Somerset Vineyard Tax Break Exclusion Sparks Outrage Friday, July 18, 2025 somerset wine vineyard tax relief englishwineweek cider parliament policy reform Ministers are facing criticism for excluding small English vineyards from a tax relief scheme that currently benefits brewers and cider makers. Sir Ashley Fox, the MP for Bridgwater, highlighted this issue during a … Read More
16 and 17-Year-Olds to Gain Voting Rights in Landmark Electoral Reform Thursday, July 17, 2025 voting democracy youth reform elections uk labour suffrage participation legislation The UK government is poised to introduce a groundbreaking reform that will grant voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds in England at the upcoming general election. This change is expected to enfranchise over a million new … Read More
BBC Considers TV Licence Fee Reform Amidst Funding Challenges Wednesday, July 16, 2025 bbc tv licence funding streaming reform broadcasting subscription adverts media The BBC has recognized the urgent need to reform the TV licence fee system, as outlined in its recent annual report. The broadcaster is navigating a challenging media landscape, with the rise of streaming platforms like … Read More
How Somerset Has Fared Since the General Election Sunday, July 13, 2025 somerset labour government election politics nhs transport economy rural reform Last week marked one year since the general election that saw Sir Keir Starmer lead Labour back into government after 14 years in opposition. As Somerset’s local democracy reporter, I’ve looked back over the past 12 months to … Read More
MP Urges Immediate Reform of Breast Cancer Screening to Save Lives Wednesday, July 9, 2025 breastcancer screening nhs earlydiagnosis mammography ultrasound healthpolicy cancerawareness women’shealth reform Bath’s Member of Parliament, Wera Hobhouse, is urging the government to urgently reform breast cancer screening protocols in the forthcoming NHS 10-year plan. She warns that without action, the current system will continue to … Read More
Court Overhaul Could End Jury Trials for Serious Crimes Amid Record Backlog Wednesday, July 9, 2025 justice backlog leveson courts reform jury crowncourt magistrates delays trials The British judicial system is grappling with an unprecedented backlog of nearly 77,000 cases in Crown Courts, with some hearings delayed until 2029. This growing crisis has sparked calls for sweeping reforms aimed at … Read More