STORY
Peter Mandelson has formally notified the House of Lords of his resignation from the chamber following serious allegations of personal misconduct, potential manipulation of financial markets and leaking privileged information. The seriousness of the allegations led to Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, saying he must be removed from the Lords and the police have confirmed an investigation into potential criminal behaviour.
STORY
Millions of households across the country are set to benefit from the most significant modernisation of the veterinary sector in over sixty years. The Government has announced a sweeping set of reforms designed to lower costs, increase transparency and give pet owners greater confidence in the care their animals receive.
These proposals come as a direct response to a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation which revealed that vet fees have been rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation. The watchdog estimated that these market inefficiencies could be costing British pet owners as much as £1 billion over a five-year period. With sixty per cent of practices now owned by large corporate chains rather than independent vets, the Government is moving to ensure that the commercial side of the industry does not compromise fair pricing or consumer choice.
The new measures aim to remove what is increasingly an opaque nature of veterinary billing and ownership through several key changes. Practices will be required to publish clear price lists for common treatments, allowing owners to compare costs and find the best value before committing to care. Additionally, vet businesses must disclose who owns them, making it clear whether a local surgery is independent or part of a larger corporate network. For the first time, every veterinary practice will require an official operating licence, similar to the regulations governing GP surgeries and care homes.
Beyond consumer protection, the reforms seek to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which has remained largely unchanged since 1966. Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman noted that while pets are cherished members of the family, the regulatory framework must keep pace with modern commercial realities. The plans include better legal recognition for veterinary nurses and a modernised disciplinary process that focuses on current competence, ensuring a more resilient workforce. The government has launched an eight-week public consultation on these proposals, which is set to run until 25 March 2026.
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.
Clearer pricing will help pet owners compare costs and shop around, saving families money.
Millions of pet owners and vet professionals across the country will benefit from major reforms to the veterinary sector – the first overhaul in sixty years.
The reforms help households understand what they are paying for, avoid unexpected costs and choose the best value care for their pets.
They come after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found problems in the veterinary market could be costing households up to £1 billion over five years. The CMA found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation – which is why this government is taking action.
The proposals will make the system clearer, fairer and more transparent for owners – while supporting veterinary professionals alike.
“Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive.
“We’re focused on making vet services work better for families by improving transparency, increasing choice and helping people make informed decisions, while continuing to support the professionals who care for our animals.”
“Updating these rules will help build a modern veterinary service that is easier for the public to understand and navigate, while strengthening animal health outcomes and supporting a skilled, resilient workforce.
“Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient profession. This consultation gives pet owners and professionals the chance to help shape a system that works better for everyone.”
“Veterinary teams play a vital role in society, from caring for the nation’s animals and supporting our farmers and food production, through to assisting international trade, disease control and public health. If we’re to continue delivering this work effectively, we need reformed veterinary legislation, and those changes will impact how we go about all aspects of our work; it’s therefore imperative that colleagues engage with Defra’s proposals, ensure their voices are heard and grasp this opportunity to shape a veterinary sector that’s fit for the 21st century.”
“We welcome the government’s consultation to update this vital regulation and protect pet owners. Our vets investigation is ongoing, but we have already set out our strong concern that the current rules are not fit for purpose and need reforming to keep pace with commercial practice and further build pet owner trust in veterinary businesses.”
60% of vet practices are owned by non-vets, with many operating under unclear ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licencing system requiring businesses to meet clear standards – with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail to do so.
A modern disciplinary process will accompany the reforms, with a wider range of sanctions to ensure customer concerns are properly addressed and support veterinary professionals to safely carry out their roles. This will work to improve care whilst reducing punitive outcomes and will benefit both owners and professionals alike.
Veterinary professionals are essential to the UK’s high animal health and welfare standards. These reforms strengthen professional recognition, modernise outdated regulation and help safeguard the profession’s ability to continue to protect the UK from the threats to disease and food security.
This announcement follows the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy, and is part of this Government’s ambitious reforms to animal welfare – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK.
The consultation will run for 8 weeks.
“For years, Which? has been exposing unclear pricing and poor practice in the vet industry so it’s good to see the government taking steps to modernise the sector and ensure it treats pet owners fairly.
“The current regulation is decades out of date and oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, is urgently needed. The government needs to ensure that its new licensing system has the right sanctions in place for businesses which break the rules.
“The government must ensure these changes are introduced as soon as possible to restore consumer confidence in the sector. As part of these reforms, it should also legislate to establish a mandatory Ombudsman scheme with the power to make binding judgements about customer complaints and take action against any vets or vet practices falling short.”
