Ceremonial county in Northern England; four metropolitan boroughs thrive under the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the murder investigation into former MP Ann Widdecombe after new evidence prompted the re‑arrest of a 28‑year‑old man. Officers say the killing was targeted; detectives are pursuing digital forensics and multiple lines of inquiry to establish motive while the suspect remains in custody under the Terrorism Act.
Police have charged eight men in connection with a long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales. The defendants, aged 54 to 73, face multiple rape and associated offences dating from 1985 to 1996. They are due before Newport Magistrates’ Court on July 24.
Former MP Ann Widdecombe has been killed in a targeted attack on her Dartmoor home. A 28-year-old man is in custody as counter-terrorism police look into possible left-wing extremist motivation. The National Protective Security Authority has published guidance on safe rooms for high-risk figures, published online before Widdecombe’s death.
The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister has died after a hammer attack at her home in Haytor, Devon. Joshua Kerry has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges of murder and possible terrorism offences. Prosecution says the assault occurred on 8 July, with Kerry remanded in custody as the investigation continues.
Two people have died after being pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on Sunday evening. Emergency services responded rapidly, and police say the families have been informed. The incident coincides with heightened warnings about open-water dangers ahead of next week’s Boardmasters festival.
The Scotsman letters reflect on devolution and unity, with readers urging caution on regional governance and warning against disconnected policymaking in the wake of a new prime minister. The debate centers on whether further regional power can be effectively managed within the UK framework.
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.
Labour has set October 28 for its autumn budget, pledging fiscal discipline. Ministers say the plan will fund devolution, defence and growth while maintaining the party’s rules, even as borrowing costs rise and the Iran conflict strains public finances.
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.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
The Packers tackle Bako-Bewele has begun the process to change his surname to Bako-Bewele to reflect his Nigerian ancestry; he has worn the new name on his jersey and is aiming to complete the required legal steps while recovering from a tendon injury.
Courts have dismissed legal challenges to Gatwick’s £2.2bn expansion and to Luton’s growth plans. Gatwick’s plan will deliver more flights and jobs while Luton’s project aims to nearly double passenger numbers by mid‑2040s. Campaigners warn of noise and climate impacts as officials push ahead with delivery by 2030 and beyond.
Pooja Kanda and families affected by knife crime welcome the government’s expansion of knife-surrender bins and a mobile surrender van. Since July last year, more than 14,500 weapons have been handed in, with knife-enabled robberies and homicides showing declines. The scheme aims to remove dangerous weapons from streets, with new bins in Yorkshire and other areas.
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.
Gen-X savers are confronting their sudden wealth with a mix of anxiety and pragmatism after a lifetime of cautious saving. An inheritance prompts rapid financial decisions, with many turning to local investment firms and life insurance, seeking structure to avoid overspending or regret.
Jason Cunningham, a British boxing champion, is relaunching a youth hub at Brodsworth Miners Welfare in Doncaster. He aims to create a safe, engaging space for local youths, offering boxing, music, podcasts and more, building on his Iceman Foundation’s community work.
Georgia has suffered a sudden collapse due to postural hypotension and dehydration. Her five-month-old was put to nap when her son James dialled 999 and kept him calm. A police handler adapted their approach, guiding James to ask his mother to tickle her to wake up. Georgia regained consciousness; James is celebrated for his quick thinking and the officers later presented him with a toy helicopter.
England endures a fourth heatwave this summer, with drought conditions expanding across the country. Hosepipe bans are in place or expanding, reservoirs remain low, and experts warn that only sustained rainfall will ease the strain on water resources and wildlife.
A government-wide crackdown on illegal waste dumping is expanding, with new powers to seize assets, higher fines, and regional enforcement to tackle organised waste crime that has blighted communities across England. The effort follows a BBC investigation identifying several supersites and a rising tide of waste crimes.
The government has announced that English mayors will gain the power to 'call in' planning decisions and grant upfront permission for developments meeting thresholds of 150+ homes, 15,000 sq m of commercial space, or any building over 30 metres. Ten of 14 devolved mayors back the move, aligning non-London areas with powers already held by the Mayor of London. The change aims to speed up housing and regeneration, with funding levers and levies to support infrastructure.
The government has set out an initial £10bn from the 10-year SAHP to deliver 70,000 homes outside London, with around 60% for social rent. London funding will follow; the scheme forms part of a wider push to curb homelessness and boost council housing, though critics say it may not meet demand.
A band of thunderstorms and heavy rain has prompted yellow weather warnings across much of England and Wales. The Met Office warns of disruption to transport and potential flooding, with 81 areas under warning and multiple flood alerts. Homeowners in Perry Barr have already seen flooding, as forecasters anticipate further downpours over the bank holiday weekend.
Police investigating the death of a newborn girl in Wincobank (Sheffield) confirm the baby died from stab wounds. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder; two have been bailed. Postmortem results and ongoing inquiries are driving the fast-moving investigation.
The president has repeated a personal story that he was at the World Trade Center site after the 2001 attacks, saying firefighters lifted him from the U.S. Steel Building as it "creaked." First responders who were on the scene have said they never saw him there. He has continued to insert himself into anniversary remembrances while praising the country's strength.
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.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a Local Youth Opportunity Index showing a sixfold gap in suitable vacancies for 18-24-year-olds between the South and certain northern regions. Rotherham faces 46 vacancies per 1,000 youths, while the Cotswolds have 288. The report argues lack of opportunities, not unwillingness, drives Neet rates, and calls for targeted youth employment services and reforms to apprenticeships.
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.
McLaren has announced a £500 million investment across UK sites, expanding its Woking HQ and a South Yorkshire carbon‑fiber facility, creating about 1,000 jobs by 2032 and potentially 3,000 more in the supply chain as part of broader growth in British manufacturing.
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.
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.
England’s revised school-inspection framework is facing renewed scrutiny as a government-commissioned survey shows 88% of responding school leaders say inspections have negatively affected staff mental wellbeing. While Ofsted argues the system improves practice and identifies strengths, critics warn of lasting damage and call for changes.
A man has entered the Amur tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster and was killed by the tiger. The park is closed for the weekend as authorities investigate. Altai, the tiger, remained unharmed.
William Chapman, 23, has died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. President Trump has shared footage of the incident and an AI-generated video, drawing sharp criticism from Chapman's family and other commentators. Authorities are investigating the incident; the park remains closed.