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  • NEWS STORY : Former SNP Chief Executive Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party Funds

    NEWS STORY : Former SNP Chief Executive Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party Funds

    STORY

    Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a period of more than a decade. Murrell, who was chief executive of the Scottish National Party for more than 20 years and was formerly married to Nicola Sturgeon, admitted embezzling £400,310.65 when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh. He had originally faced a higher embezzlement charge of about £459,000, but pleaded guilty to an amended indictment and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 23 June.

    The offences took place between 2010 and 2023 and involved the misuse of SNP funds for personal spending. Reports said the spending included vehicles and luxury goods, with Murrell accused of using false documentation and party money to conceal purchases. A fuller narrative of the facts is expected to be heard when the case returns to court on 2 June.

    The case follows the long-running Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances known as Operation Branchform. Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were also arrested during the inquiry but were later cleared of wrongdoing. Current SNP leader John Swinney described Murrell’s actions as a profound betrayal, while opposition parties called for further answers about financial oversight inside the party.

  • NEWS STORY : Government Faces Decision on Under-16 Social Media Restrictions

    NEWS STORY : Government Faces Decision on Under-16 Social Media Restrictions

    STORY

    The Government is considering whether to introduce new restrictions on children’s use of social media, including a possible ban for under-16s, according to a House of Commons Library briefing.

    The briefing said ministers launched a consultation in January 2026 on children’s relationships with mobile phones and social media, with the process opening on 2 March and closing on 26 May. It is seeking views on whether there should be a minimum age for social media, whether addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay should be switched off, whether overnight curfews should be introduced and how age verification should be strengthened.

    The issue has moved beyond consultation after parliamentary pressure over the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools legislation. The briefing said Part 3 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will require the Government to impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16, following defeats in the House of Lords over proposals that would have created a social media ban for under-16s.

    Ofcom figures cited in the briefing show the scale of children’s online use. Mobile phone ownership rises from 19% among three to five-year-olds to 97% among 13 to 15-year-olds, while 95% of 13 to 15-year-olds use social media and 96% of that age group have their own social media profile. The briefing also noted arguments against a ban, including warnings from children’s charities and online safety groups that it could push children into less regulated online spaces and limit access to support, advice and communities.

  • NEWS STORY : Business and Consumer Confidence Remains Weak Despite Some Improvement

    NEWS STORY : Business and Consumer Confidence Remains Weak Despite Some Improvement

    STORY

    Business and consumer confidence remained subdued in May, although some indicators showed a modest improvement, according to a House of Commons Library economic briefing. The briefing said that, in the two weeks ending 17 May 2026, 16.7% of businesses responding to the ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey expected their performance to increase over the next 12 months, while 16.8% expected it to decrease. Confidence surveys are watched closely because they are often published before official economic data and can provide early indications of changes in the wider economy.

    The CBI Industrial Trends Survey also suggested that manufacturers remained cautious. In May, more manufacturers expected output to fall over the next three months than expected it to rise, with a balance of -13%. This was an improvement on April’s figure of -20%, but still pointed to continuing weakness in expectations for industrial output.

    Consumer confidence also remained negative, despite improving slightly. The GfK Consumer Confidence Index rose to -23 in May, up two points from April, which had been the lowest level since October 2023. The index measures expectations about the general economic situation, household finances and views on making major purchases.

  • NEWS STORY : Retail Sales Fall as Clothing Stores Hit Lowest Level Since June 2025

    NEWS STORY : Retail Sales Fall as Clothing Stores Hit Lowest Level Since June 2025

    STORY

    Retail sales in Great Britain fell in April, with the total quantity of sales volumes down by 1.3% compared with March, according to figures summarised by the House of Commons Library. The fall followed a 0.6% increase between February and March, while the total value of retail sales stood at £9.3 billion per week, down from £9.4 billion the previous month.

    The briefing said sales volumes were still 1.1% higher in the three months to April 2026 than in the same period last year, and 0.5% higher than in the previous three-month period. However, overall sales volumes remained 1.7% below their pre-pandemic level in February 2020, underlining the continuing pressure on parts of the retail sector.

    Food store sales increased by 0.8% between March and April, but non-food stores saw sales fall by 1.0%. Clothing stores were particularly affected, with sales down 2.4% to their lowest level since June 2025. Retailers attributed the decline to variable weather, lower demand and greater consumer price sensitivity. Internet sales averaged £2.7 billion per week in April, excluding fuel, accounting for 28.1% of all retail sales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Australia pact on fast-moving AI security risks [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Australia pact on fast-moving AI security risks [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 25 May 2026.

    • The UK and Australia agree deeper ties to tackle AI risks, with new partnership between the UK AI Security Institute and the Australian AI Safety Institute.
    • Institutes to share information on frontier AI capabilities, collaborate on best practices in AI evaluation, and share research findings.
    • Agreement comes as latest research shows AI cybersecurity capabilities are advancing faster than ever before.

    The UK and Australia will deepen cooperation on AI security and safety when Ministers meet in Canberra later today (Monday 25 May), as both nations move to stay ahead of emerging threats from powerful AI systems.

    Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the UK AI Security Institute and Australian Safety Institute will work together to track the latest developments in frontier AI – including how these systems could be used in cyber-attacks, as well as how they can strengthen defences.

    The partnership will see both countries share insights on AI capabilities, carry out research into emerging risks, and work together to develop international best practice for testing and evaluating AI systems – principles to help guide those working to ensure AI behaves as intended.

    It will also open the door to staff exchanges between the two institutes, strengthening day to day collaboration. The agreement builds on the strong and deep ties that the UK and Australia already share, bringing that cooperation into the AI era at a moment when the technology is evolving at pace. Working closely with key allies will be critical managing these risks, while ensuring AI can be harnessed to safely drive growth and improve lives.

    The UK’s AI Minister Kanishka Narayan will sign the agreement alongside Australia’s Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton, when they meet in Canberra later today.

    UK AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, said:

    Australia and the UK have always worked closely to keep our people safe – and that partnership matters more than ever in the age of AI.

    This technology is moving fast, and so are the risks that come with it – particularly in areas like cyber security. No country can tackle that alone.

    By working hand in hand with trusted partners such as Australia, we can stay ahead of the risks, strengthen our defences and make sure AI is used to improve lives for Brits and Aussies alike.

    AISI’s agreement with its Australian counterpart adds to the wealth of work the Institute conducts with international partners. AISI shares best practice with AI research bodies across the world’s major economies, developed through the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science and through its bilateral partnerships.

    New research from the UK’s AI Security Institute underlines the urgency of this work, showing that advanced AI systems are rapidly improving their ability to carry out complex cyber-attacks, in particular – with opportunities for both attackers and defenders. AISI’s world-leading frontier AI research continues to inform UK policymaking, to help keep British businesses, critical infrastructure and the public safe.

  • NEWS STORY : £30 Million Fund Announced to Restore Wildlife Habitats in Protected Landscapes

    NEWS STORY : £30 Million Fund Announced to Restore Wildlife Habitats in Protected Landscapes

    STORY

    The Government has announced a £30 million fund to restore and create wildlife habitats across some of England’s best-known protected landscapes, including National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads.

    The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund will provide £10 million a year from 2026 to 2029 and is intended to support thousands of hectares of new or restored habitat. Ministers said the funding would help species including hedgehogs, hazel dormice, water voles, curlews and turtle doves, which have been affected by habitat degradation.

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said the programme would help restore nature “field by field” across England’s most iconic landscapes. The funding forms part of the Government’s wider Wild Again programme, which aims to halt species decline by 2030 and support the UK’s international commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by the same year.

