Ministers raised the tax threshold on inherited farmland to £2.5m after a U-turn, easing bills for estates. Farming groups argue many family holdings remain exposed and are pressing the government to scrap the levy entirely to safeguard succession.

The Post Office plans a major revamp, expanding branches to plug gaps left by bank closures. New hubs will offer access to cash, small-business support and community services, including prescriptions, to draw people back to town centres and boost high streets.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman closed the Strictly series with a festive sign‑off, thanking viewers and celebrating the finalists after a glittering finale, drawing the curtain on the show’s 2025 run.

Robotic surgery is expanding across the NHS. Surgeons guide precision tools that shorten recovery, cut complications and free up beds. Wider use in urgent operations is expected to lift capacity and save millions through shorter stays and fewer readmissions.