Peter Mandelson investigated for leaking emails to Epstein
Peter Mandelson, a former UK cabinet minister, is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly leaking sensitive Downing Street emails to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary in 2009. The emails, part of the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department, reportedly included discussions about UK tax policy proposals and a €500bn EU bank bailout. Sir Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader, has called for Mandelson's resignation from the House of Lords amid these revelations.
Resident Doctors in England Vote to Extend Strike Mandate
Resident doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly in favor of extending their mandate for industrial action for another six months, with 93.4% of the 28,598 ballots cast supporting further strikes, according to the British Medical Association (BMA). The union, representing about 55,000 resident doctors, cites years of real-terms pay erosion and a need for more training posts as key issues in their ongoing dispute with the government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that the government has provided a 28.9% pay rise over the last three years and is engaged in 'intensive and constructive' discussions with the BMA to resolve the situation.
EY Item Club revises UK growth forecast to 0.9%
The EY Item Club forecasts that the UK economy will grow by only 0.9% in 2026, a slight upgrade from its previous estimate of 0.8%, but a significant decline from the 1.4% growth anticipated for 2025. Business investment is expected to contract by 0.2% as firms face pressure from ongoing global uncertainty and government tax hikes. Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, noted that while easing inflation and falling interest rates may improve consumer sentiment, rising unemployment and slowing pay growth will continue to weigh on the economic outlook.