    Projects will be delivered through the existing Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, with 36 of England’s 44 protected landscapes participating in the first year. The Government said schemes would be rooted in local priorities, working with conservation groups, farmers, land managers and communities, and would contribute to the Environment Act target to restore more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Wildlife habitat in most cherished landscapes set to be restored [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Wildlife habitat in most cherished landscapes set to be restored [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 May 2026.

    £30 million investment important step toward protecting 30% of England’s land for nature by 2030.

    Precious wildlife habitat in our most important places for nature is set to be restored thanks to a new government fund, Nature Minister Mary Creagh announced today (Monday 25 May).  

    The government will invest £30 million to restore and create wildlife-rich habitats across England’s most iconic landscapes from the wilds of Dartmoor to the rugged Lake District. 

    Our protected landscapes act as vital havens for the country’s most threatened species such as hedgehogs, hazel dormouse, water vole, and rare birds like the curlew and turtle dove, with habitat degradation being one of the main drivers for their decline. 

    The new Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund will deliver thousands of hectares of new habitat across England’s National Parks, National Landscapes, and the Broads over three years, helping to bring nature back to the places people love most.  

    The scale and ambition of projects that will soon be underway illustrates what investing in nature can achieve. For example, the Peak District National Park Authority is working with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, volunteers and contractors to start the transformation of over 80 hectares of upland moorland at Gun Moor. Following years of degradation with the Moor’s deep peat drying out and wildlife retreating, the project is restoring 24 hectares of wet heath, re-wetting deep peat, and establishing a new area of native woodland on the lower slopes. More funding means more projects like this getting off the ground.   

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:  

    “Our national parks and protected landscapes are home to some of our most marginal species. Our Wild Again funding is already turning the tide on their decline. It will mean more birdsong, flower meadows full of bees and butterflies, and new areas of native woodlands.” 

    “We’re funding this recovery with the highest ever budget for nature, field by field, across England’s most iconic and beautiful landscapes”. 

    Mary-Ann Ochota, Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership, said:  

    “This multi-year investment in Wildlife-Rich Habitats is brilliant news. Protected Landscapes teams are empowered to make smart, efficient decisions, and support will reach local delivery partners quickly. These teams know their landscapes, understand the potential for change and can work together to achieve the best outcomes.   

    “Locally rooted, trust-building partnerships are key. The result? Thriving, wildlife-rich landscapes, nurtured and cherished by farmers, land managers and local communities. It’s the very essence of why National Parks and National Landscapes exist”.   

    Protected Landscape organisations will work closely with other conservation organisations, farmers and land managers, and the local communities who know their landscapes best.      

    The funding announced today follows a £90 million commitment made in March to fund species recovery projects, the largest investment ever announced in species recovery by a government as part of our Wild Again drive aiming to restore our nature and return lost species including beavers and white-tailed eagles. 

    The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund forms part of Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife, the government’s umbrella campaign to halt species decline by 2030, bringing together species recovery and habitat restoration work across Defra and its arm’s-length bodies.   

    This will help meet our international commitment to protect 30% land for nature and our legal Environment Act target to restore over 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042. 

    Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said:  

    ‘‘Generations have been inspired by the wonderful wild animals and plants they find in England’s National Parks and Landscapes. However, these special connections with nature have been fraying, as climate change, land use pressures and pollution take their toll, and nature declines across the country.   

    “Today’s announcement of £30 million of new funding to help wildlife recover in protected landscapes is much needed if we are to reverse this loss and empower people to restore more habitats in cherished National Parks and Landscapes. With nature underpinning our economy, health and future resilience as a nation, there is still lots to do if we are to bring flourishing wildlife and habitats back and achieve vital Environment Act targets. This new funding is step towards delivering on that ambition.’’  

    Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), said:   

    “This funding is a positive recognition that farmers are essential partners in protecting and restoring the habitats that make our protected landscapes so special. Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) scheme, farming businesses have already shown how productive farming and nature recovery can go hand in hand – creating and caring for habitats that support rare wildlife, strengthen landscapes and benefit local communities.”  
     
