News about UK: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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The UK Budget for 2026 raises the minimum wage for 18–20-year-olds, introduces a savings account for first-time buyers and an allowance for young entrepreneurs, but postpones decisions on NEET youth and student loans.
Aziz KarimovChancellor John Healey presented a budget aimed at supporting households ahead of rising energy bills, but, according to OBR forecasts, real incomes will remain below the level at the start of the parliament, and the tax burden will reach a historic high of 38.6%.
Aziz KarimovJill Kenning, a resident of Coleraine who had taken Nabilone for 17 years to control pain from multiple sclerosis, reported 'terrible pain' after the drug disappeared from sale. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland confirmed that both licensed dosages are unavailable from wholesalers across the UK, with supplies not expected before December. The cause of the disruption has not been disclosed — it is 'commercially sensitive'. According to the MIMS tracker, the number of drugs in shortage in the country has risen from 107 in January to 157 this week.
Otabek YusupovTeesside court issued an arrest warrant for 40-year-old Guy Worthy, who admitted assaulting a ceremonial marshal at the funeral of his son, who died in a collision with a police car on the A66. He failed to appear for sentencing.
Aziz KarimovBritish and European officials will discuss a range of options for the relationship, including free movement, ahead of the EU summit on 20 November. Downing Street stresses that the current focus is deals on food and youth mobility, while Andy Burnham has called for an 'honest conversation' about restoring free movement.
Aziz KarimovAhead of Chancellor John Healey's first Budget, the BBC spoke to people on different incomes — from a universal credit recipient to a high-earning financier — about what they want to see in the tax and spending plan. Their requests: help for single parents, cuts to taxes and fuel duty, access to pension credit, and reform of student loan interest rates. Ahead of Chancellor John Healey's first budget, the BBC spoke to people on different incomes — from a universal credit recipient to a high-earning financier — about what they want to see in the tax and spending plan. Their requests: help for single parents, lower taxes and fuel duties, access to pension credit, and reform of student loan interest rates.
Otabek YusupovChancellor John Healey is preparing a 'do no harm' budget: no rise in capital gains tax, a new levy on banks and less red tape. The main challenge is the outflow of the super-rich, who have left the country with wealth of about $160 billion, plus pressure from defence spending. Chancellor John Healey is preparing a 'do no harm' budget: no increase in capital gains tax, a new levy on banks, and reduced bureaucracy. The main challenge is the outflow of the super-rich, who have left the country with combined wealth of around $160 billion, along with pressure from defence spending.
Aziz KarimovJohn Healey's first budget, to be presented on Wednesday, is expected to introduce a new tax allowance for pensioners on low incomes. The basic state pension will rise by 3.9% from April to £13,036.40 a year, exceeding the tax-free threshold of £12,570. The opposition has put forward alternative proposals.
Aziz KarimovThe BBC has published a review of the front pages of British newspapers for 26 October 2026: the Chancellor, according to The Times, is preparing to shield around a million low-income pensioners from income tax; Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked a heated controversy by not ruling out the return of freedom of movement with the EU; the investigation into Thomas Markle may be extended to the US and Mexico. The BBC has published a review of the front pages of British newspapers for 26 October 2026: the chancellor, according to The Times, is preparing to shield around one million low-income pensioners from income tax; Prime Minister Andy Burnham has sparked a heated controversy by not ruling out the return of freedom of movement with the EU; the investigation into Thomas Markle could be extended to the US and Mexico. The BBC has published a review of the front pages of British newspapers for 26 October 2026: according to The Times, the Chancellor is preparing to shield around a million low-income pensioners from income tax; Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked a heated controversy by not ruling out the return of free movement with the EU; the investigation into Thomas Markle could expand to the US and Mexico.
Aziz KarimovChancellor of the Exchequer John Healey is preparing a Budget he will present on Wednesday at around 13:00 in the House of Commons. Preparations are taking place amid unprecedented secrecy, even though the economy is growing faster than forecast: inflation stood at 3.5% in September, while borrowing costs are higher than expected. Key decisions concern borrowing, welfare spending and fiscal rules. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey is preparing a budget that he will present on Wednesday at around 13:00 in the House of Commons. The preparations are taking place amid unprecedented secrecy, even though the economy is growing faster than forecast: inflation stood at 3.5% in September, while borrowing costs are higher than expected. Key decisions concern borrowing, welfare spending and fiscal rules.
