Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has announced a £50bn welfare overhaul that includes £20bn in cuts to disability benefits and £21bn by barring foreign nationals, including EU citizens with settled status, from most benefits. The plan, detailed by finance spokesperson Robert Jenrick, would replace Personal Independence Payments with a new Health Security Allowance restricted to the 'gravely ill and severely challenged', and would make companies pay for employees off sick for the first two years. Critics, including Labour, the Green Party, and campaign groups, condemned the proposals as targeting the most vulnerable and potentially violating the EU withdrawal agreement.

Background: Jason Arday, a former Cambridge professor, resigned amid plagiarism allegations, which he denied, and faced scrutiny over his achievements. He had been diagnosed with autism and language delay in childhood. Today: Arday was found dead at his home in south London on Friday, with his death treated as unexpected but not suspicious. His family expressed shock, and tributes came from political leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and others. A GoFundMe campaign raised over £20,000. Critics, including Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy and National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede, accused the media of a witch-hunt and racism. Simon Baron-Cohen, a friend, revealed Arday had said he felt unable to go on. A review by Liverpool John Moores University upheld his PhD award. His death has sparked a national debate on media scrutiny and treatment of public figures.

The Metropolitan Police has apologized after inadvertently disclosing the email addresses of around 140 alleged victims of Mohamed Al Fayed in a monthly update about Operation Cornpoppy. The force has referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office. The breach has raised fresh concerns about the handling of sensitive survivor information, with campaigners describing the incident as 'appalling'.

An investigation by The Guardian found that over 100 homes on the royal estates of the Duchy of Lancaster, Duchy of Cornwall, and Sandringham fail to meet legal minimum energy efficiency standards (EPC ratings F or G). Many properties, including farmhouses and homes of elderly tenants, lack central heating and have issues like black mould. The estates appear to use regulatory loopholes, such as exemptions for certain tenancy types, to continue renting these properties. The revelations are an embarrassment for King Charles and Prince William, who advocate for environmental causes.

Background: The Royal Navy is developing a Hybrid Navy concept integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms across air, surface, and underwater domains, including the acquisition of extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles, drone boats, and autonomous systems. Today: War games testing the concept suggest it could roughly triple missile capacity for a North Atlantic conflict, according to retired Rear Admiral James Parkin. However, regulatory hurdles and slow acquisition cycles pose significant challenges to realizing the concept, which aims to increase naval mass without proportional cost or personnel increases. Parkin emphasizes the need for high-end crewed platforms alongside uncrewed systems, and advocates for faster feedback loops similar to Ukraine's 'rule of six' to accelerate development. The assessment highlights regulatory hurdles, including lack of operating clearance for uncrewed surface vessels over 24 meters, and slow acquisition cycles as key challenges.

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) annual report reveals it provides over 60% of the UK's armed policing surge capability, supporting national security operations beyond nuclear site protection. The force, with over 1,800 officers across 13 sites, is authorized for armed protection on cross-Channel ferries and has expanded to four non-nuclear energy sites, absorbing over 100 Ministry of Defence Police officers. It also supported high-profile visits and conducted joint exercises, while adapting to threats from AI, drones, and cyber attacks.

The Civil Nuclear Police Authority's operating expenditure increased by 16% to £178.7 million in 2025-26, driven by expanded armed protection duties at four non-nuclear sites, pay rises, and organizational changes. Workplace stress cases nearly doubled from 29 to 54, with 12 linked to site closures and relocations, while reported injuries rose 22.6% to 119. The authority also recorded two data breaches and approved a £194.5 million budget for 2026-27, highlighting ongoing recruitment and retention challenges as the nuclear estate evolves.

Rolls-Royce and Reliance Industries announced a strategic intent to jointly design, develop, and manufacture an indigenous combat engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The proposed partnership includes establishing an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India to build end-to-end capability. The announcement is a statement of intent, not a contract award, and aligns with India's push for self-reliance in critical defense technologies.