Tag: News Story

STORY

Voters are going to the polls in the Makerfield by-election, with the contest being watched closely because of its potential implications for Labour’s national leadership. Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, is standing for Labour in the seat after the resignation of Josh Simons, and a victory would return him to Westminster.

The contest has attracted national attention because Burnham is widely regarded as a possible challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Reuters reported that the result could shape whether a leadership contest develops, with Starmer saying he would fight any challenge and arguing that such a contest would be bad for the country.

Reform UK is also contesting the seat, with Robert Kenyon as its candidate, while other parties are seeking to use the by-election to test Labour’s support after recent political difficulties. The result is expected after polls close on Thursday evening and will be assessed for both the local outcome and its national political consequences.

STORY

The Government is facing fresh questions over its planned ban on social media access for under-16s after Ofcom warned that it needs more resources and clearer legal definitions to enforce the policy. The ban is due to come into force from spring 2027 and would prevent major social media platforms from offering services to children under 16.

The Times reported that Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s director of online safety, had raised concerns about the practical challenges of enforcing the ban, including the need for clarity over which services would be covered. Questions have also been raised over how platforms will verify the age of younger users, with ministers expected to set out further details on age-checking measures in the coming months.

The policy has also drawn concern from the advertising and technology sectors. The Guardian reported that the ban could lead to a £1.3 billion fall in UK digital advertising spend, with platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook expected to lose access to a significant teenage audience. Ministers have said the measure is needed to protect children online, but the latest concerns add to scrutiny over whether the legislation can be implemented effectively and questions on whether a rushed timetable would lead to mistakes.

STORY

The Liberal Democrats have urged Labour to change its approach to relations with the European Union, calling for the UK to rejoin the single market through the European Free Trade Association and negotiate a new customs union with the bloc. Ed Davey is expected to argue that the Government’s current position is too limited to deliver major economic benefits.

The party has said Labour should drop its red lines on the single market and customs union, arguing that Brexit continues to affect trade, labour supply and the wider economy. The proposal would involve politically difficult questions, including the issue of free movement, which EU officials have consistently linked to full single market participation.

Labour has rejected rejoining the single market or customs union and has instead pursued more limited agreements with the EU, including cooperation on food and veterinary checks, professional qualifications and security. The debate comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum and amid renewed scrutiny of the economic consequences of leaving the EU.

STORY

The BBC is facing further questions over its vetting of presenters after the Guardian reported that Ashley Cain had previously used abusive and misogynistic language about women on social media. Cain presents the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, which was commissioned for a second series after the corporation praised his ability to connect with young male audiences.

The Guardian said Cain had used offensive terms about women in posts on X, formerly Twitter, before he began working with the BBC. The newspaper also reported that he had sent abusive messages to female users and made remarks about violence and degrading sexual behaviour. Cain did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment, while the BBC said it expected high standards from everyone working with or for the corporation and would consider the information carefully.

The report comes after a series of controversies involving BBC presenters and follows an external review of BBC workplace culture, which found that unacceptable behaviour by a minority of people within the corporation was not always addressed. The Guardian said the revelations could create an early test for the BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin, who joined the corporation last month.

STORY

The British Council faces further job losses and the possible closure of operations in 11 countries as it works to repay a £197 million Covid-era Government loan, according to reporting on a National Audit Office assessment. The organisation, which promotes UK culture and education overseas, has faced continuing financial pressure since the pandemic.

The watchdog said the British Council remained loss-making and was not expected to return to profit until 2029-30. The loan was provided after the pandemic severely affected income from exams, teaching and other services which had previously helped fund the organisation’s international work.

The findings raise further questions about the future funding of one of the UK’s main soft-power institutions. The British Council operates at arm’s length from Government but relies on public support as well as commercial income to maintain cultural, educational and diplomatic activity overseas.

STORY

A new poll in Switzerland has found support for a proposed agreement to deepen economic ties with the European Union by a margin of around two to one. The agreement would represent one of the most significant changes in Swiss-EU relations for a generation.

The package covers areas including state aid, transport, free movement and the way Switzerland updates EU-linked laws connected to access to the single market. The agreement has been under discussion in the Swiss Parliament and would be put to voters in a referendum if approved by lawmakers.

The Swiss People’s Party opposes the deal, citing concerns about EU bureaucracy, wages and immigration. Supporters argue that stable relations with the EU are important for Swiss businesses, including the pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on access to European markets.

STORY

MEPs have considered the final vote on reforms to EU returns policy, after a provisional agreement was reached with the Council on rules for third-country nationals who do not have the right to remain in the bloc. The proposal is part of a wider effort to strengthen the implementation of return decisions across member states.

The reform would create new obligations for people subject to return procedures to cooperate with national authorities. It also provides for detention of up to 24 months in some cases, strengthens mutual recognition of return decisions across the EU and allows the use of return hubs in non-EU countries.

Supporters of the reform argue that common rules are needed to improve the effectiveness of returns and reduce fragmentation between member states. Civil liberties groups and some MEPs have raised concerns about detention, access to safeguards and the potential use of third-country centres.

STORY

The European Parliament has approved legislation implementing the European Union’s trade commitments under its agreement with the United States. The vote gives parliamentary backing to tariff changes intended to avoid a further escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.

The package removes or reduces EU duties on a number of US goods, including industrial products and some agricultural and seafood imports. The arrangement follows earlier commitments made by the European Commission in negotiations with Washington, with the US applying a 15% tariff on most EU exports under the wider agreement.

The legislation includes safeguard provisions allowing the EU to suspend concessions if the US does not comply with the agreed terms. The deal still requires approval from EU member states before the measures can be fully implemented.

STORY

The UK has announced £13.9 million of funding for international ocean and coastal resilience programmes, with the investment confirmed at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa. Marine Minister Emma Hardy said the funding would support communities facing climate and environmental risks.

The money will be channelled through the Blue Planet Fund and will support three international programmes: the World Bank’s PROBLUE fund, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance and the Global Plastic Action Partnership. The schemes cover areas including sustainable marine management, coastal protection and action against plastic pollution.

The Government said the investment was intended to support both people and nature in climate-vulnerable coastal communities. The announcement forms part of the UK’s international climate and environment policy, with ministers linking marine protection to development, resilience and economic security.

STORY

G7 leaders have agreed a declaration on tackling drug trafficking, with the UK joining other members in committing to stronger action against organised criminal networks. The statement said global drug trafficking had expanded in recent years, driven by record production levels, changing criminal methods and rising demand.

The declaration said maritime routes and ports remained a major focus for enforcement because of their use in moving drugs and precursor chemicals. Leaders said they would seek to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve the resilience of ports and support national investigations and prosecutions.

The UK Government said the declaration formed part of wider work at the G7 on security, organised crime and international cooperation. Ministers have presented action against transnational crime as a national security issue as well as a policing and public health concern.