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PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 collided with their armed response vehicle near Middlesbrough. Five young men in the Passat were also killed. Families and Seaton Carew FC have paid tribute as the IOPC investigates the lead-up to the crash.
Cleveland Police have named the five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat and two officers killed in a wrong-way crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The IOPC has revealed the pursuit was aborted seconds before the collision, and tributes have poured in for the victims.
The UK government under Andy Burnham will oversee reforms to tackle illegal 'ghost' number plates, following a strategy launched under Sir Keir Starmer. Proposals include stricter DVLA checks, AI research, and potential penalties such as points and fines.
Tesco Clubcard members are being reminded that around £11 million in vouchers will expire at 11.59pm on August 31. The supermarket has urged shoppers to check their accounts, and has highlighted ways to boost the value of vouchers through reward partners.
Three electric vehicle organisations are calling on the government to require independent battery health assessments for all used EVs, arguing it would boost consumer confidence and accelerate the second-hand market.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to unveil plans giving regional mayors in England new powers to overrule local councils and greenlight large-scale developments. The move, backed by 10 of 14 devolved mayors, aims to accelerate housebuilding amid a shortfall in the government's 1.5 million homes target. Opposition parties have criticized the proposal as a 'direct attack' on communities.
HMRC will dispatch valuation officers to properties across the UK to assess whether they exceed £2 million and are liable for the new high-value council tax surcharge, dubbed the 'mansion tax.' Homeowners who refuse entry face fines of up to £200 and a criminal offence, with the charge set to apply from April 2028. The policy has drawn criticism from Conservative politicians who call it 'sinister' and 'Orwellian,' while the government defends it as addressing longstanding unfairness in council tax.
After weeks of hot, dry weather left lawns brown across the UK, gardening experts are advising caution with recovery efforts. Aiper's Andres Gomez says not to mow grass yet, while Lawnsmith experts warn against overwatering scorched lawns.
Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, with no replacement named, as diplomatic ties deteriorate. The move comes amid threats over Ukraine's use of British-made drones and heightened rhetoric from both sides.
A small UK power generator was forced offline for four days last month in a cyber attack attributed to Iran-linked hackers, marking the first successful incident of its kind against a British energy facility. The government downplayed the impact, stressing no risk to the wider grid, while experts suggest the attack may have been a demonstration of capability by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
The UK government has announced plans to give regional mayors greater authority over planning decisions, including the power to 'call in' and direct councils on larger developments. The move, which will apply to 13 mayoral areas, has drawn praise from ministers and criticism from opposition parties.
Andy Burnham sent a video message to bride Sarah 'Saz' Burwin on her wedding day after she asked him not to attend, fearing his security detail would ruin her photos. The couple, married at the building housing No 10 North in Manchester, were delighted by his response.
TV Licensing sets out seven situations in which households may claim a refund on their BBC TV licence, which costs £180 a year for colour. Discounts are available for certain groups, including blind viewers and those receiving Pension Credit.
Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry gave Everton a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener, with Prime Minister and Everton fan Andy Burnham watching on. Manager David Moyes praised young players but reiterated the need for a new right-back before the transfer window closes.
Manchester United's Premier League campaign began with a sobering 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull City, puncturing pre-season optimism. Manager Michael Carrick called for calm, while pundits and players assessed the damage.
As Prince Harry and Meghan prepare to return to the UK, a debate over their security arrangements has intensified. Former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett has proposed a 'middle ground' level of protection, while political figures weigh in and the Home Office keeps details under wraps.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out any election deal with Reform UK, calling defectors 'some of the most dishonest people' she has met and preferring another election over a 'monstrous' coalition. Her comments came during a festival appearance, as Reform targets her Essex seat and polls show Labour leading.
France has promised to deliver new interceptor missiles to Ukraine, and the UK will help Kyiv produce its own long-range missiles, amid a surge in Russian strikes that has pushed civilian deaths to their highest since the first months of the invasion. The pledges come as Ukraine hosts a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv on its independence day.
102 former French and British diplomats signed an open letter published in Le Monde, urging their governments to jointly sanction Israel, including arms transfer bans and a freeze on trade agreements, warning that Israeli policy threatens to erase the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Seven people, including two police officers, died in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough after a Volkswagen Passat travelled the wrong way down the dual carriageway. The victims have been named, and the police watchdog has opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash.