The “nil rate” threshold for first-time buyers shrank back from £425,000 to £300,000 from April 2025, and for home movers the zero rate threshold halved from £250,000 to £125,000

The Government should reform stamp duty to help more people get on the property ladder, a committee of MPs has urged.

A consultation should be launched by the end of 2026 to examine potential alternatives, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee said.

The report recommended that stamp duty reform takes place alongside a reform of council tax. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland.

The report said: “For decades, skyrocketing house prices, slow wage growth and unnecessary barriers in the market have contributed to a deterioration in the affordability of homeownership in England.”

The “nil rate” threshold for first-time buyers shrank back from £425,000 to £300,000 from April 2025, and for home movers the zero rate threshold halved from £250,000 to £125,000.

Home buyers rushed to complete deals in the run-up to the changes.

Higher house prices in certain locations often mean that buyers face particularly high stamp duty costs, making the jump to get on the housing ladder harder.

The report said stamp duty “puts barriers in front of people seeking to buy a new home”, adding that it “reduces the affordability of homeownership, slows the property market, and ultimately damages the economy.

“While it is a valuable source of revenue for public finances, stamp duty land tax must not be maintained in its current form and needs to be reformed.”

The committee said a consultation on alternatives to stamp duty should consider factors including revenue-raising power, impact on friction in the property market, progressiveness, and fairness.

It said potential options that could be considered could include a full replacement; a reduction in rates to stimulate sales; an overhaul of banding thresholds to tie more closely with local property prices; and an update to reliefs and exemptions.

The report also said it should be easier for councils to take control of empty properties in their local authorities.

This could be done by the Government clarifying councils’ existing powers, and providing new options to recover homes that are empty for the long term, it said.

The report said support from family or the “bank of mum and dad” is a major part of the current housing market for first-time buyers.

It said: “More should be done to ensure that everyone has a fair chance of buying a home if they want to, regardless of their family background.”

Committee chairwoman Florence Eshalomi said: “Rates of homeownership in England have declined over the last 20 years.

“For many people, and especially for those unable to draw upon the bank of mum and dad, the prospect of owning a home is little more than a pipe dream.

“No silver bullet exists but the Government can apply a range of supply and demand-side measures to help people get on the property ladder.

“Progress on delivering the 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament is vital.

“Councils should also be empowered to play a greater role in housebuilding and given additional powers to bring empty and under-occupied homes back into residential use.

“Reform of stamp duty is necessary but, especially given the public finance implications, this cannot be done in isolation or without a credible alternative in place.

“We urge the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury to consult on alternatives to stamp duty that can deliver long-term benefit and not a short-term fix which only distorts the housing market and exacerbates the affordability problem.”

The report also said annual homebuilding targets should be published for each remaining year of the Parliament, with updates every six months on what actions the Government has taken to increase homebuilding rates by private developers.

The committee also said it welcomed plans to replace the Lifetime Isa with a new product focused on supporting homeownership, but said the product should not include a static property price cap, which would make it “unusable” in some geographical locations.

The report said there are “no easy solutions” to the homeownership challenges but “increasing the supply of homes by stimulating housebuilding is a vitally important component, and the Government is right to prioritise it by working with builders, developers and especially local government bodies”.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “First-time buyers pay no stamp duty on homes worth up to £300,000 and can claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. We’re cutting weeks off the process of buying whilst saving first-time buyers £710 on average.”

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While they disagree on plenty, they share one thing in common – a frustration with the state of modern politics

People often assume young people are apathetic about politics.

That they get their views from TikTok clips or follow whatever political tribe their friends belong to.

However, my hour with seven students from Winstanley College suggests otherwise.

When they take their seats at the MEN’s hustings on Wednesday, the candidates hoping to become Makerfield’s next MP should not expect an easy ride.

Far from it.

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The group – six 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old – are studying subjects ranging from politics and international relations to history, PPE and law. Between them they span much of the political spectrum, from centre-left Labour supporters to One Nation Conservatives.

And while they disagree on plenty, they share one thing in common – a frustration with the state of modern politics.

