AGP Executive Report

Online Safety Overhaul: Keir Starmer announced a “world-leading” ban on children under 16 using major social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, Snapchat and others), with legislation expected before Christmas and enforcement from spring 2027; messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are exempt, while extra limits are planned for AI chatbots and features such as livestreaming/stranger contact for under-16s. Northern Ireland Justice Bill: DUP leader Gavin Robinson called it “reckless” to raise the age of criminal responsibility after recent street violence, as MLAs consider a Justice Bill proposal to lift the minimum age from 10 (with an amendment seeking 14). Protest and Policing: Police arrested 14 after clashes outside a north London synagogue hosting an Israeli real-estate event, with campaigners alleging promotion of illegal settlements. Charity Retail Pressure: High street charity shops face closures, with Swindon examples including Cancer Research UK and British Heart Foundation sites citing rising costs and changing demand. Defence Leadership: Dan Jarvis was appointed UK Defence Secretary after John Healey’s resignation amid a funding dispute. Local Planning Powers: Hertsmere Borough Council lost control of major planning apps after a Section 62B designation let the Planning Inspectorate step in over “quality of decision making.”

Online Child Safety Push: Keir Starmer is set to announce “world-leading” reforms on Monday, including a ban on under-16s using major social platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and others), plus curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds and limits on daily use for under-18s, with extra restrictions on romantic/sexual AI chatbots. Defence Funding Row: After John Healey and Al Carns quit over the Defence Investment Plan, new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis says he’s determined to secure Armed Forces funding, while ministers and allies signal any changes may mean reprioritising or finding savings rather than fresh cash. Labour Party Civil War on Assisted Dying: Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards plans to reintroduce the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, reigniting conflict with peers after the last attempt stalled. Local Government Pay: Unison leader Andrea Egan urged council and school staff to strike for a better pay deal after unions rejected a 3.3% offer, with ballots planned for up to 200,000 workers. Makerfield By-election Politics: Campaigning for the Thursday vote is framed as a potential route to Westminster and a leadership challenge, with Andy Burnham warning the UK risks “poisonous” US-style politics. Middle East Diplomacy: The US and Iran say a peace accord is finalised, with signing expected in Geneva on 19 June, as Israel strikes continue and Iran warns it will respond to breaches. Protest Outside Parliament: Thousands of British Kashmiris rallied at Westminster over Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir crackdowns, calling for UN and human rights action.

Online Safety: Molly Russell’s dad Ian Russell says a “rushed” UK ban on under-16s using social media would be “deplorable”, arguing the government is moving fast after a consultation drew 110,000 responses. Defence Funding Row: Labour’s Lisa Nandy says discussions are ongoing to find more money for the Defence Investment Plan after John Healey and Al Carns quit over funding, while Tory frontbencher James Cartlidge tells Keir Starmer to “get a grip” on defence amid the resignations. Ukraine Sanctions Enforcement: The UK seized a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Channel, with Zelenskyy thanking Britain and urging wider EU powers to detain and confiscate oil. Protest Group Court Fight: The Court of Appeal is set to rule on whether the UK was right to label Palestine Action a “terrorist” organisation after earlier High Court findings. Housing & Race Politics: Nigel Farage reignited controversy with a claim Britain is a “two-tier state against white people” and a pledge to evict foreign nationals from social housing if Reform wins. Energy Rules: Government proposals would restrict new underfloor heating, towel rails and gas fires to limited daily use, aiming to cut household energy demand. Pensions Tax Change: Rachel Reeves confirms salary-sacrifice pension NI exemptions will be tightened from April 2029. Jamaica Beach Access: Campaigners head to court in Jamaica to stop further privatisation of beaches, arguing closures threaten livelihoods.

Online Safety: Scotland’s children’s minister Siobhian Brown urges Westminster to act urgently on online harms, ahead of expected moves to restrict harmful social media access for under-16s after a huge consultation. Defence Funding Fallout: Dan Jarvis says he’s “absolutely determined” to get armed forces the money they need after John Healey and Al Carns quit over the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan, while Starmer tells NATO he’ll publish the plan before the Ankara summit. Party Politics & Welfare vs Defence: Kemi Badenoch offers Conservative votes to cut welfare spending to fund defence, as Andy Burnham campaigns for the Makerfield by-election and warns of “poisonous” US-style politics. UK-Japan Deal: Starmer is set to agree an £18bn investment package with Japan, including a £9bn offshore wind deal and new Rolls-Royce nuclear collaboration, as questions linger over defence programme delays. Health Delivery Gap: Government admits it has no plan to meet the 2030 rollout of osteoporosis fracture liaison screening clinics. Child Harm Online: Research finds nearly half of girls and a third of teenagers saw high-risk self-harm, suicide or eating-disorder content on social media in a week. International Disinformation: France alleges Israeli-linked firm BlackCore ran a fake Palestinian aid charity targeting pro-Palestinian audiences. Public Order: Far-right and anti-racist protests flare after Belfast unrest, with arrests reported across UK cities.

