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The call has come from the Education Committee, a cross-party group of MPs Ofsted must make major changes to school inspections and action is needed particularly in areas of concern highlighted by the inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, the Education Committee has said. The House of Commons cross-party committee published a report into Ofsted’s work with schools and highlighted the need for “more action” to address “widespread and deep concern” […]

Aryna Sabalenka believes she can bring her Australian Open dominance to other grand slams after lifting a second successive title in Melbourne. The Belarusian will stay world number two behind Iga Swiatek but that could well change this year if Sabalenka can maintain her impressive consistency at the majors. In the last five slams, Sabalenka has won two titles, reached another final on hard courts at the US Open and […]

Camilla arrived at the London Clinic in central London in a black Audi car at noon on Saturday. Wearing a white blouse and black jumper, she left around three hours later. It is the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for following abdominal surgery. The Queen’s visit on Saturday was her second to the private hospital since she arrived with Charles on Friday morning ahead of […]

Gardai have searched Ian Bailey’s home in Co Cork as part of an investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. The body of Ms Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French producer, was found badly beaten outside her holiday home in Schull, West Cork, in December 1996. On Friday, gardai searched a home in Bantry, Co Cork, as part of their probe into Ms Toscan du Plantier’s death. In […]

Jurgen Klopp will stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. The 56-year-old has informed the club’s ownership of his decision to stand down, having taken charge at Liverpool in 2015. Klopp has won six major trophies with the Reds, including the Premier League title in 2020 and the Champions League trophy the year before. “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people […]

The King has been admitted for treatment on his enlarged prostate at the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for after abdominal surgery. Charles as seen entering the private London Clinic in central London on Friday morning with the Queen at his side. He took time to visit his daughter-in-law Kate, who is on the 11th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major […]

The Cherries are the first team to book their place in the fifth round David Brooks’ classy display was the catalyst for Bournemouth thrashing Swansea 5-0 to become the first team to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round. Wales international Brooks scored one goal and provided two assists as the Cherries racked up their biggest FA Cup win against a Football League side since beating Bristol Rovers 6-1 in […]

Valdo Calocane was handed a hospital order over the deaths of three people last summer The Attorney General is considering whether judges should review the sentence of Nottingham knifeman Valdo Calocane after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient. A judge handed down a hospital order to the 32-year-old, who has paranoid schizophrenia and whose pleas to manslaughter by diminished responsibility were accepted earlier this week. The families of the […]

Obesity levels among children due to the pandemic could end up costing more than £8 billion, research suggests. A new study found obesity in England rose significantly among four to five-year-olds and those aged 10 to 11 between 2019/20 and 2020/21 – at the height of the spread of coronavirus. While more recent figures show a slight drop in obesity levels during primary school, the proportion of obese children aged 10 to 11 is still […]

Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final as they capitalised on their first-leg advantage and held a spirited Fulham to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Luis Diaz’s opener was cancelled out by Issa Diop but the Red’s dug deep in the second leg to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory. Liverpool will face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea at Wembley on February 25, two years after defeating the Blues in both the […]

New legislation to tackle zombie-style knives will be introduced in Parliament today The Home Secretary has defended the Government’s record on tackling knife crime as he announced next steps to ban zombie-style knives. Fresh legislation is set to be introduced to Parliament on Thursday, which James Cleverly said seeks to “close that loophole” on outlawing the weapons. Zombie-style knives were first banned in 2016 but ministers hope these tighter measures […]

EasyJet said it reduced its losses in the final three months of 2023 despite suffering a £40 million hit from the Hamas-Israel conflict. The airline recorded a loss before tax of £126 million between October and December last year, down from £133 million during the same period in 2022. Passenger numbers increased by 14% year-on-year. The airline said it suffered a “direct impact of £40 million” in the quarter due […]

Chelsea put defeat in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough behind them to book a first Wembley appearance since 2022 with a ruthless 6-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Four first-half goals for Mauricio Pochettino’s side effectively ended the tie as a contest as a Jonny Howson own goal and strikes from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer showed a clinical side to Chelsea rarely seen this season. […]

