News 12/12/25

The UK economy contracted by zero point one percent in October, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

It follows a similar fall in September when output unexpectedly slipped by the same amount. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast a zero point one percent rise, but the ONS figures show another month of decline and highlight continued weakness across economic activity.

The armed forces minister says the UK is preparing the country for a possible war. Al Carns said armed services respond to crises but societies and economies win conflicts.

He warned the shadow of war is again near Europe and said the nation must be ready to deter any threat and urged communities, industries and services to work together to strengthen national resilience.

Left wing Labour MPs are split over a potential Angela Rayner leadership bid as uncertainty grows around Sir Keir Starmer’s future.

Some senior figures say she would gain enough support to remove him. Others argue the public would not back her after her recent resignation over tax issues and claims she did not support the left while in government during her time there.

The government has pledged to create fifty thousand extra places for children with special educational needs in mainstream schools in England.

Ministers plan to invest three billion pounds over the next three years, partly by cancelling some planned free schools. Councils say the funding must be directed to the right areas. Almost one point seven million pupils now receive special educational needs support.

Slough’s MP says the town is a global powerhouse for data and technology after visiting Talks and Talks Technologies.

Tan Dhesi met staff to hear about their new artificial intelligence project and wider development in the area. He said the visit reinforced his view that Slough leads in tech and data innovation.