Today’s digest leads with a suspected bomb plot near an RAF base in Gloucestershire. Also in the news: the Prime Minister’s message to London, a change to GCSEs in England and renewed tension over a parade in Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes his case to London
Andy Burnham, the Labour leader and Prime Minister, has spoken to BBC London about his priorities for the capital. The summary does not say which policies he discussed. Anyone living in London who wants to know how national government plans could affect the city should read the full interview.
Source: BBC London
New qualifications to sit alongside GCSEs
The Department for Education has confirmed that new national qualifications will be created alongside traditional GCSEs, and it has announced when they will start. Families with children in secondary school, or planning to enrol them, should keep an eye on the details as they are published.
Source: BirminghamLive
Explosives found in vans near RAF Fairford
Five men have been arrested on terrorism charges after armed officers found explosives in three vans parked minutes from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a base used by the US military. According to the Guardian, counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran was behind the suspected plot, and investigators’ initial view is that the materials were consistent with improvised explosive devices. Residents should expect a visible police presence while the investigation continues.
Source: The Guardian
Why Fairford has long been seen as a target
The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale writes that the incident near RAF Fairford leaves more questions than answers. He describes the base as a vital US launchpad in England that has long been a possible target. This helps explain why the case matters beyond Gloucestershire.
Source: BBC News
Drumcree parade dispute returns in Northern Ireland
Tensions have returned in Northern Ireland after the Drumcree parade was approved to go down the nationalist Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years. Protesters dispersed after they were told a “process” would be set up to deal with the dispute. Newcomers may find it useful to know that parades remain a sensitive issue in parts of Northern Ireland.
Source: Evening Standard
Coronation Street actor keeps fans guessing
In Manchester, Vicky Myers, who plays Lisa Connor-Swain in Coronation Street, has been teasing fans about a detail of her character that they want to know. Five years after she first appeared in the ITV soap, she is still not giving it away.
Source: Manchester Evening News
UK Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- BBC London: Andy Burnham sets out Labour's pitch to London, accessed 28 September 2026
- Manchester Evening News: Coronation Street's Lisa Connor-Swain star teases fans over one detail they want to know, accessed 28 September 2026 (archived copy)
- BirminghamLive: Department for Education confirms GCSE shake-up with exact start date announced, accessed 28 September 2026 (archived copy)
- BBC News: More questions than answers after major incident near RAF Fairford, accessed 28 September 2026 (archived copy)
- The Guardian: Counter-terror police investigate Iran link over suspected bomb plot at RAF base used by US, accessed 28 September 2026
- Evening Standard: Protesters disperse after being told of ‘process’ to address Drumcree dispute, accessed 28 September 2026 (archived copy)
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