(Sharecast News) - Junior doctors in England have called off next week's planned four‑day strike after ministers tabled a new pay and progression offer, according to The Telegraph. Members of the British Medical Association, now formally known as resident doctors, had been due to walk out from 0700 BST on Monday in what would have been their 16th round of industrial action since 2023. Health secretary James Murray welcomed the decision, calling the deal "positive and welcome" and thanking NHS staff for their efforts. The offer, which covers jobs, pay and career progression, will now be put to BMA members for a vote in the coming weeks.
A Russian MP has publicly urged Vladimir Putin to set out a plan to end the war in Ukraine, warning that the country is "on the brink of a social explosion", The Telegraph reported. Vyacheslav Markhayev, a Communist Party deputy in the State Duma, delivered a lengthy critique of the Kremlin's wartime leadership, citing corruption scandals, oligarchic influence, heavy battlefield losses and escalating Ukrainian drone strikes. He said continued mismanagement risked unrest that "the West will inevitably exploit", adding that the ruling elite would bear responsibility. Markhayev joins a growing number of public figures breaking from the official line to criticise the government.
Britain could save billions of pounds on defence spending if it adopted the procurement approach used in the US and Germany, according to The Times, citing comments from Shonnel Malani, European co‑head of Advent. Malani said the UK needed to "mobilise the full strength of Britain" following the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey over planned cuts to armed forces budgets. Advent has invested around $15bn in defence since 2020, including the £4bn takeover of Cobham and the £2.6bn acquisition of Ultra Electronics. Malani argued that more efficient procurement and industrial strategy could deliver major savings.
Housebuilder Vistry has launched a voluntary redundancy programme as it moves to cut costs and preserve cash, The Sunday Times reported. The company, formerly a FTSE 100 constituent and often described as "Labour's favourite housebuilder", is understood to have written to all staff below managing‑director level offering voluntary exit terms. In a memo to its 4,500 employees, chief executive Adam Daniels said the scheme formed part of the "next phase of our journey" and was aimed at staff who felt "less connected" to the group's direction or uncertain about their future.
A former unpaid carer who continued receiving carer's allowance for six months after his husband's death will not be forced to repay the money after the Department for Work and Pensions agreed to write off the overpayment, The Guardian reported. Chris Farrell, 65, said he repeatedly tried to stop the £86.45‑a‑week payments but was unable to get the DWP to act, leaving him anxious about a potential debt of more than £1,300. The DWP confirmed the overpayment would be cancelled after the newspaper raised the case with officials. The Guardian said it was aware of at least five similar cases where carers struggled to halt payments despite no longer being eligible.
The UK and Japan are close to sealing an £18bn investment package expected to create tens of thousands of jobs across Britain, The Independent reported. Prime minister Keir Starmer will host Japanese premier Sanae Takaichi at Downing Street on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit, with more than ten commercial and government agreements due to be signed. The package includes a £9bn commitment to offshore wind projects and a new agreement between Rolls‑Royce and Japan's Atomic Energy Agency to advance next‑generation nuclear technologies. Talks will also cover defence investment and wider economic cooperation between the two countries.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com