Category: News Story

STORY

Fishermen, scientists and fisheries managers have met to discuss a sharp increase in octopus numbers off south west England, amid concerns about shellfish stocks and opportunities for a new fishery. Defra hosted the conference on 15 October, bringing together industry representatives, regulators and international experts. According to the department, octopus landed by UK vessels at UK ports has risen from an annual average of around 220 tonnes to more than 3,700 tonnes since 2021.

Fishing representatives reported substantial losses of shellfish to octopus predation, alongside tensions and safety concerns as more boats operate in the same areas. Scientists discussed environmental factors behind the increase, research priorities and possible management measures. Experts also shared experience from Brittany, Spain and Australia.

Defra and the Marine Management Organisation will publish a summary to inform future decisions. Mike Cohen, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said the industry had proposed the conference and described the developing fishery as presenting both threats and opportunities.

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The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to tackle bogus self employment, which ministers say could help around 900,000 people access employment rights. Announced on 14 October, the plans target businesses that classify staff as self employed despite working arrangements that could entitle them to protections such as the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay.

The proposals aim to clarify employment status for businesses and workers, with parcel couriers, delivery drivers, hairdressers and gig economy workers among those potentially affected. Separate measures would introduce protections for genuinely self employed people, including a right to a written statement about individual contracts and wider safeguards against blacklisting.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the proposals would protect basic rights and prevent compliant businesses being undercut. The consultation closes on 8 January 2027, with employers, workers, trade unions and representative organisations invited to respond. It concerns employment rights and does not propose changes to tax status or tax frameworks.

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Elon Musk has said the US Government controls restrictions on SpaceX’s military satellite service after Ukrainian officials reported disruption to drone operations. Writing on X, Musk said limits on the speed or use of Starshield were determined by the US military and ultimately President Donald Trump. He distinguished the system from commercial Starlink, which he said was restricted to civilian or defensive activities.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said military terminals had unexpectedly lost connectivity when travelling above approximately 100mph, disrupting several missions without prior warning. Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps said some connections had dropped for between ten and twenty seconds at lower speeds, making drones harder to control and forcing the cancellation of operations. The restrictions concerned the movement of terminals, rather than the speed of internet downloads.

Ukrainian officials reported that connectivity had subsequently improved, but called for the remaining limits to be removed. The disruption has raised questions about responsibility for restrictions on a service used for battlefield communications and drone operations. Musk’s statement attributed control of Starshield to Washington, but did not establish who authorised the reported changes or why they were introduced.

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Laura Johnson, the former Kensington and Chelsea housing director criticised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, has left her senior role at the Barnet Group following objections from bereaved families and survivors. The organisation confirmed she was no longer employed but declined to explain the circumstances, citing confidentiality. Johnson had been appointed permanently as director of development and property earlier this year.

Johnson was director of housing at Kensington and Chelsea Council when the Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people in June 2017. The inquiry found she had pressed for the refurbishment contract to be retendered because of its cost. The contractor subsequently selected replaced metal cladding with combustible panels. The inquiry also criticised her decision to slow the installation of fire door closing mechanisms for financial and practical reasons, despite fire brigade warnings.

Barnet Council had previously defended her appointment, saying a competitive recruitment process identified her as the strongest candidate. It also credited her contribution to improvements recognised by the social housing regulator. Grenfell survivors and bereaved relatives challenged the decision, arguing that the inquiry’s findings made a senior housing appointment inappropriate. The precise reason for Johnson’s departure has not been disclosed.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he received confirmation of Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum after entering Downing Street. Speaking on The Rest Is Politics podcast, he said he had asked about Moscow’s involvement and received a clear affirmative answer. He argued that publicly acknowledging foreign interference was important because other European democracies faced similar threats.

Burnham did not disclose the evidence behind the assessment or explain how Russia had interfered. His remarks did not establish whether Russian activity changed the referendum result. Russia has consistently denied interfering in foreign elections and referendums, while its embassy had not immediately responded to the latest comments, according to Reuters.

The comments follow longstanding criticism of the British Government’s handling of the issue. Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee concluded in 2020 that ministers had failed to assess fully the potential impact of Russian state media and online accounts on the referendum. Burnham also warned about Russian disinformation in Germany and said he had discussed possible links between Moscow and the Alternative for Germany party with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

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Three men and a teenage boy have received custodial sentences totalling 36 years after being convicted of raping a teenage girl in Bristol. At Bristol Crown Court on 6 October, Mehrab Safi, 21, received 15 years in prison, while Salman Habibkheil, 19, and Awal Ahmadzai, 19, each received nine years’ detention. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, received three years’ detention.

