Lidl lures in millions of new shoppers with budget deals and Deluxe range Lidl overtook Morrisons in May to become the fifth-largest grocery chain in the UK The Independent UK · Oct 5
Lidl’s UK sales boosted by Deluxe range and pulling in more shoppers The British arm of the German discounter reported revenues of £13 billion for the year to the end of February. Evening Standard · Oct 5
How strike action in the North Sea could ‘threaten the UK’s fuel supply’ IN FULL The Independent UK · Oct 5
Almost half of people in hygiene poverty have gone without toilet roll – survey Hygiene poverty was defined as being unable to afford basic hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, nappies or washing-up liquid. Evening Standard · Oct 5
Two people die trying to cross Channel as anti-migrant protesters clash with police in Gosport French authorities say two men, one in his 30s and another in his 40s, died during overnight crossing The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
Tory plan to cut energy efficiency rule for builders will cost new home owners £1,000 a year, says thinktank – as it happened A researcher at a climate change think tank says the Conservative policy would be a ‘disaster for first time buyers’ The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
British Jews more likely to identify as Zionist since 7 October attacks, research finds Percentage who feel ‘very emotionally attached to Israel’ rose to 51% in June 2025, up 13 points from before Gaza war The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
Putin’s escalating bombing campaign won’t break Ukrainians’ resolve. History shows that it’s doomed to fail As the fifth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion looms, it’s worth remembering that this mode of warfare rarely crushes morale, says Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
BT to buy broadband supplier TalkTalk in £400m rescue deal, saving 900 jobs Virgin Media O2 complains of ‘stitch-up’ over rival provider, which has 1.5m customers The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sues Thames Valley Police over Epstein arrest and home raids Former duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley police over his arrest in connection with the Epstein files, Telegraph has reported. The Times of India · Oct 5
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons held talks over potential multi-billion-pound merger, reports say – as it happened A deal would test regulators’ appetite for dealmaking in competitive supermarket industry The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
US pulls all B-1 bombers from UK airbase at centre of terror probe Donald Trump has criticised the UK authorities decision to release six men on bail after they were arrested following an incident near airbase RAF Fairford. Euronews · Oct 5
Internet Watch Foundation reports huge rise in AI child sexual abuse material Abuse material monitor says number of AI images assessed this year is already 40% higher than last year’s total The Guardian - UK · Oct 5
The Guardian - UK · Oct 5 ‘I didn’t know what to do’: collapse of providers of high-end digs leaves students in shock Cost of living crisis and drop in international students hits market for purpose-built accommodation
The Economic Times · Oct 5 As Thailand cracks down on foreigners, a tourist paradise reconsiders its welcome Thailand is facing a growing backlash against foreign influence in its tourist hotspots, particularly southern islands such as Koh Phangan, Phuket and Koh Samui. Locals fear foreign investors and businesses are reshaping communities, driving up property prices and pushing residents out.
The Guardian - UK · Oct 5 Ball in UK’s court: EU ambassador says Brussels will be ‘ready to engage‘ after country decides what it wants Jukka Salovaara, who served in London during Cool Britannia era, will be ‘very close’ to negotiations as Burnham government resets relations with EU
The Guardian - UK · Oct 5 British government ‘complacent about food as a national security matter’ Experts say country does not have plan to feed people in a crisis and is unprepared for future shortages
The National (Scotland) · Oct 5 UK fuel supplies face 'severe disruption' as 160 offshore workers set to strike More than 160 offshore oil workers are considering strike action that their union claims could 'severely disrupt' UK fuel supplies
The Economic Times · Oct 5 UK Green Party adopts anti-Zionist stance, Israel bars leader Zack Polanski The UK Green Party has formally adopted an anti-Zionist position at its recent conference in 2026. This decision has led to Israel barring the party's leader, Zack Polanski, from entering the country. The resolution defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project and not to be confused with antisemitism. Israel's Foreign…
The Economic Times · Oct 5 UK weighs tariffs on Chinese EVs amid ‘dumping’ concerns: Report Britain is contemplating the implementation of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports in the near future. This consideration arises from concerns regarding the potential flooding of the market with state-subsidised vehicles. Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds is preparing a package of potential tariffs for Chinese vehicle imports. British officials are eager…
The Guardian - UK · Oct 4 Money stolen by scammers hijacking UK social media accounts rises 400% Many cases involve criminals using other people’s identities to sell fake event tickets to friends and family
The Guardian - UK · Oct 4 Children’s books with Black main characters down 8% in a year, study shows Only 150 of 2,189 titles published in UK for young children last year focused on minority ethnic, disabled or neurodivergent characters
The Guardian - UK · Oct 4 Strikes by North Sea oil workers could ‘severely disrupt’ UK fuel supplies Union says staff left with no choice but industrial action after breakdown in pay talks with Texas oil firm Apache
The Independent UK · Oct 4 UK hygiene poverty crisis deepens as millions skip deodorant and toilet roll, survey finds Hygiene povert is defined as an inability to afford essential personal care items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, nappies or washing-up liquid in the past six months