Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing Councils are to be given greater powers to seize land, under government plans to boost housebuilding. The measure is part of the flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is being introduced in Parliament later and aims to speed up building. Housing Minister Matthew… Continue reading Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing
Blog
From chatbots to intelligent toys: How AI is booming in China
From chatbots to intelligent toys: How AI is booming in China 7 hours ago Laura Bicker China correspondent Reporting fromBeijing BBC/ Xiqing Wang Head in hands, eight-year-old Timmy muttered to himself as he tried to beat a robot powered by artificial intelligence at a game of chess. But this was not an AI showroom or… Continue reading From chatbots to intelligent toys: How AI is booming in China
Lawyer probing Reform UK row contradicts MP Lowe
Lawyer probing Reform UK row contradicts MP Lowe 6 hours ago Chris Mason PA Media A senior lawyer appointed by Reform UK to independently investigate allegations against MP Rupert Lowe and his team has denied making comments he says she made. The Great Yarmouth MP was suspended by Reform and referred to the police over… Continue reading Lawyer probing Reform UK row contradicts MP Lowe
Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave jobs
Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave jobs Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave their jobs under new government plans, while top staff will have their pay linked to their performance. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said they will “fundamentally reshape” the service as its state is currently not “match-fit” for what… Continue reading Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave jobs
Labour ministers yet to hold talks over Abramovich funds
Labour ministers yet to hold talks over Abramovich funds 17 hours ago Joshua Nevett Political reporter Nizaar Kinsella Senior football reporter Getty Images Labour ministers have yet to hold talks with key figures involved in unlocking the £2.5bn promised for Ukraine after Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea football club. Abramovich sold Chelsea in 2022, after… Continue reading Labour ministers yet to hold talks over Abramovich funds
Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP
Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP 14 minutes ago Alex Boyd BBC News Hope Rhodes Education producer Getty Images The MP behind a bill campaigners hoped would ban smart phones in schools has admitted to watering down his proposals to gain government support. Josh MacAlister told BBC News he was now… Continue reading Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP
About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says
About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says About 20 countries are interested in joining a “coalition of the willing” to help Ukraine, according to UK officials. It is not thought every one of the countries, which are largely from Europe and the Commonwealth, would necessarily send troops but some could provide other support.… Continue reading About 20 countries could join Ukraine coalition, UK says
Call for ministers to overrule ‘two-tier’ sentencing changes
Call for ministers to overrule ‘two-tier’ sentencing changes 39 minutes ago Sam Francis and Becky Morton Political reporters Dominic Casciani PA Media The Conservatives have called for the government to overrule planned changes which would make the ethnicity or faith of an offender a bigger factor when deciding whether to jail them. The Sentencing Council,… Continue reading Call for ministers to overrule ‘two-tier’ sentencing changes
PM pays tribute to British troops after Vance comments
PM pays tribute to British troops after Vance comments 20 minutes ago Becky Morton Political reporter EPA Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to British veterans who fought in Iraq, after US Vice-President JD Vance was accused of disrespecting UK troops. Without directly referring to Vance’s comments, Sir Keir opened Prime Minister’s Questions by remembering… Continue reading PM pays tribute to British troops after Vance comments
Apple takes legal action in UK data privacy row
Apple takes legal action in UK data privacy row Apple is taking legal action to try to overturn a demand made by the UK government to view its customers’ private data if required. The BBC understands that the US technology giant has appealed to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent court with the power to… Continue reading Apple takes legal action in UK data privacy row