Several tell me politics in the area feels more alive than it has for years. They point to campaign placards appearing on streets across the constituency and the unusually intense conversations taking place both inside and outside college.

For Emiliano Dina, whose family migrated from Albania, politics feels more personal. Debates around immigration and identity are not abstract policy discussions but issues that affect real people.

The students recently watched the BBC’s Question Time special featuring the Makerfield candidates. None of them thought Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon performed particularly well, though they differed on who came out strongest.

“I thought the Conservative candidate did really well,” says Ryan Cain, a self-described One Nation Conservative who admires both Abraham Lincoln and Margaret Thatcher.

“There’s so much polarisation in politics but you did see Andy Burnham and [Conservative candidate] Michael Winstanley agreeing with some points and having that dialogue. Politics should be a conversation and not an argument.”

Ryan admits being one of the few Conservatives in his peer group can, unsurprisingly, lead to “heated discussions”, Yet he says college provides a safe space where disagreements remain respectful.

That theme comes up repeatedly.

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Shaun Simmons – a Che Guevara fan who hopes to study history at university – says debates among students are often healthier than those taking place in wider society.

“We have heated, but respectful debates,” he says. “When we’re not in this environment I feel like people are more black and white in their political views.

“People become more emotional, more ideological and less open to being pragmatic.”

Iris Fearon, who is considering studying politics and international relations at Newcastle, adds: “Here you’re encouraged to analyse everything.”

That habit of questioning assumptions appears to shape many of their views.

Annie Lloyd, the youngest member of the group at 17, describes herself as left-wing but politically undecided. She is unconvinced that Sir Keir Starmer is currently representing voters effectively and says she likes politicians who appear genuinely connected to ordinary people.

Darius Ghorbani, who leans Conservative because of the party’s record on law and order, throws a curveball when he admits he actually admires Starmer, even though he disagrees with Labour on many issues. Remi Naylor, a centre-left voter praises Andy Burnham for building consensus across party lines.

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Then there is Emiliano, who describes himself as economically left-wing and broadly Labour-minded but says he could imagine voting Conservative if the right candidate came along. He liked Tony Blair’s record before the Iraq War.

It is difficult to fit any of them neatly into a political box.

That may explain why several are frustrated by social media, which they believe rewards outrage and tribalism.

“People will share a lot of figures and it’s all about trying to get a reaction out of you,” says Emiliano. Nodding along, Iris adds: “A lot of people get stuck in their echo chambers.”

They say political literacy is declining despite information being more accessible than ever.

“Being in this classroom, you’re probably more politically literate than 90 per cent of the population, which is a bit sad,” he says. “I think political education is something everyone should have. You should know who you’re voting for.”

The discussion turns to family politics and again the stereotype of permanently angry political disagreement fails to materialise.

Annie says she often debates politics with her father, who sits further to the right politically than she does, adding: “But we’re normally on the same page.”

Remy, whose father is a committed socialist, says political discussions at home are rarely arguments.

“In politics you see a lot of divisive rhetoric, but when you can talk to a family member about politics it’s never an argument, it’s more of a conversation,” he says. “There’s a model there that could be applied to politics on a national level.”

Even Darius, who jokes that his father is impossible to persuade because of what appears in his social media feeds, sees echo chambers as a growing problem.

The students are equally willing to challenge the political system itself.

Most believe the UK’s voting system should change, arguing that First Past The Post (FPTP) no longer reflects a “fragmented” political landscape.

Annie argues the current system can produce distorted results, while Shaun believes a Single Transferable Vote (STV) system would allow people to vote for parties they genuinely support rather than settling for the least-worst option.

“It’s not just Labour versus Conservative anymore,” he says. “For the by-election, people are either Labour or Reform but that’s because those are the only viable options. If we had the options under STV, people could actually vote for the policies they want without having to pick a compromise.”

Ryan disagrees. For him, FPTP remains the best way to produce strong and stable governments.

It is one of many issues on which they sharply disagree without falling out.

There is similar diversity when discussing the by-election itself.