Defence shake-up: Keir Starmer moved fast to appoint Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary after John Healey and Al Carns quit over a defence spending dispute, deepening a leadership crisis and raising fresh questions about readiness and costs. Public control agenda: Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham is pushing a wider “public control” plan, with reports pointing to potential nationalisation of water firms like Thames Water, plus ideas on rent, bus fares and energy bills. Northern Ireland unrest: Belfast is trying to return to normal after anti-immigration riots following a north Belfast knife attack, with concerns about online mobilisation, hate incidents and pressure on policing. Charities compliance: The Charity Commission has referred claims about 32 UK charities allegedly funnelling £28m to illegal Israeli settlements to police and HMRC. Food poverty response: A parliamentary evidence push on food poverty says communities are “fighting back” but need major state intervention, with proposals like public diners gaining attention. Online safety and big tech: Crossbench peer Beeban Kidron warns big tech needs its “tobacco moment” as she argues for stronger protections for children online. Pensions and tax: State pensioners are being warned to declare income under new HMRC rules as the triple lock lifts payments closer to the personal allowance threshold. World Cup visa row: Ghana’s sports minister has criticised Canada’s decision to deny Thomas Partey entry for the 2026 tournament.

Defence Spending Rift: Keir Starmer vowed to fight to stay in office after defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns quit over a funding shortfall, deepening a leadership crisis and reigniting debate over whether Labour can meet NATO-linked defence targets without cutting welfare or public services. Labour Leadership Stakes: Starmer said he would “fight” if a future leadership contest happens, while Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by-election bid is framed as a potential route back to Westminster and a direct challenge to Starmer’s authority. Makerfield By-Election: Polling suggests Burnham could win if right-wing votes split, with Reform’s prospects under scrutiny as voters weigh a “two-party state” shake-up. Northern Ireland Violence & Safety: Muslims in Belfast described fear and isolation amid anti-immigration unrest, with reports of armed protection around places of worship and calls for calm. West Bank Sanctions: The UK and allies moved to tighten sanctions targeting networks said to finance extremist settler violence, with ministers warning further action if accountability doesn’t follow. King’s Birthday Honours: A wave of local and national recognition landed across the UK, including Labour’s Jessica Morden (damehood) and Newport East MP Jessica Morden, plus community and charity leaders such as Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association co-founder Rachael Ross (OBE). Parliament & Public Services: Labour signalled it’s open to further TV licence concessions for pensioners as a petition nears the threshold for a Commons debate. International Diplomacy: Iran-US talks reportedly edged closer to a possible MOU, while the US-Iran track is also expected to shape next week’s G7 agenda.

Defence Revolt: John Healey quit as defence secretary, accusing Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves of failing to fund the Defence Investment Plan, with Al Carns resigning hours later and both citing a “less safe” outcome as the row deepens ahead of NATO. Leadership Pressure: Al Carns hinted he could challenge for Labour leadership, while Dan Jarvis was appointed defence secretary, putting a former “steely-eyed messenger of death” into a high-stakes spending fight. Parliament & Policy: Ministers are set to outline plans to ban under-16s from social media, with child-safety charities warning the approach may be too rushed. EU Migration: The EU Migration and Asylum Pact came into force, with UK-Ireland concerns raised about safety and stabbings. Health & Oversight: A Durham NHS trust was downgraded after CQC found serious safety and management failings. Local Transition: Former mining communities in County Durham demanded a say in the renewables shift via a “just transition” manifesto. Culture: David Hockney, one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists, died aged 88.

Defence Funding Rift: John Healey quit as UK defence secretary, saying the delayed Defence Investment Plan “falls well short” and would leave Britain “less safe”; hours later armed forces minister Al Carns also resigned over inadequate funding, escalating a leadership crisis for Keir Starmer. New Appointment: Starmer named Dan Jarvis as Healey’s replacement, but the funding fight is set to dominate the run-up to a key NATO summit. Political Fallout: Starmer insists the DIP will deliver “sustainable and fair” increases, while MPs and commentators warn the resignations expose a wider national security credibility problem. Northern Ireland Unrest: Belfast riots continued after a knife attack video went viral, with online agitation blamed for driving violence and protests. Parliamentary Politics: In the House of Lords, Baroness O’Loan’s “born alive” protection bill cleared First Reading, with a Second Reading date still to be set. EU Budget Tensions: Italy’s Giorgia Meloni signalled a “Maggie moment” push for an EU rebate ahead of budget talks.

