Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Southampton's Kaur: Cost of living crisis, rise in crime were winning factors

Southampton's Kaur: Cost of living crisis, rise in crime were winning factors

NEW Labour council leader of Southampton has said that the cost of living crisis and a rise in crime across the city were the key factors behind the results.

On Friday (6) Labour have taken back control of the Southampton City council after they lost it to the Conservatives last year.


New leader Satvir Kaur told the BBC that the city residents were struggling with rising costs and the stories she heard on the doorstep were "heart-breaking".

"They want the government to do more and feel as that they can, but they are choosing not to. The trust in Boris Johnson has completely dissipated," Kaur was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

According to her, residents were concerned about crime, especially anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Kaur added that the trust in Boris Johnson has "completely dissipated".

"Hampshire lost 700 police officers in recent years and we haven't had that back and crime is really high and people do not feel safe and feel it has got worse under this Conservative government and PCC," she told the BBC.

The Tories lost four seats, three to Labour and one to the Liberal Democrats, who won a seat in the city for the first time after 11 years, the report said.

The four seats that Labour gained mean the party is now in control of the council, with a total of 26 seats.

There were no major changes across the rest of Hampshire but some councils will declare later today.

Councillors Steven Galton, who was cabinet member for environment, and Rob Harwood, who was cabinet member for customer service and transformation, have both lost their seats.

Conservative leader Daniel Fitzhenry said his team did the best it could to help Southampton residents.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats retained control of Eastleigh Borough Council while the Conservatives held Fareham Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Havant Borough Council.

However, there have been no changes in Hart and Portsmouth, where no parties hold a majority on the councils.

In Portsmouth, the Liberal Democrats - which remain in control of the authority- gained two seats, holding now 17 of the 42 seats on the council. The Conservatives lost four seats and now hold a total of 13 while Labour gained two seats holding a total of nine. Three of the 42 seats are instead held by Portsmouth Independent Party, the BBC reported.

More For You

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less