UK

Reform UK Gains Control of Barnsley Council Ending Labour's Dominance

Reform UK has taken control of Barnsley council, ending 50 years of Labour leadership, as part of a broader electoral success that saw the party gain over 1,450 council seats across England. Labour's losses were significant, reducing its number of controlled councils from 21 to 9, while the party also lost overall control of Bradford Council, where Reform UK secured 29 seats. In Wales, Plaid Cymru won 43 seats in the Senedd, marking a shift in the political landscape as Labour fell to third place.

Over 200,000 migrants crossed English Channel since 2018

More than 200,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats since 2018, according to government figures. This year, over 6,000 crossings have been recorded, marking a 36% decrease compared to the same period last year. The ongoing crisis has placed significant strain on the UK's asylum system, with costs projected to exceed £15 billion over the next decade.