An audit alleges hundreds of public bodies have not implemented last year’s Supreme Court ruling on sex‑based spaces. NHS trusts, councils, police and departments are said to retain outdated policies. Critics blame ministers for inaction.
Britain faces summer supermarket shortages if a key shipping strait stays closed. A CO2 squeeze, vital for food processing, packaging and fizzy drinks, could hit poultry, dairy and supply chains. Plans would prioritise the NHS and essential services, with emergency powers on standby.
Beijing expands its presence in the Gulf as Washington seeks a deal with Tehran. Xi issues his sharpest warning over a US blockade, while the Pentagon increases deployments to apply pressure. The standoff risks derailing a planned summit and disrupting vital oil trade.
A new analysis says the typical family now faces about £4,000 more in annual tax under Chancellor Rachel Reeves, driven by frozen thresholds, higher council tax and other measures. Critics warn the burden is rising faster than in comparable economies.
A Cochrane review says Alzheimer’s drugs targeting amyloid offer only a trivial gain in cognition and daily living over 18 months. Charities reject the verdict, arguing lecanemab and donanemab represent genuine progress for patients and research.
The PM will summon tech bosses to No10 to demand stronger safeguards for children online, after MPs rejected an outright under-16s social media ban by 286-151. He wants platforms to act responsibly and improve age checks, with bereaved parents urging urgent action.
MP Samantha Niblett launches a push for healthier attitudes to relationships, while alleging a culture of inappropriate behaviour in Parliament. She urges tougher standards, clearer reporting routes and respect at work to curb misconduct.
Global oil and gas giants are reaping about $30m in extra profit every hour amid energy market turmoil, with annual takings forecast at $234bn. Campaigners urge a windfall tax to fund household support and green investment, and pressure is mounting on ministers to act.
Iran’s military space arm has obtained a Chinese-built Earth‑observation satellite and used it to gather imagery of US and regional military sites, according to an investigation. Beijing denies state involvement, saying the spacecraft is intended for civilian applications.
Starmer said he won’t be pushed by Trump into backing US action against Iran, despite threats to tear up a UK–US trade deal. Reeves called the intervention a mistake that hasn’t made the world safer, saying allies can disagree. The row further strains the special relationship.
Keir Starmer defended his stance after an ex‑NATO chief criticised UK defences, saying he has backed higher spending and support for the forces. In heated Commons exchanges, Kemi Badenoch argued Labour would prioritise welfare over defence. Spending figures are due to be published.
New polling for the upcoming local elections projects Labour losing control in Wales and suffering wider council setbacks across Britain. The model suggests gains for rivals and independents, signalling a difficult test for the PM’s party and a weakening of its local authority base.
Rachel Reeves plans a defence rise of under £2.5bn a year, far short of calls from ministers and military chiefs. With public finances tight, she is resisting a rapid path to 2.5% of GDP and urging efficiencies. Critics warn security risks are growing; No.10 faces pressure to go further.
Two former Labour defence secretaries, including Lord Robertson, warn the UK cannot be kept safe while welfare costs keep rising. They urge the government to restrain benefits spending and boost defence funding, accuse the PM of dithering, and say Starmer’s review demands urgent action.
Britain faces slower growth, weaker hiring and higher living costs as global tensions drive up petrol, energy and mortgage bills. Strained public finances delay defence investment, require £3.5bn in savings and threaten Labour’s 1.5m homes pledge, though a rebound is expected in 2027.
Rachel Reeves condemned Donald Trump’s handling of the Gulf crisis, saying the US lacks an exit plan and is hitting British households via energy costs and market volatility. She urged a coherent strategy, allied coordination and measures to shield the UK economy.
Retired officer Sam Spry urges the PM to create a medal honouring 999 staff injured in the line of duty. Drawing on his own experience, he says many emergency workers live with lasting physical and psychological effects and deserve national recognition for their service.
A Labour MP will lead a Commons debate on sex education, reviewing what should be taught, how materials are used and parental transparency. The discussion aims to tighten safeguarding, clarify the curriculum and give clearer guidance for schools and teachers.
The IMF warns that escalating tensions involving Iran could tip the global economy into recession, with Britain hit hardest in the G7. The UK’s reliance on energy imports and fragile growth would magnify higher prices and weaker output, tightening pressure on households and public finances.
A Hollywood star’s quip that “no one cares” about ballet or opera unexpectedly fuelled a rush for tickets. Arts leaders, including at the Royal Opera House, reported surging sales and thanked the publicity for drawing new audiences to live performance.
JPMorgan, Citi and Wells posted record quarterly earnings, with roughly $25bn in combined profit. Trading desks benefited from heightened geopolitical tensions and rate-driven volatility, while higher rates lifted net interest income. Executives cautioned on consumer spending and credit.