News – Page 48 – DukeBox Radio

The inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letbys crimes will become statutory

It's been confirmed by the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay The inquiry into serial killer Lucy Letby’s crimes will become statutory, the Health Secretary Steve Barclay has announced. The move to a statutory footing grants the inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses, including both former and current staff of the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust, to provide evidence. The decision comes shortly after Letby, 33, was sentenced to a whole-life term for murdering seven babies and trying to murder six more. […]

August 30, 2023 32

News

Judges to get powers to force offenders to attend sentencing hearings

Judges will be given the power to order an offender to attend their sentencing hearing, including by force if necessary, under planned legislation announced by the Ministry of Justice. The Government has promised legislation to force serious offenders to attend their sentencing, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling it “unacceptable” that some criminals have refused to face their victims. The promised reforms will give custody officers the power to use “reasonable force” to ensure those awaiting sentencing appear in the […]

August 30, 2023 37

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Jos Buttler says Hundred was great preparation for New Zealand series

Jos Buttler believes the Hundred has made England “very battle-hardened” ahead of the white-ball series against New Zealand. The competition’s third edition concluded at Lord’s on Sunday with Southern Brave winning the women’s competition before Oval Invincibles scooped the men’s prize. England begin the T20 leg of the Black Caps’ tour at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday and plenty of players included in their squad have put in solid performances throughout the Hundred. “I think everyone’s been playing high-class competitive cricket which […]

August 29, 2023 18

News

Sunak urges people to have faith in his stop the boats pledge

Rishi Sunak said he wants people to “have confidence” in his plan to curb Channel crossings, as the total so far this year approaches 20,000. The Prime Minister said the number of migrant arrivals was lower than last year and this showed his plan to “stop the boats” was “working”. Crossings resumed on Tuesday, with pictures showing a dinghy packed with men and boys, some without lifejackets, perched on the sides while their legs dangled in the water. According to […]

August 29, 2023 25

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Campaigners criticise plans to boost housebuilding by relaxing environment rules

Environmental campaigners have hit out at the Government after it confirmed that EU-era restrictions that force housebuilders to mitigate the impact new developments have on river health are set to be scrapped under plans to provide an additional 100,000 new homes in England by 2030. The Government said the measure could provide an £18 billion boost to the economy, and that housing developments contribute only a small fraction of nutrient pollution and new funding is being provided to mitigate any […]

August 29, 2023 18

News

Foreign Secretary set for Philippines visit

James Cleverly is set to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is set to visit the Philippines amid efforts to boost ties with the country. The senior Cabinet minister is visiting the Philippines for the first time on Tuesday. It comes after a new partnership covering climate, trade and foreign policy was launched between the UK and the Philippines in December 2021. The visit will see Mr Cleverly meet with President […]

August 28, 2023 35

News

Flights hit by delays after UK air traffic control technical fault

Holidaymakers have been hit by bank holiday travel delays after a UK air traffic control failure meant flight plans had to be input manually by controllers. National Air Traffic Services (Nats), the country’s leading provider of air traffic control, said at 3.15pm that it had “identified and remedied” the technical issue affecting its systems and it was working with airlines and airports to support affected flights. Major UK airlines such as Tui and BA have warned of “significant delays” for […]

August 28, 2023 26

News

UK airspace hit by technical fault

Air passengers have been warned to expect “significant delays” as a UK air traffic control failure means flight plans are having to be input manually by controllers. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the country’s leading provider of air traffic control services, said it has applied traffic flow restrictions on Monday to maintain safety following a technical issue. It added in an update on Monday that controllers are having to input flight plans manually due to a fault with its […]

August 28, 2023 16

News

SNP incompetence blamed as Labour condemns ferry cancellations

Labour has accused the Scottish Government of incompetence as figures revealed “spiralling” cancellations impacting lifeline ferry services to many island communities. State-owned ferry operator CalMac cancelled 40,989 sailings between September 2018 and April 2023, the figures obtained by Labour using freedom of information legislation show. Non-weather related cancellations rose from 1,371 in 2017-18 to a peak of 5,805 in 2021-22, before dropping last year. There were 4,620 sailings axed for reasons not related to the weather in 2022-23 – 237% […]

August 27, 2023 21