Tag: News Story

STORY

Ryan Edwards has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation after vandalising flowers and tributes left for two teenagers who died in a crash in Hampshire. ITV News reported that Edwards, 18, of Fox Close in Warsash, was filmed kicking and trampling on memorial flowers placed at the scene in Corhampton where Mason Renhard, 17, and Damien Dean, 16, died in July 2025.

The memorial had been created after the two teenagers died when a grey Hyundai i20 collided with a tree on Corhampton Lane. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said police were called at 2.47am on Sunday 13 July 2025 and that Damien, from Denmead, was the driver and Mason, from Eastleigh, was the passenger.

STORY

Fallon Wilkinson has been appointed as a new member of the Committee on Fuel Poverty for a three-year term. The Committee said Wilkinson joined on 13 April 2026 and will serve alongside existing recent appointees Professor Richard Fitton and Ross Armstrong. The appointments follow the departure of Anu Singh and Liz Bissett at the end of their terms.

The Committee on Fuel Poverty is an expert advisory body which advises on the effectiveness of policies designed to reduce fuel poverty. It also encourages co-ordination between organisations working in the area and monitors the Government’s progress on its Fuel Poverty Strategy. Its current annual research project is focused on the lived experience of fuel poor homes which have a heat pump.

Wilkinson has worked in the water retail sector for more than a decade and currently leads regulation and compliance at Water Plus. She is also chair of the national Retailer Wholesaler Group and has previously worked on energy market reform, energy efficiency, housing and local government policy. The Committee said she also brings experience of work with vulnerable groups, including as a board adviser at I Have a Voice CIC.

STORY

The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for UK economic growth this year and backed Rachel Reeves’s approach to the public finances. In its latest assessment, the IMF increased its 2026 UK growth forecast from 0.8% to 1.0%, citing stronger than expected economic data and a solid performance in the first quarter of the year.

The Fund said the Government should continue with its deficit reduction plans, while recognising the need to support growth. The assessment gives the Chancellor a boost at a difficult political moment, with the Government facing pressure over borrowing costs, the cost of living and wider uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Reuters reported that Reeves said the IMF’s support showed the Government’s strategy was working and warned against putting economic progress at risk.

The IMF also warned that the UK still faces significant risks, including high energy prices, inflationary pressure and political instability. It said inflation could rise to just under 4% by the end of the year before returning to the Bank of England’s 2% target in 2027, provided energy prices stabilise. The Fund urged ministers to avoid unfunded or broad-based support measures, saying any help with living costs should be temporary, targeted and affordable.

STORY

Former British diplomat Simon Wilson has criticised the conduct of the former Prince Andrew during his time as the UK’s trade envoy, saying officials found his behaviour difficult during overseas visits. Wilson, who served as deputy ambassador in Bahrain between 2001 and 2005, said he had helped organise visits by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and was surprised by what he described as his “cocky” manner.

Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, Wilson said embassy staff received detailed instructions about Andrew’s preferences, including food and drink requirements, and claimed that his staff appeared “petrified” of him. He said this contrasted with his experience of other royal visits, where private secretaries and support staff were usually proud and comfortable in their roles.

Wilson also alleged that Andrew preferred private aircraft and luxury hotels rather than commercial flights or ambassadorial residences. He said he was surprised Andrew remained in the trade envoy role for as long as he did, given concerns about his conduct. Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011.

Mountbatten-Windsor has yet to respond to the latest allegations made against him.

STORY

A South African biscuit producer has secured UK-linked contracts worth more than R1.4 million with support from a UK Government-funded trade programme. Khayelitsha Cookies, based in Cape Town, will supply baked goods for British Airways flights and private-label shortbread products for sale in the UK.

The agreements were supported by the UK Trade Partnerships programme, which helps developing countries use the UK’s Economic Partnership Agreement to increase exports. The Government said preferential terms under the agreement allow about 95% of South African goods to enter the UK market tariff-free.

The announcement gives the story a UK trade and development policy link, with the programme aiming to help businesses in partner countries access British markets. Khayelitsha Cookies said the support had helped it secure two UK-based commercial opportunities and expand its export presence.

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The Government’s Greater Together LA trade mission is opening in Los Angeles, bringing hundreds of UK business leaders to the United States. The event runs from 18 to 22 May and is being led by Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.

The Government has described the event as the largest ever UK trade mission to the US. It says the mission will bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders and creative figures, with sectors linked to the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy represented by senior industry figures.

The UK Government has said the trade mission is intended to support economic growth and strengthen commercial ties with the United States. Officials have highlighted UK-US investment stock of around £1.2 trillion and the role of the relationship in supporting jobs in both countries.

STORY

HMS Tamar has returned to Honiara in a visit intended to underline the UK’s relationship with Solomon Islands. The Government said the ship would first anchor at Tulagi, the historic site where the British Protectorate established the first capital of Solomon Islands.

British High Commissioner Paul Turner said the visit showed the importance the UK attaches to its relationship with Solomon Islands and to closer cooperation on issues such as maritime security. The visit follows earlier UK engagement in the region, including the role of HMS Tamar and HMS Spey in supporting partnerships in the Pacific.

The Government said HMS Tamar can support a range of tasks, including deterring illegal fishing, intercepting drug traffickers and providing humanitarian assistance after disasters. The visit forms part of wider UK foreign policy engagement with Commonwealth and Pacific partners.

STORY

Members of the House of Lords are due to question ministers this week on issues including healthy life expectancy, the Windrush Compensation Scheme, paternity leave for the self-employed and youth offending in England and Wales. The questions form part of the Lords programme for 18 to 21 May.

On Monday, peers are scheduled to question the Government on the fall in healthy life expectancy in England, a new local government pension fund guide and inconsistent decision-making for victims under the Windrush Compensation Scheme. Peers will also raise regulatory flexibilities and innovation linked to the proposed UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement.

The Lords will also continue debating the King’s Speech during the week. The Monday debate is focused on justice, home affairs and the Union, before later debates cover education, culture, technology, energy security, health, housing, transport, foreign affairs and defence.

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MPs are continuing the debate on the King’s Speech this week, with the House of Commons sitting from 14:30 today. The main subject for Monday’s debate is backing business to create economic growth.

The parliamentary schedule for the week also includes debate on energy security on Tuesday, Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday and the conclusion of the King’s Speech debate on defence readiness. Justice questions, science questions and business and trade questions are also due to take place across the week.

The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill is scheduled for second reading on Thursday. The bill is expected to be one of the key legislative measures watched closely during the new parliamentary session, following recent Government interventions in the steel sector.

STORY

New mandatory registration rules for paid tax advisers have begun rolling out, with HM Revenue and Customs introducing a single digital system for advisers who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients. The new requirement came into effect from Monday 18 May 2026.

HMRC said the reforms are intended to raise standards in the tax advice market, protect taxpayers and make advisers easier to identify. Registration will be free and phased between May 2026 and March 2027, with different categories of advisers invited to register during separate windows.

The first registration window, from 18 May to 18 August, applies to new tax advisers and advisers interacting with HMRC without an agent services account, Self Assessment account or Corporation Tax account. HMRC said eligible advisers who fail to register by the relevant deadline could face sanctions.