Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to rebalance the UK economy face major hurdles as London and the south-east continue to pull ahead in tech and infrastructure investment, exemplified by the costly Lower Thames Crossing and data centre booms.
New UK rules scrap the 'aim to permit' principle, giving local councils greater control over gambling venues, a victory for communities seeking to reduce gambling-related harms on high streets.
Downing Street has pledged to stop local councils from restricting bar ordering and standing up while drinking in pubs, following Westminster council's draft licensing policy proposals for areas like Soho.
A detailed Australian survey reveals organised anti-wind and solar campaigns have successfully eroded community support, while enthusiasm for electric vehicles surged following Donald Trump's attack on Iran. Despite this, home batteries and rooftop solar maintain high 'deep support'
The prosecution has requested a supplementary investigation into the police's handling of inflated overseas trip expenses by local councils in the Jeonbuk region, criticizing the exclusion of local council members who were the primary beneficiaries. Citizens' groups are condemning the police's investigation as a 'tail-cutting' tactic, demanding a full reinvestigation.
The New South Wales government is investing $6.6 million to establish marked parking bays for shared ebikes across Sydney, aiming to reduce footpath clutter and improve safety. Local councils will receive funding and expanded powers to create parking zones and penalize operators for non-compliance, with a goal of thousands of new spots by year-end.
Several English councils have cautioned residents against displaying the St. George's Cross on public property, citing safety and community cohesion concerns ahead of the World Cup. The debate intensified with a report on prison staff flag badges and criticism from politicians.
UK minister Kemi Badenoch plans to abolish the public sector equality duty, a law requiring public bodies to consider equality impacts. Critics argue this will legalize discrimination, while experts say the duty is misunderstood and not the cause of controversial diversity policies.
Gyeongnam's local councils show mixed results in the 6.3 local elections. While the People Power Party largely maintains a majority, the Democratic Party has seen significant gains in some areas, reshaping the political landscape.
A property investor family, the Schreibers, is accused of exploiting a tax loophole by hosting fake prayer sessions to avoid business rates on commercial properties. Simultaneously, a similarly named company provides temporary accommodation to councils, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and profit maximization.
The first results in England are expected between midnight and 2am BST; Scottish and Welsh parliament results are due from midday2026 election results: latest from local, Scottish and Welsh votesHello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of election results in England, Scotland and Wales.Thursday’s votes covered the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and 136 local councils in England, where 5,014 seats were contested, including every one on all of London’s 32 borough councils, more than a dozen borough councils, six unitary councils, six county councils and three district councils. A further 73 councils held elections for half or a third of the seats available. Continue reading...
A report by the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life reveals that one in five local councils in England and Wales have banned swearing under Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), up from one in 20 in 2022. The research found 271 of 297 councils (91%) have at least one PSPO, with 1,268 new orders introduced containing up to 30 restrictions each. Penalties reached an all-time high with 25,000 fines issued in 2025, with 75% issued by private enforcement companies paid per fine.
A new report reveals one in five local councils in England and Wales have banned swearing under Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), up from one in 20 in 2022. The Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life found 91% of responding councils have PSPOs, with over 1,000 new laws introduced containing restrictions on everyday activities. Private enforcement companies issued 25,000 fines in 2025, with 75% of penalties issued by firms paid per fine.
Over 2,000 people in England have faced legal action from their local council due to escalating home care costs, with some debts reaching over £15,000. Disability campaigners and the Local Government Association highlight a funding crisis in adult social care.
