Category: News Story

STORY

The Great Vegan Gathering, a new vegan festival due to take place over the August bank holiday weekend at Gilwell Park in north east London, has been cancelled after the Scout Association withdrew the venue booking. Festival organisers confirmed the cancellation in a statement, saying they were “devastated” and that the event would instead be rescheduled for 2027.

The Scouts’ decision followed concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel about some performers on the festival’s programme. The organisation alleged that material associated with certain acts promoted antisemitic messages and support for violence against Israelis. After receiving those concerns, the Scout Association confirmed that the event would no longer be taking place at Gilwell Park.

Organisers said they were disappointed by the cancellation and thanked supporters for their backing, adding that they intended to return with the festival in 2027. Ticketing information has since been updated to show the 2026 event as cancelled, while the festival’s website states simply that it “will be back”.

STORY

Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders of three young girls in Southport in July 2024, has been charged with a series of further offences alleged to have taken place while he was held at HMP Belmarsh. The Metropolitan Police said the new charges relate to alleged assaults on prison staff and the possession of an offensive weapon in prison.

The new charges comprise two counts of assault on an emergency worker, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm and one count of unauthorised possession of an offensive weapon in prison. Police said the alleged incidents took place on four separate dates during 2025. Rudakubana was charged on 28 July and is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court by video link on 11 September.

Rudakubana was convicted over the Southport attack, in which three young girls were murdered and several other children and adults were injured. The latest charges are separate from those offences and concern his alleged conduct while in custody.

STORY

Diane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour Party and restored to the parliamentary Labour Party following the conclusion of an independent disciplinary process. Abbott had been suspended after renewed controversy over comments relating to racism and antisemitism, having previously faced disciplinary action over remarks that distinguished racism experienced by Black people from prejudice experienced by Jewish people, Irish people and Travellers.

Abbott was first suspended in 2023 after a letter in which she suggested Jewish people, Irish people and Travellers experienced prejudice rather than racism. She withdrew the comments and apologised. She was later suspended again in 2025 after stating in a BBC interview that she did not regret the substance of those remarks, prompting a fresh investigation by Labour. During the disciplinary process she also apologised for conflating the Israeli Defence Forces with the Jewish community in a separate social media post and completed antisemitism awareness training.

Labour said Abbott’s readmission followed the recommendation of its independent disciplinary board and stressed that the decision had been made under the party’s established procedures. Abbott said she remained committed to opposing racism in all its forms. The Jewish Leadership Council criticised the decision, questioning whether it was consistent with Labour’s stated zero tolerance approach to antisemitism.

STORY

The Prime Minister has held a telephone conversation with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, covering economic cooperation and the conflict in the Middle East. The discussion included Oman’s Al Batinah North Growth Hub, which was inspired by the Manchester Growth Hub model.

The leaders also discussed threats posed by Iran and Oman’s diplomatic work in the region. The Prime Minister praised the Sultan’s efforts to support negotiations and reduce tensions.

Downing Street said both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining close relations and continuing dialogue. The published readout did not announce any new bilateral agreement or change in United Kingdom policy.

STORY

The Prime Minister has spoken to Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, about the continuing conflict in the Middle East. During the call, the Prime Minister condemned Iranian attacks on Bahrain and offered continuing United Kingdom support.

The two leaders discussed the regional security situation and the relationship between their countries. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to the UK-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement.

Downing Street said the call formed part of the Government’s continuing diplomatic contacts with states affected by the conflict. No new military or financial commitment was announced in the published account of the discussion.

STORY

The Government has announced new technical education pathways intended to give pupils from the age of 14 earlier access to practical skills, work experience and links with local employers. The Prime Minister said the reforms would place greater value on vocational and technical achievement.

The pathways are expected to involve schools, colleges and businesses, with courses connected to employment sectors and local skills needs. Ministers said the programme would provide an alternative route alongside traditional academic study without closing off later education options.

Further information will be published on participating institutions, qualifications and the timetable for rollout. The Department for Education will work with employers and education providers on the detailed design of the new routes.

STORY

The Local Government Association has welcomed the Government’s announcement of new fiscal and spending powers for mayors. The organisation said greater financial devolution could give local areas more control over investment and public services.

LGA chair Councillor Eamonn O’Brien described the announcement as a positive step towards the greater fiscal devolution sought by councils. The association said locally controlled funding can allow decisions to reflect regional economic conditions and community priorities.

The LGA said it would examine the detailed arrangements, including how revenues are calculated and how non-mayoral areas are treated. It also called for councils and combined authorities to be involved in designing the new system.

STORY

Seven areas of England have been formally placed in drought status after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures. The Environment Agency said the declarations mean that half of England is now officially experiencing drought conditions.

Officials reported pressure on river flows, reservoirs, agriculture and the natural environment, alongside an increasing risk of wildfires. Water companies and regulators are monitoring supplies and may introduce additional measures where local conditions require them.

The Government urged households and businesses to use water carefully while drought plans are implemented. The Environment Agency said it would continue to assess rainfall, groundwater and reservoir levels before deciding whether further areas should be added.

STORY

The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on seven people and three organisations over serious human rights violations connected with scam centres in Southeast Asia. The measures were adopted under the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime.

The Council said the listed individuals and entities were associated with centres in which trafficked people were forced to carry out online fraud. The sanctions include asset freezes and restrictions on making funds or economic resources available to those listed.

The measures also include travel restrictions for the named individuals. The Council said the decision formed part of the EU’s response to human trafficking, forced labour and organised online fraud operations.

STORY

The Government has delayed its decision on local government reorganisation in West Sussex, with a final announcement now expected in October 2026. Councils had previously expected ministers to decide between the locally submitted options during July.

West Sussex County Council said the Government had chosen to consult further on a modified version of a two unitary authority proposal. The change means local authorities will continue preparing for reorganisation while awaiting confirmation of the boundaries and structure that ministers intend to adopt.

The overall timetable is currently unchanged. Elections to shadow unitary authorities are expected in May 2027, with the new councils due to begin operating formally in April 2028.