“We’re delighted to see the launch of this consultation and are very grateful to Defra’s veterinary policy team, and all stakeholders, for the hard work and close collaboration over the last year to get us to this point. This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all of us to help shape the future of the veterinary professions and animal healthcare industry, and to introduce a modern regulatory framework that’s fit for purpose in the 21st century. At nearly 60 years old, the Veterinary Surgeons Act is in urgent need of reform – it’s time for change.”
“At BVNA we are delighted that this consultation is now underway, representing an important step towards a potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. BVNA has welcomed the opportunity to represent the veterinary nursing profession throughout the entirety of the sprint process, which has demonstrated meaningful and effective collaboration between each of our respective organisations. We thank the team at Defra for their sustained efforts in arriving at this stage, and we look forward to continuing to work together towards legislation which truly reflects the veterinary landscape of today and the future.”
“This is really positive news for the veterinary profession, pet owners and animal welfare.
“We know costs are a real concern for pet owners – and our Animal Kindness Index found more than half (52%) are worried about how to afford vet bills. That’s why clearer pricing is such an important step forward – bringing greater transparency to the sector, and helping current and future pet owners understand the potential financial implications of responsible pet ownership.
“These reforms can equip pet owners with knowledge and confidence to deal with health and welfare concerns their pets may have promptly – protecting animals and ensuring many welfare issues do not escalate.
“But we know these have been tough times for the veterinary profession too – so moves to modernise governance, legally recognise hardworking veterinary nurses, and provide better oversight are critical to a sector that does such vital work in communities across the country.
“We now look forward to working with the UK Government, and the veterinary profession, to help inform and contribute towards these vital reforms, and keep building a better world for every kind.”
“We were delighted to welcome Baroness Hayman to our Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London. We spoke with her about the work our veterinary team do, treating pets whose owners are amongst the most vulnerable in society and struggle with the cost of private vet fees.
“We highlighted the pressures on the sector and welcomed Defra’s review of the outdated Veterinary Service Act and recognition of the vital role veterinary nurses play.”
“Dogs Trust welcomes the decision to consult on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which the professions have been long calling for. We work closely with the veterinary professions and rely on their support so we particularly welcome the announcement to review the regulations governing RVNs and other allied professions.
“We recognise that clear information, transparent pricing and high professional standards are essential to protecting animal welfare. Pets are family members, and owners need confidence that they can make informed decisions about their care. Improving owner satisfaction while supporting veterinary professionals would be a positive step towards a system that works better for both animals and the people who care for them.”
![PRESS RELEASE : We welcome the continued commitment of this Council to the Hodeidah and Stockholm Agreements – UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council [January 2026]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/newfco-150x150.png)
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNMHA.
We welcome the Council’s extension of UNMHA’s mandate for a final two-month period until 31 March 2026.
We look forward to the UN’s orderly and sustainable transition of UNMHA’s responsibilities and residual functions to the Office of the Special Envoy and we welcome the continued commitment of this Council to the Hodeidah and Stockholm Agreements.
I want to thank those UNMHA officials who have worked tirelessly as since 2019, especially in the face of continued Houthi restrictions which inhibited the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
The safety of UN personnel across Yemen remains of the upmost importance.
Once again, the UK condemns arbitrary detentions by the Houthis, and we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
The UK remains steadfast in our support for the Special Envoy in fostering an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices.
STORY
The reputation of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, has come into the spotlight again today following the release of more documents from the Epstein Files. The disgraced Royal was stripped of his titles last year following his personal conduct.
The new files, released as part of a massive final tranche under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, include a series of emails from September 2010. In one exchange, Mountbatten-Windsor responded to Epstein’s request for “private time” by offering a sanctuary in Buckingham Palace. He reportedly told the disgraced financier he would be “delighted” for him to visit, even offering to meet a 26-year-old Russian woman whom Epstein described as “trustworthy.”
The BBC stated today that Mountbatten-Windsor has yet to respond to the latest allegations.
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.
Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution.
New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) will help to improve water quality, reduce pollution in our rivers and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably.
41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, and they will get stronger protection under new proposals to increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading.
A consultation launched today proposes tighter controls on spreading sewage sludge on farmland, including options to bring it under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to better protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants.
At the same time, existing agricultural water rules will be simplified, cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules.
The measures form an important part of delivering the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, reducing ammonia emissions from farming, and the Water White Paper – a major overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed.
