Voters in Ashton-in-Makerfield, a Labour-safe seat since its 1983 creation, will choose on 18 June between Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is bidding to enter Parliament after MP Josh Simons' surprise late-February resignation cleared the way, and Reform UK's Robert Kenyon, in a contest that could end Keir Starmer's premiership if Burnham wins. Labour lost all eight of its local council seats in Makerfield to Reform in May's local elections, and polling guru John Curtice told Al Jazeera the broad progressive and right-leaning blocs in the constituency are running level -- with Burnham's name adding about nine points to the Labour line. The new far-right Restore Party, endorsed by Elon Musk at the weekend, is polling about 7 percent and is positioned to split Reform's vote.

More than one million young people in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between January and March 2026, the highest level in over 12 years, according to official figures. A review led by former minister Alan Milburn warns that one in six young people could be NEET within five years unless action is taken, calling the situation a 'perfect storm' that risks creating a 'lost generation'. The report estimates the annual cost to the UK economy at £125bn.

The UK and EU have published the first details of a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement that will eliminate paperwork and physical checks on most food exports from summer 2027. The deal covers dairy, fish, cheese, eggs and fresh red meat for both British exporters to the EU and EU exporters to the UK. The government said it expects the agreement to add up to £5.1bn a year to the economy and slash red tape for farmers and producers.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was found guilty on May 28 of murdering 18-year-old University of Southampton student Henry Nowak with a 21cm ceremonial Sikh knife in Southampton on December 3. The jury rejected Digwa's claim of self-defence after he alleged Nowak used a racist insult and knocked off his turban. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has referred itself to the IOPC after officers initially handcuffed the victim as he lost consciousness.

A report by Audit Scotland reveals that the backlog of trials in Scotland's highest criminal courts has nearly tripled to about 1,000 cases, driven by an increase in complex prosecutions for serious organised crime and historic sexual abuse. While overall trial backlogs have fallen from pandemic peaks, the high court congestion is causing system-wide pressure, delayed justice for victims and accused, and contributing to record prison populations despite early releases. The report calls for better evaluation of reforms.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney rejected opposition calls for a parliamentary inquiry into former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who pleaded guilty to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. Swinney argued a five-year police investigation was sufficient, while opposition leaders accused the SNP of a culture of secrecy and cover-up.

Renaldo Baptiste, already serving a life sentence for murder, was convicted of orchestrating the fatal shooting of Joanne Penney in Talbot Green, Wales, from his prison cell using a hidden phone. The murder was part of a drug turf war between organized crime groups. Eleven gang members have been convicted across two trials and will be sentenced next month.

A man in his 40s escaped from a custody transport van on the A1(M) motorway in Hertfordshire and was struck and killed by a train near Welwyn North railway station. Two transport staff were injured during an altercation in the van. The incident has been referred to the police watchdog and the coroner.