Bank battle: history suggests Burnham faces fight if he opts for windfall tax
It has been a stellar week for UK banks. Fuelled by high interest rates and market turbulence rippling out from the US war on Iran, major lenders have revealed soaring…
Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk
Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires. The call, which has also…
Government contracts to require job creation instead of green targets under new rules
Ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to prove their green and progressive values before they are awarded government contracts, and instead ask firms to prove they will help young…
Charity Commission to investigate donations to illegal Israeli settlements
An official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The Charity Commission will aim to establish the amount of…
Calls to ban ‘toxic’ pet flea treatments that harm UK wildlife and environment
Over-the-counter flea treatment for cats and dogs should be banned as millions of hazardous chemicals are unnecessarily applied to UK pets each year, a parliamentary report has concluded. Cats and…
Women must not feel pressure to have ‘ideal birth’, says Yvette Cooper
Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals. Cooper,…
Prisoner early release scheme gives Burnham his first taste of unpopularity
If Andy Burnham wanted to demonstrate he was the anti-Keir Starmer, the first fortnight could not have gone better. Instead of painting a gloomy picture of tough times and an…
Why are criminals being released early? The prison crisis in numbers
Around 1,000 rapists and child sex offenders will remain exempt from Labour’s early prison release scheme – but why couldn’t Andy Burnham go further? Alex Ross explores the crisis facing…
Five councillors resign over £50,000 public toilet saga in Kent village
The protacted dispute led to protests and two costly by-elections More than £50,000 has been spent to save a public toilet block in a Kent village following a protracted dispute…
Police release images after spate of crimes during Arsenal victory parade
Arsenal celebrated winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years with a victory parade in May Police are appealing for information from the public following a…