The Government borrowed less money last month than in any December in four years but debt remains at historical highs, new data suggested. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that public sector net borrowing hit £7.8 billion during the month. That was £8.4 billion less than a year earlier and the lowest in any December since 2019. Experts had expected it to reach £11.4 billion. A year ago changes […]

More than two million people will have their gas and electricity cut off this winter because they cannot afford to top up their prepayment meter, Citizens Advice has said. The charity said it was concerned that having no gas and electricity would not be a “one-off” experience for many, after finding that 1.7 million people disconnected at least once a month last year. Some 800,000 people went for more than […]

Storm Jocelyn will thrash the UK with more wind and rain after Storm Isha left two people dead and one seriously injured. Another weather system will bring windy weather on Tuesday night and into Wednesday for much of the northern half of the country, The Met Office said. Amber and yellow weather warnings for wind have been issued covering much of the UK, together with yellow warnings for rain covering […]

More than a quarter of bosses who left global listed companies last year were fired, as the pressures facing some of the world’s top leaders are heating up, according to a study. Meanwhile, the UK remains far behind international peers in the race to achieve gender parity at its leading firms. Analysis from advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates found that 178 chief executive officer (CEO) roles changed hands over 2023, […]

Sir Anthony Hopkins has announced he is writing his biography and said his wife is also memorialising his life with a documentary. The 86-year-old actor, most known for playing Hannibal Lecter in 1991 film The Silence Of The Lambs, described writing his life story as “a weird process”. Speaking to US publication People, he said: “I’m writing a biography.” “I realised how I’m blessed with one thing,” he added. “Maybe […]

More than 465,000 households in the UK will experience “fuel poverty” this winter due to a price cap increase in January, figures show. Data science firm Outra revealed that the price cap increase on January 1 led to a 12.2% rise in households affected by fuel poverty, compared to October 2023. A household is in fuel poverty when they spend more than 10% of their income on heating. The UK […]

Staff in Scotland’s schools and nurseries have taken more than a million days off for mental health reasons in the last five years, “alarming” figures show. The Scottish Liberal Democrats used freedom of information legislation to obtain data on time off taken by staff in schools and council-run nurseries from 2018-19 to 2022-23. Twenty-seven of the country’s 32 councils provided figures, which cover teachers, support staff and nursery workers, and […]

A video game version of the farm where Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne has been launched for mobile phones. The Minecraft version of Explore Ellisland! created by students and academics at the University of Glasgow allows users to explore the 18th century farm and interact with Burns and his family. An educational version of the game will also be released in schools on January 25 – the date of […]

The bodies of four people were discovered in a house on Friday morning Detectives investigating the deaths of four members of the same family at a house in Norfolk have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy. The bodies of two young girls, a 36-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man were found at an address in Costessey, Norfolk, on Friday morning. A man called 999 from the […]

New green cars hold the highest market share since 2004 as sales of electric models continue to rise, new figures show. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 53,426 new cars were registered in that colour in the UK in 2023. That was 2.8% of all new cars, representing the highest market share for green in 19 years. Many buyers choosing a green electric car are keen to […]

An amber weather warning has been issued for north-west England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland Storm Isha will bring winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain, posing a risk to life and damage to buildings, as part of a wet and windier weekend across the UK. The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for wind for northern and western England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from […]

They say there's been a big rise since the Israel-Hamas conflict began Children as young as 11 are being linked to alleged online terrorism offences on a “monthly basis” following the Israel-Hamas conflict, UK counter-terror police say. They say information from the public about potential extremist materials or behaviour jumped by 25% after October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. Some 3,000 reports of online extremist behaviour have been received in […]

Snow and ice is set to be replaced by wind and rain as milder air returns to the UK. Yellow alerts for snow and ice remain in effect across Scotland on Friday, with the Met Office warning wintry showers could bring disruption to transport and travel. A warning covering northern Scotland has been extended east into the Grampian region and across the Northern Isles. The warning is in place until […]

It's due to higher winter bills and financial strain from Christmas expenses Personal finance company Credit Karma found that 56% of those who will run out of money during the month will have spent their entire monthly income by January 20. The survey interviewed 2,000 UK adults between January 6-9. As dire financial positions start to set in, people will start to turn to alternative sources of funds, such as […]

