A market town in South Yorkshire, England, with a history in coal, steel and milling; largest settlement in its metropolitan borough.
Mayors will keep a share of income tax and business rates from 2027-28, replacing central grants and empowering local areas to fund transport, housing and jobs. The reform is pitched as the biggest transfer of power in a generation, with details to be announced in the autumn budget as Burnham leads devolution push.
A 73-year-old farmer has been convicted of murdering Richard Dyson, whose body was found in a concrete-filled barrel on a Barnsley farm. Dyson’s daughter read a victim impact statement in court as the judge sentenced the killer to life with a long minimum term. A friend received a three-year sentence for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The Independent reports that an encounter at the Apostolic Palace shows a close, informal exchange between Pope Leo and a prominent, non-Catholic music figure, underscoring a mood of openness following the pope’s death and a resurgence of cultural diplomacy.
The government has reformulated a plan to release about 5,000 offenders early to ease jail overcrowding. Ministers are excluding some grooming and serious sex-offence cases from the scheme, but critics say the scope remains too broad and victims’ families remain outraged as the policy edge continues to shift.
Counter-terrorism police have reopened an April 2025 incident at Nigel Farage’s London home and identified a new line of inquiry not pursued at the time. The police watchdog is investigating conduct related to the earlier inquiry, while Farage says the development underscores the seriousness with which security services are treating potential threats to Reform figures.
Climate patterns have intensified this year, driving heatwaves, droughts and floods across multiple regions. Governments are mobilising finance, strengthening resilience, and adjusting policies as temperatures and rainfall shift. Aid budgets face pressure while activists warn of rising humanitarian needs.
Public Accounts Committee warns that nationalising British Steel lacks a credible long-term plan, with costs rising and uncertainty for workers. Government asserts commitment to a sustainable, decarbonised steel sector while evaluating options for SSUK and broader industry support.
IPPR data shows a persistent regional divide in job opportunities for 18–24-year-olds. Rotherham faces far fewer vacancies per 1,000 youths than the Cotswolds, with nine of the 10 best areas for youth jobs in the south. The government is under pressure as ministers review Milburn’s findings and consider reforms to apprenticeships and a universal youth service.
The TUC has called for a levy on bank profits to fund a social tariff aimed at cutting energy bills. The union movement argues ministers should move faster on cost-of-living relief as households face high energy costs and inflation.
Forensic search at a High Green property has prompted evacuations. A 36-year-old woman has been charged under the Explosive Substances Act; several suspects are being questioned as the investigation continues.
Inflation has moved to a five‑month high of 3.1% as fuel prices and airfares climb, driven by Middle East conflict. The government has announced relief measures while stressing fiscal prudence. The Budget is six weeks away, and markets face higher borrowing costs amid a fragile headroom.
The government has pledged a £6bn package to upgrade Faslane naval facilities and fund UK-built floating docks and a marine research vessel, as part of a broader push to reindustrialise Britain. Rolls-Royce will invest £300m in British factories.
Healey has argued fiscal discipline underpins promises to rebuild the economy, unveiling a local Apprenticeships Service and promising welfare reform as part of Labour’s plan to balance the books while investing in skills and jobs.
The major UK parties are rolling out policies to address NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training). The BBC, The Mirror and The Guardian outlets report on proposals to replace or reform Universal Credit with work-focused schemes, including mandatory attendance, in-work wage subsidies, and possible benefit cuts for non-compliance. Critics warn about dignity, feasibility, and the risk of increasing poverty.
Joshua Kerry is charged with preparing acts of terror in connection with the July 2026 murder of Ann Widdecombe. Prosecutors say the investigation linked him to targets including Farage; he appeared in court and remains in custody as the case proceeds. Multiple outlets report the development.
William Chapman, 24, has died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. The inquest has opened, detailing a history of mental illness and concerns from his family about his contact with mental health services. The park remains closed pending safety inquiries, with Altai the Siberian tiger secured and no immediate decision on euthanasia.
The NHS has confirmed investigations into staff who allegedly accessed medical records related to high-profile cases, including the Nottingham 2023 attack victims and a tiger-attack incident in Yorkshire. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper says breaches are a “total disgrace” and action will be taken, with multiple staff already dismissed and ongoing inquiries across NHS trusts.