15 h. ago Academy heads should be able to seek return to local authority control – union

The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill does not include a route to allow academies to return to local authority oversight.

Culture

27 h. ago Fight starts TODAY for Tories to win back trust: Bloodbath at polls but top Conservatives rally round leader as she vows to reverse party fortunes

An electoral bloodbath led to the Conservatives being wiped out across swathes of local authorities, losing more than 550 councillors and control of 14 councils.

Politics

38 h. ago Boy falls from top deck of double decker bus and is left with 'significant injuries'

A boy who fell from the upper deck of his school bus in Derbyshire suffered "significant" injuries, according to the headteacher of St Benedict Catholic Academy

Events

53 h. ago Polls close in contests which could see Labour and Tories suffer losses

A parliamentary by-election, more than 1,600 council seats across 23 local authorities, four regional mayors and two local mayors are up for grabs.

Politics

61 h. ago Hackney Council accused of ‘endangering women and girls’ with plans to scrap single

Campaigners have urged the local authority to keep the Clapton leisure centre’s women-only changing spaces as part of its redevelopment

Politics

62 h. ago Local elections live: Millions vote across England in major test for Labour, Reform and Tories

Voters casting ballots in 23 local authorities and six mayoral contests across England

Politics

62 h. ago South Ayrshire Council in chaos says top councillor after Provost quits in "farcical" meeting

Chris Cullen says the local authority must quickly get its act together following a week in which it has threatened to fall apart.

Events

64 h. ago Devastating aftermath of Russian drone attack on Odesa as minerals deal struck

Ukrainian emergency services tackled huge fires in Odesa following a Russian drone attack that took place in the early hours of Thursday (1 May), according to the local authorities.

Events

67 h. ago Local elections live: Millions go to polls across the country in major test for Labour, Reform and Tories

Voters casting ballots in 23 local authorities and six mayoral contests across England

Politics

68 h. ago Local elections live: Millions to vote across the country as polls open

Voters casting ballots in 23 local authorities and six mayoral contests across England

Politics

2 d. ago Voters warned 'don't trust nasty Nigel's numpties' in crunch local elections today

Local elections are taking place across England, with 1,641 council seats up in 23 local authorities - and six mayoral races - up for grabs in the first major test since the general election

Events

2 d. ago Local elections live: Polls to open in Starmer’s first major ballot box test as PM

Voters to cast ballots in 23 local authorities and six mayoral contests across England

Politics

2 d. ago World leading cancer research and treatment hub lined up for Sutton

The £1 bn scheme is subject to approval by the local authority in the Autumn with work starting next year

Science

3 d. ago Local elections live: ‘Labour are toast’ warns former Blair adviser ahead of polling day after net zero clash

Voters in 23 local authorities to head to polls on Thursday

Events

3 d. ago Full list of Blue Badge criteria as 19 key points decide who is eligible for benefit

Blue Badges are issued by local authorities and can help people with severe disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, park closer to their destination

Politics

4 d. ago Mistake that could land you with £5,000 fine if you break voting rule on Thursday

Voters will take to the polls on May 1 to elect a new set of mayors and almost two dozen local authorities across England, but experts warn of a mistake that could land some people in hot water

Economics

5 d. ago New headteacher appointed at St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian

Dr Gerry Burns has served at St Margaret's Academy and Sinclair Academy

Politics

5 d. ago Major Scots council to increase controlled parking zones by 50% amid crackdown

Major recruitment drive sees local authority hire 100 extra parking attendants

Politics

6 d. ago Wedding business owner 'forced to destroy couples' dreams' after local council refused retrospective planning permission

Katy and Joe Bird won rave reviews for their Cambridgeshire company but had to close it after the local authority raised concerns including the impact on an ancient moat.

Events

6 d. ago Plans revealed for massive 300 acre solar farm to be built across three Welsh counties

123.3 hectares of farmland across three local authorities in south Wales could become a solar farm

Politics