Millie Cooke

A hack of the UK Department for Education reportedly exposed about 607,000 records containing names, job titles, email addresses and phone numbers of school leaders, university staff and government officials. The alleged attackers, identified as the cybercriminal group ExfilSquad, targeted the department’s help desk and Turing Scheme portals. The DfE said the exposed information was limited to customer-service contact details, that it had contained the incident, and that no other data was accessed. The department notified the Information Commissioner’s Office and is working with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre while repairing the affected systems. Cybersecurity adviser Jake Moore warned that criminals could combine leaked information for phishing attacks and urged vigilance.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged communities to accept new prisons and called for faster construction, overseas prison places, removal of foreign offenders, and possible withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. Her comments came amid Labour’s pause and review of a sentencing reform that would have released about 6,000 prisoners after serving one-third of their sentences to address overcrowding. Andy Burnham defended the pause and blamed the previous Conservative government for failing to build enough capacity, while Lissie Harper condemned the policy after offenders linked to the killing of PC Harper were reported as potentially eligible.

The government says it has no plans to impose a 10% levy on all estates to fund social care reform, despite the prime minister’s spokesperson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden initially declining to rule the idea out. Andy Burnham has backed replacing the current inheritance tax system with a broader levy and is seeking cross-party talks to create a National Care Service. The government says reform will require consensus, while warning that failing to address social care could place unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

The UK government is preparing for wildfires on the scale seen in France and Spain as another heatwave approaches. Minister Hamish Falconer said officials are working with the Scottish Government, while emergency crews continue battling major fires in Wales and Scotland. More than 500 firefighters and military aerial support were deployed to a Cairngorms blaze, and nearly 20 significant fires were fought simultaneously in England and Wales during the previous heatwave. Fire chiefs warned that prolonged hot, dry conditions are increasing wildfire risks and urged the public to help protect communities and natural areas.

Andy Burnham warns that the NHS will not recover its waiting-time standards and could eventually collapse unless England’s social care system is reformed. He declines to set a timetable but supports a national approach that prevents people from losing their homes to care costs. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenges him to rule out tax rises or higher borrowing, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey offers to help build a lasting consensus. Burnham also calls for a reduction in welfare spending, particularly housing-benefit costs, but rejects crude benefit cuts and argues that building more council and social housing would provide a fairer way to reduce expenditure. He rules out holding an early general election before 2029.

Andy Burnham’s early cabinet reshuffle removes several key allies of former prime minister Keir Starmer while elevating figures aligned with his own direction for government. John Healey becomes chancellor, Ed Miliband moves to the Foreign Office with a mandate expected to emphasise climate and aid policy, and Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner return to senior posts. Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Darren Jones, Lord Richard Hermer, Steve Reed and Peter Kyle exit the government, many as part of a broader removal of Starmer loyalists.

Donald Trump claimed incoming UK prime minister Andy Burnham plans to fully open North Sea oil fields, praising the move as a boost to national wealth and criticising wind power. Burnham has pledged to uphold Labour’s manifesto commitment not to issue new North Sea licences but is reportedly open to approving projects already licensed, prompting debate within the party. Labour figures described this as a shift in emphasis rather than policy, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Burnham for a lack of clarity on his plans. Burnham is also expected to scrap the digital ID programme and faces internal tensions over expected cabinet appointments, including Shabana Mahmood as chancellor.

Security agencies have advised high‑risk public figures to create safe rooms at home as concerns grow over threats to politicians following the killing of Ann Widdecombe. Updated MI5‑linked guidance recommends secure areas, deterrent measures and intrusion‑delaying features. Police are investigating whether the suspect in Widdecombe’s death was motivated by left‑wing extremism. The incident has intensified debate about the adequacy of protection for public figures, with Reform UK arguing that security for its leadership has been insufficient. Government officials acknowledged a rising culture of violence targeting politicians.

Downing Street urged Fifa to investigate Argentine players for displaying a banner asserting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semi-final win over England, calling the act inappropriate and politically motivated. UK officials rejected Argentina’s simultaneous accusation of a Royal Navy “incursion”, stating the ship’s movement was pre-notified and compliant with international law. Senior ministers and figures associated with the Falklands conflict criticised the players’ display, describing it as unprofessional and politically charged, while emphasising the islanders’ right to self-determination.

A UK government minister criticised Argentina’s national football team after players displayed a banner asserting Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands during celebrations following their World Cup semi-final win over England. The minister called the action inappropriate and said FIFA should investigate the apparent breach of rules prohibiting political messages on the pitch. Downing Street reiterated the UK’s position that Falkland Islanders have the right to self-determination. Tensions around the match were heightened by comments from Argentina’s vice president, who framed the fixture in the context of the countries’ long-running dispute over the islands.

