Ministers will scrap mandatory disclosure of “facility time”, so NHS bodies and schools need not report how much is spent on union reps’ paid time off. Government says this cuts red tape; critics warn it hides taxpayer costs and weakens transparency.

Wes Streeting urges Britain to rejoin a customs union with the EU, contradicting the PM. A YouGov poll shows 80% of Labour voters want closer EU ties. Party leaders call the idea a red line, while some suggest Streeting is positioning for a future leadership contest.

An oil tanker tied to a sanctions‑busting fleet was damaged in the Mediterranean in an incident involving an uncrewed aircraft. A senior figure linked to the Salisbury poisonings was reportedly killed. The development tightens pressure on illicit energy shipments and aligns with Western sanctions.

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.