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The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, today. 

The leaders discussed strengthening the UK-Japan partnership, including closer trade cooperation to drive growth and create opportunities in both countries.

Turning to defence, the Prime Minister set out his ambition for the UK, Japan and Italy to continue to strengthen defence security through GCAP and both leaders welcomed Canada becoming the first observer.

Moving to Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Takaichi for Japan’s ongoing support against Russia’s illegal invasion on Ukraine, and outlined the need to apply further pressure on Russia.

The leaders discussed challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of the two nations to working together to support security and stability in the region.

The Prime Minister praised the work done by the Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Suzuki for helping deepen the relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan.

The two leaders looking forward to speaking again soon.

STORY

The five people who died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough collided with a police vehicle have been named. They were Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. All five occupants of the Passat died in the collision, which happened at around 3.39am on Saturday 22 August in South Bank.

Two Cleveland Police officers travelling in the marked police vehicle were also killed. They were PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. Police said their vehicle was travelling in the correct direction when it was struck head-on by the Passat. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described the officers as brave and said they had been protecting communities and serving residents when they died.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police. The watchdog said officers had earlier identified the Volkswagen as a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before it travelled onto the A66. The circumstances leading up to the collision, including police actions before the crash, are now being independently investigated. Cleveland Police has asked people to avoid speculation while enquiries continue and the families of those who died are being supported.

STORY

Minister for Tourism and Place brings together leaders across eight local authorities to understand local perspectives on new theme park and resort development.

• Leaders discussed the range of opportunities across jobs and skills, education and training, creative industries, culture, heritage, tourism and local transport connectivity 
• The project is expected to create 28,000 jobs between construction and employment and generate nearly £50 billion for the UK economy, bringing new jobs, skills and investment to Bedford and the surrounding region 
• Demonstrates government’s commitment to devolution to empower local leaders and deliver for their communities

Following the announcement in June of the transformational investment in a new theme park and resort in Bedford, Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock held the first meeting of regional leaders to understand local priorities and discuss how the benefits of the development will be spread across the region. 

Minister Peacock chaired the roundtable at The Swan Hotel in Bedford, bringing together government, Universal Destinations and Experiences and eight local authorities to discuss how they can work together to maximise the benefits of the landmark Universal United Kingdom Resort for Bedford and the wider region.  

Attendees at the roundtable were council leaders and CEOs from Bedford Borough Council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council; as well as the MPs for Bedford and Mid Bedfordshire, and a senior representative from Universal.  

At the roundtable, leaders discussed the opportunities the Universal United Kingdom Resort will provide, and the importance of working together in a coordinated way to take advantage of them. Opportunities discussed included how to drive local regeneration and boost the local economy by attracting tourists across the region and making sure local businesses can be involved in supplying the park and resort. Attendees also considered how to make sure young people across the region have a chance to gain skills, qualifications, and paths to employment to leave a lasting legacy for the region.  

To deliver this work partners are being brought together in a series of themed groups. Working groups covering the Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage, and the Visitor Economy, are aiming to ensure the transformative impact of the development supports local priorities and contributes to growth across the region. A Socio-Economic Taskforce will help make sure the local workforce is prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the theme park and resort will bring. This includes working towards providing world-class training opportunities, in a variety of industries, for the next generation of the Universal workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships for young people and those early in their careers. 

Benefits from this work are expected to be felt across the region as young people gain valuable skills. This aligns with the Government’s ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and lay the foundations for Bedford to become an innovation hub.  

Set to become the UK’s most popular tourist attraction, the Universal United Kingdom Resort will bolster Bedfordshire’s existing visitor offering, which boasts a range of attractions including Wrest Park, the 18th-century mansion set in 90 acres of gardens, and Whipsnade Zoo – the largest zoo in the UK.   

Minister for Tourism and Place Stephanie Peacock said: 

For the people of Bedford, the Universal United Kingdom Resort is more than just the thrill of a new theme park on their doorstep – it’s about the jobs, investment and opportunities it’ll create.  

That is why the Government is committed to supporting local communities to drive forward their priorities as the development progresses towards its opening in 2031.  

From apprenticeships and career pathways for young people, to new opportunities for local businesses and tradespeople, we want communities across Bedford and the wider region to feel the benefits of this investment. This is about putting power and opportunity into local communities, driving growth and bringing pride to every postcode.

This roundtable was the first of its kind and there will be continued engagement with local authorities.

STORY

Vandemoortele will be required to sell its pastry manufacturing plant in Worcester and its UK sales operations in Staines-upon-Thames after the Competition and Markets Authority concluded that its acquisition of Délifrance would substantially reduce competition in the UK. Both companies supply frozen viennoiserie products, including croissants and pains au chocolat, to supermarkets and foodservice businesses.

The CMA found that the acquisition would make Vandemoortele the largest UK supplier of frozen viennoiserie products, potentially resulting in higher prices or lower quality for businesses and consumers. Vandemoortele conceded during the investigation that the merger raised competition concerns, allowing the regulator to consider remedies at an earlier stage and complete its investigation almost seven weeks ahead of the statutory deadline.

