Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister 17. November 2025 (09:52) Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UKAsylum seekers could have jewellery or other valuables taken to pay for the costs of processing their cases, a Home Office minister has said, in another detail of changes to migration policy likely to cause concern among Labour MPs.Speaking to broadcasters before the formal announcement of sweeping changes to asylum policy on Monday, the Home Office minister Alex Norris said while this would not involve seizing wedding rings, jewellery without sentimental value could be taken. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thames Water bidder says it is offering £1bn extra cash injection 17. November 2025 (09:47) Castle Water says restructuring plans do not go far enough and extra funds will help resolve pollution crisisBusiness live – latest updatesA bidder for Thames Water has said it would inject £1bn more into the struggling utility company than rival proposals if it gained control.John Reynolds, the chief executive of the independent water retailer Castle Water, said the current plans under discussion with creditors to rebuild Thames Water’s finances does not go far enough and does not properly address its environmental crisis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Damned if we do but completely stuffed if we don’t’: heatwaves will worsen longer net zero is delayed 17. November 2025 (09:00) A new study suggests heatwaves will not revert back towards preindustrial conditions for at least 1,000 years after emissions target reachedSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereHeatwaves will become hotter, longer and more frequent the later net zero emissions is reached globally, new research suggests.Scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather and Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, simulated how heatwaves would respond over the next 1,000 years, examining the differences for each five-year delay in reaching net zero between 2030 and 2060. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brad Battin faces spill after group of Victorian Liberal MPs say they have lost confidence in his leadership 17. November 2025 (08:35) Sources say shadow treasurer Jess Wilson has received enough support to test leadership of the party a year out from state pollGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA group of Victorian Liberal MPs have told the party leader, Brad Battin, they no longer have confidence in his leadership, paving the way for a vote on whether to replace him.The intervention on Monday afternoon – delivered almost one year before the state goes to the polls – could trigger a ballot on his position as early as Tuesday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former police officer’s destruction of body-worn video and use of excessive force was serious misconduct, report finds 17. November 2025 (08:30) Four NSW officers who failed to report former constable’s confessions also found to have engaged in serious misconduct, independent commission saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former NSW constable who used excessive force on six separate occasions and destroyed incriminating body-worn video evidence has been found to have engaged in serious misconduct, alongside four officers he confessed to who didn’t report him.The findings, released by the state’s independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc) on Monday, could lead to a criminal investigation and potential jail time for the former New South Wales police officer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
