Tag: News Story

STORY

A House of Commons committee has called for a clearer Government strategy on science diplomacy, research security and technological sovereignty. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee warned that international research partnerships increasingly operate within a more hostile and competitive security environment.

Its report said the UK should remain open to global scientific collaboration while improving the way risks involving intellectual property, strategic technologies and foreign interference are assessed. It also called for clearer responsibilities across Government departments and agencies.

The committee argued that poorly designed restrictions could damage British research as seriously as insufficient safeguards. Ministers will be expected to respond to recommendations on international partnerships, trusted research, funding and the role of science in foreign policy.

STORY

Ministers have launched a UK-wide consultation on restrictions intended to prevent vapes from being marketed to children. The proposals include plain white packaging, limits on flavour descriptions and requirements for vaping products to be kept out of sight in shops, airports and wholesale premises.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the measures would reduce the appeal of brightly coloured products and branding designed to resemble sweets, drinks and other items popular with young people. The consultation also covers plain packaging for tobacco products including cigars and cigarette papers.

The Government said vaping remained a useful tool for adults trying to stop smoking but should not be promoted to children or people who had never smoked. Retailers, manufacturers, health organisations and members of the public will be invited to respond before final regulations are drawn up.

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Andy Burnham is on course to become Labour leader after receiving support from an overwhelming majority of the Parliamentary Labour Party. No rival candidate has emerged with a realistic prospect of reaching the nomination threshold, leaving Burnham effectively assured of succeeding Keir Starmer.

Reports indicated that more than 300 Labour MPs had backed Burnham, prompting criticism from some members who argued that the speed of the process had limited scrutiny. Labour is expected to confirm the result at a special party conference before Burnham is appointed Prime Minister.

Burnham has promised a change in political direction, including greater devolution and a stronger focus on public services outside London. He will inherit a difficult economic position and immediate disputes within Labour over migration, welfare reform, foreign policy and the pace of public service improvement.

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Nearly 80 Labour MPs have urged Andy Burnham to move away from what they described as hostile rhetoric on immigration as he prepares to become Labour leader and Prime Minister. Their intervention focused on proposals including a longer route to indefinite leave to remain and called for a more balanced approach to migration and asylum policy.

The MPs argued that Labour risked adopting language and policies associated with Reform UK, while failing to address practical weaknesses in the asylum system. They called for measures including allowing asylum seekers to work after six months and reducing reliance on expensive private accommodation contracts.

Burnham has secured overwhelming support among Labour MPs and is expected to be confirmed as leader without a contested ballot. The letter demonstrates that, despite the scale of his parliamentary backing, he will face early pressure from different wings of the party over immigration, public spending and the direction of the next Government.

STORY

Count Binface could become Nigel Farage’s only opponent in the forthcoming Clacton by-election after Britain’s principal political parties announced that they would not field candidates. The satirical campaigner has confirmed that he intends to stand, potentially leaving voters with a straight choice between the Reform UK leader and a self-described intergalactic space warrior wearing a silver dustbin on his head.

Farage triggered the contest by announcing his resignation as the MP for Clacton before confirming that he would immediately seek re-election. He has presented the contest as an opportunity for local voters to judge his conduct amid scrutiny of his financial affairs and declared support.

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all said that they will not contest the election. Restore Britain has also ruled out standing, with Farage’s opponents arguing that they do not want to participate in what they regard as a political stunt intended to divert attention from the allegations surrounding him.

Their withdrawal means Count Binface is currently expected to be Farage’s only challenger, although the formal list of candidates will not be confirmed until nominations have closed. Other independent or minor-party candidates could still enter the contest before the deadline.

Count Binface, the creation of comedian Jonathan Harvey, has previously stood in elections against figures including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. His campaigns combine political satire with deliberately absurd promises, although he has said his candidacy is also intended to demonstrate the importance of democratic choice.

He has promised to stand as a “unity candidate” in Clacton and has pledged to build at least one affordable home. His reported manifesto also includes restoring Ceefax and ensuring that a 99 Flake costs no more than 99p. Count Binface said he did not know whether he would receive any votes and joked that the situation might be a “fever dream”.

Farage won Clacton at the 2024 general election with 21,225 votes, securing 46.2 per cent of the vote and an 8,405 majority over the Conservatives.

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The new chair of the Local Government Association has called on the next Prime Minister to ensure that devolution reaches every part of the country. Eamonn O’Brien, the leader of Bury Council, was elected to the role at the organisation’s annual conference in Bournemouth.

O’Brien said power should be placed as close as possible to the communities affected by decisions. He called for a more mature partnership between central and local Government and argued that councils should have greater freedom to shape services and investment.

The Government has promoted mayoral and strategic authority arrangements as part of its devolution programme. Council leaders continue to seek longer-term funding settlements and powers that extend beyond selected metropolitan areas.

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Council expenditure on temporary accommodation increased by 1,077 per cent in real terms between 2011/12 and 2024/25, according to analysis by the Local Government Association. The organisation said the rise reflected a worsening homelessness crisis and severe shortages of affordable housing.

Authorities are increasingly using hotels, bed and breakfasts and other costly placements for households owed homelessness duties. Councils have warned that the spending is placing unsustainable pressure on budgets while often providing unsuitable conditions for families.

The LGA has called for a long-term plan covering affordable housing, welfare support and homelessness prevention. It said councils needed sufficient funding and greater access to permanent homes rather than continued dependence on expensive emergency accommodation.

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The European Parliament has triggered a verification procedure concerning the Europe of Sovereign Nations political party, which includes Germany’s Alternative for Germany and other far-right parties. The process will examine whether the organisation complies with the EU’s founding values.

The procedure could ultimately result in the party losing its status as a recognised European political party and access to European funding. Supporters of the move cited concerns about democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Members from far-right groups opposed the decision and argued that it was politically motivated. The case will test the rules governing European political parties and the threshold for action over alleged breaches of EU values.

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The European Parliament has debated and voted on the progress of Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia towards European Union membership. The discussions examined reforms, democratic standards and the next stages of accession negotiations.

MEPs have broadly supported the European ambitions of Ukraine and Moldova while continuing to press both countries to meet legal and institutional requirements. Serbia has faced closer scrutiny over the rule of law, media freedom and its relationship with Russia.

Enlargement has become a central strategic issue for the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Any new member must satisfy the accession criteria and secure the unanimous approval of existing member states.

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The Government has announced proposals for an independent veterinary ombudsman as part of what it described as the largest reform of the sector in half a century. The plans are intended to give pet owners stronger rights and improve transparency over treatment costs.

The proposed ombudsman would provide a route for complaints and disputes, while further measures would address information about prices and treatment options. Ministers said the reforms were designed to improve competition and public confidence.

The proposals follow concern about rising veterinary bills and consolidation in the market. The Government will need to balance consumer protection with the costs faced by practices and the professional independence of veterinary surgeons.