The King and Prince of Wales are preparing US visits to support government efforts to secure a UK–US trade deal with President Trump. Timed around America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 World Cup, the push seeks to ease disputes over tech, food and online rules and win better access for British exporters.

Figures show about 25 people a day in Scotland died while on NHS waiting lists this year, over 7,000 in the first nine months. Charities call the toll “heartbreaking” and urge the SNP to act faster to cut delays and expand capacity so patients access specialist care sooner.

Ministers have reversed plans to tighten death duties on farms, raising the inheritance tax threshold from £1m to £2.5m. The shift, driven by pressure from farmers and Labour MPs, is intended to stop family holdings being sold to meet bills and will be added to the Finance Bill.

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.