Water Minister Emma Hardy and Farming Minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable with key farming, water and environmental stakeholders today as part of the government’s plan to transform Britain’s water system.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
By setting clearer guidelines and providing better support, we’re making it simpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our environment.
Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency Director, Nature and Place, said:
We support government’s plans to strengthen the regulation of sludge use, with our preferred option being to move it into Environmental Permitting Regulations. Our aim is to ensure that sewage sludge can be recycled to agricultural land in a safe and sustainable way.
These proposed changes will reduce risks to human health and tighten environmental protections. We will continue to work closely with the water industry, farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.
The Government’s approach to working with the farming sector on water pollution is focused on advice and partnership. Already funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has been introduced, enabling at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029.
This simplified, clearer regulatory approach will sit alongside support through Environmental Land Management schemes, the Catchment Sensitive Farming advice programme and targeted infrastructure grants, helping farm businesses reduce pollution, protect water and strengthen their long‑term resilience.
The changes build on last summer’s ministerial roundtable, where the government established the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.
![PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden [January 2026]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/downingstreet-150x150.png)
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 January 2026.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson this afternoon.
The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Kristersson for Sweden’s strong and consistent support for Ukraine and highlighted the need to collectively go further to support their resilience, energy security, and air defence.
They underlined the importance of ensuring Ukraine has the long‑term security assurances and continued international support it needs to secure a just and lasting peace.
The leaders then reflected on the strength of the wider UK-Sweden defence relationship. They agreed on the need to step up security in the High North and across Europe to deter threats posed by adversaries such as Russia.
They agreed to speak again soon.
![PRESS RELEASE : Prisoners turn new page with launch of Reading Laureate [January 2026]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gemini_Generated_Image_fnxmipfnxmipfnxm-150x150.png)
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 January 2026.
Prisoners are being given the chance to start a new chapter away from crime with the launch of the first ever Prison Reading Laureate.
Author Lee Child best known for the Jack Reacher book series will be the inaugural holder of the role, created to champion the importance of literacy skills in helping prevent prisoners from reoffending.
It comes as data shows more than two-thirds of prisoners enter prison with reading levels below GCSE standard – many at primary school level. This can create major barriers to living crime-free lives, such as being unable to secure a job on release.
The creation of the laureate builds on Government action to ensure prisons deliver punishment that cuts crime and produce better citizens, and not criminals – helping to make our streets safer.
Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, said:
We know the crucial role education, including learning key skills like reading, can play in helping offenders turn their lives around.
I would like to thank Lee Child for the inspiring work he continues to do in our prisons. The Prison Reading Laureate will be a powerful influence, boosting our efforts to break the cycle of reoffending and create safer streets.
Author Lee Child said:
This isn’t about being soft on crime, it’s about being smart. Improving literacy is an evidence-based, practical approach that works. When people leave prison better equipped to read and learn, they’re less likely to reoffend. That makes communities safer for everyone.
Today’s announcement forms part of the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign Department of Education and the National Literacy Trust to help millions of families, children and communities benefit from the power of reading.
Each year the chosen laureate will bring their own passion and experience to the role, with the freedom to promote specific areas such as supporting children of prisoners, creative writing, or post-release employment in publishing.
Mr Child will initially focus on the expansion of his successful literacy pilot programme which has been running in a number of prisons since 2025 in partnership with MP Paul Davies. It will include bringing in more authors to work with prisons across the country and promoting the benefits of reading to rehabilitation.
Background
Key delivery partners for prison literacy include:
![PRESS RELEASE : Major milestone for HS2 as tunnelling to Euston starts [January 2026]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/transportlogo-150x150.png)
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 January 2026.
Taking the HS2 railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to create more jobs, more homes and to boost the British economy.
High Speed Two’s (HS2’s) journey into central London is a stop closer today (27 January 2026), after a huge tunnel boring machine started its passage from Old Oak Common in the capital’s west, to Euston station, marking a key milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver the new, high-speed rail line to the city centre.
Taking HS2 to Euston is essential to unlocking the project’s full economic potential, with estimates from Camden Council suggesting a mix of new homes and commercial development at Euston could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053 and support 34,000 new jobs. Today’s tunnelling in Old Oak Common is part of wider progress on HS2 and follows the completion of 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges and 2 viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, and the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, visited Old Oak Common station alongside the Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, and Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner, Andy Lord, to switch on the 1,624-tonne tunnel boring machine, which will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel between the 2 stations.
