20 h. ago Sir Philip Green, 73, displays his slimmed down frame as he soaks up the sun at the Hotel Eden Roc in France

The Topshop founder, 73, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and a pair of blue patterned shorts as he enjoyed a day at the beach.

Politics

3 d. ago The Guardian view on violence against women and girls: the grooming gangs inquiry should be part of a wider strategy | Editorial

It is right to confront child sexual exploitation, but this week’s announcement comes against a backdrop of failureThe government’s renewed focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE) gangs is overdue, and the new national inquiry recommended by Louise Casey must deliver justice, not just headlines. All child sexual abuse is horrifying. But the extreme sexual violence and financial incentives involved in gang-based offending demand special scrutiny. So do the institutional failures by police and councils, particularly in northern England, where numerous gangs operated.Past inquiries have exposed these institutional breakdowns. They have also shown that a reluctance to inflame racial tensions played a role in the way that some complaints were mishandled. That doesn’t excuse the inaction – nor justify turning a public safety issue into a culture war. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Grooming gangs: 'No hiding' for police, councils and social services who failed 100s of young girls, says No10

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a new inquiry into the scandal after a U-turn

Events

3 d. ago ‘Hundreds of people’ could deserve jail over grooming gangs cover

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, says there was deliberate action by some police, council leaders, social workers and prosecutors to hide abuseStarmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn a recent report the Commons defence committee said that the armed forces covenant, a legal promise to veterans saying that they should not lose out when accessing government services because of their service in the military, should be extended. It said:While some people had positive experiences to share, a worrying number [of veterans] felt that the covenant had been ineffective—or worse yet, had been disregarded—when they had cited it. As a result, many continued to face disadvantages as a result of their service in areas like healthcare, education, employment and welfare .We welcome the government’s intention to extend the covenant legal duty, which currently requires some public service providers to give due regard to the covenant’s principles when providing certain housing, health...

Events

8 d. ago Plan to demolish part of Dalston's Kingsland Shopping Centre and build "massive" tower blocks prompts backlash from residents

The project could see 254 homes built, but the applicant has admitted it will not meet Hackney Council's affordable housing policy

Economics

8 d. ago 'Bombshell' council tax rise warning over Rachel Reeves' police funding plans

Chancellor accused of ‘relying on a hidden council tax bombshell to fund a half-hearted rise in police funding’ as she outlines Spending Review

Events

8 d. ago Police leaders say they will struggle to fulfil Labour’s promise to recruit 13,000 officers

Projected £1.2bn police funding shortfall expected to grow after spending review outlined fall in Home Office spending powerPolice forces will struggle to fulfil Keir Starmer’s promise to recruit an additional 13,000 officers and the public will “pay the price”, police leaders have warned, after the chancellor outlined a decline in Home Office spending power on Wednesday.The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it would be incredibly difficult to deliver the prime minister’s election pledge within the lifetime of this parliament, with a projected £1.2bn shortfall in police funding expected to grow. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Police forces face financial struggle as cost of borrowing set to spiral

Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said local forces have had no capital investment for 10 years.

Economics

8 d. ago Council tax 'bombshell' warning over Chancellor's police funding plans

The government was accused of ‘relying on a hidden council tax bombshell to fund a half-hearted rise in police funding’

Events

1 week ago Rachel Reeves in standoff over policing and council budgets days before spending review

Chancellor still at negotiating table on Sunday as Home Office demands more cash Rachel Reeves has been locked in a standoff over the policing and council budgets just days before this week’s spending review, which is set to give billions to the NHS, defence and technology.Yvette Cooper’s Home Office and Angela Rayner’s housing and local government ministry were the two departments still at the negotiating table on Sunday fighting for more cash, after weeks of trying to reach a settlement. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Local councils and police can fine you £70 for parking on these road markings

There are a number of road markings that drivers need to be aware of as they indicate strict rules for that portion of the road

Economics

1 week ago Barcelona’s rebirth and one last job for Szczesny: La Liga season review

It’s the Sids! Barça reclaimed the title as Madrid’s giants faltered while Athletic, Celta and Rayo shook up the European placesThe day La Liga 2024-25 began, Wojciech Szczesny was sitting on the beach in Marbella lighting up a cigarette, enjoying his retirement. The night it ended, he sat in the dressing room in Cornellà, 1,000km round the coast, and lit up a cigar instead. He had walked away in August, at 35 years old, unwanted and his heart no longer in it, or so he thought. Nine months on, here he was surrounded by kids half his age, a footballer again and winner of every trophy his new home country had to offer. He had not lost a single league match en route to becoming a champion.“I’ve arrived where even my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me,” Szczesny had said when he retired. And if he hadn’t dared imagine that, there was no way he could imagine this: a Copa del Rey, a Super Cup and a Champions League semi-final to go with the title. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Update after human remains found by gas workers digging at major project

Police and the council have outlined the next steps

Politics

1 week ago Tourist hotspots hit with 'terrible stench' that could ruin Brits' beach holidays

Tourists looking to enjoy sun-kissed beaches could face holiday disruption as a record-breaking amount of smelly seaweed has washed up on the coastline in the Caribbean

Events

2 w. ago UK beach where you can still drive onto the sand right next to the pub

Seatown beach in Dorset is a stunning spot with golden sands and clear waters - and the best part is you can park your car right on the beach before enjoying a drink at the nearby pub

Politics

2 w. ago US rock star turns up at Welsh railway station with a guitar for impromptu performance

The singer was seen enjoying a stroll along the beach and playing guitar whilst waiting for the train

Politics

3 w. ago Perth and Kinross councillor calls for urgent review of national planning policy on retail developments

The Planning and Placemaking Committee convener believes the current policy on retail developments "lacks coherence" and risks "stifling competition"

Events

3 w. ago Chief officers call for radical overhaul of structure of UK policing

The head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Gavin Stephens said he would back a model with fewer, larger forces.

Events

3 w. ago Iran threatens to end nuclear talks with Europe after Mandelson comments

Iranian foreign minister says there can be no further talks if UK and European position is zero uranium enrichmentIran’s foreign minister has threatened to end all talks with European officials over its nuclear programme after Peter Mandelson, the UK ambassador to Washington, appeared to side with US calls to eliminate Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities.It was not clear if Lord Mandelson’s remarks during a question and answer session at the Atlantic Council in Washington revealed an unannounced change in UK policy or if, in seeking to side with Donald Trump, he had spoken in a way to allow misinterpretation. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro enjoy a romantic walk on the beach in Malibu

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro looked relaxed as they enjoyed a romantic walk along the beach in Malibu on Monday.

Politics