#uk-policy

#uk-policy

The UK announced Tuesday to tackle PFAS pollution, introducing an action plan to "understand where these chemicals are coming from, how they spread and how to reduce public and environmental exposure." The plan includes monitoring of rivers, lakes and seas, supporting a transition away from PFAS and consulting on a limit for drinking water. While some have called the plan "encouraging", others have said it doesn't go far enough.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

Pornhub is blocking itself in the United Kingdom on February 2, arguing that the country's age verification laws are ineffective, the company announced on Tuesday. As of February 2, only users who have already registered with Pornhub and completed age verification will be able to access the site. New users will not be able to register. The move comes after a new set of provisions aimed at keeping minors from viewing porn kicked in last July,

"It's encouraging to see an intent to invest from UK businesses, with many turning that into action," said Matt Hammerstein, chief executive of Barclays UK Corporate Banking. "Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, there's more to do to build confidence in the UK as a place for businesses to grow and scale. "Our research suggests that AI is becoming a key tool to drive innovation, encourage investment and upskilling to lift productivity, and build confidence in the UK as a global business hub."

About 18 months back, British youth were in the midst of a Prime craze. Pushed by YouTube influencers Logan Paul and KSI, this brightly coloured energy drink sparked a buying frenzy that left parents puzzled. Not only by the high price, or the resale sites that took advantage of scarcity and acted as a kind of ticket tout for the beverages, but also the desperation that children and teens apparently felt to consume this product.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

Much has changed since Kim Cotton became the UK's first surrogate 40 years ago, when she was forced to flee hospital on the floor of a car under a blanket, such was the level of media frenzy around her story. She describes it as a harrowing experience and wishes much of that surrogacy journey had been done differently. It wasn't the right way to do surrogacy, but it was the only thing that was offered, she says.

The financial action is aimed at tackling illegal immigration to the UK and is central to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's plan to disrupt the English Channel crossings by "smashing the gangs" that are organising them.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the PAC's chair, stated that the government's inaction suggests it is comfortable with the current state of local authority finances, perceiving issues as normalized.

The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War, Keir Starmer emphasized.

We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous. Last week, the words of British foreign secretary, David Lammy, in the House of Commons...