News about United Kingdom: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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Duncan Parish, deputy director of the Number 10 North office in Manchester, said at a conference in Lincolnshire that a change of approach in central government is needed to achieve the office's goals. The office was opened by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July; opponents criticise it as a 'gimmick' and demand transparency over spending.
Sevara AzamovaPrime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed Chancellor John Healey and Energy Secretary Miatte Fanbulle to develop a plan to scrap fixed daily payments (standing charges) in gas bills and report to Parliament. Experts disagree: Nesta considers the measure progressive (savings of about £27 a year), while Energy UK notes the effect depends on how costs are redistributed.
Sevara Azamova59-year-old Michael Glover left a note on the door of Labour MP Henry Tufnell's office in Haverfordwest stating he knew where he lived, and the next day brought an axe to a pub. The court in Swansea sentenced him to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months, a five-year restraining order and a £154 fine.
Javlon TursunovBrussels is turning to allies outside the EU, primarily Canada and the UK, asking them to increase support for Kyiv. According to Politico, partners were expected to provide €45 billion, but funds are arriving slowly. On October 16, Zelensky requested €70 billion from Europe, which, according to La Repubblica, shocked Europeans.
Sevara AzamovaUK Border Security Commander Duncan Capps told a parliamentary committee that a mass death of migrants crossing the English Channel is 'only a matter of time'. He linked this to the growing size of boats and the number of people on board: this year a record 230 migrants were spotted on a single inflatable boat. Smugglers are shifting routes southward, to Normandy, and the number of migrants in northern France has doubled.
Sevara AzamovaSultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq arrived in the United Kingdom on a four-day state visit at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At a banquet at Windsor Castle, the King highlighted Oman's role in ensuring the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran since March. On Wednesday the Sultan will visit Downing Street, where meetings between ministers of the two countries are planned.
Javlon TursunovKing Charles III received Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik at Windsor on 20 October 2026. This is the first state visit by a head of state of Oman to the UK since 1982. The visit began unusually — from the Sultan's London residence, Grove House in Regent's Park. The programme includes a banquet at Windsor Castle, meetings with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, investment agreements and discussion of the crisis in the Persian Gulf.
Javlon TursunovOver 150 writers, actors and musicians signed an open letter demanding changes to legislation after Sally Rooney and publisher Faber halted sales of her books in the UK due to her support for the banned organisation Palestine Action.
Sevara AzamovaKashim Chowdhury, a 55-year-old civil servant from east London, is on trial for nine counts of fraud: prosecutors say he secretly held up to five full-time roles in government bodies, earning more than £284,000. He admitted to 'mistakes' but said there was no criminal intent, attributing the situation to stress and caring for his ill mother.
Javlon TursunovA 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl at Thorpe St Andrew school near Norwich in March. He stabbed her in the back with a kitchen knife and was detained by armed police. Sentencing will take place on 18 December.
Sevara AzamovaNew data showed inflation rising to 3.5%, record national debt above £3 trillion, and a budget deficit exceeding forecasts. Chancellor John Healey is preparing a budget statement next week amid rising prices and borrowing costs.
Javlon TursunovWriter Sarah Helm, wife of the prime minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, called for the ban on Palestine Action to be lifted after police closed an examination of her posts. In Parliament, questions were asked about whether her publications were considered during the vetting of her husband. In parallel, Powell failed to persuade Israel not to downgrade the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Javlon TursunovActor Noel Clarke, known for roles in Doctor Who and Kidulthood, pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday to six sexual offence charges, including sexual assault, voyeurism and indecent exposure. The charges relate to alleged actions against five women between 2007 and 2016. Clarke was released on bail and is due to appear at the Central Criminal Court in Southwark on 18 November.
Javlon TursunovUK inflation accelerated to 3.5% in September 2026 — the highest since October 2025 — while government borrowing reached £24.5bn, exceeding forecasts. Rising prices were largely driven by more expensive fuel amid conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. The data increase pressure on Chancellor John Healey ahead of the October 28 budget and raise expectations of a Bank of England rate hike on November 5.
Javlon TursunovThe Labour government led by Andy Burnham has approved gas production at the controversial Jackdaw field, 240 km east of Aberdeen. The decision came after a Scottish court in 2025 ruled previous approvals unlawful due to failure to account for indirect CO2 emissions. First gas deliveries are possible by the end of the month. Environmentalists called the decision 'climate vandalism,' while the government announced the creation of an energy wealth fund with an initial capital of £2 billion.
Javlon TursunovYusuf Shah, 18, who was detained at Heathrow Airport in 2024 at the age of 16, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to four years and two months in prison for collecting terrorist materials, assisting in financing Al-Qaeda, and preparing a cybersecurity guide for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Javlon TursunovFormer Scotland Yard special unit officer Andrew Coles denies that he entered into a relationship with activist Jessica under a false identity. Scotland Yard acknowledged the relationship, but Coles calls the campaign against him 'retribution'. The UCPI inquiry continues, with a decision expected next year.
Sevara AzamovaRichard Jackson, a former Cabinet Office staffer who lost top secret papers on a train in 2008, told BBC Radio 4 nearly 20 years later about the consequences of his mistake: suspension, a three-grade demotion, a fine under the Official Secrets Act and suicidal thoughts. Today he helps people cope with stress through his company NewDay.
Sevara Azamova
