Category: News Story

STORY

The Government has rejected a Green Party proposal to pause the construction of most large artificial intelligence data centres, warning that the move would damage investment, employment and national security. Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a moratorium on major developments, arguing that data centres consume substantial quantities of energy and water while placing pressure on communities and the environment.

Polanski criticised the decision to classify data centres as critical national infrastructure, saying the Government was putting the interests of technology companies ahead of water security and its climate commitments. Electricity consumption by data centres is currently estimated at around 2.5 per cent of the UK’s supply, with forecasts suggesting that demand could increase fourfold by 2030.

The Government said stopping construction would send investment and jobs overseas while leaving Britain dependent on other countries to process sensitive health and defence information. A spokesperson added that critical infrastructure status does not give data centres priority access to water or electricity and said developers would be expected to use water responsibly, prioritise clean energy and invest in local communities.

STORY

An estimated 981,000 people aged between 16 and 24 were not in education, employment or training in the UK between April and June 2026. The Office for National Statistics said the total had increased by 30,000 compared with the same period in 2025, although it was 30,000 lower than during the first three months of 2026.

Young people classified as not in education, employment or training represented 13% of the relevant age group, up by 0.2 percentage points over the year. Of the total, approximately 393,000 were unemployed and actively seeking work, while 588,000 were economically inactive. The ONS advised caution when interpreting short term changes because the estimates come from the Labour Force Survey and can be affected by sampling variability.

The British Chambers of Commerce described the figures as a reminder of the scale of the challenge facing the UK. It welcomed the Government’s Jobs Guarantee but argued that higher employer National Insurance contributions, increases in the National Living Wage and the Employment Rights Act had made recruiting young people more difficult. The organisation called for the forthcoming report led by Alan Milburn to recognise both the contribution businesses could make and the financial pressures facing employers.

STORY

Joseph Gibson has been jailed after admitting that he created false identities and used a series of lies to defraud four people of almost £68,000. The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to three years and two months in prison.

Gibson portrayed himself variously as a millionaire businessman, entrepreneur, military veteran, doctor, air ambulance pilot and cancer patient. He showed his victims pictures of houses, cars and boats he falsely claimed to own and even signed agreements to purchase a mansion, a sports car and a yacht valued at almost £6 million. Police found that he owned none of the assets and had no apparent regular legitimate income.

The victims included a businesswoman who paid Gibson for stock which never arrived, a woman he met through Tinder who transferred more than £30,000 and a retired yacht captain who handed over £25,300 from his savings. Avon and Somerset Police said Gibson had left his victims with substantial debts and lasting emotional harm. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is due to take place in March 2027.

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Police recorded 2,561 racist incidents and 1,615 race hate crimes in Northern Ireland during the 12 months ending 30 June 2026. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said both were the highest totals recorded since its comparable figures began in 2004.

The figures represent an increase of 503 racist incidents and 268 race hate crimes compared with the preceding 12 months. June 2026 produced a record monthly total of 512 racist incidents, during a period which included several days of racist violence, attacks and intimidation. Incidents and crimes are reported separately because not every incident recorded by the police is subsequently classified as a criminal offence.

Amnesty International said eight of the ten highest monthly totals for racist incidents since 2004 occurred during the latest reporting period. The organisation called upon the Northern Ireland Executive to introduce a comprehensive anti-racism strategy and reform hate crime legislation. These are Amnesty’s policy demands, while the figures themselves relate to matters reported to and recorded by the police and do not necessarily represent every racist incident which occurred.

STORY

Two men have been charged after a shop worker suffered a serious facial injury at a convenience store in Liverpool city centre. Merseyside Police were called to the Spar on London Road at approximately 9.40am on Wednesday 26 August following reports of an assault and suspected shop theft.

Police said two men had entered the shop together and one was reportedly seen placing chocolate bars beneath his shirt. When a member of staff challenged him as he attempted to leave, the second man allegedly became aggressive and punched the employee in the face. The injured worker required hospital treatment.

Blake Potbury, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm under Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act. Paul John Raywood, 45, also of no fixed address, has been charged with theft from a shop. Both were remanded in custody for court appearances, with Potbury due to appear again on 24 September. The allegations have not yet been determined by a court.

STORY

A whisky investment company has been wound up after customers paid almost £100,000 for casks that many of them did not legally own. Cask Spirits Global Limited was closed by the High Court in London on 25 August following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Investigators identified 17 customers who had paid the company a combined £97,249, but found that only four possessed valid ownership documentation. Some customers received certificates for casks that did not exist, while other casks were registered to the company or supposedly held at warehouses which had no connection with it. One investor was reportedly promised returns of between 120% and 150%.

The company attracted customers through social media advertising and cold calls, using what the Insolvency Service described as high pressure sales techniques. It also traded as “Cask Spirits Ltd”, although no company with that name was registered at Companies House, and failed to provide 27 of the 29 accounting documents requested by investigators. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator, while the Insolvency Service said the full extent of customers’ losses could be higher than the amount currently identified.

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King Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89 after a reign lasting more than 35 years. The Norwegian Royal Palace said the King died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6.35am local time on Friday 28 August, where he had been receiving treatment after developing haemolytic anaemia and a bacterial blood infection.

Harald became King in 1991 and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. His reign was associated with the modernisation of Norway’s monarchy, support for greater tolerance and his response to national tragedies, particularly the terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya in 2011. A keen sailor, he also represented Norway at three Olympic Games before becoming King.

His son succeeded him immediately as King Haakon VIII under Norway’s constitutional arrangements. Several days of national mourning are expected before Harald’s funeral at Oslo Cathedral, after which he will be buried in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress. Norway does not hold coronations, although the new King will attend an extraordinary Council of State and later swear an oath before the Storting.

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Confidence among British businesses increased to its highest level since March during August, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer. The survey’s headline confidence measure rose by four percentage points to 53%, above its average of 47% over the preceding year.

Companies reported greater optimism about both their own prospects and the wider economy, with economic confidence rising by seven points. Lloyds said stronger customer demand and signs of economic resilience had encouraged more businesses to move from managing immediate costs towards considering investment and growth.

The findings are based upon a monthly survey of 1,200 businesses and measure sentiment rather than completed investment or economic output. Continued uncertainty surrounding international energy prices and the Government’s first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham could still affect confidence during the autumn.

STORY

Norwich Airport has closed to all air traffic for 24 hours after air traffic control staff began strike action on Friday 28 August. The airport confirmed that no flights would arrive or depart during the closure, affecting passengers travelling at the beginning of the bank holiday weekend.

The action is being taken by members of the Prospect union in a dispute concerning pay, terms and conditions. Prospect said an improved offer from the airport had been put to members but was rejected by a substantial margin. Earlier industrial action had already caused disruption, including a five hour closure on 21 August.

Passengers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for alternative arrangements before travelling to the airport. The airport apologised for the disruption and said it remained committed to reaching an agreement through further discussions with the union.

STORY

Derby builder Michael Haslam has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting fraudulent trading that caused losses of approximately £210,000 to seven customers. Haslam, of Littleover, operated M&J Builders Limited while knowing that the company was insolvent, accepting advance payments for building projects between November 2020 and 2022.

Customers were left with unfinished and potentially dangerous homes, including inadequate structural steelwork, exposed sewage and properties without running water. One customer paid more than £150,000 but received work valued at only £40,000, while another family was warned that its incomplete extension might have to be demolished. Insolvency Service investigators also found substantial cash withdrawals, online purchases and payments to Haslam’s relatives.

Haslam pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent trading in May and was originally sentenced at Derby Crown Court to 28 months in prison. On 26 August, the Court of Appeal suspended that sentence for two years and imposed a rehabilitation requirement and 160 hours of unpaid work. He remains disqualified from acting as a company director for 15 years.