UK
Criminals who skip sentencing will face solitary confinement or lose social visits
Judges will be given new powers to impose tougher prison punishments on offenders who refuse to face their victims' families during sentencing.
In Pictures
Only one female scientist named in GCSEs, research finds
BBC News
Shabana Mahmood urged to ‘read the room’ on Labour opposition to immigration policy
The Guardian
The four locations in the running to be UK City of Culture 2029
BBC News
Energy secretary leaning towards rejecting Rosebank oilfield
The Guardian
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UK
Aberfan disaster 'most tragic of days imaginable' says King on 60th anniversary
In total 116 children and 28 adults were killed when a colliery spoil tip collapsed on 21 October 1966.
UK
UK politics: Reform UK claims racism exposé has left some members ‘psychologically damaged’ as it reports ITV to police – as it happened
<p>Zia Yusuf claims undercover investigation broke the law as broadcaster stands by its journalism</p><p>Here is an explainer by <strong>Jill Ambrose</strong> about the Jackdaw decision.</p><p>But environmental groups have condemned the decision. Ami McCart…
UK
Jailed former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson being investigated over alleged rape inside Parliament
While not naming the disgraced former MP, the Metropolitan Police has issued a statement confirming a 63-year-old man is being investigated.
UK
Reform UK fined for failing to declare it was publisher of campaigns material
<p>Party given additional penalty by Electoral Commission for not paying original fine on time</p><p>Reform UK has been fined more than £2,000 for failing to declare it was the publisher of campaign material seen by voters – including an additional penalty …
UK
Burnham proposes plan to cut standing charges from gas bills
The prime minister provided little detail, and there are questions over shifting the fees onto unit costs.
UK
Jeffrey Donaldson investigated over alleged rape in UK parliament
<p>Met police investigating after referral from PSNI about allegation former DUP leader raped woman in 2016</p><p>The Metropolitan police are investigating an allegation that the former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman inside parliament in 2016.</…
UK
Teenage boy guilty of trying to murder girl, 15, in school
The school went into lockdown and parents gathered at the gates as they waited for news about their children.
UK
No surprise and lasting anger: families of people who died in care homes react to Covid inquiry report
<p>Relatives recount distress and loneliness their loved ones went through in pandemic as a result of isolation policy</p><p>“At the time it felt like a devil’s bargain – it was horrible, but it was what [we thought] we had to do to keep people safe,” says …
UK
Tributes paid to 'bravest' woman who died of 'stab wounds' after crash
It is understood Eleanor Barnfield, from Bridgend, had been stabbed before the crash.
UK
Burnham backs mandatory suicide prevention training for social workers after parent-carer Matilda Davis’s death
<p>Former art teacher, who cared for her disabled son, ‘received almost no support’, said her local MP Manuela Perteghella</p><p>Andy Burnham has backed mandatory suicide prevention training for social workers after the “devastating” death of Matilda Davis,…
UK
Holocaust school lessons to be improved after 'shocking' antisemitism review
Education Secretary Lucy Powell has stressed the importance of reminding new generations of the horrors of the Holocaust.
UK
Bereaved civil service families could face ‘unjust’ tax bills due to pension scheme delays
<p>MPs say ‘chaos’ at Capita-run scheme could mean some claims miss tax-free time limit on lump sum payments</p><p>Bereaved families could face “unconscionable” tax bills because of “chaos” in the civil service pension scheme, the government has been warned…
UK
Attempted murder arrests after boy, 16, attacked
Two boys aged 15 and 16 were being questioned after the teenager was found injured in Everton, Liverpool.
UK
Stratford International on track to get cross-Channel trains in budget boost
<p>Sadiq Khan says upgrade would unlock station’s true potential and allow it to live up to its name</p><p>Stratford International train station in east London will receive funding in next week’s budget, according to reports, putting it on track to live up …
UK
MP harassed for 'being English' by man who took axe to pub
Michael Glover left a note on MP Henry Tufnell's office door and claimed he knew where he lived.
UK
UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea
<p>Decision was widely expected after lobbying by Shell but will dismay environmental campaigners</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/20/what-does-the-approval-of-the-jackdaw-gasfield-mean">What does the UK’s approval of the…
UK
Lawyer caught offering to make illegal-worker fine go away
Because of our investigation, the home secretary has ordered a review of how fines are issued and collected.
UK
How might Andy Burnham tackle Thames Water debacle?
<p>A look at some of the options after PM is urged to consider radical alternatives to deal with stricken company</p><p>Andy Burnham has told officials to rip up their plans for how to fix <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/thames-water">Thames W…
UK
Woman told Russell Brand he 'treated her like an animal', court hears
The comedian and actor is on trial for charges including rape and sexual assault, which he denies.
UK
What does the UK’s approval of the Jackdaw gasfield mean?
<p>Decision has implications for household energy bills, the UK economy and the climate crisis</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/21/jackdaw-gasfield-in-north-sea-approved">UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea</a></…
UK
'Mindset shift' needed within government on No10 North, says deputy
Number 10 North deputy director Duncan Parish has told a conference he is still facing "institutional barriers".
UK
‘Superficial damp squib’: Covid inquiry recommendations fail to impress bereaved families
<p>Latest report paints a painful picture of the care sector during the pandemic. But timid recommendations and a lack of accountability threaten to undermine it</p><p>Of all 10 reports due to be published by the long-running Covid-19 inquiry, this week’s f…
UK
Civil servant admits he 'made mistakes' juggling five government jobs
Kashim Chowdhury was contracted for 183 hours a week, more than the number of hours in seven days.
