Britain’s ministerial department, central to decision-making and civil service coordination
The government has pledged to end long-term rough sleeping across the UK on its first day in office, backed by 340m in funding to create 1,200 homes and provide intensive support for at least 3,000 rough sleepers over five years. The plan builds on Covid-era schemes and Manchester’s Bed Every Night approach as rough sleeping numbers rise to a record 4,793 on a single autumn night in 2025.
Civil service pension delays under Capita have prompted a government shift toward insourcing, with auditors reviewing systems and a long-term strategy under way as bereavement and pension payments remain unresolved for thousands.
The Scotsman argues that scalable, green data centres near Longformacus set new standards in sustainable infrastructure, while highlighting local jobs and energy efficiency. Other outlets report on noise concerns and policy pauses, underscoring divergent views on data center growth and its regional impact. Published June 2026.
Andy Burnham has emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer and is using a Manchester speech to press a major devolution agenda. He has proposed shifting decision‑making and parts of the prime ministerial operation north, a 10‑year mission on living standards and changes to public procurement to favour British jobs.
The former leader of Northern Ireland’s DUP has been found guilty of 18 historical sexual offences against two women who were children at the time. He has renounced his knighthood and resigned from the Privy Council; honours removal now proceeds under the Forfeiture Committee process, pending royal approval. The case triggers scrutiny of state honours tied to figures found guilty of criminal offences.
Capita has warned it could knock £25m-£40m off annual profits for 2026 as delays and backlogs in the Civil Service Pension Scheme persist. The outsourcing group has apologised for the poor service and faces government sanctions while MPs press for accountability as civil servants wait for payments and retirement quotes.
The Covid inquiry has found a “vast” waste of taxpayers’ money in PPE procurement during the pandemic, with almost two-thirds of the £14.9bn spent wasted. It criticises the VIP lane for favoured contracts and highlights inadequate stockpiles and planning.
Andy Burnham has been installed as the UK’s prime minister and has reshuffled the cabinet, appointing John Healey as chancellor and moving Ed Miliband to the Foreign Office while keeping Shabana Mahmood at the Home Office. He has promised immediate measures to give households "breathing space" on the cost of living and pledged a 10-year plan for Britain, while markets are watching how his team will fund the programme.