Category: News Story

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to cross party talks on the future of social care in England. The Government is considering how to fund and organise long term support for older and disabled people.

Burnham indicated that ministers would speak to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in an effort to establish a more durable settlement. No final funding model has been announced.

The Government has said any changes will need to address pressure on families, councils and the NHS. Further proposals are expected after discussions with political parties and organisations in the care sector.

STORY

The UK Government has announced support for residents of 97 homes evacuated in Coalsnaughton after ground movement was linked to historic coal mining. The Mining Remediation Authority will take over management of the response.

The authority said investigations had found continuing signs of movement and that monitoring would remain in place until the ground was stable. Residents will be contacted directly about financial and practical assistance.

Under existing legislation, the Government is responsible for remedying damage caused by coal mining subsidence. The local council and Scottish Government will continue to assist with the response.

STORY

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Governor to the World Bank. The Government said the appointment would give him direct responsibility for Britain’s engagement on international development and climate finance.

Kirsty McNeill has also been appointed Minister for Development and will oversee day to day policy delivery. International development will remain within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Government said it would continue to use its World Bank role to support economic development, poverty reduction and international action on climate and nature.

STORY

The European Union is keeping firefighting aircraft and personnel in reserve as France and Spain continue to tackle major wildfires. Tens of thousands of hectares have been affected during a period of extreme heat and dry weather.

Aircraft and helicopters from the EU civil protection mechanism have already been deployed to support national services. Additional planes, helicopters and firefighters remain available if further requests are made.

The EU is planning to establish a permanent firefighting fleet by 2028. Member states are also discussing additional climate resilience funding in the next long term EU budget.

STORY

Fourteen year olds in England are to receive earlier access to technical education, work experience and links with employers under changes announced by the Government. Ministers said the reforms would give vocational and academic routes equal status.

Schools, colleges, mayors and employers will be expected to work together to create clearer routes into skilled employment in their areas. The Government said courses would be connected more closely to local labour market needs.

Ofsted will also change how it assesses technical education and preparation for work. Further details of the curriculum and implementation timetable are expected from the Department for Education.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the first international leader to visit the UK since Burnham entered Downing Street. The Government said the meeting reaffirmed Britain’s continuing support for Ukraine.

The leaders reviewed military cooperation, including the Stone Cloak electronic jammer developed through UK Ukrainian collaboration. The equipment is designed to make it harder for Russian air defence systems to track drones.

They also met Ukrainian military personnel taking part in Exercise Sea Breeze in the UK. The Government said Britain would continue providing £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine.

STORY

The European Commission has published new guidance to help manufacturers, software developers and other businesses comply with the EU Cyber Resilience Act. The legislation introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products containing digital elements.

The guidance explains which products are covered, what counts as a substantial modification and how businesses should approach risk assessments, security support periods and incident reporting.

The Commission said the document includes practical examples and specific information for small and medium sized businesses. Companies are being encouraged to prepare before the Act’s main obligations become mandatory.

STORY

The Government has confirmed plans to replace the existing council structure in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay with four unitary authorities, subject to Parliamentary approval. The decision follows a consultation on competing proposals for local government reorganisation.

The selected proposal was submitted by Exeter City Council and Plymouth City Council. Ministers said the new structure would better align local government with the area’s economy and public services.

The change forms part of a wider programme to remove two tier local government in a number of English counties. Detailed transition arrangements and the boundaries of the new authorities will now be developed.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out changes to stamp duty at the Government’s next Budget, despite calls from some economists for the tax to be reformed or abolished. He said the Government would instead concentrate on making the wider tax system fairer.

Stamp duty raised £16.6 billion in the most recent financial year. Critics of the tax argue that it can discourage people from moving home and reduce mobility in the labour market.

Burnham said there could be modest tax increases to meet spending pressures, including costs linked to an ageing population and higher defence expenditure. Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out increases to income tax, National Insurance and VAT.

STORY

The Environment Agency has begun criminal proceedings against Southern Water Services Limited and seven former employees following a long-running investigation. Four former employees, including former chief executive Matthew Wright, face a charge of conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and water regulator Ofwat.

It is alleged that between January 2012 and December 2017 the defendants implemented artificial “no-flow” events at wastewater treatment works operated by Southern Water. The Environment Agency claims this was intended to manipulate the Operator Self-Monitoring compliance regime, under which water companies take samples and report the results to the regulator. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.

Southern Water will separately face charges relating to alleged breaches of environmental permits connected with the same conduct, while three additional former employees face charges linked to failures to comply with permits. The proceedings will continue at Medway Magistrates’ Court after the Administrative Court confirmed the Environment Agency’s power to bring the prosecution. All charges remain allegations and the proceedings are ongoing.