The first Sunday in March will be marked with a UK-wide day of reflection as people remember all those who died during the pandemic. March 3 will be the first annual day of reflection since the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration published its final report in September, recommending the event be held each year on the first Sunday of March. The first day of reflection, organised by the charity Marie […]

Passengers are paying more than twice as much as a major online retailer Consumer group Which? said its investigation found the best value fares are either unavailable or hidden among myriad options on many machines. Industry figures show more than two out of five stations in England do not have a ticket office, while tickets for around 150 million journeys were bought from machines in 2022. Which? sent mystery shoppers […]

The UK has shivered through another cold night as weather warnings for snow and ice are in place throughout Thursday. Much of the UK endured temperatures below freezing overnight, with preliminary data from the Met Office indicating the mercury fell to as low as minus 11C in England and minus 10C in Scotland. It comes after the UK had its coldest night of the winter so far on Tuesday, when […]

A police force has referred itself to the police watchdog after a toddler was found dead next to his father’s body. Bronson Battersby, two, was found beside his dad Kenneth, 60, who had suffered a fatal heart attack at his flat in Skegness, The Sun newspaper reported. Lincolnshire Police was contacted on two separate occasions by a Lincolnshire County Council social worker who got no answer when they tried knocking […]

A committee is criticising the government for failing to adequately fund the Environment Agency Deteriorating flood defences are putting more than 200,000 properties at increased risk of inundation, with MPs criticising the Government for failing to adequately fund the Environment Agency. The agency has failed to meet its target of maintaining 98% of “high consequence” flood defences – the most common type – and has had to downgrade the number of properties it aims to protect […]

The operation has led to more than 20 convictions so far The Metropolitan Police has used undercover “victim” officers to catch robbers attempting to steal luxury watches in central London. Two operations carried out in late 2022 and 2023 across South Kensington, Chelsea, Soho and Mayfair saw officers deployed as potential targets wearing expensive watch brands. Opportunistic criminals who then tried to steal the watches in the street were apprehended […]

Astronomers have created the most sensitive radio image ever of an ancient star cluster. The image is of the second brightest globular cluster in the night sky – known as 47 Tucanae. A previously undiscovered radio signal from the centre of the cluster was also detected by the scientists. Astronomer Dr Arash Bahramian, from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), Australia, said star clusters are an ancient relic […]

“Climate change” has been named as children’s word of the year by Oxford University Press (OUP). More than 3,000 children aged six to 14 were asked for their word of the year, and the most common responses or themes were “climate change”, “war” and “coronation”. A poll of 1,000 children was then done by market research agency Opinium and the term for ecological change and global warming was chosen by […]

The blockbuster picked up eight gongs Oppenheimer has topped the Critics Choice Awards taking home eight gongs. The Christopher Nolan epic scored the London-born filmmaker a win for best director, alongside best picture and supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr, while star Cillian Murphy was snubbed in the best actor category which went to The Holdovers star Paul Giamatti. The 29th ceremony also saw success for Greta Gerwig’s box office hit […]

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will announce more details in a speech today Britain will send 20,000 service personnel to one of Nato’s largest military exercises since the Cold War, as the alliance practises repelling an invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will announce the deployment of Army, Navy and RAF members to the 31-nation drill across Europe during a speech in London on Monday. He will say […]

The Government is set to launch new measures to ensure satnavs are up to date and do not send drivers down closed roads. As part of its new Plan For Drivers, the measures will include making all Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) digital. TROs are short-term traffic measures, such as temporary speed limits or road closures. Until now, they were not automatically updated on digital systems, meaning they are sometimes missing […]

A record 420,000 patients had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E last year, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has shown. The latest NHS England figures revealed a 20% increase on 2022 in people facing lengthy delays after a decision to admit them to hospital from the emergency department. In 2023, 419,560 people – or one in 15 A&E patients – faced so-called “trolley waits” of 12 hours or […]

Citi has said it is planning to cut about 20,000 jobs over the next two to three years as the bank takes further drastic steps to overhaul the global business. Chief executive Jane Fraser said the company had a “very disappointing” fourth quarter after plunging to a net loss of 1.8 billion US dollars (£1.4 billion). It wants to reduce the size of its 239,000 global workforce as part of […]

