Day: February 16, 2026
Westminster makes big council tax announcement as flagship London borough warns of looming financial crisis
February 16, 2026A prominent Labour council plans to set the second lowest council tax in the country while warning that it faces a financial crisis due to Government funding cuts in London. Westminster council says it will only increase the amount of council tax used to fund adult social care – adding just over £10 on average […]
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Keir Starmer abandons plan to cancel council elections after Reform UK legal challenge
February 16, 2026Controversial plans to postpone elections across 30 councils this May have been abandoned by the Government after a legal challenge by Reform UK. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed prompted criticism last month when he announced the polls would be pushed back following “arguments made about capacity, reorganisation and democracy” amid a drive to reorganise local […]
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Artificial intelligence could be used to predict the criminals of the future
February 16, 2026Artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to predict which people are likely to become criminals as the government looks to step up intervention measures to prevent at-risk children from falling into a life of crime. A new scheme launched by the Ministry of Justice aims to develop a system that will alert schools, health staff, […]
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Two teenagers found guilty of killing man they lured to beach
February 16, 2026Two teenagers have been found guilty of killing a man they thought was a paedophile by luring him to a beach before another teenager threw rocks at him. A girl, 16, and a 15-year-old boy were convicted of the manslaughter of Alexander Cashford, 49, in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent on August […]
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Woman left with 10 XL bullies weighing up to 190kg before mauling, court told
February 16, 2026A pensioner with limited mobility was left in charge of a pack of 10 XL bully dogs with a combined weight of up to 190kg before she was killed, a court has heard. Ashley Warren is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of owning or being in charge of two XL bully dogs that […]
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