2 MAY 1926
A state of emergency was declared in preparation for a national general strike in support of the striking coal miners.
Describing the situation, Ernest Bevin stated that “no work in the vital transport services must go on on Tuesday morning, after stopping time on Monday night. The distribution of essential food supplies will be organised by the trades unions. We have no quarrel with the people.”
1 MAY 1926
The negotiations for the settlement of the coal dispute have broken down.
Sir Alfred Mond, in a statement to the Press on the coal crisis, suggests the reorganisation of the industry for more efficient production, the regulation of output to meet consumption, and a fair reduction of wages. To meet the cost of laying up the worst pits he proposes a levy on tonnage raised, contributions from the reduced wages, and assistance by the Government in the form of loans for re-equipment of collieries.
Lord Provost Sir William L. Sleigh has received intimation from Lord Stamfordham that the King and Queen are to take up residence in Holyrood from 5th to 12th July.
A statement on British foreign policy was made in London by Sir A. Chamberlain at the Women Unionists’ Conference.
Addressing Devon farmers, the Minister of Agriculture said we still imported too much farm produce, but to compete with the foreigner there must be adequate grading. If the industry wanted compulsory grading he would do his best to get Parliament to agree to it. A tax on imported barley would be a troublesome and costly matter.
The Earl of Oxford and Asquith spoke at Watford on Liberal land policy and the “Land Worker’s Charter.” He said that it was in improving the lot and the opportunities of the rural labourer, far more than by any other specific change, that they would find the key to the real revival of the greatest of our national industries.
Mr E. Ashmead-Bartlett, Unionist M.P., has resigned his seat in Parliament for Hammersmith, North.
30 APRIL 1926
Further negotiation took place in London for a settlement of the coal dispute. The discussions were carried on until 12.30 this morning, when it was announced that the owners will put specific proposals before the Prime Minister to-day, and he in turn will meet the Joint Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the miners.
Sir Wm. Joynson-Hicks, Home Secretary, at a meeting at Twickenham, said he was quite sure that the Prime Minister would not ask for a General Election on account of the coal trouble. The Government would be false to the trust reposed in them if they were to run away thus. He referred to the possibility even of a general strike, and asked his hearers to believe that if there was any man who could bring peace to-day it was the present Prime Minister.
Delegates of the London engineering trades, representing over 40,000 men, recommend strike action on the wages question. Indignation was expressed at the insulting proposals of the employers.
Measures taken for the protection of a number of ancient monuments were stated by Viscount Peel in the House of Lords to have been taken by the Office of Works. Ruins on an island off the Argyllshire coast, which contain the remains of early Christian monuments, were mentioned by the First Commissioner.
How best to develop trade with the rest of the Empire was the subject of discussion in the House of Commons. In Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates, votes for expenditure in respect of various departmental buildings, Royal parks and pleasure grounds, Consular buildings, &c., were agreed to.
29 APRIL 1926
Efforts to make progress towards settling the coal problem were unsuccessful. Negotiations between the parties were carried on until a late hour, and will be resumed to-day. The position is reported to be one of great gravity.
By 57 votes to 44 the House of Lords adopted Lord Buckmaster’s resolution requesting the Government to withhold all instructions given to or conditions imposed on Welfare Committees for the purpose of causing such committees to withhold from married women in their district information sought by such women as to the best means of limiting their families.
Further debate took place in the House of Commons on the Budget resolutions. Sir Robert Horne’s speech at the opening of the discussion and the Chancellor’s reply to the debate were the chief features.
Further questions were addressed to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons in regard to the Russo-German Treaty.
At a meeting at Westminster a National Emergency Council and Executive were constituted to fight the proposed Betting Tax on behalf of the Churches.
28 APRIL 1926
Under the chairmanship of Mr Baldwin, a joint meeting between the Coalowners’ Committee and the Miners’ Committee took place in London. The discussion lasted a little over an hour, and a further meeting will take place to-day.
In the resumed discussion of the Budget in the House of Commons the attack was led by Mr Philip Snowden, whose suggestion that taxation could be substantially reduced if national production were doubled was not missed by Mr Kidd, the Unionist member for Linlithgowshire. Financial resolutions were adopted in relation to the issue of stock in exchange for Savings Certificates, and to the increase of the Sinking Fund by £10,000,000.
The Bill to raise the status of the Secretary for Scotland to that of a Principal Secretary of State has been introduced by the Prime Minister, and is backed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Home Secretary.
A Standing Committee of the House of Commons has begun consideration of the Government’s Electricity Supply Bill.
![PRESS RELEASE : New interceptor missiles successfully tested in the Middle East as Defence Minister visits region [May 2026]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mod.png)
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2026.
The UK military and Gulf partners will be better protected against drone attacks following the successful testing of new British-built Skyhammer interceptor missiles and launchers in Jordan.
The UK military and Gulf partners will be better protected against drone attacks following the successful testing of new British-built Skyhammer interceptor missiles and launchers in Jordan.
The trial comes less than two weeks since the Ministry of Defence signed a multi-million-pound contract with UK veteran-led start-up Cambridge Aerospace to buy Skyhammer interceptor missiles for the UK Armed Forces. They have a range of 30km and a maximum speed of 700km/h and are designed to counter Shahed-style attack drones.
The interceptor missile was tested in Jordan in demanding desert conditions at one of Deep Element’s defence development facilities. Witnessing the trial, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP praised the new capability which demonstrates how the UK defence industry can deliver at pace, learning lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The trial came as the Minister visited Kuwait and Jordan for detailed discussions on regional security, the Strait of Hormuz and further defence cooperation. The Defence Minister recognised partners’ exceptional professionalism and resolve in the face of previous Iranian attacks, and their tireless work to protect civilian life and to safeguard foreign – including British – nationals.
