Section
Public services, welfare, pensions, housing, work and policy decisions that shape everyday life.
A new law coming into force in England next year will limit the number of branded uniform items schools can require parents to buy, as the government seeks to curb the rising cost of sending children to school.
Ministers say around one million disabled bus pass holders will benefit from the removal of time restrictions, ending a system that has limited travel before 09:30 and after 23:00 on weekdays.
A 16-year-old girl, Rhianan Rudd, died by suicide after facing terror charges at 15, exposing what has been called a "catalogue of failures" by UK authorities in protecting a vulnerable young person from online neo-fascist grooming. The case highlights systemic breakdowns in social services, counter-terrorism programmes, and care provision.
New data shows children at schools with higher numbers of pupils on free school meals are significantly less likely to leave primary school able to swim 25 metres or perform a safe self-rescue than their better-off peers.
The Competition and Markets Authority has called for a new regulatory regime to safeguard the 1.5 million UK households dependent on heating oil, highlighting a disparity in consumer protections compared to gas and electricity customers. The move follows a market study prompted by price spikes, with the regulator now preparing enforcement action against suppliers accused of breaching contracts.
The first annual monitoring and evaluation report for the UK government’s Our Children, Our Future child poverty strategy sets out the 2024/25 baseline and how progress will be tracked.
Companies seeking government contracts worth £5m or more will be assessed more heavily on how they create jobs, support young people and address local skills shortages.
HM inspector of probation says electronic monitoring is under strain and needs better alerts and staffing as ministers prepare to expand early releases to ease prison overcrowding.
A planned change to prisoner release rules in England and Wales has been put on hold while ministers review public protection measures and the information given to victims.
A parliamentary committee warns that the UK government’s dependence on Palantir for NHS and other public data projects raises concerns around data security and digital sovereignty. The report advises exploring UK alternatives to reduce vulnerability.
The death of Henry Nowak has intensified scrutiny of police decision making after footage showed officers handcuffing him as he pleaded for help after being stabbed.
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds, raising major questions about political trust, financial oversight and governance inside the party.
Several newly elected Green Party councillors cannot take up their seats because they do not meet legal eligibility rules, prompting a series of by-elections ac
More than 60 Labour MPs have called for a formal review of the UK’s voting system for general elections, arguing the first past the post model is “broken”
The UK pensions industry is poised to undergo significant changes driven by upcoming legislation, regulatory proposals, and government initiatives. These developments will affect how pension schemes invest, deliver retirement income, and support savers in planning for retirement. Understanding the practical implications is essential for trustees, employers and members.
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