UK
Who exactly will be affected by the UK review of benefits for young people?
<p>Around one in eight 16- to 24-year-olds are ‘Neet’ – and Alan Milburn is hinting that the overhaul of their support may be controversial</p><p>With nearly 1 million young people not in education, employment or training (a cohort known as “Neets”), the go…
UK
Amber warning issued as Storm Austen threatens UK with strong winds and heavy rain
The deep area of low pressure is expected to move close to the south of the UK early on Friday with south-west England set to bear the brunt.
UK
Are the Tories back? - podcast
<p>Political correspondent <strong>Aletha Adu </strong>explores whether the Conservative party under Kemi Badenoch is about to become, once again, the UK’s leading party on the right. Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguar…
UK
Watch: Undercover filming shows lawyer advising how to avoid £45,000 illegal-worker fine
Mohammad Alias Yousaf made his claim to an undercover reporter posing as a mini-mart owner.
UK
‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons – podcast
<p>In his annual speech on threats to the nation, Sir Ken McCallum, the head of the UK’s intelligence service, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/mi5">MI5</a>, warned that AI had the potential to ‘change the stakes’ on existing and even new bioweapons.…
UK
'My friend was lying next to me... I was only 8 but I realised he was dead'
Four people who were children at the time of the Aberfan disaster recall the moment when a coal waste tip collapsed 60 years ago.
UK
Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcast
<p>The bestselling author says her books will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops over fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique report</p><p>For now there might be a copy or two of Intermezzo left kicking around in your local bookshop – snap…
UK
Moment giant fin whale's huge mouth engulfs thousands of gallons of water
Videographer Rhys Morgan captured footage of the worlds second largest whale lunge feeding on his drone.
UK
‘Austerity is inevitably painful’: How Michael Gove justifies his politics | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty
<p>For more than three decades, <strong>Michael Gove</strong> has been a leading figure in British Conservatism. As a journalist, government minister and now editor of the Tory bible the Spectator, he has helped shape the right even as it has moved further …
UK
Watch: Pigs on the loose bring A-road to a standstill
The decision to shoot five of the 20 animals over safety concerns was not taken lightly, police say.
UK
‘Too big to not fail’: Google outage exposes UK reliance on a handful of cloud providers
<p>Our dependence on internet services of a few key tech companies leaves us vulnerable to cloud failures, bugs and more, experts say</p><p>It happened again. A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/20/revolut-down-app-cards-service-disrupt…
UK
The first Aberfan man to call for help
Dave Evans was the one of the only ones in Aberfan with a telephone.
UK
‘We’re not playing games’: Parents launch playground protests to fight school field sell-off
<p>School looking to sell piece of open land beloved by people in Devon town to fund refurbishments</p><p>On Saturdays throughout autumn, residents of Totnes have met at a field on the banks of the River Dart to play ballgames, fly kites or simply sit on th…
UK
Wales' 'oldest man' turns 107
Owen Filer was born in 1919 and served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during World War Two.
UK
Stinky business: south London bike shop hit by ‘unbearable’ stench from Thames Water sewer
<p>Owner and mechanics fear for their health and future of the Herne Hill shop with no date for fixing problem</p><p>The leafy south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill is a haven for cyclists who can often be seen lapping the local parks and refuelling at t…
UK
The Papers: 'Drill, Andy Drill!' and a Budget for 'bloody-minded entrepreneurs'
Several of today's papers continue to follow the "storm" surrounding Andy Burnham's decision to approve a new gas field and what that will mean for future ones.
UK
‘A big responsibility’: Clifton Suspension Bridge master hails £7.6m renovation
<p>Engineer Tristan Ralph describes task of maintaining and running Bristol structure without public money</p><p>The job does not give the holder age-old perks such as the right to drive sheep across the great structure, but the title “bridge master” does h…
UK
'Betrayed by my body': The taboo health issue women are talking about on social media
Women are sharing their experiences with chronic urinary tract infections on social media in an effort to break the stigma surrounding UTIs.
UK
Woman told she had cancer by NHS worker who inappropriately accessed her records
<p>Pippa Boardman said she lost her dignity through data breach at Royal Cornwall hospital by man she barely knew</p><p>A woman was told she had cancer by a hospital employee she barely knew who had accessed her medical records days before she was due to re…
UK
The grads ditching the UK for a fresh start abroad
With graduate jobs hard to come by, more young adults are reported to be considering emigrating.
UK
Baby who died from meningitis might have been saved if tested sooner, inquest finds
<p>Five-month-old Esta High died at Leeds General Infirmary in November 2023 after doctors put her symptoms down to Covid-19</p><p>A baby girl who died from meningitis might have been saved if doctors had tested her for the infection sooner, rather than put…
UK
Just Eat apologises for AI food mistakes after social media ridicule
A spokesperson said it was removing inaccurate AI images and pausing the rollout of the tool.
UK
Ban ‘intrusive’ cameras in England’s mental health wards, say bereaved families
<p>Lawyers tell inquiry that patients’ lives are at stake through improper use of Oxevision system for most vulnerable</p><p>Families bereaved by the misuse of an “intrusive” camera monitoring system for vulnerable patients used in half of England’s mental …
UK
How much gas could Jackdaw provide? And will it cut your energy bills?
BBC Verify looks at what the Jackdaw decision means for bills, energy security and the environment.
UK
UK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry finds
<p>Inquiry chair says failure to advise care homes to isolate people discharged from hospital was ‘significant oversight’</p><p>Government failures caused Covid-19 to spread “like wildfire” among vulnerable and elderly people, and Matt Hancock’s “protective…