Ken McCallum says service must make ‘uncomfortable choices’ as it faces more aggression from Russia, China and IranMI5 has had to “pare back” its counter-terrorism focus because of the growing threat from Russia and other hostile states, the security agency’s boss has said.Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, said the agency has to look at its “finite” resources and make “uncomfortable choices”. Continue reading...

Deal would result in France’s Suez Group being brought in to manage restructure of water companyBusiness live – latest updatesEmbattled Thames Water has received a £5bn bid from Covalis Capital that would result in France’s Suez Group being brought in to manage a restructure of the UK’s largest water company.The infrastructure investor Covalis Capital has submitted a bid for Thames Water, which has been on the verge of collapse for several months as it struggles with a £19bn debt […]

Fourth named storm of season follows concern over lack of flood warnings for Storm Bert last week A red warning for wind, signalling “danger to life”, has been issued by the Met Office for parts of Wales and south-west England on Saturday as Storm Darragh hits the UK.Gusts of 90mph (145km/h) or more were possible over the coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches, the forecaster said. Continue […]

Labour is discovering how hard it is to effect change but PM seems to have appetite to drive change in public sectorIt was a reset designed to invigorate Keir Starmer’s premiership after flagging opinion polls, a scandal over the transport secretary and worries about the economy.The prime minister gave a speech setting out new milestones – fleshing out the missions of his government with targets on reducing NHS waiting lists, getting named bobbies on the beat and raising living standards. […]