🇬🇧 UK News Headlines

 

🏛 Politics

• Reform UK is now in control of 10 out of 23 contested local authorities (covering 8 million+ people) — marking its first real test of governance beyond protest politics. Reuters

• John Major warns that a coalition between the Conservative Party and Reform would be “beyond stupid” and could destroy the Tories’ centre‑ground standing. The Guardian

• A government inquiry into grooming gangs is likely to be delayed until next year owing to high‑profile resignations and withdrawal of potential chairs. Today's Family Lawyer

• A cross‑party report calls for reform of developer levies to boost investment in housing and local services — the current system is under‑delivering. Parliament News+1

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💼 Business & Economy

• The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has sharply downgraded UK productivity forecasts, implying a possible £20–30 billion shortfall in public finances — raising the prospect of tax rises for the HM Treasury. The Guardian

• The UK government is bracing for higher drug prices — following US trade pressure and negotiations over pharmaceutical value‑assessment frameworks (e.g., NICE). Reuters

• A report shows Cambridge continues to lead the UK in science and deep‑tech investment, with global capital surging into the region’s life‑sciences ecosystem. Cambridge Enterprise

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🧬 Science & Technology

• Alan Turing Institute launches a new strategic mission to strengthen UK cyber‑defence and AI capabilities, following internal leadership changes and a refocusing of research portfolios. The Guardian

• A recent UK‑based report argues that the country’s scientific expertise should be leveraged more systematically to bolster its global “soft power” and resilience in technology and health. British Foreign Policy Group

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🎭 Culture & Society

• The Hadush Kebatu case: A sex offender wrongly freed from prison has been deported to Ethiopia, with entry banned — the move confirmed by the Home Office. The Guardian

• In South Yorkshire, a campaign led by Claire Throssell — whose two sons were killed by their father 11 years ago — is pressing for repeal of parental‑contact laws, arguing “no more children are going to die like you”. The Guardian

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🌍 International

• Though outside the UK’s direct territory, UK decision‑makers continue to monitor global crises closely: for instance, the ongoing Pokrovsk battle in the Ukraine‑Russia war, where Russian forces have gained a foothold and drones are reportedly targeting Moscow. The Independent