News – World and UK

Analysis of Covid-related contracts worth some £15.5 billion has identified corruption concerns, campaigners have claimed. The research by Transparency International UK suggests there are questions to answer about the nature of 135 contracts made during the pandemic. The group points to at least 28 contracts, worth £4.1 billion, which went to organisations with close connections at Westminster, particularly with the Conservatives who were in government during the pandemic. It also […]

Training Ukrainian soldiers “constrains” the UK’s ability to train its own troops, the spending watchdog has said. A National Audit Office (NAO) investigation of British military support for Ukraine found a quarter of the Army’s training estate was being for Operation Interflex, the UK’s basic infantry training programme for Ukrainian recruits. The use of facilities for Operation Interflex has meant British Army units saw bids for time in training areas […]

Measures to empower local leaders to take control of bus services have been unveiled by the Government. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh claimed her “bus revolution” will save vital routes nationwide. Legislation giving all local transport authorities new powers to run their own bus services will be laid before Parliament on Monday in the form of a statutory instrument. Only metro mayors can currently control services in this way. The Government […]

The impact of the Covid pandemic on NHS workers, patients and the delivery of healthcare is set to be examined by a public inquiry. The first public hearings of module three of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will be held on Monday, with leaders from the Health and Safety Executive and Unison expected to give evidence this week. This part of the inquiry is looking at the governmental and societal response to Covid-19 […]

Legislation including a blanket ban on no-fault evictions will be introduced on Wednesday, the Government has confirmed. The Renters’ Rights Bill will ensure greater security for renters by creating a “level playing field between tenants and landlords”, the Government said. The previous government pledged to end section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to evict tenants with two months’ notice without providing a reason, but concern about its impact on landlords […]

Hollywood actor Idris Elba will join the Prime Minister in Downing Street to launch a new effort to tackle knife crime. Elba, an anti-knife crime campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer on Monday morning as he launches the coalition which aims to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs. The coalition will bring together campaign groups, families of people who have lost their lives to knife crime, and […]

Jannik Sinner let his tennis do the talking as he won the US Open for the first time. The world number one came into the tournament under a cloud following his anti-doping scandal, where he escaped a ban despite two positive tests in March. Many people thought Sinner was lucky not to be suspended but he put all that to one side to claim a second grand slam title of […]

Great Ormond Street Hospital has begun an urgent review of 721 cases of children seen by one of its former consultant orthopaedic surgeons after concerns were raised about his practice. The hospital trust said the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) was asked to review its paediatric orthopaedic service following accusations about Yaser Jabbar. Of the 39 cases that have been reviewed so far, 15 patients have come to no harm, […]

The King has sent his “heartfelt congratulations” to Paralympics GB and Commonwealth athletes for their “numerous successes” at the Paris Games. Charles praised the “courage, commitment and true talent” of the athletes as the Games drew to a close on Sunday. The message, shared on the royal family’s official account on X, read: “As this wonderful summer of sport comes to a close in Paris, my wife joins me in […]