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy will lead a virtual bike ride as part of a fundraising campaign for motor neurone disease which has already raised almost half a million pounds in the first two weeks of the year. Sir Chris will lead the 50km cycle on online platform Zwift as part of the Doddie Aid 2024, the flagship fundraising programme for the My Name’5 Doddie foundation. The charity was founded […]

Union leaders have accused the Government of failing to act on the lessons from the Post Office scandal. The TUC said ministers ignored warnings going back years and refused to put in place safeguards to prevent future scandals involving publicly awarded contracts. The union body accused the Government of leaving “huge gaps” in the oversight of such contracts, saying that unions, Labour and the Liberal Democrats had all called for […]

A D-Day veteran who was shot by a tank appeared overcome by emotion as he celebrated his 100th birthday at a surprise party organised by his family. Bill Gladden was 20 years old when he flew into Normandy on a military glider with a tank and six motorbikes on June 6, 1944. He moved to an orchard just outside the French village of Ranville, near the strategically important Pegasus Bridge […]

Journalists will be allowed to report on cases as they unfold, as long as the identities of families are not revealed A pilot scheme to increase transparency in the family court system is set to be expanded to courts across the country. Although reporters have had access to courts dealing with sensitive matters involving children for some time, despite them being closed to the public, reporting has been highly restricted to only what a judge will allow. […]

Stephen Bradshaw claimed her attribution of blame to the Horizon system “would given credence” to the subpostmasters’ campaign for justice. A Post Office investigator challenged lawyers who accepted a subpostmistress’s denial of theft because her attribution of blame to the Horizon system “would given credence” to the subpostmasters’ campaign for justice. In a “self-appraisal” form written by Stephen Bradshaw for the business year 2010/2011, he said his reasons for continuing to trial […]

The militia group have been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea late last year The Royal Air Force has launched targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Rishi Sunak saying the UK will “always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade”. It marks the first time strikes have been launched against the group since it started targeting international shipping in […]

Yorkshire’s board has “agreed to recommend” the loan offer from Colin Graves which is set to see the former chair make a controversial return to the club. The financially-stricken club are in desperate need of cash to ward off the threat of administration. Other options – including a mooted deal with former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley – failed to fully materialise and have left the way clear for Graves […]

Social media users caught in financial scams lost nearly £75 million to fraudsters in the space of a year, figures suggest. Data obtained from Action Fraud under the Freedom of Information Act by the Good Money Guide website showed users of six popular sites made 3,597 reports of scams in 2022. These were: – Facebook with 1,193 reports made and a total £32.6m losses claimed – Instagram with 1,857 reports […]

The 75 year old managed the Three Lions for five years Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and in a “best case” scenario has around a year left to live. Eriksson, who managed England for five years before leaving after the 2006 World Cup, stood down from his most recent role as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad 11 months ago due to […]

A drawing of Queen Victoria and an aircraft navigational system are among the more than 1,700 items that are absent from museums in England. Freedom of information requests by the PA news agency to museums and galleries that receive public funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asked for information on missing items from the last 20 years. This follows the British Museum’s disclosure in August that […]

Aldi has beaten rival Lidl to be named the cheapest supermarket of 2023, according to consumer group Which? Aldi was the cheapest supermarket for 11 months of the year, with Lidl beating the rival discounter for one month in October, the consumer group said. December’s results show a basket of 43 groceries was £74.83 at Aldi, narrowly cheaper than at Lidl where it cost £76.74. Waitrose was almost £20 more […]

That's according to the comedian Adam Kay Comedian Adam Kay was asked if he was pregnant when he asked to go part-time while working as an NHS doctor. Both Kay and fellow comedian Harry Hill said that a “get on with it” culture in the NHS drove them away from their jobs as doctors. While Kay said that he imagines the situation in the NHS has improved since he left […]

It means families with two earners are nearly £1,000 better off The move, announced in last year’s autumn statement, was hailed by the Conservatives but Labour called it a “raw deal” and economists said many households are still facing the burden of high taxes. Ministers have previously said cutting the main rate for employees is a tax cut worth £450 for the average employee on £35,400 in 2024/25. Prime Minister […]

