Government’s £14.2bn investment in new nuclear power station
Rachel Reeves has confirmed a £14.2bn investment for the new Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, projected to begin supplying power by the mid-2030s. She hailed it as the dawn of a 'new era of nuclear power’, with the plant expected to power six million homes and create thousands of construction jobs. Keir Starmer emphasised fiscal caution, warning there will be no 'blank cheque' for the decade-long project, with the current funding covering only four years The plant, to be built by EDF, sits on an existing nuclear site and comes amid efforts to replace Britain’s ageing nuclear infrastructure. The government also announced a £2.5bn programme for small modular reactors (SMRs), touted as quicker to build and better suited for decentralised energy needs. Though some locals welcome the investment, others decry environmental destruction near the RSPB Minsmere reserve. The Scottish government remains opposed to new nuclear developments. The overall goal is to expand UK nuclear capacity to around 24GW by 2050 to secure clean and reliable electricity.
Wildlife Trusts call out inaccuracies in Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Wildlife Trusts have challenged claims made during a recent Commons debate on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, accusing ministers of misrepresenting the impact of environmental protections on housing development. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook suggested that safeguards like nutrient neutrality were obstructing housebuilding. However, a growing weight of evidence indicates otherwise. For example, a recent survey of 500 councillors found environmental issues ranked 20th among 24 causes of delay; skills shortages in the building sector and developer land banking were much more significant. Evidence also shows that irreplaceable habitats are at risk due to proposed changes in part 3 of the bill, which would weaken the habitats regulations by introducing a more subjective 'overall improvement test.' The Office for Environmental Protection warns this could allow harmful developments in ancient woodlands and other vital habitats. Despite over 30,000 public emails to MPs and cross-party concerns, the Government has not committed to full revisions. The Wildlife Trusts are urging ministers to abandon unfounded claims about environmental 'blockers' and adopt a more evidence-based approach that balances housing needs with robust nature protection.
NHS plans more robotic surgeries to speed up treatment times
The NHS is planning a major expansion of robotic-assisted surgery to improve treatment times and patient outcomes. Currently, one in five keyhole surgeries is robot-assisted, but NHS England projects this will rise to 90% by 2035, with procedures increasing from 70,000 annually to around 500,000 over the next decade. Health secretary Wes Streeting, himself a kidney cancer survivor who benefited from robotic surgery, highlighted the potential of such technologies to transform healthcare delivery. Robot-assisted surgery enables greater precision, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays. Surgeons operate using a console linked to robotic instruments and cameras, with some orthopaedic surgeries already partially automated. NHS leaders stress that embracing innovation, including robotics, AI, and data research, is essential to meet targets like reducing elective waiting times by 2029. John McGrath, chair of the NHSE robotic surgery committee, added that efficient use of robotic surgery could ease system-wide pressure. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernise the NHS and deliver faster, more effective care to patients across multiple medical fields.
Austria: national mourning after gunman kills ten
Austria has declared three days of national mourning after a 21-year-old former student fatally shot eight pupils and a teacher at his old high school in Graz, later taking his own life. A tenth victim, critically injured, has since died, and eleven others remain in hospital. Austria’s chancellor, Christian Stocker, called it a ‘national tragedy’, and the president said, ‘What happened today … strikes our country at the heart. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.’ The gunman, armed with legally owned firearms, opened fire in two classrooms. His motive remains unclear as the investigation continues. Mass shootings are rare in Austria, even though the nation has one of Europe’s highest civilian gun ownership rates. In response to the tragedy, crisis teams are supporting affected families and the community. The mayor of Vienna stressed that hate and violence must not prevail, and European leaders have expressed deep sorrow and sympathy.
