality, local budgets and the balance of power between Whitehall and devolved institutions in England.

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The Government is continuing discussions over future defence spending after John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary over the level of funding in the Defence Investment Plan. Dan Jarvis has been appointed to replace him, following confirmation from Downing Street that Healey and Armed Forces Minister Alistair Carns had left the Government.

Reuters reported that ministers are still considering the final spending position ahead of the NATO summit. Jarvis has said the Armed Forces must be properly supported, while the Government has said it must balance defence requirements with wider fiscal pressures.

The resignation has increased pressure on Starmer over national security policy and public spending choices. Opposition parties are expected to continue pressing ministers on whether the final plan will meet the scale of the threats identified in recent defence reviews.

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British armed forces have intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel in an operation involving military personnel and the National Crime Agency. The vessel, identified in reports as the Smyrtos, was boarded near the south coast as part of enforcement action linked to sanctions on Russia.

The Government said the operation was aimed at disrupting attempts to move Russian oil outside the sanctions regime. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the action, saying it was an important step in restricting revenue used to fund Russia’s war.

The National Crime Agency has said an Indian national was arrested on suspicion of sanctions offences. The incident comes amid wider debate in the UK about defence spending, support for Ukraine and the enforcement of sanctions against Russia.

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Labour MP Lauren Edwards is to reintroduce an assisted dying bill to the House of Commons after securing a high place in the private members’ bill ballot. The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults to seek assistance to end their lives, subject to safeguards and approval processes.

A previous version of assisted dying legislation passed the Commons but was blocked in the House of Lords after extensive opposition and amendments. Supporters of the bill have argued that the elected House had expressed a clear view and that Parliament should be given another opportunity to consider the issue.

Opponents of assisted dying have continued to warn about the risks to vulnerable people and the adequacy of proposed safeguards. The return of the bill is likely to renew a major parliamentary debate on end-of-life law, medical ethics and the respective roles of the Commons and the Lords.

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Labour MPs have urged the Government to set targets to increase the number of male teachers in England, arguing that schools should play a larger role in supporting boys and young men. The Labour Men and Boys group has said the issue should form part of a broader response to concerns about harmful online influences and social isolation.

The group has highlighted figures showing that men make up a minority of the teaching workforce, with particularly low representation in primary schools. Supporters of the proposal say that a more balanced workforce could provide more visible role models for pupils and help schools respond to the needs of boys as well as girls.

The Department for Education has said it is considering ways to attract more men into teaching, including financial incentives. The proposal sits alongside calls from Labour MPs and campaign groups for improvements to paternity leave and wider policies focused on fathers, boys and family life.

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Keir Starmer has announced that children under the age of 16 will be banned from using major social media platforms, saying the Government intends to introduce the measure as part of wider online safety reforms. The Prime Minister said the policy was intended to reduce harms linked to online abuse, addictive content and contact from strangers.

The Government said the ban would build on the Online Safety Act and would be brought forward through regulation. Starmer said ministers would look at international examples, including Australia, and argued that age restrictions could still be justified even if some young people attempted to bypass them.

The announcement follows pressure from campaigners, bereaved families and MPs who have called for stronger protections for children online. Opposition parties and campaign groups are expected to scrutinise the details of enforcement, age verification and the responsibilities placed on technology companies.