County council governing Essex; Reform UK controls since 2026.
Essex County Council has announced a three-month trial to deploy private security to town centres in Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford as migrants travel from Wethersfield to access local services. The plan expands the Wethersfield base population from about 800 to 1,220 and is part of a broader effort to end asylum hotels and move residents to alternative accommodation. The Home Office says there is no evidence of increased crime linked to migrants. Critics say the scheme is a costly political gesture.
A wave of measures and charity efforts are aimed at easing the burden of back-to-school costs. Nationwide findings highlight club and uniform expenses; new rules cap branded items; charities report rising demand for second-hand uniforms and support schemes across the UK.