    “We warmly welcome this announcement, which reinforces the importance of farmers as key partners in restoring and protecting our most treasured landscapes. When farmers are trusted and supported to lead, nature can recover at scale.” 

    Additional information: 

    • The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund provides £30 million in ring-fenced funding – £10 million per financial year – from 2026 to 2029. 
    • 36 of England’s 44 Protected Landscapes are participating in the first year with every project funded rooted in local priorities. 
    • The fund is delivered through the existing Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme infrastructure. 
    • The fund is separate from and does not affect the farming budget or the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. 
    • Projects will be prioritised in line with Protected Landscapes management plans and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. 
    • The fund forms part of the government’s broader programme of action to restore nature, alongside the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Land Use Framework and new legislation to strengthen the purposes and powers of National Parks and National Landscapes.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 May 2026.

    The International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes, including representatives of Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, met in Stockholm on 20-21 May 2026 and gave a statement on the situation in the Great Lakes region.

    The ICG reiterates its concerns over the continued conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impediment that the conflict poses to regional stability and prosperity. The ICG also restates its support for the ongoing international peace efforts facilitated by Qatar, the US, African Union-appointed mediator Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of the Togolese Republic, the Panel of Facilitators and regional partners.

    The ICG welcomes the progress achieved under both the Washington Accords between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and the Doha Framework Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).

    The ICG commends the progress made by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 on 13-19 April in Montreux, Switzerland, in supporting humanitarian operations and committing to release prisoners and implement the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism, supported by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and MONUSCO, as stated in the public statement issued at the end of the meeting.

    The ICG also welcomes the progress achieved at the 23 April meeting in Washington DC, where the DRC and Rwanda convened the Joint Oversight Committee. The ICG welcomes the expressed commitment by both sides to uphold their engagements under the Washington Accords and recalls the importance of implementing Resolution 2773 of the United Nations Security Council. The ICG recalls the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue with all key Congolese stakeholders – a necessary element for durablepeace in the DRC – and welcome the consultations undertaken by the Republic of Angola.

    The ICG urges all parties to the conflict to build on this momentum, fulfil their commitments under these and earlier agreements, and remain steadfast in their pursuit of peace through negotiations. The ICG reiterates that there can be no military solution to the conflict.

    All parties must protect civilians in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. The escalating use of drones by various actors, including by state actors, has led to an increasing number of civilian casualties. The ICG condemns violations of international humanitarian law in the strongest terms. There is an urgent need for improved civil-military coordination and liaison mechanisms, notification procedures and pre-identification of humanitarian infrastructure.

    Political progress must immediately translate into improvements on the ground. The ceasefire must be respected by all parties, and the humanitarian situation must improve. Humanitarian relief personnel must be allowed safe, rapid and unimpeded access. The ICG calls on all parties to facilitate humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law, including by working towards the sustained opening of the Goma and Kavumu airports, the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors in North and South Kivu, and simplified administrative procedures. The recent outbreak of Ebola, declared by WHO as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May, and declared by Africa CDC as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on 18 May, adds to an already fragile humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC. The ICG urges all parties to the conflict to facilitate efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak. This threat underscores the importance of regional cooperation to address common challenges.

    In line with the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, the ICG will continue to support regional partners in addressing the drivers of the conflict and support lasting peace and shared prosperity in the Great Lakes region. Inclusive governance, accountability and the safeguarding of rights are essential for long-term stability, helping to address grievances and break cycles of instability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate for Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate for Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 May 2026.

    The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has confirmed that Lynne Berry CBE is his preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission.

    The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is the statutory body that identifies candidates for judicial roles in England and Wales. They also help fill positions for several specialist tribunals with UK-wide powers.  

    Lynne Berry CBE has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of JAC Chair following a rigorous assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and the Judicial Appointments Commission Regulations 2013.

