NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite Warns Against Bank Tax Hikes Amidst 30% Profit Surge
NatWest Group's Chief Executive, Paul Thwaite, has cautioned the UK government against increasing taxes on banks, emphasizing the need for stability and growth. His warning follows the bank's robust third-quarter performance, which saw pre-tax operating profits jump by 30.4% to £2.18 billion, significantly exceeding analyst expectations. The comments come ahead of the Chancellor's autumn budget, where potential tax increases on the banking sector are under consideration.
Over 3,000 Leonardo Aerospace Workers in UK Announce November Strike Dates Over Pay Dispute
More than 3,000 aerospace workers at defence and aerospace manufacturer Leonardo are set to strike across five UK factories in November. Represented by Unite the Union, employees rejected a 3.2 percent pay offer, deeming it a real-terms pay cut. The industrial action will affect sites in Yeovil, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Luton, and Basildon.
MPs Warn UK Clean Energy Job Creation Lags Behind North Sea Oil and Gas Losses
A Westminster committee recently warned that the creation of clean energy jobs in the UK is failing to keep pace with mounting job losses in the North Sea oil and gas industry. The report from the Scottish Affairs Committee calls for urgent government intervention, including policy reforms and a managed transition, to prevent further employment gaps and retain skilled workers.
German P-8 Poseidon Aircraft to Operate from RAF Lossiemouth Under Landmark Defence Pact
German P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft are set to periodically operate from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland as part of the landmark Trinity House Agreement. This defence pact, signed between the UK and Germany, aims to bolster surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the North Atlantic to counter increasing Russian aggression.
Ruth Ellis's Grandchildren Seek Posthumous Pardon 70 Years After Her Execution
The grandchildren of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, have formally applied for a posthumous conditional pardon 70 years after her hanging. They argue that a modern understanding of domestic abuse and legal concepts like diminished responsibility would have led to a different verdict.
Storm Benjamin Brings Heavy Rain and 70mph Winds to UK, Met Office Issues Four Yellow Warnings
Storm Benjamin, named by Météo-France, is currently impacting the UK with heavy downpours and winds exceeding 70mph. The Met Office has issued four yellow weather warnings across England and Wales, forecasting widespread disruption, flooding risks, and potential power cuts.
UK Inflation Holds Steady at 3.8% in September, Double Bank of England Target
The UK's annual inflation rate unexpectedly held at 3.8% in September 2025, marking the third consecutive month at this level. Reported by the ONS, this figure is double the Bank of England's 2% target, despite being lower than the 4% forecast by economists. The persistent inflation suggests continued caution regarding interest rate adjustments.
Nicholas Rossi Sentenced to Five Years to Life for 2008 Utah Rape After Faking Death and Fleeing to Scotland
American fugitive Nicholas Rossi, 38, has been sentenced to five years to life in prison in Utah for a 2008 rape. Rossi faked his death and fled to Scotland, where he was apprehended in 2021 after being identified by tattoos while hospitalized for COVID-19. He faces a second sentencing in November for another 2008 rape conviction.
United Kingdom Deploys Troops to Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring
The United Kingdom has dispatched a small contingent of planning officers, including a senior commander, to Israel. This deployment is in response to a US request and aims to support the monitoring of the fragile Gaza ceasefire as part of a US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC). The British personnel will not operate within Gaza itself.
UK Drug Kingpin Gregory Bell Jailed for 18 Years and Nine Months
Gregory Bell, 43, who led one of the UK's largest drug trafficking networks, has been sentenced to 18 years and nine months at Manchester Crown Court. Bell pleaded guilty to drug supply conspiracies and money laundering, operating an 'industrial scale' enterprise using encrypted communications and a vast network.
Conservative MP Katie Lam has drawn significant criticism for suggesting that legally settled families should be deported to achieve a 'culturally coherent' UK. The remarks, made in an October 2025 interview, have been condemned by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and LBC presenter James O'Brien.
Keir Starmer Under Pressure to Maintain UK's Global Fund Contribution Amid Aid Cut Concerns
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from aid organizations and the public not to cut the UK's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Charities warn a rumored 20% reduction could lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths, as the UK prepares for the Fund's replenishment summit in November.
UK Unveils National Plan to Create 400,000 New Clean Energy Jobs by 2030
Britain has launched a comprehensive national plan to train and recruit hundreds of thousands of workers for its burgeoning clean energy sector. The initiative aims to double the workforce to 860,000 by 2030, focusing on skilled trades and investing significantly in training and infrastructure to support the UK's net-zero ambitions.
Nirav Modi Hints at 'Sensational Developments' in UK Extradition Case
Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, wanted in India for a multi-billion dollar fraud and money laundering case, has told a UK court that 'sensational developments' are expected in his extradition proceedings. Currently imprisoned in the UK, Modi's appeal to reopen his extradition case is set for a hearing in late November, following India's response to his application.
Lady Annabel Goldsmith, Socialite and Muse Behind Annabel's Nightclub, Dies at 91
Lady Annabel Goldsmith, the renowned British socialite and inspiration for London's iconic Annabel's nightclub, has died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91. Mother to six children, including Zac and Jemima Goldsmith, she was a prominent figure in high society and remembered for her extraordinary life.
OEUK Proposes £137 Billion Economic Boost and Job Safeguard with Windfall Tax Reform
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has unveiled a plan to inject £137 billion into the UK economy by 2050 and protect 160,000 jobs. The industry body is urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reform the Energy Profits Levy by 2026, replacing it with a stable, profits-based mechanism to unlock crucial investment in the North Sea and secure the nation's energy future.
Ukrainian Nationals Plead Not Guilty to Arson Plot Targeting Properties Linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Two Ukrainian men, Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The charges relate to a series of fires earlier this year at properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in north London. A third defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, did not enter a plea.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched an urgent review into antisemitism within the National Health Service, appointing Lord John Mann to lead the investigation. The move follows concerns over inadequately addressed cases and recent incidents involving NHS staff, aiming to protect patients and staff and strengthen regulatory responses.
MI5 Chief Expresses Frustration Over Collapsed China Spy Trial in UK
MI5 Director-General Sir Ken McCallum voiced frustration after a high-profile espionage trial against two Britons accused of spying for China collapsed. The case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry was dropped due to the government's inability to formally designate China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses, sparking a political blame game.
UK Economy Edges Up 0.1% in August Following July Contraction, Signalling Slow Growth
The UK economy experienced a marginal expansion of 0.1% in August, according to official figures, reversing a revised 0.1% decline in July. This slight uptick indicates a period of slow and fragile growth, with key sectors showing mixed performance amidst ongoing economic challenges.
