Category: News Story

STORY

The UK has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with defensive aerial refuelling support following a request from its Government. The request followed an increase in attacks on Saudi territory by Houthi forces based in Yemen.

One RAF Voyager aircraft is expected to be deployed in the coming days. Burnham said the arrangement would operate for a limited period, although the Government would keep the assistance under review.

The Prime Minister described the decision as part of British efforts to support regional stability and protect important trade and energy routes. The UK had previously deployed its Sky Sabre air defence system to Saudi Arabia following missile attacks linked to the wider conflict with Iran.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the Government will argue for the United Kingdom to become a trusted partner in the European Union’s Made in Europe initiative. The scheme is intended to reduce reliance on Chinese components by giving greater priority to products manufactured within Europe.

The Government is concerned that excluding British companies could disrupt supply chains and create additional trade barriers between the UK and EU member states. Burnham said Britain and the EU faced common industrial challenges, particularly in the steel sector.

Burnham has pledged to deepen relations with the EU and said he hoped a postponed UK and EU summit could take place before the end of the year. The Government is seeking access to Made in Europe after negotiations over British participation in the EU’s SAFE defence fund ended without an agreement.

STORY

Public sector borrowing reached £18.3 billion in August, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics. This was £2.9 billion more than in August 2025 and the second highest August total since monthly records began, without adjusting for inflation.

Borrowing during the financial year to August totalled £77.3 billion. Although this was £2.2 billion lower than during the equivalent period last year, it was £8.1 billion above the forecast produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Public sector net debt was provisionally estimated at almost £2.99 trillion at the end of August, equivalent to 93.8 per cent of gross domestic product. The figures add to the financial pressures facing Chancellor John Healey as he prepares for the Budget on 28 October.

STORY

Major American television networks have suspended their participation in the White House television press pool after the Trump administration barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico. ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News said they would no longer provide shared filming of presidential events in protest at the restrictions.

The dispute began when the White House deactivated press credentials belonging to journalists from the three organisations without prior notice. President Donald Trump accused the outlets of producing “fake news”, but the organisations argue that excluding journalists because the administration dislikes their reporting amounts to viewpoint discrimination and represents a serious threat to press freedom.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed legal action alleging that the bans breach protections contained in the First and Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The case raises wider concerns that a Government could determine which organisations are permitted to report from the centre of power according to whether their coverage is favourable, while the decision by rival networks to act collectively demonstrates growing unease about the precedent being established.

STORY

The Liberal Democrats have proposed imposing a levy on large technology and artificial intelligence companies to finance a new Online Crime Agency. The party said the agency would receive £250 million each year to investigate and disrupt criminal activity conducted through digital platforms.

The proposed agency would focus on offences including the distribution of child sexual abuse material, the online sale of drugs and weapons and the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said technology companies should contribute towards tackling crimes facilitated through their services.

The proposal was announced during the Liberal Democrat conference as the party sought to develop a clearer national policy platform. Other measures presented at the conference included a temporary 10p reduction in fuel duty and reduced public transport fares intended to help households with living costs.

STORY

Trade unions, charities, environmental organisations and think tanks have called on the Government to increase the financial capacity of the National Wealth Fund. The coalition wants the fund to become a larger national development bank capable of supporting infrastructure, industry and regional investment.

The National Wealth Fund was established to use public money to attract private investment into major projects, with a target of securing £3 from private investors for every £1 committed by the taxpayer. Supporters of expansion said it could finance building improvements, reduce energy costs and create employment in areas requiring industrial investment.

The groups have also proposed giving the fund greater independence to raise money while remaining consistent with the Government’s fiscal rules. The Treasury said the National Wealth Fund had secured investments worth £3.9 billion and supported the creation of 11,500 jobs.

STORY

A flagship Government apprenticeship programme has recorded 160 starts during its first eight months, according to figures reported as ministers seek to reduce youth unemployment. The Government has set a target of creating 30,000 foundation apprenticeships by the end of the current Parliament.

Foundation apprenticeships are intended to provide young people with entry level training and a route into longer apprenticeships or employment. The figures come as almost one million people aged between 16 and 24 are reported to be outside education, employment or training.

Overall apprenticeship starts in England have increased by approximately 9% to around 308,000, although most of the increase has been among people aged over 25. The Department for Work and Pensions said further investment and incentives were planned, while a Fabian Society report called for regional apprenticeship funds and reforms allowing employers to use levy funding towards wages.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to hold his first formal meeting with United States President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting represents a change in approach for Burnham, who had previously criticised Trump and expressed reluctance to engage with him.

Talks are expected to cover continued military assistance for Ukraine, including the supply of interceptor missiles. The two leaders are also likely to discuss efforts to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following disruption caused by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Burnham said the Government would seek common ground with international partners where it was in the British national interest. The meeting takes place amid disagreements between London and Washington over trade restrictions affecting Israeli settlements, regulation of American technology companies and the future of North Sea energy production.

STORY

Michael Marra has been elected as the new leader of Scottish Labour, defeating Joe Fagan by 4,266 votes to 2,485. The contest had a turnout of 49.44%, with Marra securing approximately 63% of the votes cast.

Marra succeeds Anas Sarwar following Scottish Labour’s poor performance in the May Holyrood election, when the party returned 17 MSPs. The new leader said the party needed to reconnect with working class voters and broaden its appeal beyond its existing electoral base.

The North East Scotland MSP has also backed the proposed Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas developments, arguing that jobs and the Scottish economy must form part of energy policy. He is expected to seek a close working relationship with Prime Minister Andy Burnham while rebuilding the party before the 2027 council elections.

STORY

Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has been appointed UK senior vice president of Palantir, the American data analytics and artificial intelligence company. Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, who had worked as a paid adviser to the business since 2024, has taken leave from the House of Lords while assuming the executive role.

Palantir has become a significant supplier to the British public sector. Its contracts include the NHS Federated Data Platform, worth up to £330 million, and work for the Ministry of Defence reportedly worth about £240 million. The company’s expanding involvement in public services has prompted political debate about data protection, procurement and dependence on overseas technology suppliers.

Watson said his new position would continue his work helping Governments use technology to modernise public services, adding that he wanted public contracts to support British employment. Transparency campaigners have raised concerns about the movement of former politicians into companies holding major Government contracts, although there is no suggestion that Watson has breached parliamentary rules.