The Labour Party, which has two seats up for re-election, is pledging to delivering real improvements including delivering more genuinely affordable homes.

This is likely to be the final Cherwell District Council election before local government reform creates a new unitary authority

Andrew Crichton, group leader who is re-standing in Banbury Hardwick, said: “Labour candidates live and work in Cherwell, so we know the daily pressures families face and we are committed to delivering real improvements.

“We have already supported residents through our motions at Cherwell – action on the cost-of-living crisis, a Food Action Plan, proposed the provision of free sanitary products in public toilets, brought a successful motion to oppose cuts to the fire service and successfully put forward a tenants’ rights charter to Cherwell.

READ MORE: London Marathon runner completes race in firefighter kit

“We may be in opposition, but as an opposition party we have had a big impact on Cherwell policies.

Labour’s pledges for Cherwell include: Delivering more genuinely affordable homes, tackling energy efficiency in every home, addressing the climate emergency, creating vibrant town centres, and ensuring a fair deal for our villages.

“We will also continue practical local action: tackling fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, fighting for better community services, staying visible and active all year round, helping residents with housing issues and the cost of living, and pressing for improvements to our roads and potholes.

“Unlike the Lib Dems and Greens who currently run the council, or the Conservatives who ran it for years before, Labour offers a fresh approach.

“While some smaller parties focus mainly on national issues, Labour candidates concentrate on getting things done locally.

“Recent experience in areas like Warwickshire shows that voting for parties like Reform can lead to chaos and disruption at council level.

“Vote for candidates who live here, listen to residents, and deliver results. A strong Labour team on 7th May will provide the best springboard for the new unitary authority and put local people first.

“Don’t let your vote go to waste on protest options. Choose the party that works as a team with strong community links and a clear plan for Cherwell.”

Beard Construction, operating widely across the South of England, recorded an 11.7 per cent rise in sales to £57.3 million for its Oxford office for the year ending December 31, 2025.

This strong performance forms part of the company’s record financial results for 2025, with turnover increasing by 16 per cent to £230 million and profits reaching £9 million.

Dave Fisher, who has been with the company since 2012, has been promoted to office lead for the Oxford team, which now numbers 93 staff.

Mike Hedges, operations director at Beard, said: “Oxford saw steady growth in 2025, driven by several major projects in the region and in close collaboration with customers, partners, and our supply chain.

“Throughout this period, Dave has consistently demonstrated strong leadership that reflects our values, helping us deliver for our customers and strengthen key relationships.”

In 2025, the Oxford office delivered a series of major projects.

These included a £20 million RAAC remedial programme at an Oxford college, a £12 million central storage facility for the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and a £3 million upgrade to the Thames Valley Police training centre.

The team also delivered four new children’s homes for Oxfordshire County Council.

Beard’s commitment to supporting future talent was evident through its support of one apprentice, one construction trainee, three degree apprentices, and 12 T-Level student in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College.

Staff raised £23,400 during the year for the Oxford University Sport and Community Partnership.

Among the fundraising efforts was a cyclathon that saw 32 teams from the Oxford construction network compete.

Finance director Fraser Johns said: “Our ethos of prompt and faultless delivery, alongside a continued focus on getting the basics right have laid the foundations for the strongest three-year period in the company’s history.

“During this time, we have expanded our presence across all regions, particularly in Southampton where our newest office opened in 2024.

“Our special projects division – comprising work up to £2m in value – continues to be a key contributor to our growth and success.”

Beard completed 62 projects in 2025 from its offices in Bristol, Guildford, Oxford, Southampton, and Swindon.

The company also reported delivering £45 million in social value through 27 completed projects, with 94 per cent of spending directed toward micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Beard has been recognised for its health, safety, and wellbeing standards.

The company secured its twelfth consecutive Gold Award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

It was also presented with the President’s Award for the third consecutive year in 2025.

Saturday’s (May 2) show was hosted by none other than Sex Education and The White Lotus star Amy Lou Wood, with music by British breakthrough artist MEEK.

Amy introduced herself as the “first northern host” of SNL UK, which was welcomed by loud cheers from the studio audience.

This weekend’s instalment of the comedy show featured sketches including Sir Keir Starmer (George Fouracres) hijacking King Charles (Larry Dean) and Queen Camilla’s (Emma Sidi) royal plane, a Princess Peach (Amy) and Super Mario (George) interaction, and even a Doctor Who scene.

Hammed Animashaun makes his #SNLUK Weekend Update debut! pic.twitter.com/0De95O7zfo

— Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) May 2, 2026

Of course, it also featured the usual weekend update which has been popular with viewers – yesterday, Hammed Animashaun made his debut in the segment.

SNL UK fans hail ‘best episode yet’ with host Amy Lou Wood

Praising the episode which aired on Sky One, many fans took to X, and shared that SNL UK has “totally found its stride”.

This person posted: “That was the best episode yet!!!”

A second agreed: “Might be the best SNL UK ep so far. Aimee and Jack on fire in the airport sketch, Doctor Who sketch so well played, so many heaters in Weekend Update and Foreacres breaking in the pork sketch bc it’s so his humour was so good.”

Someone else who enjoyed the latest episode put: “Best episode yet. It’s totally found its stride.”

Additionally, one user commented: “Tonight’s #SNLUK maybe the best so far… Super Mario, Doctor Who, Weekend Update, the pork dinner. Aimee Lou Wood and MEEK were thoroughly fabulous.”

Others wrote “BEST EP YET!!! 10/10” and “the best episode, huge credit to everyone”.

This fan who is gutted the series will be ending soon, tweeted: “That episode being the best episode of the series but then remembering we’ve only got 2 weeks left :(.”

However, there was one sketch with cast member George that viewers said “might be my favourite yet”.

In fact, they claimed it was so good, another revealed it “made my week”.

It featured George, who has become known for his role as the UK Prime Minister on SNL UK this series, taking part in a skit about British pork.

What many enjoyed most during last night’s episode, was George hilariously “breaking” character.

Someone wrote on X: “You know a sketch is good when George Fouracres is corpsing. I’ve said before that SNL UK is at its best when it’s at its most esoteric. The British Pork sketch might be my favourite yet.”

Another posted: “That pork sketch was my exact brand of weird dark humour, and Fouracres breaking throughout the whole thing made it even better.”

This person added: “Fouracres fighting for his life in that last one has made my week.”

One user shared: “Pork Board Advert was very funny. Almost Python-esque. Didn’t see the ending coming. And I did say I wanted more breaking.”

A viewer commented: “Fouracres is absolutely fighting for his LIFE in this sketch it’s killing me…”

Meanwhile, this account put: “george not being able to get through his lines cos he’s laughing too much is really getting me.”

Which episode of SNL UK has been your favourite so far? (Image: Sky/PA Wire)

Who is presenting SNL UK? Last 2 hosts of series 1 revealed

As we head towards the final two weeks of SNL UK, the last two hosts and musical guests have been confirmed.

Following in the footsteps of Tina Fey, Nicola Coughlan, Jack Whitehall and Jamie Dornan, will be Ted Lasso favourite Hannah Waddingham and Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa.

Hannah will host the comedy show on May 9 where she will be joined by Myles Smith, known for hits Stargazing and Nice To Meet You.

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Elsewhere, Ncuti is lined up to front SNL UK on May 16 and he will be joined by indie-pop singer Holly Humberstone.

Just like all of the presenters so far, the pair will each open the show with a monologue and take part in skits throughout the 75-minute episode.

Saturday Night Live UK airs Saturdays at 10pm on Sky One and streaming service NOW.