The machine works by both excavating and constructing the tunnel as it goes, slotting concrete segments into place to build the structure through which HS2’s trains will travel. It is the first of 2 tunnel boring machines that will construct the 2 parallel tunnels to Euston and is named ‘Madeleine’ after the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society, Madeleine Nobbs.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
It was brilliant to switch on the tunnel boring machine at Old Oak Common today – not just because it’s an engineering marvel – but because it brings HS2’s journey to Euston another step closer to reality.
We’re putting HS2 back on track, and taking the railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to deliver more jobs, more homes and a long-term boost to the whole British economy.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said:
There’s nothing boring about tunnel boring. Today’s launch was a brilliant moment for the UK’s railways, building on 6 major rail tunnel and road milestones completed ahead of schedule last year.
We’re boosting the links between our big cities across the country to create more opportunities for people to trade, meet and socialise with each other, turning the corner on years of decline.
HS2 Ltd CEO, Mark Wild, said:
On my first day at HS2, I unveiled the Euston TBMs as they were being prepared to build the Euston Tunnel. Just over a year on, we’re beginning to excavate the tunnel – a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth.
Over the past 12 months, I have been leading a comprehensive reset across HS2 to get it back on track and I am confident that we’re on the right path to delivering HS2 safely and efficiently. The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers.
With over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway, HS2 is estimated to add £10 billion to the west London economy over the next decade, including 22,000 more homes and almost 19,000 new jobs. Once complete, HS2 will mean faster, better train travel for passengers between London and Birmingham and beyond.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:
Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards bringing high-speed services into Euston, unlocking faster journeys and delivering greater connectivity, as well as supporting growth in jobs and homes in the heart of the capital.
At TfL, we’re working closely with our partners to ensure the best possible experience for customers interchanging between London Underground, London Buses, HS2 and National Rail services at Euston.
Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, said:
Today is an important and exciting milestone for HS2 as this much-needed new high-speed rail line into central London gets another step closer to completion.
It will boost the UK economy by £41 billion and support 34,000 new jobs, while delivering 22,000 more homes for Londoners over the next decade.
The mayor and I will continue working closely with government and partners to unlock the full economic potential of our transport network as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.
Today’s milestone comes as HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Wild leads a comprehensive reset of HS2 to ensure the new railway is delivered safely between London and Birmingham at the lowest reasonable cost. Despite HS2’s challenges, the project supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by creating jobs, homes, and unlocking much-needed rail capacity, with over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway.
The delivery of the government’s plans for Euston will be taken forward by a new body, the Euston Delivery Company. Once established, the company will lead delivery of an affordable and integrated transport hub – including the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and upgrades to the London Underground station – along with commercial development across the Euston campus.
More broadly, the government is delivering landmark legislation to overhaul the railway and bring it together under Great British Railways, a new body which will be owned by the public and deliver for the public. The government is also making fares cheaper through the first fare freeze in 30 years, which is putting money back in millions of passengers’ pockets and easing the cost of living for hard-working people.
Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski, said:
Euston holds a once-in-a-century opportunity to boost the national economy, build much-needed affordable homes, and create new jobs for people in Camden and beyond.
The start of tunnelling brings us a step closer to that future, adding new momentum and even-greater confidence in Euston’s potential to be a driver of national growth.
In Camden, we stand ready to lead the next chapter of Euston’s vibrant history through a new, locally led development corporation – working with the GLA and government to make Euston a place that delivers for the country, the capital and our communities.
Richard Adams, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said:
We are delighted to be commencing our final TBM drives to build the 2 4.5-mile tunnels to Euston. During this work, our TBMs will remove over 1.5 million tonnes of excavated material and place more than 8,000 pre-cast rings, built in a dedicated facility in Hartlepool.
Our tunnel segments and excavated material will all be transported by rail and managed through our state of the art logistics hub. This will remove over 70,000 lorry journeys from the local road network, emphasising our commitment to being a good neighbour and greener construction.
SCS JV has already driven 8.4 miles of twin-bore tunnels under London, from West Ruislip to Old Oak Common and our expert teams on site will work 24/7 to deliver these final HS2 tunnel drives with the highest levels of safety and productivity.
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2026.
Delivered at Oman’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Vice President,
The UK recognises Oman’s progress on human rights issues since its last review, particularly efforts to combat human trafficking, including through the introduction of a new Anti-Trafficking Law. We also welcome Oman’s accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
However, we encourage continued action to ensure full equality for women and girls in law and in practice, in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
We urge Oman to continue enhancing the rights and protections afforded to migrant workers within its national legal framework.
We recommend Oman:
Thank you.