Five of the seven believe it was right for Josh Simons to resign, although they differ on what should happen next. Some, like Annie, see the contest as a healthy democratic exercise.

“A lot of people at the moment aren’t happy with the way the Labour government was going,” says Annie, who admires Burnham.

Others worry it risks creating instability.

Remy reminds them all about the scandal that forced Simons to resign earlier this year – he commissioned a report that falsely linked Sunday Times journalists to pro-Russian propaganda.

On Wednesday, when the MEN will host a hustings at the college, they will want detailed answers on housing, transport, the environment, immigration, student finance, Palestine and the future of the northern economy.

Ryan wants Burnham in particular to explain what “reindustrialisation of the north” actually means in practice. “I fear we’re looking backwards rather than actually creating a realistic economic plan for the future,” he says, citing the recent Milburn report on record youth employment.

The report, published last month, said job and career opportunities for young people are “not growing, they’re shrinking”, with former minister Alan Milburn warning of a “lost generation” unless action was taken.

Iris wants greater clarity on environmental policies.

Shaun wants to know whether Greater Manchester’s Bee Network can be replicated nationally.

Emiliano is interested in housing policy and whether Andy Burnham sees Makerfield as a destination or merely a stepping stone.

Voters in Wigan have expressed concerns that the mayor of Greater Manchester is only interested in becoming MP so that he can eventually run for the Labour leadership. They fear he will then forget about the constituency if he becomes PM.

“I’m optimistic but come on bro, you know how big your responsibilities are!” Shaun quips.

Naturally, with them all off to university in September, student finance is another major concern. Several feel young people are being asked to shoulder costs previous generations never faced when they went to university.

“The interest rates should be cut, maybe they rise as inflation does,” says Emiliano. “But it’s a punitive tax that’s simply unfair on young people. None of the parties running right now are addressing it, they’re not even acknowledging it.”

Remy believes a graduate tax might be the solution. The conversation briefly turns to immigration and the housing crisis.

Some, like Emiliano, believe certain parties are conveniently looking for “villains” to blame. He conceded that placing asylum seekers in hotels is “objectively not the best way to be accommodating people,” adding: “A bigger problem is the housing crisis. Not only do you not have somewhere to put these asylum seekers, you have the single mother of four waiting six months for a council house.”

Remy, a Clement Attllee admirer, believes there are problems in the rhetoric of both the left and right.

“On the right they’re attacking immigrants and blaming them for taking away jobs. But also I think on the left, their defence is purely, think about what immigrants bring to this country,” he says. “It’s also commercialising people. But people are people.”

And despite their disagreements on policy, there is broad consensus on one point – politicians should be held to higher standards.

Predictably, the discussion turns to Rob Kenyon’s old social media posts. The anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate published details of social media posts from his X account, which has now been deleted, that showed sexist, violent and homophobic messages.

The comments about women were of particular concern to Iris and Annie.

Kenyon denied being sexist on Question Time, adding: “I’ve got nothing but respect for women”.

The group is critical of both Reform and the Green Party for failing to properly vet candidates or take swift action when allegations of racism or sexism have emerged.

Shaun brings up the case of a newly elected Reform UK councillor who was suspended from the party following allegations of racism.

Glenn Gibbins, who was elected to Sunderland City Council in May, reportedly posted that Nigerians should be used to “fill in pot holes”.

“How on earth did that get past?” says Shaun. “There’s just a line and they’ve spat on the line and run a full sprint over it. What on earth is going on?”

They say if Kenyon had apologised for his comments, that would have made some difference. “He would have gained some respect. At least that shows some regret,” says Emiliano. “But trying to excuse it with the word ‘allegedly’, that’s not going to get you respect from anyone”.

Ryan believes the party’s response to allegations can often be more telling. “Reform has consistently shown itself unwilling to take action”, he says. “It’s systemic within the party, it’s not just the odd candidate”.

He also believes the Greens are “equally concerning”, adding: “The deputy leader [Mothin Ali] was at pro-Iranian regime rallies”, as well as mentioning Chris Kennedy, who was forced to resign just hours after being announced as the party candidate in Makerfield when it emerged he had shared antisemitic posts.