Otabek YusupovConvicted of carousel VAT fraud, Aarif Patel from Preston stole over £33 million in public funds and attempted to steal up to £90 million. In 2023, he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison but has not served a single day. A confiscation order of £90.5 million issued in 2025 remains unenforced as Patel challenges it in the Court of Appeal. BBC uncovered a network of websites in Dubai portraying him as a successful businessman and philanthropist, though direct links to him remain unproven. Arif Patel of Preston, convicted of a VAT carousel fraud, stole more than £33m of public funds and attempted to steal up to £90m. In 2023 he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison but has not served a single day. The £90.5m confiscation order imposed in 2025 has not been enforced: Patel is contesting it in the Court of Appeal. The BBC has uncovered a network of websites building his image as a businessman and philanthropist in Dubai.
Aziz KarimovPrime Minister Andy Burnham has promised that by Christmas every homeless person in England will be given a route off the streets. On Wednesday the budget will add £432 million to the £442 million already allocated, bringing the total to £874 million. The opposition criticises the plan, pointing to record levels of homelessness and Burnham's record as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised that by Christmas every homeless person in England will be given a route off the streets. On Wednesday the budget will add £432m to the £442m already allocated, bringing the total to £874m. The opposition criticises the plan, pointing to record levels of homelessness and Burnham's record as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Aziz KarimovAs part of the budget, the UK government announced the creation of a national AI Biosecurity Lab (AIBL) with £100 million in funding, supported by OpenAI and Anthropic, along with additional spending on cyber defence and the AI Security Institute. In its budget, the UK government announced the creation of a national AI biosecurity laboratory (AIBL) with £100 million in funding, supported by OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as additional spending on cyber defence and the AI Safety Institute.
Otabek YusupovAmid a cold weekend and a forecast rise in energy bills, BBC News gathered tips from families and experts on how to keep a home warm without turning on the heating. Experts warn that older and vulnerable people should not sacrifice their health to save money. Amid a cold weekend and forecasts of rising energy bills, BBC News has gathered tips from families and experts on how to keep your home warm without turning on the heating. Experts warn that older and vulnerable people should not sacrifice their health for the sake of saving money.
Aziz KarimovIn Chancellor John Healey's first Budget, to be delivered on Wednesday, £7 million will be announced for a full-scale feasibility study of a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in northern England in the 2040s. The idea has been promoted by northern mayors and former Olympians, including Dame Laura Kenny and Dame Sarah Storey. Estimates of the cost and impact of the London 2012 Games differ, and the opposition is demanding scrutiny of the spending.
Otabek YusupovStorm Boelo, the second named storm in a week, brought gusts of up to 85 mph to the UK. According to the Energy Networks Association, 82,600 customers were without electricity on Sunday morning, while power had been restored to around 344,900 over the weekend. Amber warnings are in force in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland; ferries, trains and flights are being cancelled. Storm Bertow, the second named storm of the week, brought gusts of up to 85 mph to the UK. According to the Energy Networks Association, 82,600 customers were still without electricity on Sunday morning, while power had been restored to around 344,900 over the weekend. Amber warnings are in force in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, with ferries, trains and flights cancelled.
Otabek YusupovChancellor John Healey will present his first Budget on Wednesday, which includes more than £1bn for social and affordable housing in England, taking funding for the 10-year housing programme to over £40bn. Mayors and regional leaders will receive more powers and money, including £285m of transitional funding and a new £1.5bn borrowing mechanism from 2028. Support for breweries has also been announced, while defence spending remains a point of dispute between the parties. Chancellor John Healey will present on Wednesday the first budget providing more than £1bn for social and affordable housing in England, bringing funding for the 10-year housing programme to over £40bn. Mayors and regional leaders will receive more powers and money, including £285m in transitional funding and a new £1.5bn borrowing mechanism from 2028. Support for breweries has also been announced, while the question of defence spending remains a point of dispute between the parties.
Aziz KarimovAI minister Kanishka Narayan told the BBC that control over AI should belong to society and democracy, not a narrow group of tech elites. He compared the scale of change to the industrial revolution, described the discovery of 500 vulnerabilities in government systems using AI for £13,000, and hinted at an AI announcement in the budget.
Sevara Azamova
