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Government scraps jury trial cuts but keeps reforms for fraud cases

The government has abandoned plans to remove jury trials from most criminal cases after widespread opposition, but will retain judge-only trials for complex fraud and financial cases. Other reforms, including removing defendants' right to choose jury trials for mid-level offences, will proceed.

7 min read

Alex Norris wearing a black and gold gown leaves Westminster Abbey.

Conservatives pledge to eliminate £100,000 childcare income threshold

The Conservative Party has pledged to scrap the £100,000 income threshold that currently prevents higher-earning parents from accessing government-funded childcare support in England. Leader Kemi Badenoch described the existing system as an "absurd cliff edge" that penalises work. The proposal wo...

5 min read

40-year-old man shot dead during memorial service in west London

A 40-year-old man has been shot dead during a memorial service in East Acton, west London, as up to 50 people including children gathered. Police have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses.

3 min read

the junction of Braybrook Street and Erconwald Street in East Acton, a Google Streetview image

Two men named after workplace incident on County Down road

Two men have been identified following a workplace incident on the Ballygowan Road in County Down on Friday morning. Joseph Hobbs, 23, and Mark Glover, 38, were pronounced dead at the scene.

2 min read

Emergency services including fire engines, fire cars and an ambulance parked close-by each other on a country road with trees and a footpath to the side.

Greens pledge guaranteed two-year jobs for unemployed under-24s

The Green Party has announced a scheme to guarantee two-year jobs for unemployed 18- to 24-year-olds, with government covering half wages. The policy would launch in areas with the fewest youth job opportunities before rolling out nationwide.

4 min read

Mothin Ali wearing a white shirt and a dark jacket

Swansea schools face viability crisis as pupil rolls forecast to plummet 17% by 2032

Swansea faces a 17% drop in pupil numbers by 2032, threatening the viability of schools operating below sustainable thresholds. The council is exploring community use of buildings, smaller classes, and targeted investment as potential responses to the demographic shift.

5 min read

Pupils walking in school corridor in uniform of white polo shirt and black trousers or skirts. The building is modern and has blue and green lockers along one side of the wall and tall glass windows on the other side.

Six-year-old Harrison Glynne Jones killed in van collision near his home

Harrison Glynne Jones, 6, died after being struck by a van on Mill Road in Llanfairfechan, Conwy, on Thursday evening. He was remembered as a "cheeky chappy" with a personality that could light up a room. Police are appealing for witnesses and camera footage.

3 min read

Harrison pictured at hairdressers smiling. He wears a grey zip top and has short red hair styled with gel and a small toy car child's seat is visible behind him.

Conservatives pledge 50,000 new prison places within seven years

The Conservative Party pledges to build 50,000 new prison places within seven years if elected, funded by £2bn annual spending cuts including to foreign aid and culture budgets. The plan aims to end early prisoner releases and address chronic overcrowding.

5 min read

A prisoner officer walks along a balcony in HMP Portland, Dorset.

Zionism explained: origins, criticisms and the racism debate dividing the Greens

The Green Party prepares to debate whether Zionism is racism. The term has complex origins in 19th-century Jewish political thought, encompasses diverse intellectual traditions, and remains contested between those who see it as liberation and those who characterise it as colonial.

6 min read

Zack Polanski standing on stage at the Green party conference

Hammersmith and Fulham warns of potential 150% council tax rise amid funding cuts

Hammersmith and Fulham council warns it may raise council tax by up to 150% following government funding cuts under the new fair funding formula, potentially adding £29.11 weekly to Band D household bills in 2027/28.

5 min read

Angela Rayner holding a red folder steps out of black car.

Woman fabricated pregnancies and fake children in 'extraordinary' deception, court rules

A High Court judge has ruled that a woman deceived her former partner into believing she had given birth to two children who almost certainly never existed, describing the scheme as an 'extraordinary' and 'elaborate campaign of deceit' that lasted two years and involved fabricated ultrasounds, ba...

4 min read

A low view of the Royal Court of Justice in London, the sky above it is blue and the sun is shining.

'No jobs on a dead planet': Ex-commissioner defends M4 relief road cancellation

Former future generations commissioner Sophie Howe defends her role in scrapping the M4 relief road, arguing that long-term environmental and wellbeing concerns must outweigh short-term economic gains. She explains her reasoning on a BBC podcast.

5 min read

Sophie Howe, a woman with long blonde hair and a green, blue and yellow striped dress, folds her arms while standing in a field with a marquee in the background.

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