New equalities boss warns against ‘demonisation’ of migrants in UK Mary-Ann Stephenson also says it would be a ‘mistake’ to leave European Convention on Human Rights The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2025
UK seas in 2025: ‘Incredible’ octopuses, pollution and some puffin good news Conservationists have described 2025 as year of the octopus after enormous numbers were seen in the south west. Evening Standard · Dec 22, 2025
Brian May to play unreleased Queen song that ‘no one has ever heard’ The 78-year-old songwriter will play ‘Not For Sale (Polar Bear)’ for the first time on Monday The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2025
UK car industry ‘on track’ to meet 2025 EV sales target The mandate requires at least 28 per cent of cars sold to be zero-emission The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2025
Streeting faces criticism as he appears to back joining customs union with EU Opposition parties accused Wes Streeting of putting ‘political pitch-making’ above his role as Health Secretary. Evening Standard · Dec 21, 2025
Streeting’s call to rejoin EU customs union is ‘early shot’ in possible leadership challenge, Labour MP says The move comes amid speculation that Wes Streeting wants to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister The Independent UK · Dec 21, 2025
US calls talks with Ukraine and Russia productive, proposes trilateral talks Washington proposed the first Ukraine-Russia face-to-face talks in months, after US and Russian envoys met in Miami over the weekend to discuss a possible peace plan to end Moscow's war in Ukraine. Euronews · Dec 21, 2025
Cancelled US comedian Jimmy Kimmel to deliver Christmas message to UK TV host who came under pressure from Trump government will say: ‘From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year’ The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025
Chilly Christmas for most with ‘just a chance’ of snow in South, Met Office says The UK could see its first white Christmas since 2023 with snowfall possible on the south cost of England, the Met Office has said. Evening Standard · Dec 21, 2025
Starmer has his final call of 2025 with Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine and Gaza The Prime Minister updated Trump on the appointment of the new British Ambassador to the United States, Dr Christian Turner The Independent UK · Dec 21, 2025
More than 800 people cross Channel in dinghies, breaking record for December Saturday’s arrivals were the most on a single day in December and take the annual total to 41,455 The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025
Starmer and Trump discuss Ukraine and Gaza in pre-Christmas call The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and the appointment of a new ambassador to Washington DC. Evening Standard · Dec 21, 2025
Latest Epstein images shine a light on access seemingly granted by ‘useful idiot’ Andrew Photos suggest former Duke of York served as Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s pass to British high society The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025
One in eight of 14- to 17-year-olds in Great Britain say they have used nicotine pouches Survey adds to experts’ concern about addiction risk and highlights support for plan to ban sales to under-18s The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Rejoining Erasmus+ is brilliant news for Britain Letters: Guardian readers celebrate the European exchange programme and the fact that Britain will be rejoining it in 2027
TechRadar · Dec 21, 2025 This Narwal robot vacuum has an impressive feature list, but just doesn't do as it's told The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra could have been great, but erratic performance and 'smart' features that are anything but make it ultra-frustrating.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Starmer has no coherent social mobility plan, says top government adviser Exclusive: Warning from Social Mobility Commission chair comes after UK report found ‘entrenched disadvantages’
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 UK asylum seekers not widely abusing modern slavery rules, report finds Exclusive: Thinktank’s findings undermine successive home secretaries’ statements about misuse of system in England and Wales
The Independent UK · Dec 21, 2025 World record for tallest bedded Christmas tree broken by UK country house The world record for the tallest bedded Christmas tree has been broken by a UK country house.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Christmas burnout: why stressed parents find it ‘harder to be emotionally honest with children’ A study finds that as pressure increases, UK parents are more likely to put on a brave face – risking family wellbeing
The Independent UK · Dec 21, 2025 ‘I was left homeless after the Home Office claimed I wasn’t a child – here’s why AI age checks are dangerous for migrants like me’ MIGRANT CRISIS : The Home Office has advertised a £1.3m contract for an algorithm that can ‘accurately predict someone’s age’. One former asylum seeker tells Holly Bancroft why he thinks this could go very wrong
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Streeting urges closer trading ties with Europe to grow UK economy Health secretary’s comments push further than government’s position on EU in wide-ranging interview
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Sweden and Germany slash aid budgets to focus on Ukraine and defence spending Echoing the dismantling of USAID, other countries are changing funding priorities and health and hunger programmes in Africa will lose out
Woman & Home · Dec 21, 2025 How to watch the Beyond Paradise Christmas special 2025 from anywhere - stream online We can expect tons of ‘festive mystery’ to hit our screens as the Beyond Paradise Christmas special airs this year, with one or two ‘unexpected visitors’ popping up for the journey too
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2025 Starmer will ‘absolutely’ still be prime minister by next Christmas, says Labour chair – as it happened Anna Turley says people will start to ‘see and feel’ change in public services and cost of living from next year