The Worcester plant and Staines sales operation must now be transferred to a suitable purchaser. The sale package will include the assets, staff, customer relationships, contracts and other rights required for the business to continue operating independently. Vandemoortele will remain active in the UK, while the CMA will monitor implementation of the sale.

STORY

Regional mayors across England are set to receive new powers allowing them to intervene in major local planning decisions and overrule councils as part of the Government’s drive to increase housebuilding. Under proposals announced on Sunday, mayors will be able to “call in” significant applications and direct councils to approve or refuse them, bringing their powers closer to those already available to the Mayor of London.

The new arrangements would apply to developments involving more than 150 homes, commercial schemes covering more than 15,000 square metres and buildings at least 30 metres tall. Mayors would also be able to grant permission in advance for development in designated areas. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the additional powers were an essential part of the tools mayors needed to deliver new homes and regeneration, while a public consultation on the proposals is expected to begin next week.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has argued that intervention may sometimes be necessary where local decision making prevents major development, although he has stressed that the powers could also be used to stop inappropriate schemes. The Conservatives have questioned whether councils should lose control over decisions affecting their communities, while the Liberal Democrats said the proposals risked weakening the voice of local residents. The changes form part of the Government’s wider devolution and housing programme and its commitment to build 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament.

STORY

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants the men’s football World Cup to return to the United Kingdom in 2042. Burnham raised the idea during informal discussions with regional mayors in Manchester, saying he wanted the tournament to be staged in the British Isles almost eight decades after England last hosted it in 1966.

No formal bid has yet been launched, although Downing Street is understood to be supportive if the Football Association decides to pursue one. A future bid could involve England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the four home nations are already due to stage Euro 2028 jointly with the Republic of Ireland. England’s previous attempt to host the 2018 World Cup was unsuccessful.

FIFA rules mean a European country is not expected to be eligible to host the men’s tournament again until 2042. The 2030 competition will be centred on Spain, Portugal and Morocco and the 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia. Burnham has also discussed the possibility of a multi-city Olympic and Paralympic bid for northern England in the 2040s, with UK Sport already examining whether such a bid could be viable.

STORY

MPs declared almost £400,000 of complimentary tickets, hospitality and other gifts between January and July 2026, prompting renewed criticism over the acceptance of freebies by politicians. The total does not include foreign trips and follows controversy in previous years over ministers and opposition politicians accepting tickets to sporting, cultural and entertainment events.

Recent declarations include £858 of Harry Styles tickets accepted by education secretary Lucy Powell from PRS for Music, £1,839 of Chelsea Flower Show hospitality accepted by defence secretary Wes Streeting from Lloyds Banking Group and £1,480 of Wimbledon men’s final tickets accepted by transport secretary Heidi Alexander. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also declared Wimbledon tickets worth £1,360, while shadow chancellor Mel Stride accepted Chelsea Flower Show hospitality worth £1,839.

The hospitality was declared under parliamentary transparency rules and acceptance of a declared benefit does not itself indicate that any rule has been broken. However, Spotlight on Corruption and Transparency International UK have questioned whether politicians should accept some invitations even when permitted, arguing that MPs should consider why businesses and organisations are offering hospitality and how its acceptance may be viewed by the public.

STORY

Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the United Kingdom, with no replacement yet announced as relations between London and Moscow remain severely strained over the war in Ukraine. Andrey Kelin left Britain last month after seven years in the post and his name has now been removed from the diplomatic list published by the Russian embassy.

The embassy’s list of senior diplomatic staff currently names Vasily Tsyganov as chargé d’affaires. A Russian embassy spokesperson said no candidate had yet been put forward to replace Kelin and accused the UK Government of pursuing a confrontational approach towards Russia. Kelin joined the Soviet diplomatic service in 1979 and had served as ambassador in London since 2019.

The change comes amid renewed tension over British support for Ukraine. The Russian embassy warned of consequences last week after reports that attack drones made by British companies had been used by Ukrainian forces against targets inside Russia. UK defence sources indicated that reports concerning the British-made drones were accurate, while the Government has maintained its support for Ukraine.

STORY

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out an electoral deal or coalition with Reform UK and criticised former Conservatives who have defected to Nigel Farage’s party. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Badenoch described some of those who had left the Conservatives for Reform as among the most dishonest people she had met and said she did not want what she called “drama queens” returning to the party.

Former Conservative parliamentarians who have moved to Reform include former home secretary Suella Braverman and former shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick. Badenoch said some defectors had left when the Conservatives were at a low point after having themselves contributed to the party’s problems. She also criticised Reform’s approach to policymaking and said the Conservatives would seek to win the next general election on their own terms.

Badenoch said she would not support a Conservative-Reform coalition even if the next election produced a hung parliament, arguing that another election would be preferable if no party could form a government. An Ipsos poll carried out between 30 July and 4 August put Labour on 28%, Reform UK on 25% and the Conservatives on 18%. The next general election must be held by August 2029, although it can be called earlier.