British Isles

Chinese mega-embassy approved by Government despite security concerns

22 Jan 2026
The Government has approved plans for a large new Chinese embassy near the Tower of London, ending years of debate over security concerns. The site, purchased by China in 2018 for over £200 million, would become…

House of Lords backs ban on social media for under-16s

22 Jan 2026
Momentum is growing in parliament for a ban on under-16s using social media, after the House of Lords backed a key amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The proposal would require social media platforms…

Inflation rises for first time in five months - but one-off factors blamed

22 Jan 2026
UK inflation has risen for the first time in five months, increasing to 3.4% in the year to December. The rise, though higher than expected, is widely attributed to temporary factors rather than a sustained upward…

Government launches £15bn Warm Homes Plan

22 Jan 2026
The Government has launched a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan aimed at expanding solar power, heat pumps, and other green technologies across households over the next five years. The scheme seeks to triple the number of…