John Swinney has been nominated as the seventh First Minister of Scotland, following a vote in the Scottish Parliament today.

John Swinney has been elected unopposed as leader of the SNP.

Hundreds of people gathered in Birmingham city centre yesterday to protest cuts proposed by the local authority.

Nottingham City Council is the worst local authority in England, while Torridge District Council in Devon is the best, according to government performance statistics.

The Labour Party has taken Blackpool South from the Conservatives in a by-election today.

John Swinney has announced he will stand for SNP leadership and first minister of Scotland. 

The number of skilled workers arriving in the UK has fallen by a quarter in six months due to the government’s visa crackdown, new research has found. 

Polls have opened in England for the local elections.
Councillors, mayors are being elected across England and police and crime commissioners will be elected in England and Wales.
More than 2,500 seats are up for election across more than 100 councils.
There are mayoral elections in London and nine other metro areas in England. For the first time, mayors will be elected in the East Midlands, the North East, and York and North Yorkshire.

The government has said councils will be able to buy cheaper land to help build more social and affordable homes because of new reforms coming into force today (1 May) as part of the long-term plan for housing.

Record numbers of homeless households and children in temporary accommodation have been recorded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in their latest homelessness statistics.