Burnham open to debate on restoring free movement with the EU
Andy Burnham is open to discussing a return to free movement between the UK and EU. His remarks do not announce a change to immigration rules.
Category: UK
Storm Boelo set to bring winds above 80mph to northern UK
Storm Boelo is forecast to bring gusts above 80mph to northern parts of the UK, with amber warnings and advice to limit rail travel.
Post Office branches in TG Jones: 36 closed and another 34 set to shut
The Guardian’s analysis found that 36 Post Office branches in TG Jones shops closed in 2026, with another 34 due to shut by early 2027. Replacement operators are being sought.
Storm Austen leaves more than 16,000 homes without power in south-west England
Storm Austen disrupted power supplies, schools and rail services. More than 16,000 homes in south-west England remained without electricity shortly before 11am on Friday.
BBC: England’s planned Your First Home scheme could have £140,000 income cap
The BBC reports planned household income caps of £110,000 outside London and £140,000 in the capital for Your First Home. The rules are not yet confirmed.
UK consumer confidence falls by 11 points in October
GfK’s UK consumer confidence index fell to -24 in October 2026, with weaker sentiment on household finances, the economy and major purchases.
Retail sales volumes in Great Britain fell by 0.4% in September
Retail sales volumes in Great Britain fell by 0.4% month on month in September 2026. Excluding automotive fuel, the decline was 0.7%.
Personalised vaccine with immunotherapy cut melanoma recurrence or death risk by 42% in trial
A trial involving 1,137 patients found that adding a personalised vaccine to immunotherapy reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk. The vaccine remains experimental.
Gun barrel production returns to Britain after 20 years as Telford factory opens
Rheinmetall has opened its UK Gun Hall in Telford. According to the BBC, gun barrel production is returning to Britain after a 20-year gap.
NHS England says target to diagnose more than two-thirds of people with dementia has been met
NHS England says it has met its target to diagnose more than two-thirds of people living with dementia, for the first time since before the pandemic.
Barclays cuts around 5,000 jobs as AI forms part of modernisation
Barclays has already cut 1,000 jobs and plans to remove another 4,000 by the end of 2026. The global cuts are linked to wider technological modernisation, including AI.
MPs warn of gaps in Britain’s High North defences against Russia
The Commons Defence Committee warns of gaps in Britain’s High North capabilities, raising concerns over ships, undersea cables and Atlantic supply routes.