“I think perhaps the Greens escape criticism,” he says .

Nodding along, Emiliano says politicians “go on about British values, but they conveniently forget that respect is one of them.”

Criticism is directed across the political spectrum rather than at one party alone.

Perhaps that is what makes this group stand out.

They are not activists chanting slogans, or ideological purists demanding perfect agreement. Instead, they are exactly what our politics needs more of – curious and informed participants who are willing to listen and challenge where it needs to be.

That does not mean these students will be complacent at Wednesday’s hustings.

The candidates can expect tough questions and for their claims to be scrutinised.

Most of all, they can expect a room full of young voters who have already shown they are prepared to challenge even their own assumptions.

And if the candidates think they will get an easy ride simply because they’re students, they may be in for a surprise.

South Africa wants to expand exports of rhino hunting trophies and other wildlife products. The move relies on an exemption process within the international treaty that has largely restricted rhino horn trade since 1977.

It’s a shift that could reopen one of global conservation’s fiercest debates: does a legal trade protect endangered species – or hasten their decline?

International trade in rhino horn exports remains heavily restricted under Cites – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, countries can obtain permits for certain exports if they provide scientific evidence that trade will not harm the species’ survival chances.

The South African government has released a new assessment, signed by environment minister Willie Aucamp, arguing that this condition has been met. It concludes that exports of protected species, including rhino, elephant and lion would not threaten their survival in South Africa. The assessment argues that the ban on rhino horn trade has been counterproductive, linking it to increased poaching, organised wildlife crime and higher black-market prices for rhino horn.

The policy shift follows a change in ministerial leadership. Aucamp replaced Dion George, who had spoken out against captive wildlife breeding and the commercialisation of endangered species. Critics cite concerns over Aucamp’s background as a wildlife farmer and argue the change signals a broader shift towards policies favoured by South Africa’s wildlife and hunting industries and their well-organised lobby. Aucamp’s government profile states he has been actively involved in the conservation sector.

The dramatic policy change brings into focus the conflict between traditional conservationists and the wildlife ranching and trophy hunting industry in South Africa, an industry that is reputedly worth more than US$1.5 billion (£1 billion) per year

The case for trading rhino horn

Poaching of rhino for their horn is thought to be the single greatest threat to the future of African rhino (the black rhino and white rhino species). Rhino are poached because rhino horn is worth so much on the illegal market.

Anti-poaching patrols, infrastructure and surveillance are expensive. Supporters argue that the income generated through exports will act as an incentive to private land owners to better protect rhino.

Enabling international export of rhino will additionally bring economic benefits to wildlife ranchers, breeders, and companies that profit from trophy hunting.

The rhino horn trade could lead to more poaching

However, if the rhino horn trade is legitimised and even facilitated, market demand could increase. A previous one-off legal sale of elephant ivory in 2008 was associated with a elephant poaching spike and a dramatic increase in the illegal ivory trade. A legal supply of rhino horn may support a continuation or increase in poaching, endangering the survival of rhino species in South Africa and beyond.

There are fewer than 50 individuals left in two of the three Asiatic rhino species: the Javan and Sumatran rhino. The effects of international trade in African rhino on Asian rhino species should not be overlooked.

Wildlife charities have been calling for “demand reduction” campaigns for years. Re-opening and legalising the international trade in rhino could fatally undermine these attempts to make horn consumption and ownership socially unacceptable.

In my opinion the optimal route to conserving rhino is to reduce the market demand for rhino horn, to discourage people from wanting rhino horn, not to fuel desire for rhino products by legalising trade.

What this means for rhinos themselves

Rhinos are an intrinsic part of their native ecosystems. But when owners and breeders can benefit economically from exports, there is a risk rhinos become valued primarily for what they can be sold for. This could mean these wild beasts are bred and managed akin to domesticated cattle. “Wild” rhino could become an afterthought or sideshow to the global trade.