We are stepping up alongside UK industry to offer rapid support to our partners in the Middle East.
This week’s successful trial of Cambridge Aerospace’s Skyhammer interceptor missiles in Jordan is a perfect example of a UK start up innovating, with the backing of this government, to deliver cutting edge technology.
My visit to Kuwait and Jordan shows that the UK is standing by our long-term partners and delivering on our promise to provide support.
The multi-million-pound contract with Cambridge Aerospace is boosting British business by creating over 50 new jobs and supporting 125 current jobs, making defence an engine for growth. The UK is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027.
We have proven that our interceptors are not only cost-effective but also highly capable and will be able to counter the rising threat posed by aerial attacks.
We welcome the support of the UK Ministry of Defence as Cambridge Aerospace looks to protect the UK and its partners with high-performance, rapidly deployable air defence systems.
During the Minister’s visit, he met with Kuwait’s Minister of Defence, HE Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and other senior officials. He paid tribute to the efforts of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces and UK personnel to protect civilians and critical national infrastructure in the region during Iran’s missile and drone campaign prior to the current ceasefire. The UK’s Rapid Sentry – a ground-based air defence missile system – and ORCUS system is operated by UK personnel in Kuwait, allowing them to detect drones early and take action.
Ahead of the Skyhammer trial in Jordan, the Minister met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Alhnaity. They discussed the strength of the UK-Jordan defence relationship, based on mutual respect and a common commitment to shared security in the region. Prior to the ceasefire, UK jets have flown defensive missions in the region, including over Jordan, to protect British interests and partners.
The first tranche of Skyhammer interceptor missiles and launchers will be delivered to the UK Armed Forces in May, with more missiles and associated launchers set to be supplied within the first six months of the agreement.
The Ministry of Defence, through the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is working to speed up financing and licensing for exports to Gulf partners. As part of this, a new Task Force has been created within the NAD Group to collaborate across government to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment.
STORY
Ann Crimmings has been elected as the new leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, following Andrew Morgan’s decision to stand down earlier this year. Her appointment was confirmed at the council’s annual general meeting on Wednesday 29 April, making her only the second woman to lead the authority.
Crimmings has represented Aberdare West and Llwydcoed since 2004 and has held cabinet responsibilities covering environmental services, frontline services and leisure. She was also Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2013-14 and has been involved in several local community roles, including Friends of Aberdare Park, Cwmdare for Cwmdare, Aberdare Parkrun and the Nos Galan Road Races Committee.
STORY
City of Doncaster Council’s chief executive, Damian Allen, has threatened legal action after Reform UK councillors tabled a motion raising governance concerns linked to the £193m project to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The dispute centres on allegations made by Reform councillors Craig Ward and Jason Charity about Mr Allen’s conduct in relation to the airport scheme, a major local regeneration project with significant political importance for the city.
According to LocalGov, Mr Allen’s personal solicitors wrote to Cllr Charity accusing him of defamation and demanding a retraction, an apology and payment of legal costs. Cllr Charity said he regarded the legal threat as “frivolous”, rejected it “in fact and in law” and said he would not retract or apologise.
The council has described the potential legal action as a personal matter for Mr Allen, rather than a formal action by the authority. The row is politically significant because it places a senior council officer, opposition councillors and one of Doncaster’s most high-profile economic projects into direct conflict.
STORY
The Competition and Markets Authority has said sharp rises in petrol and diesel prices have been driven mainly by wider cost pressures, particularly higher oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, rather than a general increase in fuel retailers’ margins.
The regulator’s latest monitoring report found that petrol prices rose by 26p per litre and diesel prices by 50p per litre between February and 20 April. The CMA said average retailer fuel margins were broadly unchanged between February and March, moving from 10.3p per litre to 10.7p per litre, which was close to the average margin recorded during 2025.
However, the watchdog said fuel margins remain historically high, reflecting continued concern that competition in the road fuel market is not working as strongly as it should. It also found that some individual retailers increased their margins in March and said it would investigate the reasons for those rises before publishing a further update in May.
The CMA also highlighted a period of higher margins before the Middle East conflict, with margins reaching 12.7p per litre in December 2025 and January 2026, compared with 10.0p per litre in November 2025. It said it would examine what drove that increase as part of its continuing monitoring work.
STORY
Three Dorset farming businesses have agreed to pay a total of £33,500 to environmental charities after Environment Agency investigations found failures in the handling and storage of slurry.
Crockway Farms Ltd, Drummers Farming Limited and Crutchley Farms Partnership accepted enforcement undertakings after breaches of environmental rules intended to protect rivers and streams. In two cases, slurry entered nearby watercourses, while in the third a farm installed new slurry stores without first securing the required environmental permit.
Drummers Farming Limited, based near Sherborne, caused two slurry pollution incidents in spring 2024. In April, slurry from a lagoon entered the Leigh Tributary of the Beer Hackett Stream, also known as the River Wriggle. The Environment Agency said alarms were activated, but because the incident happened during the night, immediate action was not taken. A second incident led to water samples showing ammonia levels that could be lethal to aquatic life, with the effects identifiable more than 1.2 miles downstream.
Crutchley Farms Partnership was investigated after pollution was found in the Mangerton Brook near Bridport in October 2023. Officers traced the source to Marsh Farm, where slurry had entered the stream from a concrete tank overflow pipe after a pump failed. The watercourse had an unpleasant odour and sewage fungus, with organic waste identifiable more than 300 metres downstream and significant ecological deterioration over 800 metres.
Crockway Farms Ltd, an intensive pig farm, failed to obtain an environmental permit before installing two new slurry stores. The Environment Agency said strict permits are required for pig farms because officials must consider ammonia emissions and the risk of effluent discharges.