Northern Ireland Unrest: Belfast’s anti-immigrant violence flared again after a knife attack, with masked rioters burning homes and vehicles; Stephen Ogilvie’s family urged calm as PM Keir Starmer told MPs “driving people out of their homes” isn’t the answer, while NI Secretary Hilary Benn blamed online incitement and reported 12 police officers injured. Defence Funding Clash: John Healey resigned as defence secretary after Treasury refused the investment he says is needed for rising threats, escalating pressure on government spending plans. Sexual Abuse Trial: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denied abusing two alleged victims as the case continued at Newry Crown Court. Tech, Crime & Privacy: The Met Police pushed for phone makers to make stolen devices “unusable bricks”, while Apple announced a global “kill switch” style update; Scotland’s biometrics watchdog urged primary legislation before wider live facial recognition use. Immigration & Testing: MPs criticised HOELT remote international student testing plans over security risks. Work & Benefits: DWP confirmed face-to-face PIP assessments will be “driven up”, and Connect to Work reported early starts for disabled people. Pensions & Cost of Living: DWP confirmed state pension payments for eligible Scotland recipients and reiterated TV licence rules after a petition for free licences.

Northern Ireland Unrest: Belfast spiralled into anti-immigration violence after a knife attack, with masked mobs burning homes and cars and police using water cannon as a suspect, Hadi Alodid, appeared in court charged with attempted murder. Immigration & Common Travel Area: UK ministers held talks with Stormont and Irish counterparts and signalled tougher immigration checks, including on Common Travel Area routes, after the suspect’s cross-border entry route emerged. Online Safety Push: Labour moved to tighten the Online Safety Act for “times of crisis”, pressing Ofcom to act faster on inflammatory content; meanwhile, reports say X faced no action for at least two months. Parliament & Scotland Politics: Holyrood blocked a standalone Peter Murrell inquiry, prompting claims of a cover-up and renewed pressure on Westminster to investigate. Culture Policy: Five independent regional theatres launched the Regional Independent Theatre Alliance at Westminster, calling for formal recognition and better data-sharing on their economic impact. Foreign Affairs: EU and South Korea signed a digital trade pact to ease cross-border data flows and boost services trade.

Belfast Disorder After Knife Attack: A Sudanese man charged with attempted murder in north Belfast has sparked violent anti-immigration protests, with masked rioters torching homes and vehicles and prompting calls for calm from UK and Northern Ireland leaders. Women-Only Spaces Row: Keir Starmer faces a Labour rebellion after 118 MPs backed a motion opposing updated Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on protecting women-only spaces. Health System Under Strain: An all-party parliamentary report warns the UK stem cell transplant system is “no longer resilient, sustainable nor equitable,” citing low use of UK donors and widening inequalities. Defence Debate: Former Nato chief Lord Robertson told MPs some parties “don’t believe in defence,” targeting SNP opposition to the nuclear deterrent. Asylum Hotel Pressure (Scotland): Home Office minister Alex Norris said he wants the Cladhan/Falkirk asylum hotel closed “within this Parliament.” Pensions Policy Fight: The Resolution Foundation urges scrapping the state pension triple lock, warning of economic harm and higher costs. UK–Ukraine Drones: Defence minister Luke Pollard says the UK’s largest-ever drone package will deliver at least 120,000 drones this year, with most spending with UK firms. Alcohol Online Rules: The Home Office is reviewing whether to introduce alcohol blocks on delivery apps and supermarket accounts after parliamentary questions. Climate Alarm: A Westminster briefing film warns of worsening flooding, food insecurity and health impacts from the climate crisis. Parliament Watch: NAO reports Ofwat/Ofgem/Ofcom must improve outcomes for vulnerable consumers.

Belfast Unrest After Knife Attack: Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters rioted in Belfast after police charged a Sudanese man over a brutal street stabbing, with vehicles and a bus set alight and roads blocked; UK leaders and PSNI urged calm as the attack is not being treated as terrorism and the suspect is due in court. Criminal Courts Reform Clash: MPs warned David Lammy’s plan to remove the right to elect jury trials could worsen mistrust in the justice system, especially for black defendants, as the Courts and Tribunals Bill returns for further Commons scrutiny. Judicial Appointments Row: Tories attacked Lammy’s preferred candidate for the Judicial Appointments Commission, alleging a bias toward diversity over merit. Defence Spending Pressure: Reports say Keir Starmer may delay or scrap the Royal Navy’s next destroyer class amid funding disputes, adding to concerns about UK military readiness. Prison Conditions Spotlight: A new review highlights pressures in England and Wales prisons, including fire-safety failures and vermin issues. Dangerous Dogs Clampdown: New rules will bar children under 12 from being left unsupervised with XL bullies and other dangerous dogs in England and Wales. Parliament & Devolution: Scotland’s Labour-backed push for a Holyrood probe into SNP former chief executive Peter Murrell’s alleged misuse of funds faces resistance from SNP leaders.

