Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv as senseless, saying they killed at least 14 people and damaged the British Council building. He argued that Vladimir Putin is sabotaging hopes of peace as Western efforts to broker an end to the conflict struggle to gain traction. In a post on X, Starmer wrote: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on […]

Around £600 million has been allocated to extend the Holiday Activities and Food programme for a further three years (£600 million (€696.0 million)). The scheme provides holiday childcare, activities and meals for children eligible for free school meals, and officials say working families could save more than £800 a year (€928) as a result. As part of the expansion, England will begin offering 30 hours a week of funded childcare […]

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey will decline an invitation to the state banquet during US President Donald Trump's visit to the UK in mid-September, in protest at his stance on Gaza. He and his wife Emily said they had spent the summer weighing the decision and praying about it, and that declining the invitation was the clearest way to send a message to Mr Trump and to Labour leader […]

A time-limited proposal from the Refugee Council would grant asylum seekers from certain countries with high asylum grant rates temporary permission to stay, with the aim of ending hotel accommodation for asylum seekers by March 2026. The charity argues the Government’s target to close hotels by the end of this Parliament in 2029 is unsustainable, costly and risks fuelling community division. Last week, Epping Forest District Council was granted a […]

A report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) shows police forces in England and Wales recorded 94.8% of crimes in the year to 31 March, up from 80.5% in 2014. Despite the improvement, the watchdog says more than 285,000 offences were not recorded. Gaps were identified in recording harassment, stalking and coercive or controlling behaviour, which disproportionately affect women and girls and account for […]

Grimsby Town goalkeeper Christy Pym said the moment had not sunk in yet after his side knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in a 12-11 penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park. Bryan Mbeumo struck the crossbar with his second kick as the shootout extended to 18 minutes to decide the tie. Pym, who is a United fan, spoke of mixed emotions but said nights like […]

British No. 1 Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open because of an arm injury. Doctors diagnosed bone bruising in his left arm after his arrival in New York, where he had not played since Wimbledon. The 23-year-old had struggled in his opening-round match but had suggested the issue would not derail his bid in New York, where he reached the semi-finals last year. Earlier this season he won […]

Police say a gunman opened fire through the windows of the Annunciation Catholic School during Mass, hitting a group of children in the pews. The attacker, described as in his early 20s and armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, fired dozens of rounds before apparently taking his own life. Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed and 17 people were wounded. A wooden plank was used to barricade […]

Downing Street says the Government wants a permanent UK-EU deal on food and drink within 18 months as talks are planned for later this year. The current temporary arrangement, agreed in June, paused border checks on some fruit and vegetables from the EU and meant no border fees. It is due to expire in January 2027. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds will accuse Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of seeking […]