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Received today — 16 December 2025

Ministers to back regulation of England’s funeral industry after scandals

Demands for oversight grow after inquiry calls sector an ‘unregulated free for all’ and families seek stronger safeguards

Ministers are expected to back calls to regulate England’s funeral industry for the first time, after a series of scandals over the handling of remains.

Bereaved families have called for a new investigatory body and rules governing professional qualifications after an official inquiry declared the sector an “unregulated free for all”.

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© Photograph: PA

© Photograph: PA

© Photograph: PA

Received yesterday — 15 December 2025

Man who drove into Liverpool FC parade was ‘in a rage’, court told

Paul Doyle, 54, is due to be sentenced on Tuesday after admitting 31 offences against 21 adults and eight children

A former Royal Marine was a “man in a rage” as he mowed down dozens of Liverpool football club fans at a victory parade in what many feared was a terrorist attack, a court has heard.

Victims of Paul Doyle wept as dashcam footage showed bodies spinning through the air as he accelerated into crowds while screaming: “Fucking hell, move!”

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© Photograph: Julia Quenzler/Reuters

© Photograph: Julia Quenzler/Reuters

© Photograph: Julia Quenzler/Reuters

Received before yesterday

Labour’s Andrew Gwynne says he has no plans to give up seat for Andy Burnham

Exclusive: MP dismisses as ‘idle speculation’ reports he could resign as part of ‘coup’ against Keir Starmer

The former health minister Andrew Gwynne has dismissed as “idle speculation” reports he could resign his seat as part of an Andy Burnham “coup” against Keir Starmer.

Allies of Burnham were reported on Sunday to have identified a shortlist of seats to allow the Greater Manchester mayor to return to Westminster in the new year.

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© Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

© Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

© Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

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