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Surrey in the News

More than half of the county councils in England with elections scheduled for this year could seek to have the votes postponed, the BBC can reveal.

BBC News, Times (£)

New rules for homeschooling children could have helped bolster the safety of murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif, an MP has suggested.

Independent

Local News

SCC Leader Tim Oliver spoke to BBC Radio Surrey this morning after it was agreed yesterday that Surrey would request to be part of a ‘first wave’ of areas looking to take the opportunities presented by the government’s devolution agenda.  

BBC Radio Surrey (starts at 1:36:57 and also covered online) (also covered locally by the Farnham Herald)

National News

Analysis suggests some local councils in England would need to see at least a five-fold increase in new housing to meet government targets.

BBC Online: Colossal scale of building challenge revealed by BBC’s new housing tracker

The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has said the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, announced in the King’s Speech in July, is expected to be introduced in March.

LGC: Planning bill due to be introduced in March

An amendment by the Conservatives to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, to set up a national inquiry into grooming gangs has been voted down by 364 votes to 111 votes, a margin of 253.

BBC Online: MPs vote against Tory call for new grooming gangs inquiry

Sir Andrew Dilnot has said the Government’s social care commission should consider a new tax to pay for better protection of elderly people.

Times: Consider new tax to fund care for the elderly, Labour told (£)

The Home Office has said new sanctions targeting the finances of people smuggling networks will make it harder for gangs to profit from the deadly trade.

BBC Online: People smugglers to have finances targeted with sanctions

The Chief Operating Officer of Simple Online Pharmacy, claims obesity rates may start falling this year, with over 500,000 people in the UK taking weight loss medication, Mounjaro or Wegovy.

Sky News: Obesity rates may start falling this year due to weight loss jabs, seller says

Commuters are being warned of icy roads and travel disruption as temperatures dropped again overnight across the UK.

BBC Online: Commuters warned of icy roads as cold snap continues

Thursday’s national newspaper front pages