Keir Starmer has fuelled speculation that Labour may raise income tax in the autumn budget after refusing to reaffirm the party’s election pledge not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. Questioned in the Commons, he cited bleak new productivity forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, which have deepened the £20 billion gap facing Rachel Reeves. Treasury officials are modelling options including a 1p or 2p rise in the basic rate of income tax, possibly offset by cuts to national insurance, to raise up to £8 billion annually. Reeves is also considering freezing tax thresholds, potentially drawing more workers into higher bands, and reviewing the windfall profits levy on oil and gas firms to encourage new investment. Starmer, while claiming there would be 'no return to austerity', said the poor fiscal inheritance from the previous government demanded 'difficult choices’. Critics accused Labour of preparing tax rises because it cannot control spending, while supporters argue that fair reform is needed to restore economic stability. See also

The Government has confirmed that convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national mistakenly released from prison, was paid £500 before being deported. Kebatu, jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman while living in an Essex asylum hotel, was freed in error from HMP Chelmsford, later re-arrested, and flown to Ethiopia under guard. Officials authorised the payment after he threatened to disrupt his removal, arguing it was cheaper than re-booking flights or facing legal delays that could cost taxpayers thousands. Ministers called the blunder 'deeply regrettable' and have ordered an independent inquiry, with one officer suspended and new release checks introduced. Opposition leaders condemned the payment as 'outrageous' and proof of a broken immigration system, while home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she acted swiftly to ensure deportation. Kebatu’s mistaken release sparked local protests and renewed concern over public safety, asylum policy, and government competence in managing foreign offenders awaiting deportation. See

A new poll has placed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage ahead of Keir Starmer as the public’s preferred choice for prime minister - the first time he has led in such polling. The survey, conducted from 10 to 13 October among 1,141 people, found 33% favoured Farage and 30% Starmer, while 29% were undecided. Ipsos’s Keiran Pedley said the result marks 'an intriguing shift' in the political landscape, with growing public confidence in Reform’s economic and immigration policies - issues Britons see as most important. Separate YouGov research also shows Labour’s support slipping to a record low of 17%, tied with the Conservatives, while Reform leads with 27%. The Greens have 16% and the Liberal Democrats 15%. Farage’s growing appeal, fuelled by dissatisfaction with both major parties, signals rising volatility in UK politics. Pressure is mounting pressure on Labour ahead of the autumn budget and next year’s local and national elections.

The Government has unveiled its new ‘Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan’, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions while boosting economic growth. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said the plan will accelerate renewable energy, remove fossil fuels from the power grid by 2030, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2037. After a High Court ruling that the previous strategy lacked evidence to meet legal climate targets, the new plan outlines measures to expand clean power, promote heat pumps, and improve access to electric vehicle charging, while avoiding a gas boiler ban. A companion ‘Methane Action Plan’ aims to curb emissions from this potent greenhouse gas. Environmental groups largely welcomed the renewed ambition, though campaigners urged stronger action on aviation and housing. Critics warned of high costs and delayed delivery. Miliband insisted the plan would bring cleaner air, warmer homes, and new green jobs - securing a sustainable, prosperous future for coming generations.

A major European study has found that offering routine prostate cancer screening to all men over 50 could save thousands of lives. The 23-year trial of 162,000 men across eight countries showed that regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests reduced prostate cancer deaths by 13%, matching the life-saving impact of breast and bowel cancer screening. The findings strengthen calls for the UK to introduce a national prostate screening programme. Experts say earlier detection allows curative treatment before symptoms appear, though some warn of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of harmless tumours. Advances such as MRI scanning and precision surgery now reduce these risks. Prostate cancer is the UK’s most common cancer, causing more than 12,000 deaths a year. Health officials will review the results next month, and advocates say the evidence is now overwhelming. Campaigners urge government action to protect men’s health, noting that high-risk groups such as black men and those with family histories remain especially vulnerable.

