UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces political crisis over Mandelson security vetting
The United Kingdom is currently experiencing a political crisis following revelations that Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK ambassador to the United States despite failing a security vetting process.Security officials initially denied Mandelson clearance, but this decision was overruled by Foreign Office officials.Prime Minister Keir Starmer was reportedly unaware until earlier this week that Mandelson had been granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting.The Foreign Office's top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, was effectively dismissed following the disclosure.Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones stated that Starmer has not considered resigning over the appointment.Jones... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Apr 2026 09:31 LONDON
UK Government Plans for Potential Food Shortages Amid Iran War
The UK government is actively preparing for possible food shortages this summer due to disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.Officials have confirmed contingency plans are being drawn up in case the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, which could disrupt supplies of carbon dioxide (CO2) critical for food preservation and animal slaughter.Staple items such as chicken, pork, and fizzy drinks could face shortages if CO2 supplies break down, according to government sources and recent reports.Business Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the scenario planning publicly, emphasizing that while the leaks about these plans were unhelpful, the public should be reassured that... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 09:01 LONDON
UK expands energy bill support scheme for businesses amid rising costs
The UK government has announced an expansion of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to support more energy-intensive businesses with their energy bills.The scheme, initially designed to help 7,000 firms, will now cover around 10,000 companies from April 2027.Eligible businesses, including those in sectors such as steel, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, and recycling, could see their energy bills cut by up to 25%.The support will exempt these firms from certain electricity levies related to the net zero transition.The government also confirmed that payments will be backdated to April 2026, with a one-off payment in 2027 covering the support firms would have... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 01:06 LONDON
UK government summons social media leaders over children's safety
Top executives from major social media companies were called to Downing Street on Thursday to discuss measures to protect children online amid growing public and political pressure.The meeting was led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.Representatives from Meta, Snap, YouTube, TikTok, and X attended the discussions, where they were questioned on their efforts to safeguard children and address parental concerns.The government is currently consulting on whether to ban social media use for under-16s, following similar policies introduced in Australia.Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of social media companies taking responsibility, stating that "the consequences of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 00:06 LONDON
UK to roll out biometric checks in prisons after mistaken releases rise
The UK government has announced plans to implement biometric fingerprint and facial recognition checks in prisons following the release of 179 prisoners in error in the year to March 2026.Mistaken releases in England and Wales have been rising, with 179 cases recorded in the latest year, down from 262 the previous year but still significantly higher than 115 in 2023-24.These errors include misplaced warrants, sentence miscalculations, and mistakes by courts or other authorities, according to the Ministry of Justice.The announcement follows an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens, former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who described the mistaken... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Apr 2026 20:06 LONDON
US Treasury Secretary defends short-term economic pain for long-term security amid Iran war
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated that the economic downturn caused by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran is a necessary sacrifice to prevent the threat of Iranian nuclear strikes on Western capitals.Bessent emphasized that while the global economy faces challenges, the long-term security benefits outweigh the short-term economic costs.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the war could push the global economy into recession, with global growth potentially falling below 2% in 2026 if oil, gas, and food prices spike and remain high.Despite these warnings, Bessent expressed confidence that the US and Israeli military actions have reduced... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 19:33 LONDON
Government to Publish Updated Single-Sex Space Guidance After May Elections
The government has announced plans to publish new guidance on single-sex spaces following the elections scheduled for 7 May.Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson confirmed that the updated guidance will be laid before Parliament after the local elections in England and the national elections in Scotland and Wales.The updated draft guidance was submitted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) earlier this month.However, election rules currently prevent the government from making further announcements on the matter.The EHRC's Code of Practice, which advises organisations on applying equalities law, is being revised following a Supreme Court ruling.The ruling clarified that the definition of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 15:39 LONDON
Former NATO Chief Warns UK's National Security 'In Peril'
Lord George Robertson, former NATO Secretary General and key adviser on the UK's Strategic Defence Review (SDR), has publicly warned that the country's national security is at risk due to political complacency.Speaking in Salisbury on 14 April 2026, he accused the UK government of being underprepared and underinsured against current threats.Lord Robertson criticised "non-military experts in the Treasury" for what he described as "vandalism" affecting defence funding.He highlighted repeated delays in publishing the promised 10-year defence investment plan intended to support the SDR's objectives.The government maintains it is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 02:33 LONDON
Over 500 Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Rally in London
Police in London arrested more than 500 protesters during a pro-Palestinian demonstration held on Saturday in Trafalgar Square.The protest was organized in support of Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization by the UK government in July 2025.London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that 523 individuals aged between 18 and 87 were taken into custody during the event.The arrests followed the display of placards supporting Palestine Action, which is now illegal under the ban.The mass arrests have intensified debates over civil liberties and the right to dissent in the UK.Since the ban was imposed, nearly 3,000 arrests have been made,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Apr 2026 11:30 LONDON
