UK news - NewsLocker

John Healey tells minsters to prepare for budget cuts to finance new Burnham pledges

31-07-2026 23:04 via independent.co.uk

Ministers have been told there is no new money to pay for these moves in a joint letter from the Chancellor and the Prime Minister

MP asks retailers to stop selling disposable BBQs over wildfire risk

31-07-2026 22:42 via independent.co.uk

Two more retailers committed to halting sales nationwide after he sent the letter

Majority of Britons prefer cold weather over warm. Here’s why

31-07-2026 22:37 via independent.co.uk

Some 52 per cent of British adults would like a return to winter weather as the fourth heatwave of the summer hits

Body found in river confirmed as missing teenager Taylor Charlton

31-07-2026 21:45 via independent.co.uk

The teenager, aged 15, was last seen on the night of 8 May, prompting an extensive search operation

Greater Manchester mayoral election live: First results announced as Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform UK’s Sian Astley go to second round

31-07-2026 20:15 via independent.co.uk

It is the largest by-election in British history, with more than two million people across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester eligible to vote, but the turnout was historically low

Speeding driver hit 89-year-old man, carried him on car roof and abandoned his body

31-07-2026 19:20 via independent.co.uk

Albert Matraxhiu, 29, of Edgware, north London, was jailed for nearly 10 years at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday

In The Room | Who’s winning the summer? Burnham, Badenoch and Farage assessed

31-07-2026 18:58 via independent.co.uk

As Andy Burnham's second week in power draws to a close, his rivals are scratching their heads and plotting their summer challenges – with mixed results. Green leader Zack Polanski is facing heat over yet another social media misdemeanour; it’s far from all quiet for Nigel Farage on the Clacton front, and the Liberal Democrats are nowhere to be seen – time for another Ed Davey stunt? Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch is preparing to embark on a summer tour with the highest approval rati

Why Zack Polanski keeps making the same mistake

31-07-2026 18:52 via independent.co.uk

After another online row, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson discuss whether the Greens are struggling to adapt to life in the political mainstream. Maja Anushka reports

Missing man who ‘may have contagious condition’ last seen leaving hospital

31-07-2026 18:51 via independent.co.uk

Preston Police have launched an appeal to locate a missing man who may have a contagious health condition.

Ed Miliband heaps praise on ‘tireless efforts’ of US after Hamas pledges to disarm

31-07-2026 18:43 via independent.co.uk

Hamas said it will disarm in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

‘Dismay’ as popular model village removes figurine of topless streaker from football pitch

31-07-2026 18:19 via independent.co.uk

One fan says the tiny figure brought ‘innocent delight’ to viewers

Athens police unable to trace ‘US friends’ British woman found dead in suitcase was due to meet

31-07-2026 17:50 via independent.co.uk

Elisabeth-Jane Ross had told friends she was supposed to be meeting Americans three days before she was found dead

Reform council condemned for scrapping green pledges in wildfire-ravaged Suffolk

31-07-2026 17:24 via independent.co.uk

A district councillor warned the Reform administration was making ‘one of the most grotesquely misjudged and reckless acts in the history of our county’

Ex-boxer who killed grandfather with one punch in Leicestershire park jailed for manslaughter

31-07-2026 17:10 via independent.co.uk

Joshua Moore has been jailed after admitting to manslaughter earlier this month

Used car tycoon sacked for lewd remarks wins High Court fight over takeover plot

31-07-2026 17:06 via independent.co.uk

Peter Waddell told a female cleaner: ‘I bet you’d like to suck my d***’

What Andy Burnham’s new tax sharing plans could mean for your region

31-07-2026 17:04 via independent.co.uk

London could receive more than £2 billion extra under the plans

Dorset man guilty of murdering love rival with samurai sword

31-07-2026 16:30 via independent.co.uk

Michael Bretton was arrested in January and has now been convicted of the murder of Craig Hurcombe

Voices: ‘I’m fairly confident that he’s over’: Readers debate Nigel Farage’s future as his popularity plummets

31-07-2026 16:27 via independent.co.uk

As the Reform UK leader’s approval rating hits a new low, our readers are split – some think this is finally the end, others aren’t so sure

High Court dismisses legal bid to stop puberty blocker trial for children

31-07-2026 16:20 via independent.co.uk

The trial will see about 220 children treated with puberty-suppressing medication

Date set for first Budget of Andy Burnham’s government after recent spate of policy announcements

31-07-2026 16:17 via independent.co.uk

‘This will be a Budget that moves money and power out of Westminster and into every postcode around Britain,’ the chancellor said as he revealed the date it will be held