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South African rhino baron John Hume was the owner of the world’s largest private herd. He built up a population of over 2,000 rhino that were farmed as livestock with their horns harvested. Hume lobbied intensively for a re-opening of the trade in rhino horn, arguing that it would be for the good of the rhino. Ultimately, Hume went bankrupt, and the herd had to be rescued by rewilding charity African Parks.

Hume is now under investigation for allegedly exporting 964 rhino horns to Southeast Asia. Hume denies the allegations and insists he has “nothing to hide”.

Now another South African rhino rancher has asked the court for permission to legally sell 479 stockpiled rhino horns overseas.

Killing to conserve

Additionally, there is the moral and ethical question of whether endangered species including rhino can or should be saved by killing individuals for trophy or sport. Can we kill to conserve? That question is not unique to rhino but applies to wildlife conservation generally, across multiple species, and internationally.

Trophy hunting is not universally accepted as a morally or ethically defensible conservation tool. In November 2025, Namibia asked Cites to scrap the global ban on rhino horn trade, but was defeated by 120 votes to 30. The move by South Africa to increase rhino trophy export permits could damage the nation’s reputation on the international stage.

South Africa also planned to end captive lion breeding and “canned lion hunting”, which both contribute to the lion bone trade. Recent political changes mean this commitment is being questioned.

The about turn in wildlife policy, supporting commodification of rhino, lion and numerous other endangered species, means that South Africa may be backing itself into an uncomfortable corner on the world stage when it comes to valuing and caring for its biodiversity.

Little Preston Davey was just 13 months old when he died after his adoptive dad Jamie Varley alleged he became submerged in water in the bathtub

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A baby boy was left “at the mercy” of his adoptive father who stands accused of murdering and sexually abusing the tot, a jury had heard.

Preston Crown Court has heard how little Preston Davey was alone in the care of Jamie Varley, a teacher, at the time he went into cardiac and respiratory arrest, reports Manchester Evening News.

The 13-month-old suddenly collapsed in an incident “foreseeable and foreseen” by Varley’s partner and co-accused, John McGowan-Fazakerley, the prosecution alleges. Preston was taken to Blackpool Hospital by the pair on July 27, 2023, at 6.20pm but sadly died.

Varley, 37, claimed he had left the youngster alone in the bath when he found him unresponsive at this Blackpool home. Yet a post-mortem exam found no evidence of drowning and more than 40 internal and external injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, the prosecution says.

He denies murder – and an alternative charge of manslaughter – and Mr McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, denies causing or allowing Preston’s death.

In his closing speech to the jury on Monday (June 8), Peter Wright KC said Preston’s placement with the defendants was ‘supposed to be the start of a new life together for each of them’, Lancs Live reports.

But less than four months later Preston had died – with his body bearing internal and external injuries consistent with abuse, Mr Wright said.

The prosecutor said Mr Varley’s sexual interest in the little boy was apparent ‘within weeks’, as demonstrated by photos and videos which the prosecution says amount to indecent images.

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He said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley was ‘all too aware’ and had taken part in a sexual assault on Preston four days before he died.

On July 24, Preston was left alone in a bath for 14 minutes in footage captured on Mr Varley’s phone, and there were further episodes of physical and psychological abuse, the prosecution says.

“Preston’s death was a tragedy waiting to happen”, Mr Wright told the jury.

“Mr McGowan-Fazakerley knew that and chose to ignore it. Mr Varley knew it was an ever-increasing risk, and by 27 July, he knew it was a virtual certainty, but carried on regardless.”

The prosecutor said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley was ‘confronted with exactly the circumstances he should have foreseen’ on July 27, 2023.

“By then it was too late, and as Preston lay dying, he (Mr Varley) needed an explanation – and the charade that then followed was conducted.”

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Mr Varley claimed he had left Preston alone in the bath and found him submerged in the water. But a post-mortem found no evidence of drowning and more than 40 internal and external injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, the prosecution says.

“Was his death the result of some terrible accident, his injuries the result of efforts to save his life rather than some more sinister pathology or did his body internally and externally tell a very different tale?” Mr Wright KC asked.

