politics
Ex-Reform councillors join Advance UK party
Two Devon County Council members who previously quit Reform UK join a new political party. Source link
Chinese whisky tariff cut to come into force on Monday
Import taxes on Scotch whisky will be halved from 10% to 5% – a deal the UK government said would be worth £250m to the UK’s economy. Source link
Social Democratic Party names by-election candidate
Sebastian Moore, the SDP’s north west chair, is the party’s choice for the Gorton and Denton by-election. Source link
China has lifted sanctions on British MPs and peers, Starmer says
The prime minister says a travel ban and other restrictions “no longer apply” to six current parliamentarians. Source link
Lib Dems name Gorton and Denton by-election choice
Local activist Jackie Pearcey is the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for the Greater Manchester seat. Source link
Protest council by-elections branded a 'waste of money'
Norfolk County Council’s leader speaks out after four members announce plans to quit their seats. Source link
Scotland's first deputy first minister Lord Jim Wallace dies, aged 71
The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader was undergoing a procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Source link
Reform withdraws support for candidate over posts
A council by-election candidate resigns from the party over “racist, antisemitic, xenophobic” posts. Source link
Labour scales back new energy efficiency targets for social homes
It comes after councils and housing associations warned about the cost to implement new stricter standards. Source link
Ex-Labour MP's lobbying firm offered photo with minister and VIP dinner for £30k
Jim Murphy’s company Arden Strategies apologises for “errors” in promotional material for tech event. Source link