Palestine Action activists used whips and hammers to threaten guards at arms factory, court hears 02. October 2026 (19:18) Five defendants accused of being part of ‘black team’ tasked with overcoming security at Israel-linked firm Elbit near BristolPalestine Action activists brandished whips, hammers and kebab skewers to intimidate security guards and keep them at bay during a break-in at an Israel-linked arms factory, a court has heard.Five defendants are accused by prosecutors of being part of a “black team”, wearing black jumpsuits, whose role was to overwhelm security guards, so that a “red team”, wearing red jumpsuits, could break into the Elbit systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, and smash up equipment including drones. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham to pass law scrapping pension triple lock before next election 02. October 2026 (18:39) Guarantee will remain until 2030 but MPs will vote on changes during this parliament, government saysAndy Burnham will pass legislation to scrap the state pension triple lock in this parliament, even though the guarantee will remain until 2030, the government has said.The prime minister used his conference speech to announce a change to the policy, which guarantees that the state pension rises by the highest of 2.5%, inflation or earnings growth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows 02. October 2026 (18:27) Opposition lawmakers join forces to defeat proposals made by Socialist-led coalition after eviction of 87-year-oldRightwing lawmakers in Spain have rejected emergency measures put forward to tackle the country’s housing crisis, pitting a fractured parliament against the widespread protest movement that has swelled in recent days.On Friday Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist-led coalition put forward two decrees that included a range of measures aimed at improving access to housing, from a ban on evictions until 2030 to the regulation of temporary lettings and lettings by room. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
England school inspections to be overhauled again after barrage of complaints 02. October 2026 (18:00) Exclusive: Education secretary sends Ofsted back to ‘drawing board’ as teachers raise serious concerns about new systemSchool inspections in England will be overhauled for the second time in a year, after a barrage of complaints that the new system was dangerously stressful and damaging teachers’ mental health.Lucy Powell, the education secretary, will tell the schools regulator Ofsted to “go back to the drawing board” after becoming concerned that inspection changes overseen by her predecessor, Bridget Phillipson, were creating problems for headteachers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bosses of three firms that supply trains to UK railways made £3.5m last year 02. October 2026 (17:54) Rolling stock companies, which also paid out nearly £400m to shareholders, accused of profiting at passengers’ expenseThe chief executives of three firms that rent out trains to Britain’s railways were paid a combined £3.5m last year as they passed on almost £400m to shareholders in dividends.Rail unions accused the rolling stock companies (Roscos) of raking in profits at passengers’ expense. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
