The government has launched its long-awaited consultation on reforms that would give cohabiting couples greater financial protections when relationships end, and automatic inheritance rights when a partner dies without a will. The proposals would also strengthen safeguards for domestic abuse survivors and explore making pre- and post-nuptial agreements legally binding, with minsters arguing the changes…

Earlier on Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in a renewed bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war. In an open letter to the Russian president, the Ukrainian leader said it would be “wrong to simply wait” until the war in Europe becomes the focus of the US’s attention…