People who place flags on lampposts could face jail under new rules

31-07-2026 16:13 via independent.co.uk

Oxfordshire County Council has brought legal action to stop people raising flags near highways

Greater Manchester mayoral election live: Lowest-ever turnout recorded with result due to be announced soon

31-07-2026 16:09 via independent.co.uk

It is the largest by-election in British history, with more than two million people across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester eligible to vote, but turnout is historically low

UK wildfires latest: Blaze breaks out in Essex as helicopter tackles ‘unpredictable’ Suffolk fire

31-07-2026 15:43 via independent.co.uk

EDF nuclear plant chiefs monitor fire as flames rip through Dunwich Heath, reaching RSPB Minsmere

Chinese super-embassy risks London becoming ‘power centre’ for Beijing, critics warn

31-07-2026 15:27 via independent.co.uk

High Court dismisses a challenge by Tower Hamlets residents over planning permission for the proposed embassy

Lyra McKee: £20,000 reward offered for information on Derry journalist’s killer

31-07-2026 15:08 via independent.co.uk

The 29-year-old was shot dead in April 2019 while observing a disturbance in Derry

Ceuta crisis: How arrival of 60,000 migrants into Spanish enclave could affect mainland Europe and the UK

31-07-2026 15:02 via independent.co.uk

Spain and the EU are working with Morocco to agree a response to sudden influx of some 50,000 migrants into north African enclave of Ceuta

Children hospitalised after air conditioning turned off in tower block during UK heatwave

31-07-2026 14:52 via independent.co.uk

One parent said her one-year-old daughter was ‘dripping with sweat’

Petrol reaches highest price since 2022 as impact of Iran war hits motorists

31-07-2026 14:47 via independent.co.uk

Diesel has also been on the rise – it now costs almost £99 to fill a 55-litre car with the fuel

Model village removes topless streaker from football pitch after families complain

31-07-2026 14:31 via independent.co.uk

The reference is ‘no longer something that younger visitors recognise’, tourist attraction’s director says

Disgraced funeral director jailed over ‘dreadful’ treatment of bodies and ashes

31-07-2026 14:18 via independent.co.uk

Robert Bush, 48, breached the trust of grieving families ‘on an almost industrial scale’

The families traumatised by ‘evil’ funeral director Robert Bush: ‘My uncle was left in a body bag for 6 months’

31-07-2026 14:16 via independent.co.uk

Four grieving parents were given the wrong ashes of their stillborn babies, with one foetus later found in a brown paper bag

British man arrested after son’s death in Cyprus to petition court to attend funeral

31-07-2026 14:14 via independent.co.uk

The 37-year-old man and his family were on vacation in Paphos when the boy fell from the hotel’s fourth-floor window

Cyclospora outbreak: What are the symptoms – and is there treatment available?

31-07-2026 14:13 via independent.co.uk

The bug has reached UK shores after thousands fell sick across the US

Suffolk wildfire families describe ‘apocalyptic’ scenes as they flee holiday park

31-07-2026 13:55 via independent.co.uk

One holidaymaker says the huge fire was ‘like the end of the world’

Betfred to axe 600 jobs and close over 130 shops after gambling tax hikes

31-07-2026 13:50 via independent.co.uk

Betfred ahas announced significant job cuts following gambling tax hikes

Village swingers club known as ‘Chunky Muffins’ could be yours for £1.1m

31-07-2026 13:44 via independent.co.uk

Real estate agents said the property boasts a ‘unique blend of home, business and lifestyle potential’

Council tax intake could soar 43% by 2030 – ‘adding £500 to the average bill’

31-07-2026 13:21 via independent.co.uk

Government forecasts have revealed the Treasury expects the council tax intake in England to increase by 43 per cent by 2030

Hosepipe ban map: Over 24 million hit by restrictions as drought declared

31-07-2026 13:18 via independent.co.uk

The dry conditions are an ‘exceptionally serious situation’, an Environment Agency chief has warned

Elisabeth-Jane Ross: Mystery surrounds death of British tourist whose body was discovered in suitcase in Athens

31-07-2026 13:17 via independent.co.uk

An investigation is ongoing into the death of Ms Ross, described as ‘beautiful’ and ‘loving’ by family

Watch Robert Bush sentencing live as disgraced funeral director learns fate in ‘unprecedented’ case

31-07-2026 13:12 via independent.co.uk

Watch live as disgraced funeral director Robert Bush is to learn his fate after a five-day sentencing hearing in which more than 200 victims described the devastating impact of his crimes.