News 27/11/25

The government has reversed its manifesto pledge to introduce day one protections against unfair dismissal.

Concerns had been raised over proposals in the Employment Rights Bill, particularly about the potential impact on small businesses. In an update, ministers confirmed that protections will now take effect from six months of employment.

The government said the change was necessary to make the bill a “workable package,” warning that introducing day one rights could have prevented it from passing through parliament.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested at Manchester Airport in connection with the terrorist attack at a synagogue in the city.

Police say he was detained on suspicion of committing, preparing, and instigating acts of terrorism after arriving on an inbound flight. This brings the total number of arrests linked to the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue to seven.

On 2 October, Jihad al Shamie drove a car into worshippers at the synagogue during Yom Kippur, then attacked others with a knife and attempted to storm inside.

Calls have been made for stronger enforcement of safe driving near schools following a crash in Slough that injured seven students.

On Wednesday 19 November, a collision between a black Audi and a red Hyundai caused the Hyundai to mount the pavement outside Westgate School on Cippenham Lane at around 3.25pm. Six pupils suffered minor injuries, while one child was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

Thames Police are appealing for witnesses and say the investigation remains ongoing.

A man has been jailed for keeping eight people in slavery at a car wash in London.

Hewa Margai, 45, from Mitcham, was sentenced to eight years and six months at Kingston Crown Court after being found guilty of eight counts of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

The victims, including a 15-year-old boy, were Romanian nationals trafficked to the UK in late 2020 under false promises of accommodation, fair pay, and legitimate work.

Upon arrival, they were forced to work at the car wash, housed in a small shed, and subjected to repeated physical, mental, and psychological abuse.

The future of TGI Fridays in the UK is uncertain just a month after the brand was bought by its global operations manager.

Financial advisory firm Interpath has been appointed to explore strategic options for the 49-site UK business, which employs nearly 2,000 staff. Interpath has begun contacting potential investors in recent days to discuss a possible deal.

Authorities in the United States are reviewing the background of Afghan nationals who entered the country under the Biden administration after President Donald Trump called for a nationwide investigation.

It follows the shooting of two National Guard troops near the White House. The president described it as a monstrous, ambush-style attack and said the suspect, an Afghan national, arrived in September 2021 during the withdrawal from Kabul. In an address from Florida, Mr Trump said the incident highlighted what he called the single greatest national security threat facing the country.

He pledged to reexamine every individual who entered from Afghanistan under the previous government and vowed that the person responsible would face the steepest possible punishment.

In Hong Kong, at least sixty five people have died after a huge fire tore through a high-rise residential complex in the Tai Po district.

Authorities say almost three hundred people remain unaccounted for, with forty five in hospital in a critical condition and around nine hundred residents now in shelters. Police say initial investigations point to the possible use of unsafe construction materials and have suggested gross negligence by a building contractor. Several arrests have already been made.

An inquest has heard how a five year old girl who died four days after having her tonsils removed was described by her family as their magical little princess.

Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland in Cornwall, had surgery at the Royal Cornwall Hospital due to sleep apnoea.
Her parents believed she would stay overnight because she also had a rare condition called cyclical vomiting syndrome, but she was discharged within hours. She became unwell the next morning and was readmitted later that day.

Sticking to Labour’s manifesto pledge and freezing income tax thresholds rather than raising rates has hurt low- and middle-income earners, an influential thinktank has said.

Millions of these workers “would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen”, according to the Resolution Foundation’s chief executive, Ruth Curtice. She added that “ironically, sticking to her manifesto tax pledge has cost millions of low-to-middle earners”. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her budget speech that the point at which people start paying higher rates of tax has been held, meaning many earners will be dragged into higher tax bands as their pay rises.

Rachel Reeves says she is asking ordinary people to pay a little more after unveiling twenty six billion pounds of tax rises in a Budget that also scraps the two child benefit cap.

The chancellor extended a freeze on tax thresholds for an additional three years, a move that will drag millions into higher tax bands. She says the biggest burden will fall on those with the broadest shoulders through higher taxes on property and savings, including a new levy on homes worth more than two million pounds. Reeves says the package also contains measures to tackle the cost of living. The Conservatives say she should resign for breaking a promise not to return for more taxes.

The US has suspended processing of immigration requests from Afghan nationals while security and vetting protocols are reviewed, the agency said.

The move follows a shooting near the White House in which two National Guard soldiers were wounded. President Donald Trump called the attack an act of terror.

A resident NHS doctor has been suspended for fifteen months after a tribunal examined alleged antisemitic posts on social media.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a trainee trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, was also accused of supporting violent action and terrorist organisations. The tribunal said the posts may damage patient confidence. Dr Aladwan denies the allegations.

Three arrested have been on suspicion of manslaughter after a Hong Kong high rise fire in Tai Po.

Authorities say at least 44 people, including one firefighter, are dead and 279 remain missing after the blaze at Wang Fuk Court. Forty five are critically ill and 900 in shelters. John Lee said rescuing the trapped was the priority.

Britain’s top military chiefs held a meeting this week amid tension over funding for the armed forces.

Reports said commanders, led by Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, considered writing to Defence Secretary John Healey, but the Ministry of Defence has since played down the suggestion.