Safi and Habibkheil arranged for the girl to travel to Bristol before the four defendants gave her alcohol and attacked her. Officers found her at Safi’s home after her mother reported her missing. The boy was arrested there, while the three men fled to France before being returned to the UK. All four denied the offences but were convicted following a trial. Safi and Habibkheil were also convicted of arranging travel for exploitation, and Ahmadzai of sexual assault.

In a statement read to the court, the victim described anxiety and withdrawal from everyday life. Judge Cullum said the defendants had deliberately increased her vulnerability with alcohol. Police praised her courage and confirmed that specialist support would remain available.

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The Government has launched a new flood advice website to help households in England check their flood risk and prepare for severe weather. Announced on 12 October to mark the start of Flood Action Week, Flood Action Online brings together guidance on flood warnings, Met Office weather alerts and practical measures to improve the resilience of homes.

The launch accompanies a target to improve flood protection for 200,000 properties through £4.2 billion of investment between April 2026 and March 2029. Funding will support repairs and replacement of existing defences alongside new construction. The Government estimates that the programme will deliver £27.9 billion in economic benefits through avoided damage, and has set a target for 93.5% of flood defence assets to meet their required condition by March 2029.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy urged people to check their risk, prepare a flood plan and follow warnings. The announcement comes as the new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce prepares for its first meeting this week. The Environment Agency said its emergency response resources include 260 mobile pumps, 25 kilometres of temporary barriers and 600 people on call at any one time.

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Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was publicly undermined on Sunday 11 October, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the purported agreement was “news to me”. Trump had declared on Truth Social that the ceasefire would take effect immediately and that both countries had agreed. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would accept a reciprocal halt to energy attacks, but had not been informed of the arrangement.

Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure subsequently continued, according to Ukrainian officials. Zelenskyy reported a strike on a power plant in Kharkiv, and his presidential office confirmed that it occurred after Trump’s announcement. Moscow did not immediately confirm the agreement. The reported attack directly contradicted Trump’s claim that an immediate halt to energy strikes had been secured, leaving his announcement without either clear confirmation from both sides or evidence of Russian compliance.

The episode followed Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and his announcement of a Russian diesel supply deal. Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine would suspend its strikes only if Russia stopped targeting Ukrainian energy facilities. With Kyiv still awaiting details and Russian attacks continuing, Trump’s declaration amounted to an unconfirmed claim of a limited ceasefire, rather than an established peace agreement.

STORY

The Government has announced a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce to improve preparations for extreme weather and give affected communities a greater role in policy development. Its first meeting on 14 October will bring Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy together with representatives from more than 50 organisations, including the Environment Agency, Met Office, fire and rescue services, and farming, water and insurance sectors.

The opening meeting will assess preparedness for winter flooding and lessons from the ongoing drought. Members will contribute to longer term planning, with community groups helping inform policy. The taskforce will complement the National Drought Group, which will retain responsibility for coordinating the operational drought response.

The announcement follows what the Government describes as the third drought in five years. Ministers said at least £10.5 billion had been committed to flood defences in England between 2024 and 2036, including £1.4 billion for construction and repairs in 2026/27. Hardy said the taskforce would support a more coordinated approach to managing water and protecting communities and businesses.

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The Court of Appeal has overturned Christian Bittar’s conviction for conspiracy to defraud, the Serious Fraud Office confirmed on 9 October. Bittar had previously pleaded guilty in a case concerning the EURIBOR benchmark interest rate. The SFO said it had argued for a different outcome but respected the court’s decision.

The ruling follows successful appeals by seven other defendants in LIBOR and EURIBOR cases. The Supreme Court overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo after finding that juries had received incorrect legal directions. On 7 October, the Court of Appeal overturned the convictions of Jonathan Mathew, Jay Merchant, Alex Pabon, Philippe Moryoussef and Colin Bermingham, whose appeals the SFO did not oppose.

The SFO had previously reviewed Bittar’s case and concluded that his conviction was safe. It decided against seeking retrials of Hayes and Palombo, citing public interest considerations including that they had already served prison sentences. Following the latest ruling, SFO Head of Division Jason Williams reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to tackling complex fraud, bribery and corruption.