A new survey by the Children’s Society reveals that over half of UK teenagers (56%) feel overwhelmed by expectations surrounding Christmas. The poll of nearly 2,000 young people aged 13 to 16 found that school deadlines, social media pressure, and family expectations are major stress factors. Almost a third cited looming exams, while 28% said constant exposure to 'perfect' online images of gifts, parties, and families made them feel inadequate. One in five admitted finding it hardest to 'look happy' when they didn’t feel it. Although some teens found social media uplifting, many said it made them feel worse, especially when reminded of holidays or lifestyles they couldn’t afford. Many wanted less pressure to perform and more understanding from adults. Mark Russell, CEO of the Children’s Society, said many young people feel crushed by constant demands, urging greater access to early mental health and wellbeing support. The charity’s mission is to help teenagers find peace, perspective, and the true joy of Christmas.

A groundbreaking approach to diagnosing endometriosis offers potential to revolutionise research and treatment of the disease. Affecting one in ten women, endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for years. Traditionally, diagnosis involves invasive procedures like laparoscopy. However, scientists in Spain and France have developed a method of analysing blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) directly from menstrual samples. This preserves the cells' molecular integrity, allowing researchers to study endometriosis more accurately. By using a technique common in cancer diagnosis, researchers achieved an 81% accuracy rate in distinguishing endometriosis patients from healthy individuals. This non-invasive method, developed by endogene.bio and collaborators, could reduce diagnosis time from years to weeks. The study has gained attention from the pharmaceutical industry, as potentially it could transform endometriosis management and patient care. The co-founder of endogene.bio says: ‘This world-first approach to endometriosis research and diagnosis is truly game-changing for women’s health.’

In October 2024, devastating floods swept through Spain’s Valencia region, leaving 229 people dead and countless others traumatised. Among the victims were Miguel and Sara, a father and daughter who perished together while trying to save their car from rising waters. For their widow and mother, Toñi García, the pain remains raw – just one example of the human cost behind the natural disaster known as the Dana. One year later, Valencia continues to rebuild both its cities and its spirit. Memorials honour those lost, while reconstruction and new safety protocols aim to prevent a recurrence. Yet grief and trauma linger, especially among children who now fear the rain which once brought destruction, and anger at the handling of the Dana on the day it struck refuses to fade. As towns like Paiporta rise from the ruins, residents are striving for resilience and renewal.

One of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, killing at least 33 and displacing hundreds of thousands. Striking Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of up to 185 mph, it tore roofs from homes, flooded entire communities, and crippled power and communication lines across the region. In Haiti, where fragile infrastructure magnified the disaster, scores are dead or missing after floodwaters swallowed coastal towns. Cuba also faces collapsed buildings and blocked roads, with hundreds of thousands forced into shelters. In Jamaica, 77% of the island lost power: emergency services were inundated by floods and unable to conduct emergency operations. Two airports have reopened, with the UN and other agencies ready to deliver aid. Amid the chaos, local leaders and residents describe scenes of heartbreak and resilience - families salvaging what little remains, emergency workers battling through mud and wreckage, and governments scrambling to restore hope. Recovery will be long, painful, and costly.

On 29 October, Hamas reported that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza had resulted in at least 104 Palestinian deaths, including 46 children. Israel's defence minister accused Hamas of an attack in Gaza which killed an Israeli soldier, and of breaching the terms on returning deceased hostages' bodies. Although Hamas denied involvement in the attack, asserting its commitment to the ceasefire, the IDF said it had targeted what it described as ‘terror targets and terrorists’, killing numerous individuals, including thirty armed group commanders. The strikes caused significant destruction, hitting homes, schools, and residential blocks: each side has accused the other of ceasefire violations. Despite the violence, Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of renewed hostilities, supporting Israel's right to retaliate. The conflict shows the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing volatility in the region – which has also been highlighted by the call by Amnesty International to investigate whether a US airstrike on Yemen in April was a war crime. See