A poll finds 1.8m people expect to spend Christmas Day alone. Ministers urge the public to check in on neighbours and friends, and are considering measures to tackle loneliness. Charities call for visits, phone calls and community events to support isolated people.
At Ally Pally, a darts player swatted a wasp that landed on his face mid-match, briefly halting play, then went on to win. The insect is regarded by some attendees as a venue good luck symbol. Officials restarted the game without issue and the player advanced.
Ministers plan to postpone May’s local elections in parts of England during local‑government reorganisation, extending terms for sitting councillors and affecting millions of voters. The move, billed as avoiding duplicate polls during mergers, faces opposition, with Reform alleging it shields incumbents.
The Bank cut the base rate to 3.75% and signalled inflation should fall faster, heading towards 2% next year. Lenders are preparing a spring 2026 mortgage price war, with deals near 3%. Reeves says cheaper borrowing could save first‑time buyers about £100 a month.
Rory McIlroy has been named Sports Personality of the Year after a standout season on tour. The award recognises his sustained excellence, consistency and leadership in golf, rounding off a year that reaffirmed his status among the sport’s elite.
Ministers plan to let 63 councils postpone May’s local elections, affecting over 10m voters. Supporters cite administrative changes; opponents say it favours Labour-run areas and shields the PM from a key test. In some places, votes could be delayed for up to seven years.
Kemi Badenoch argues only the Conservatives have the competence and resolve to face down a hostile regime, urging a firm, deterrent stance over concessions. She calls for stronger UK defences and closer work with Western allies, warning against complacency in government.
Bridget Phillipson has halted guidance for public bodies on expanding single-sex facilities after a Supreme Court ruling on female-only lavatories. She argues the judgment is trans-exclusive, pausing plans to tighten rules on women-only spaces and prompting a political row.
BoE cut Bank Rate 0.25pp to 3.75% as inflation cools. Bailey struck a cautious tone on further easing amid signs of a slowing economy. Reeves welcomed the decision, saying it should help households and businesses, while investors see scope for more, gradual reductions.
Labour set out a strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, aiming to halve cases within a decade. Led by Jess Phillips, it focuses on education on healthy relationships, stronger support and training for professionals, tougher action on offenders, prevention funding and celebrity-backed public awareness.
Scientists who delivered the first effective COVID treatment are turning to a severe H3N2 flu strain that’s straining the NHS. Led by Prof Sir Peter Horby and the Recovery trial, they aim to find viable therapies, noting there are currently fewer treatment options for flu than for COVID.
The PM plans school programmes to counter misogyny, with targeted behaviour‑change courses for boys showing concerning conduct. Lessons will address coercion, harassment, sexting and harmful online content, piloted in secondary schools and potentially extended to primaries.
The PM faces criticism over plans to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus-style exchange programme, with costs projected to reach about £6bn over the decade, far higher than before. Ministers say it will expand study abroad and skills; opponents call it poor value and a step towards reversing Brexit.
A boom in German support is set to transform Alexandra Palace, with thousands expected as the World Darts Championship moves to a larger arena there next year. The rise of stars such as Martin Schindler has made the event a cult favourite in Germany, promising a louder, livelier Ally Pally.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged the PM to ban doctors’ strikes, saying ministers must “show backbone” as the NHS struggles with walkouts. Health chiefs warned of damaging disruption to care; she accused the government of failing patients.
Britain will rejoin the Erasmus student exchange, with costs put at about £8bn over the deal’s life. The PM signed up while declining to specify the long‑term bill. The scheme is intended to widen study placements and deepen links between UK and European universities and research.
Britain is preparing a peacekeeping contingent for a possible allied deployment. The MoD has begun notice-to-move steps, purchasing kit and planning troop movements. Ministers say the UK stands ready to support an emerging settlement and stabilise a fragile situation in Eastern Europe.
European intelligence says a hostile state is targeting EU finance chiefs and politicians to derail plans to use profits from frozen central bank assets. Leaders will decide whether to proceed, with legal backing and guarantees for Euroclear under discussion.
Warner Bros Discovery’s board rejected a $108bn approach from Paramount, calling it “illusory” and urging investors to spurn it. The directors said the bid lacked funding and regulatory certainty and was inferior to an $85bn transaction they are pursuing with Netflix.
The PM demands that £2.5bn from Chelsea’s 2022 sale be transferred to a UK‑run humanitarian fund, telling the club’s former owner to honour his pledge or face legal action. Officials say a licence under sanctions rules could authorise the payment after compliance checks.