    The role is subject to pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process. Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

    Biography

    Lynne Berry CBE is currently Chair of Governors and Pro-Chancellor at the University of Westminster, Chair of the Human Tissue Authority, and visiting Professor in Leadership at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London. She has served as Chair or Senior Independent Director of many public sector and not-for-profit bodies and has held several Chief Executive posts in public bodies, including the Charity Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the General Social Care Council, as well as in charities such as the Royal Voluntary Service and the Family Welfare Association.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation Appointed [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation Appointed [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 May 2026.

    The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Adrian Bird CB as the new Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO). Adrian will replace Dame Madeleine Alessandri DCB, CMG, who is stepping down after three years in the role. 

    Adrian is currently Chief of Defence Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence, and has previously held senior roles in the Government Communication Headquarters. Adrian brings a wealth of experience from his current role and his career in GCHQ.

    Adrian will lead a multidisciplinary team of expert officials in the JIO, providing real time security and risk assessments and advice to Ministers and the Prime Minister, and helping to develop government policies that keep the country safe and secure.

    The Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:

    I am delighted to announce the appointment of Adrian Bird to this crucial role at this critical time for the country. Adrian’s extensive national security experience at the MoD and GCHQ make him an excellent fit to lead the dedicated security officials in the JIO, and to provide expert advice to the Prime Minister to keep the UK safe and secure. 

    I would also like to thank Madeleine Alessandri for her brilliant leadership as JIC Chair over the last three years, and her contribution to the wider Civil Service leadership, and to wish her well in her retirement.

    Commenting on his appointment, Adrian Bird said:

    It is an honour to be appointed as the new Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee. I am delighted to be joining the JIO team and to have an opportunity to lead the UK’s professional intelligence assessment community, and to work closely with our trusted partners to deal with national security challenges of today and tomorrow. 

    I wanted to thank Dame Madeleine Alessandri for her excellent leadership of the JIO and I know she leaves the organisation in a strong position. I look forward to building on this and working with the team to meet the future challenges. I wish Madeleine a well-deserved retirement.

    Outgoing JIC Chair, Madeleine Alessandri said: 

    The Joint intelligence Committee continues to play a vital role in the security of the United Kingdom. Amid unprecedented volatility in geopolitics and exponential advances in technology, clear-eyed assessment to reduce uncertainty for policymakers at moments of critical decision has never been more important.  

    It has been a privilege to chair the Committee.  And it has been an honour to work with the brilliant people across the breadth of the UK national security system who enable assessments that are rigorous, impartial, and relevant to the challenges we face as a country.

    I am delighted that Adrian has been chosen to take on this extraordinary role – at an extraordinary moment in our 90 year history.    

    Adrian will take up his new post on 3 July.

    Notes for Editors

    Adrian Bird is currently Chief of Defence Intelligence in the Ministry of Defence. Adrian is the first civilian to hold this MoD role, having previously been held by military personnel. His successor in the MoD will be Lieutenant-General Matthew Jones, OBE.  

    Adrian has been in his current role since 2022. He joined government service in 1993 and held a wide variety of positions in GCHQ and FCDO culminating in two successive GCHQ Director General posts before he moved to the MoD

    Adrian has been in his current role since 2022.

    The role

    The Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) is responsible to the Prime Minister for supervising the work of the JIC. The post-holder also leads the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) and is adviser to the Prime Minister on intelligence.

    The Joint Intelligence Committee

    The Joint Intelligence Committee is the cross-government committee responsible for providing Ministers and senior officials with timely intelligence assessments on critical strategic national security issues. 

    The Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee reports to the Cabinet Secretary. 

    The Joint Intelligence Organisation

    The JIC is supported by the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO), a multi-disciplinary team of data scientists, analysts, economists and national security professionals. This dynamic and highly collaborative team is responsible for drafting all-source assessments on policy-relevant strategic issues and provides warning of threats to UK national interests.

    The JIO sits at the heart of the UK intelligence assessment community and draws on the full range of reporting and expertise available across government, academia, business and international partners.