NHS Contract Scrutiny: The government is reviewing its £330m Palantir NHS data contract after a parliamentary committee urged ministers to trigger a break clause in early 2027, citing patient confidentiality and over-reliance on a US supplier. Housing Pressure: MPs backed using dormant assets and stronger powers to seize long-term empty homes in London for social housing, while a separate cross-party push calls for stamp duty reform to help first-time buyers and boost the housing market. Defence Readiness: MoD says it will deliver an “improved Ajax” in two phases, restarting trials on the current vehicle before rolling in upgrades, as MPs warn defence delays are damaging credibility. Immigration Debate: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says the government should make greater use of detention for illegal migrants as he campaigns in the Makerfield by-election. Public Services & Accountability: MPs also raised concerns about empty homes enforcement and about fines being issued months after toll payments on the Warburton Toll Bridge. Political & Social Tensions: Kemi Badenoch criticised police guidance in the Henry Nowak case, arguing hate-crime priorities may have distorted how allegations were handled. UK-Global Links: Nepal’s foreign minister raised British Gurkhas’ pension grievances with UK defence officials, and UK lawmakers warned of growing stability risks in Bosnia ahead of a Lords debate.

Housing Affordability: MPs on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee say stamp duty reform is needed to help first-time buyers, recommending a consultation by end-2026 and linking changes to council tax reform. Scotland Politics & Trust: Scottish Labour will force a vote on a Holyrood inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal, arguing it could “restore public trust” after Operation Branchform, while John Swinney insists police action is enough. Family Courts: A report shared with MPs finds “widespread” bias and victim-blaming in England and Wales family court judgments, with mothers scrutinised more than fathers. Democratic Information: Full Fact warns the UK’s information environment is harder to trust, citing low confidence in spotting AI videos and polling that political misinformation is damaging trust in Parliament and government. Chagos Islands: Mauritius urges Keir Starmer to ratify the Chagos deal as Trump considers a separate US approach involving Diego Garcia. Equality Duty Backlash: Tories pledge to scrap the public-sector equality duty after Henry Nowak’s murder, arguing it fuels box-ticking and legal challenges. Child Safety & Dogs: New rules will ban children under 12 from being left alone with dangerous dogs including XL Bullies, with enforcement starting Nov 1. Online Safety: A charity warns a rushed UK under-16 social media ban could “unravel” and push families toward less regulated workarounds. AI & Courts: A UK MP sues xAI over Grok-generated fake sexualised images, testing whether AI developers can be held directly liable.

Child Safety Online: Keir Starmer ordered tech firms to block children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images on phones and tablets, giving companies until September to switch on protections or face new legislation; Liz Kendall said devices themselves are “part of the problem” and urged default safeguards. NHS Data Trust: The NHS Single Patient Record (SPR) is advancing through Parliament, with supporters pitching a “single point of truth” via the NHS App while critics warn success hinges on privacy, security and public trust. Parliament Scrutiny Rules: Westminster tightened media accreditation rules, extending suspensions—raising the stakes for journalists covering Parliament. SNP Peter Murrell Fallout: A Westminster probe into the Murrell scandal could hold “box office” evidence sessions in Edinburgh to pressure SNP leaders, with SNP cooperation and possible boycotts in focus. Local Jobs & Energy Policy: Norfolk’s Thetford Power Station faces closure risk after the ROC scheme ends, threatening 100+ jobs and poultry-litter disposal capacity. Road Enforcement: A petition backed by 113,000 signatures would force drivers to stop and report cat crashes, pushing for a debate in Parliament. Tech & AI Infrastructure: Oriole Networks announced a UK commercial deployment of photonic AI networking with AMD, aimed at cutting power and latency in data centres.

Defence Funding Crunch: MPs and defence insiders warn Labour’s delayed Defence Investment Plan is undermining UK credibility and readiness, as ministers weigh where to find cash for the uplift. Net Zero Backlash: A Labour MP calls DESNZ’s new emissions targets “insane” and demands Keir Starmer sack Ed Miliband, arguing the policy risks deindustrialisation. Child Safety Online: Starmer is reportedly preparing to announce an under-16s social media ban soon, after consultation—raising questions about how it would work in practice. Stablecoin Regulation: The House of Lords urges the Bank of England to loosen stablecoin rules to avoid choking innovation and keep the UK competitive. Middle East Tensions: Iran and Israel trade escalating threats after strikes around Beirut, with UK-linked regional assets and air activity in the spotlight. Parliament & Standards: Labour presses Nigel Farage to face scrutiny over a £5m crypto-linked gift, as standards questions continue. Abuse & Policing: Survivors of Mohamed Al Fayed abuse demand the Met and NCA broaden focus to trafficking. Scotland Health Pressure: FOI data shows Scottish ambulance turnaround waits still total the fifth-highest among health boards, with delays equivalent to 16.5 years.