Childhood criminal records could stop appearing in some job checks
England and Wales are consulting on childhood criminal records. Some lifelong job-check disclosures would end, but waiting periods and safety checks would remain.
Health
RFK Jr. faces a new inquiry over his Samoa vaccine claims
The US health secretary faces a new Senate inquiry into what he said about a trip to Samoa. His original proposal for work in the Pacific island country combined medical-record technology with investigating vaccines, a link that matters when checking his later account.
Read the story ↗
Latest reporting
All reporting ↗
EU border errors leave travelers proving they came home
Missing EU exit records have wrongly flagged British travelers as overstayers. Correction rights exist, but official guidance warns fixes may not be immediate.
PIP reform plans raise fears for young people already in work
Reported PIP reform plans raise concerns for young disabled people. The current payment can help with extra living costs even when someone works or studies.
BMI can miss obesity. England’s NHS weight-loss drug rules still use it
New BMI research supports broader health assessment. England’s NHS weight-loss drug criteria still set separate limits on access.
H-1B extensions could face fresh checks even when the job is unchanged
H-1B extensions could lose the weight of an earlier approval. We compare the proposal with existing checks and its evidence.
Service charge reform gives council flat owners a longer wait for annual reports
Service charge reform has different start dates. Council and housing-association flat owners wait longer for new standard reports.
Follow the story
All topics ↗Topic · 3 articles
Water & energy
Access to water and energy, water quality, costs and who is responsible.
Topic · 1 article
Migration & asylum
Immigration status, accommodation, rights and oversight of migration and asylum policy.
Topic · 1 article
Enforcement & rights
Government powers, oversight and the protection of rights during enforcement and detention.
More to explore
CoreWeave’s AI boom depends on power still to come
CoreWeave’s results distinguish active power from contracted capacity. Our comparison shows why delivery matters for the wider AI buildout.
DWP bank checks can reach people who do not claim benefits
DWP bank checks can include people receiving benefits for someone else. The rules explain what happens to their data.
HMRC’s draft powers could reach the makers of your tax software
HMRC’s draft digital tax powers explicitly add software creators to those who can be required to help. Existing limits still matter.
Bank of England raised rates to 4%. Mortgage offers had already jumped
Bank of England figures show selected mortgage offers rose before its latest rate decision. The timing matters for borrowers.
SNAP benefits proposal could make savings a barrier to food aid
A SNAP benefits proposal would expose more households to savings limits. We explain the consequences.
UK-EU electricity talks could lower costs. The access payment is still unsettled
EU documents tied electricity-market access to a payment months ago. That negotiating position has not become a British obligation.
US CPI shows slower price rises, but energy is up almost 6% in two months
Our calculation shows why slower inflation brings limited relief after an energy-price jump.
Landlord energy rules could exempt some homes despite higher maximum fines
England and Wales plan tougher penalties for rental energy breaches. Spending limits would still let some homes remain below the intended standard.
More babies are missing vitamin K shots, with bleeding risks beyond birth
New studies track falling vitamin K use and rising bleeding diagnoses. The birth injection protects beyond the first hospital stay.
England’s school phone ban must protect pupils who need devices for care
Stricter school phone rules are planned for England. Existing guidance protects pupils who need a device to manage a medical condition.
Broader US eye warning covers Ozempic and Zepbound
The US eye-risk warning covers more medicines than earlier British and European notices. Risk estimates differ.
The Alice Huang case raises a bigger question
Nvidia’s investigation raises a wider question about AI company power, workplace tools and the choices available to public services and their users.
The bigger picture
Explore our coverage ↗01
Health
Healthcare, access to treatment and the people who keep public services running.
02
Living standards
Housing, work, income and the security to live a decent life.
03
Economy
Public money, taxation and the distribution of resources, rewards and risks.
04
Rights & democracy
Civil rights, democratic accountability and the exercise of state power.
05
World
International affairs, human rights and decisions whose consequences cross borders.
06
Climate & environment
Climate, nature, energy and the choices that shape a livable environment.
07
Digital power
Privacy, technology and the influence of the companies behind our digital lives.
08
Education
Access to learning, equal opportunity and the future of public education.
Our perspective
Who has a say.
Who pays the price.
Decisions about public life are decisions about people. We examine who benefits, who carries the risk and whether those with power are held to account.
Read our editorial standards ↗