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STORY

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that the Government’s proposed national digital identity scheme will be abandoned as part of what his team described as a reset of priorities. The programme had originally been presented as a way to strengthen right to work checks and tackle illegal employment, but its scope was reduced after opposition over cost, privacy and whether participation should be compulsory.

The Office for Budget Responsibility had estimated spending of around £1.8 billion between 2026-27 and 2028-29, although ending the programme will not necessarily release the whole amount for other uses. Burnham has said attention and resources should instead be directed towards the cost of living, while existing documents and digital systems will continue to be used for employment checks.

STORY

The Government has confirmed local government reorganisation decisions affecting 14 more areas in England, including Kent and Medway, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Ministers said the changes would replace fragmented two-tier structures with stronger unitary councils.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said 134 councils would be streamlined into 38 unitary authorities. Ministers argued that the reforms would reduce duplication, improve accountability and create better foundations for devolution and economic growth.

Council leaders have warned that reorganisation will involve major transition risks, particularly for adult social care, children’s services and public health. The Government has published guidance on protecting those services during the move to new council structures.

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The European Union has opened negotiations with Ukraine on the part of the EU acquis covering external relations policies. The step was taken at the third meeting of the Accession Conference and marks further progress in Ukraine’s path towards membership.

The talks cover the extent to which Ukraine’s policies align with EU rules and international commitments in external relations. The accession process requires candidate countries to satisfy detailed legal, institutional and political conditions before joining the bloc.

Ukraine’s membership bid has become a central strategic issue for the EU since Russia’s invasion. European leaders continue to support Kyiv’s European ambitions, although enlargement also raises questions about institutional reform, funding and the future shape of the Union.

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The Council of the European Union has given final approval to the modernised EU-Mexico Interim Trade Agreement. The decision follows consent from the European Parliament and represents a further step in updating the EU’s trade relationship with Mexico.

The agreement is intended to deepen economic ties, reduce barriers and support investment between the EU and Mexico. It forms part of the EU’s wider attempt to strengthen partnerships with countries beyond its immediate neighbourhood.

The deal comes as the EU continues to adjust its trade policy in response to global competition, supply chain risks and geopolitical uncertainty. Supporters say modernised trade agreements can help diversify markets, while critics often call for stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and food standards.

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The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the European Union’s emissions trading system, the bloc’s central carbon market. The proposals are intended to balance climate targets with concerns from industry about costs and global competitiveness.

The plan would allow some industries more time to reduce emissions while offering additional support for investment in cleaner technologies. Commission officials argue that the changes are needed to keep the transition politically and economically sustainable.

Environmental groups are likely to scrutinise whether the changes weaken the pace of emissions reductions. Industry bodies have argued that the EU needs to prevent carbon-intensive production from moving overseas while maintaining pressure to modernise.

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Southern Water has been fined £7.1 million following a prosecution over sewage pollution. The Environment Agency said the case reflected serious failures and forms part of wider enforcement action against water companies over pollution incidents.

The penalty comes as water regulation remains a major political issue for the Government. Ministers have promised tougher action against companies that fail to protect rivers, coastlines and communities from sewage discharges and other environmental damage.

Campaigners have argued that fines must be matched by stronger regulation, investment in infrastructure and accountability for company executives. Water companies say they are investing in improvements, but public anger over pollution has continued to grow.

STORY

The Government has announced further action to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children in England. Ministers said the measure was intended to protect children’s health and respond to concerns from parents, schools and public health experts.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the policy would cover drinks with high caffeine content and would build on voluntary restrictions already used by many retailers. The Government said consistent national rules would make enforcement clearer and reduce children’s exposure to products linked to sleep and concentration problems.

Public health organisations have welcomed the move, while the drinks industry is expected to examine the detail of the restrictions. Ministers will need to define which products are covered and how the rules will be enforced across shops and online sellers.

STORY

The Government has announced new measures aimed at protecting 16 and 17-year-olds from addictive social media features and overnight use. Default curfews from midnight to 6am are expected to be introduced on social media apps as part of a wider online safety package.

Ministers said the measures followed a Government pilot involving more than 300 teenagers and parents. Families involved in the pilot reported that overnight curfews helped improve sleep and concentration, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The proposals will add to the wider debate about the responsibilities of technology companies and the role of Government in regulating children’s online lives. Social media firms are likely to face pressure to show that new safeguards are practical, effective and not easily bypassed.