Wednesday’s Autumn Budget is still shaping the news, with changes to side-income tax and open questions over welfare and asylum policy. In the cities, London’s fire service is under scrutiny over heritage sites, and a Greater Manchester report raises child safety concerns.
London fire brigade “limited” in protecting historic buildings
In London, City Hall has been told that the London Fire Brigade is not equipped to adequately assess and protect the capital’s heritage sites. The warning concerns the historic buildings that give many London neighbourhoods their character, and it puts the fire service’s resources on the agenda for the city’s politicians.
Source: BBC London
Ashton man described as a serious risk to children
In Greater Manchester, a man from Ashton has been described as a dangerous paedophile who poses a “significant threat to children”. According to the Manchester Evening News, he “took active steps to pursue and facilitate sexual offending”. The report gives few further details, so parents in the area may want to read the full article.
Source: Manchester Evening News
£1,000 side-hustle tax allowance to be scrapped in 2027
HMRC’s £1,000 tax-free allowance for side-hustle income is being scrapped, with the rules changing in 2027. The Chancellor confirmed the change on Wednesday in the Autumn Budget. If you earn extra money alongside a main job, check how the new rules will apply to you before they take effect.
Source: BirminghamLive
Welfare cuts promised, but no timetable yet
Burnham has said he wants to cut the welfare bill “as soon as we possibly can”. Opponents have questioned how little detail on welfare reform the Budget contained, and the prime minister has not set out a timetable for any reductions. Anyone who receives benefits should expect more debate on this before any firm plans appear.
Source: BBC News
Ministers press home secretary on asylum and homelessness
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has angered ministerial colleagues by not sharing what they see as crucial information about the impact of her migration changes. Sources say she has repeatedly refused to reveal how much she expects homelessness to rise as a result of changes to the asylum system. For internationals, it is a sign that UK migration policy remains unsettled and contested inside government.
Source: The Guardian
The King samples a special rum in Guyana
During his state visit to Guyana, the King was offered a glass of “Royal Welcome”, a limited edition 2026 rum, and called it “very good”. It makes a lighter note on a day dominated by policy news.
Source: Evening Standard
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: Fire service 'limited' to protect heritage sites, accessed 30 October 2026
- Manchester Evening News: The dangerous Ashton paedophile who poses a 'significant threat to children', accessed 30 October 2026
- BirminghamLive: HMRC side-hustle tax-free allowance to change in 2027 with £1,000 rule scrapped, accessed 30 October 2026
- BBC News: Burnham says he wants to cut welfare bill 'as soon as we possibly can', accessed 30 October 2026
- The Guardian: Mahmood infuriates fellow ministers by failing to reveal impact of UK migration shake-up, accessed 30 October 2026
- Evening Standard: ‘Very good’ – Charles sips specially distilled rum during state visit to Guyana, accessed 30 October 2026
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