“One of physical and sexual abuse shortly before his death of acute upper airways obstruction at the hands of Mr Varley in what should have been, his home, a place of safety – not one of danger.”

He said the abuse of Preston on July 27 was ‘the final act in a litany of physical and psychological ill treatment that had become an all too regular, depressingly common aspect of his short life, punctuated as it was with episodes of physical and sexual assault.’

The prosecutor said it was ‘inconceivable’ that Mr Varley would confide in a colleague that he was struggling with dark thoughts of drowning or suffocating the baby – but not reveal these thoughts to his partner.

He said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley’s failure to act amounted to a ‘dereliction of his duty.’ “Preston was at the mercy of Jamie Varley’s attention on the afternoon of July 27”, Mr Wright said. “He paid for it with his life.

“Each of these defendants failed this little boy in the way that is set out in this indictment and accordingly we invite you to find each of them guilty.”

Mr Varley, 37, is accused of murder; manslaughter; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and further counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.

Mr McGowan-Fazakerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Both men deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.

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The former Barcelona striker fronts The Rest Is Football podcast alongside former footballers Micah Richards and Alan Shearer with the series airing as a daily TV show on Netflix for the 2026 World Cup to cover events in the US, Canada and Mexico, where the tournament is being held.

The findings, released by the GMB union, suggest at least 1.4 million court summonses were issued by 200 local authorities across Britain during the 2024/25 financial year.

However, the true figure could be even higher because not every council responded to Freedom of Information requests submitted by the union.

The figures have reignited concerns about the growing pressure facing households as council tax bills continue to rise across the country.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, described the findings as evidence that the current council tax system is no longer fit for purpose.

“These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken,” she said.

The union argues that councils are increasingly relying on enforcement action to recover money as they struggle with stretched budgets and rising costs.

Ms Harrison said: “Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue one-and-a-half million people through the courts just to make ends meet can’t be the right way to do business.”

The warning comes as many households continue to face financial pressures from rising living costs, housing expenses and higher utility bills.

The GMB says years of underfunding have left councils with little choice but to take tougher action against residents who fall behind on payments.

“Austerity left deep scars on all our public services, which will last a generation or more,” Ms Harrison said.

She added that funding pressures also affect the workers who deliver essential local services.

“Meanwhile, the lack of authority funding often means low pay for the people we rely on to look after our loved ones, to take our rubbish, to keep our towns and cities running.”

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The union is calling for major reforms, including changes to council tax and business rates, alongside increased support from central government.

Ms Harrison said: “To fix all this, we need more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share, and changes to business rates so that authorities get more to regenerate our high streets.”

The figures were due to be discussed at the GMB’s annual congress in Blackpool, where delegates are expected to debate the future of council funding and local taxation.

The consultation document said: “We believe that interest-only and part interest-only/part repayment lending could support some FTBs (first-time buyers) in getting on the property ladder, however the changes we are proposing are targeted, and would not make interest-only mortgages universally accessible.”

Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who attended the scene, said: “Firefighters have been working hard to extinguish a fire at a recycling centre. At the height of the fire, a large amount of refuse and a warehouse unit were alight. There are currently no reports of any injuries.

Police have arrested one man and remain at the scene

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A man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing in north Belfast.

Police were called to the scene of the incident in Kinnaird Avenue at around 10:30pm on Monday, June 8.

A local resident explained the “chaos” as graphic videos shared online appear to show a man be stabbed several times in the head.

PSNI have confirmed a man has been arrested in relation to the incident. A large police presence remains in place with cordons in the area.

An eyewitness told the Belfast Telegraph, “three men, one armed with a hurl, got the fella with the knife off the victim.”

A spokesperson for PSNI said: “Police in north Belfast are currently in attendance at Kinnaird Avenue following the report of a stabbing incident shortly after 10.30pm on Monday 8th June.

“A man has been arrested in relation to the incident and is in police custody while a second man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Officers will remain in the area to conduct their enquiries and would ask anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, to call them at Tennent Street on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1654 08/06/26.”