The OECD urged the incoming UK government under Andy Burnham to prepare reforms to the state pension triple lock, warning it poses long‑term fiscal risks. The organisation said the guarantee is unusually generous and contributes significantly to rising public expenditure, echoing recent warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility. Some of Burnham’s advisers reportedly support scrapping the policy, though pensions minister Torsten Bell reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining it for the current parliament. The OECD also recommended reviewing VAT exemptions as a potential revenue source while advising against further national insurance increases. Bell emphasised ongoing private pension reforms and cautioned against raising VAT during a period of economic strain.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry concluded that nearly £10bn of the £14.9bn spent on PPE was wasted and criticised the government’s VIP lane for favouring politically connected suppliers. Inquiry chair Heather Hallett identified severe procurement failures, outdated stockpiles and a lack of transparency that undermined public trust. Firms linked to political figures, including PPE Medpro and Meller Designs, were highlighted among major beneficiaries. Political tensions grew as Conservatives attacked Andy Burnham for avoiding parliamentary scrutiny ahead of becoming prime minister. The report issued eleven recommendations to strengthen emergency supply chain systems, bolster domestic manufacturing capacity and improve data use, urging better preparation to prevent similar failures in future emergencies.

Andy Burnham signals a break from Keir Starmer’s approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict, apologising for Labour’s earlier stance and indicating he could restrict arms sales to Israel while increasing pressure through sanctions. With no challengers for Labour leadership, he is expected to become prime minister and has pledged to allow more open debate within the party. His comments follow a loss of support among voters dissatisfied with Labour’s handling of the Gaza crisis. While acknowledging actions taken under Starmer, he emphasises the need for stronger measures and accountability regarding alleged war crimes, while maintaining that determinations of genocide belong to international courts. The shift may create new tensions within Labour as Burnham prepares to set the party’s foreign policy direction amid escalating regional tensions involving the US, Iran and Israel.

Pakistan is refusing to accept the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the convicted ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang, despite UK government efforts to change immigration law to remove him after his release from prison. The current legal barrier stems from a provision in the Immigration Act 1971 protecting individuals who arrived before 1973. Pakistan is reportedly linking acceptance of Ahmed to the extradition of two political dissidents. UK ministers are considering fast-tracked or emergency legislation to close the loophole. Victims have expressed fear following Ahmed’s release, urging stronger action and support from authorities.

Green Party members have submitted a motion for the autumn conference proposing a shift in defence policy to allow semi-autonomous drones, anti-ballistic missile systems and greater air defence investment, challenging the party’s traditional stance. Party leadership is not backing the proposal, which aims to address low public confidence in the Greens on defence. The motion argues for a more pragmatic and credible approach amid global instability. Past criticism of leader Zack Polanski’s defence views, including calls to leave NATO, adds to the internal tension. A party spokesperson noted that only motions passed at conference become policy.

Matt Goodwin, a former Reform UK candidate, renewed controversy by suggesting that people without children should face higher mortgage rates, despite previously denying support for higher taxes on childless adults. His remarks follow earlier proposals on child-related taxation and comments on women’s fertility choices, sparking criticism from Labour Party chair Anna Turley, who said they reflect a broader pattern within Reform UK. Past resurfaced clips show Goodwin warning women about delayed childbearing and agreeing with claims about universities being dominated by “childless women.” Goodwin dismissed the coverage as a “hit job,” arguing instead for targeted benefits for British families with more children, similar to policies in several European countries.

A convicted people smuggler, Twana Jamal, previously jailed in France, was found living and working in the UK under a false name, with immigration officials attributing his ability to evade detection partly to reduced data‑sharing capabilities after Brexit. The loss of EU database access limits the UK’s ability to identify foreign criminal convictions despite biometric checks. The BBC identified more than 20 active smugglers with overseas convictions now in the UK. Public polling shows widespread belief that immigration has worsened since Brexit and growing support for restoring freedom of movement. Authorities maintain that asylum seekers undergo mandatory security checks.

Angela Rayner set out her support for Andy Burnham’s proposed devolution agenda, arguing for major structural change to shift power from Whitehall to regions. In a speech to the New Economics Foundation, she criticised centralisation, cited resistance to fiscal devolution, and emphasised the potential of the new Devolution Act. Her remarks signal an interest in playing a leading role in Burnham’s planned overhaul of government structures as he positions himself to assume the premiership. Burnham has pledged a decade-long plan to redistribute authority across the UK, including relocating elements of central governance to Manchester.

Concerns over the UK’s new Defence Investment Plan centre on claims by former defence secretary John Healey that its 2.7 per cent GDP spending level is insufficient to keep Britain safe. The plan allocates £15bn in additional funding but leaves a £4.7bn gap unresolved until the next budget, creating pressure for the incoming prime minister. Key measures include cuts to older weapons systems, £5bn for military drone expansion, increased investment in the nuclear deterrent, and significant efficiency savings across the Ministry of Defence. Senior Labour figures, including Lord Hutton, criticise the plan for failing to make the armed forces “war-ready,” while upcoming leadership changes cast uncertainty over future commitments to reach 3 or 3.5 per cent of GDP in defence spending.