Tag: News Story

STORY

The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on seven people and three organisations over serious human rights violations connected with scam centres in Southeast Asia. The measures were adopted under the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime.

The Council said the listed individuals and entities were associated with centres in which trafficked people were forced to carry out online fraud. The sanctions include asset freezes and restrictions on making funds or economic resources available to those listed.

The measures also include travel restrictions for the named individuals. The Council said the decision formed part of the EU’s response to human trafficking, forced labour and organised online fraud operations.

STORY

The Government has delayed its decision on local government reorganisation in West Sussex, with a final announcement now expected in October 2026. Councils had previously expected ministers to decide between the locally submitted options during July.

West Sussex County Council said the Government had chosen to consult further on a modified version of a two unitary authority proposal. The change means local authorities will continue preparing for reorganisation while awaiting confirmation of the boundaries and structure that ministers intend to adopt.

The overall timetable is currently unchanged. Elections to shadow unitary authorities are expected in May 2027, with the new councils due to begin operating formally in April 2028.

STORY

The Government has announced an £8.4 billion investment to advance the next phase of the United Kingdom’s next generation nuclear deterrent submarine programme. Ministers said the funding would support national security while providing work for British industry and its supply chain.

The investment will be used to progress construction and associated development work on the submarines that will eventually replace the Vanguard class. The Ministry of Defence said the programme is intended to maintain the United Kingdom’s continuous at sea deterrent for the decades ahead.

The Government said the programme would sustain specialist engineering, manufacturing and shipbuilding employment in several parts of the country. Expenditure will remain subject to the programme’s existing oversight, procurement and parliamentary accountability arrangements.

STORY

A man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to 25 child sexual abuse offences. The offences included the rape of a girl in the United Kingdom and arranging the livestreaming of abuse involving a girl in the Philippines.

The investigation involved officers working across national and international boundaries to identify the victims and secure evidence. The court also imposed an extended licence period of eight years, meaning the offender will remain subject to supervision after his release from custody.

Police said the sentence reflected the scale and seriousness of the offending. Officers also acknowledged the victims and the agencies involved in tracing the online activity and bringing the prosecution.

STORY

The Prime Minister has announced plans to give mayors a share of income tax revenues as part of what the Government described as the largest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation. The proposal is intended to give regional leaders greater control over spending decisions affecting jobs, transport, housing and public services.

Under the plans, mayoral authorities would receive new fiscal powers alongside existing devolved budgets. The Government said the arrangements would allow areas to retain a direct financial interest in economic growth and use additional resources according to local priorities.

Further details will be required on the size of the income tax share, the distribution formula and the timetable for implementation. Ministers said the policy would be developed with mayors and local authorities before the new arrangements take effect.

STORY

A former Dorset Police officer has been jailed after admitting misconduct in public office arising from an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable domestic abuse victim. James McClements pleaded guilty in April and was sentenced following a prosecution brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court heard that McClements met the woman while attending an incident in his professional capacity. Prosecutors said he subsequently abused the trust placed in him as an officer and developed a relationship with someone he knew to be vulnerable.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the case demonstrated the seriousness with which abuses of police authority are treated. Dorset Police had previously investigated the conduct and referred the evidence for a charging decision.

STORY

The European Commission has disbursed €3.47 billion to Ukraine through the defence window of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan. The payment was announced as part of the European Union’s continuing financial support for Ukraine during the war with Russia.

The funding is intended to support Ukraine’s defence requirements while maintaining the operation of public services and the wider state. The Commission said disbursements under the loan are linked to agreed arrangements and form part of a broader package of European assistance.

The payment follows earlier EU grants and loans provided through the Ukraine Facility and other financial instruments. European institutions have said further support will remain subject to the conditions and procedures agreed by the Council and European Parliament.

STORY

A fourth company director has been disqualified for their role in a scheme involving unauthorised banking transactions worth almost £13.9 million, the Insolvency Service has announced. Daryl Dylan, 38, of Dublin, has accepted a seven and a half year director disqualification after agreeing not to contest allegations relating to his conduct as a company director.

The Insolvency Service said Daryl Dylan directed Oldcocdt Ltd and Oldcostl Ltd, formerly known as C&D Transport Solutions Ltd and Six Ten Logistics Ltd, which were used to move more than £1.6 million through unauthorised Barclays overdrafts during 2021. Most of the transfers were made to companies connected to his half brother, Scott Dylan, and his associates. Investigators said Daryl Dylan failed to ensure the money could be repaid to the bank on demand and did not adequately oversee the companies’ bank accounts.

The two companies entered liquidation in January 2022 after Barclays obtained freezing orders on the accounts and demanded repayment of more than £1.65 million. According to the Insolvency Service, no repayments were made.

STORY

A prolific shop thief who spat at and bit a security worker in Norwich has been jailed for 34 weeks. Paul Earl admitted 12 counts of shop theft, attempted theft and assault.

The offences were committed at stores in Norwich between February and June. He also asked for four further theft offences to be taken into consideration.

Norwich magistrates also ordered him to pay £150 compensation to the security worker. Police said CCTV and witness evidence had linked him to the offences.

STORY

UK pension funds have agreed to work together on a new investment initiative intended to provide up to £1 billion for British growth companies. The announcement was made as part of the Government’s efforts to increase domestic investment.

The initiative is intended to direct more long term pension capital towards innovative businesses seeking to expand. Ministers said it would support companies in sectors including technology and life sciences.

Further details will be developed by participating pension providers and investment managers. The Government said the scheme would operate on a commercial basis.