An MPs’ report says the Home Office mismanaged asylum accommodation, overspending billions on hotels and enabling contractors to earn excessive margins through weak oversight and poor contracts. It urges urgent reform, tighter procurement, value‑for‑money controls, and quicker moves to alternative housing.
MPs say the Home Office squandered billions on flawed asylum accommodation deals, relying on costly hotels and failing to claw back excess profits from providers. The committee urges ministers to recover owed sums, fix procurement and move people into cheaper, suitable housing.
A report says Home Office failures wasted billions on hotel accommodation for people seeking asylum, with poor procurement and oversight allowing contractors to make excessive profits. It urges tighter controls, better value alternatives, and attempts to recover money.
No 10 is seeking to pare back proposed day‑one employment protections, considering probation exceptions and dismissals for conduct or competence, amid warnings the Employment Rights Bill could curb growth. Unions indicate room for compromise as Budget decisions near.
A drone unit south of Zaporizhzhia conducts precision night missions from an underground command post, using small unmanned aircraft to locate and neutralise opposing units. Operators detail methods and Western support that strengthen defence, disrupt supply lines and deter further incursions.
Forecasters say a 400-mile-wide storm will hit the UK on Halloween, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and a sharp temperature drop. Travel delays and localised flooding are possible. Trick-or-treaters face a cold, wet evening; brollies, waterproofs and caution on the roads advised.
Leading supermarkets warn the Chancellor that planned retail tax rises would raise food prices and extend high inflation into 2026. In a Budget letter they seek shop exemptions, arguing higher costs would curb investment, limit value for customers and hit households hardest.
A woman died days after a £20 black‑market weight‑loss jab at a beauty salon said to be unlicensed to give injections. Her daughters urge others to avoid illicit treatments and call for tougher enforcement to protect the public.
Health service leaders have warned Reeves the NHS needs an extra £3bn this year to cover unexpected costs and prevent rationing of care. Without it, hospitals say waiting times will rise, elective treatments may be cut and finances across integrated care boards will deteriorate.
Washington expects Beijing to postpone curbs on rare earth exports, lifting hopes of a trade truce. Officials cite a preliminary consensus and a planned leaders’ meeting. A delay would ease pressure on tech supply chains and tariffs while talks continue over market access and industrial policy.