The PM vows 2026 will bring tangible improvements after a tough year, pledging action on energy bills, workers’ rights and public services, with a focus on cutting child poverty. He says the government will restore hope and deliver change for ordinary households.
Dame Esther Rantzen urges the public to write to peers ahead of a Lords debate on assisted dying, arguing that blocking reform prolongs avoidable suffering for the terminally ill. She says compassionate correspondence could help pass landmark safeguards-based legislation.
Ministers plan cost-cutting reforms to SEND in England, narrowing access to education, health and care plans and introducing national standards and mandatory mediation as council spending nears £13bn. Critics warn hundreds of thousands could lose legal protections; the DfE says support will be targeted.
Police are searching for a truck driver after a collision on a notorious Nigerian road involving a prominent boxer’s SUV. The athlete’s chauffeur is under investigation and could face charges after the incident led to a death.
Shabana Mahmood says the Government will contest a Strasbourg challenge to the decision to strip Shamima Begum of UK citizenship, citing national security and a Supreme Court ruling that backed it. Ministers plan a robust defence and are considering legal options.
Ministers are considering issuing digital IDs at birth, expanding Labour’s scheme beyond adults. The plan, discussed in private meetings, would create a lifelong digital profile linked to public services and employment checks. Supporters cite efficiency; critics warn about privacy and state overreach.
The PM will launch a “year of proof”, seeking to unite MPs behind plans to cut living costs before May’s elections. He’ll outline steps on bills and public services and host MPs at Chequers, aiming to quell backbench unrest and demonstrate delivery to voters.
Nationwide cold weather alerts have been issued for a week as temperatures plunge. Officials warn of higher risks for older and vulnerable people and pressure on health and care, with hospital beds near capacity. Yellow warnings for snow, ice and wind; drivers urged to take care and check on neighbours.
HS2 spent £37m buying properties along a now-axed section of the route, with acquisitions continuing until October. The purchases, on the Birmingham–Manchester/Leeds corridor, have sparked criticism over waste and oversight, prompting fresh scrutiny of the project’s management and accountability.