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A Kremlin adviser has warned that British factories producing drones for Ukraine could be attacked from 'unknown sources' after the UK agreed to share long-range missile blueprints. The warning came as Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first foreign trip to Ukraine, where he reiterated support and signed a defence agreement.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will not raise income tax, VAT, or National Insurance in his first budget, citing a manifesto commitment. Speaking on his first foreign visit to Ukraine, he outlined plans to fund cost-of-living measures by reprioritising existing programmes, while acknowledging the challenging fiscal outlook.
Britain has secured access to Ukraine's Avengers AI Labs battlefield data under a deal signed during Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv. The agreement, part of the 100 Year Partnership, will train AI systems to protect UK sites and comes alongside the transfer of Storm Shadow missile blueprints.
The parents of Aaron Parrington, who was fatally stabbed in Torquay, express anger that his killers could be released early under new government proposals. They criticize the policy, which they say overlooks victims of manslaughter, and they are backed by their local MP seeking to challenge the plan.
During a visit to Kyiv, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the UK will share classified technical information for the SCALP/Storm Shadow missile components with Ukraine, enabling domestic production. The Kremlin reacted sharply, accusing Britain of adding 'fuel to the fire' and threatening to destroy missile production sites. Burnham hit back, asking 'Who started the fire?' and affirming continued UK support.
A consortium of Thames Water creditors has outlined plans to appoint experienced industry figures to the board if its recapitalisation bid succeeds, aiming to keep the utility in private hands. The proposal faces criticism from campaigners and comes as ministers weigh temporary nationalisation options amid the company's heavy debt burden. Key figures including Andy Burnham have called for greater public control.
Roughly £2.5bn in lost and unclaimed financial assets has been returned to UK savers in the first half of the year through the Billions 4 Millions scheme, with pensions accounting for the majority of claims. The average reconnection was £31,647, and the largest single recovery was a protection policy worth £3.2m.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined other European leaders in Kyiv for Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, announcing plans to support local production of long-range missiles. The visit also marked Burnham's first foreign trip since taking office, with pledges to deepen ties with the EU and continue military support.
Graduate job vacancies in the UK fell to 8,383 in July, the lowest since Adzuna began tracking, while overall vacancies dropped to 791,490. Employers cite national insurance hikes and AI investment, though some sectors like travel and IT are still hiring.
Three leading electric vehicle organisations are urging ministers to make independent battery health assessments mandatory for used car sales. The government says it is working on new rules to provide clearer battery health information, as used EV sales surge.
New data from Checkatrade shows nearly half of young Britons are considering trade careers, amid fears that AI threatens office-based jobs. Recruiters like Hays are also shifting focus toward sectors such as construction and engineering while placing greater value on interpersonal skills.
Chris Bryant, the Northern Ireland Secretary, made his first official visit to Dublin, meeting Irish justice and foreign affairs ministers. The visit focused on economic ties, joint security, and legacy commitments, with Bryant pressing both governments to advance Troubles legacy legislation.
The UK government has launched an independent review into how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, promising to make valuations fairer. The review, led by Jerry Schurder, will report by March 2027, ahead of the next revaluation. The move follows a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and music venues announced last month, amid concerns from hospitality trade bodies about rising costs.
Tributes have been paid to the two police officers killed in the A66 crash, with their families describing them as heroes. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed the Volkswagen Passat was being pursued before the collision, and a fundraiser for the officers' families has raised over £300,000.
Two police officers and five men were killed in a wrong-way crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The UK government has urged social media companies to remove videos of dangerous driving, and footage has emerged appearing to show one of the men killed driving recklessly.
The State Pension age is being raised from 66 to 67 in stages between 2026 and 2028, affecting people born after April 5, 1960. While the DWP confirms the timeline, new research suggests most people aged 60-65 view the change as unfair, with some reports indicating the age could rise to 68 sooner than planned.
The government's Summer Bus Fare Offer gives children aged 5 to 15 free travel on most local buses across England throughout August. With the scheme ending soon, here's what families should check before relying on the perk.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly open to reducing tuition fees for EU students in exchange for improved trade terms with the bloc, according to The i Paper. The move, which could see EU students pay domestic-level fees, has drawn criticism from the Conservatives. A UK-EU summit is expected later this year.
An analysis by The Observer and education expert Dennis Sherwood suggests up to 39,000 GCSE students may have missed a grade 4 pass due to marking inconsistencies. Education Secretary Lucy Powell has pledged to overhaul the resit system.
A new Lloyds Business Barometer survey reveals that 54% of UK businesses say AI has created jobs, while 58% plan to increase AI investment. However, 31% admit their workforce lacks needed skills, highlighting a growing gap between large and small firms.