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.

The PM plans school programmes to counter misogyny, with targeted behaviour‑change courses for boys showing concerning conduct. Lessons will address coercion, harassment, sexting and harmful online content, piloted in secondary schools and potentially extended to primaries.

Britain will rejoin the Erasmus programme from 2027, restoring funded study exchanges across Europe. UK students can spend a year abroad with reciprocal fee waivers for EU visitors. Ministers say it widens opportunity and skills; universities broadly back the move, with costs and implementation still to be set.

Junior doctors will stage a five-day walkout after 83% of BMA members rejected the government’s latest offer. No 10 branded the action “self‑indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous”, with the PM urging medics to push back against the union. The NHS warns of severe disruption amid a flu surge.