Metropolitan Police detectives are looking at “potential fraud offences” committed during the Horizon IT scandal. More than 700 Post Office branch managers were handed criminal convictions after faulty Fujitsu accounting software made it appear as though money was missing from their outlets. It has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history and a public inquiry into it is ongoing. Scotland Yard said on Friday evening […]

Almost 250 flood warnings remain in place across England and Wales as conditions continue to cause travel problems across large parts of the country. While the Met Office predicts the wet weather has passed, water levels remain high and colder temperatures are predicted for the next few days with the UK Health Security Agency UKHSA) issuing a yellow cold weather alert. The Environment Agency had 244 flood warnings, where flooding […]

A private spacecraft carrying an instrument built by UK scientists is due to make history as it begins its journey to the moon. Built by US space company Astrobiotic, the Peregrine Mission One (PM1) is set to become the first private probe to land on the lunar surface. It is also slated to be one of the first US moon landings since the final mission of the Apollo programme – […]

Hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across parts of England The impact of surface water and river flooding will continue to be “significant” across parts of England following heavy rainfall, experts have warned. A major incident was declared amid widespread flooding in the Midlands on Thursday. Showers will continue into Friday morning, according to forecasters, and are likely to affect parts of south-west and eastern England, Wales and areas in Scotland. Stefan Laeger, […]

An Elvis Presley immersive concert experience is coming to London, with an AI king of rock ‘n’ roll performing on stage. Elvis Evolution will premiere in the capital in November 2024, using AI and holographic projection to bring the star to life from thousands of his personal photos and home-video footage. A life-sized digital Presley will perform in a celebration of his life and musical legacy following a deal between […]

The Prime Minister should come up with an emergency plan to reduce record waiting lists in the NHS, a group of celebrities and NHS workers have said. Millions of people stuck on the waiting lists are “getting sicker while waiting” and the situation is causing them “anxiety and uncertainty, according to presenter Stephen Fry, comedian Jo Brand, former NHS doctor and comedian Adam Kay and poet Michael Rosen. The group […]

An exam board is offering pupils the chance to be assessed digitally in their GCSE English exams from next year. Pearson, which runs exam board Edexcel, is aiming for GCSE students to be able to sit on-screen exams in the core subject by summer 2025, if they choose to do so. Up to 125,000 students in the UK will have the option to take Edexcel’s GCSE English language and English […]

Scientists have uncovered evidence of a new group of extinct predators – dubbed “terror beast” worms – that dominated the oceans more than 500 million years ago. Fossil remains of these worms were uncovered in the sedimentary deposits at the Sirius Passet site in North Greenland. Inside the digestive system of this ancient worm, researchers from the University of Bristol also found evidence of what may have been its final […]

Teenage star Luke Littler is one win away from completing his sensational World Championship dream as he cruised into the final. The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace alight over the last fortnight and is the youngest-ever player to reach the decider of the premier darts tournament. He is now on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, which would rival Emma Raducanu’s US […]

The longest strike in NHS history “couldn’t come at a worse time”, experts said as they warned that elderly patients could put off seeking medical help due to the walkouts. Hospital bosses said the health service is “in the grip of peak winter pressure” as junior doctors in England take to picket lines for six days. NHS Providers said the “unprecedented” action will lead to delays in care for thousands […]

A woman has been injured by a falling tree as gusts of up 94mph hit large parts of the UK. The woman was injured as the high winds and heavy rain during Storm Henk brought on power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption on Tuesday. The Metropolitan Police was called at 3.14pm to reports that a woman had been struck by a tree in Station Approach, Orpington. A force […]

Mohamed Salah registered a 150th Premier League goal for Liverpool after scoring and missing a penalty in his last involvement before the African Cup of Nations as Jurgen Klopp’s side extended their advantage at the top of the table. The Egypt international did eventually end the night well in credit as he also provided the assist for substitute Cody Gakpo’s crucial third and also had a hand in Curtis Jones […]

Luke Littler will aim to move a step closer to World Darts Championship glory on Tuesday night and his path became clearer after tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen crashed out. The 16-year-old has taken Alexandra Palace by storm and became the youngest semi-finalist ever after he beat Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-final. A semi-final against 2018 winner Rob Cross is next up, but he will no longer have to […]

People in some areas are being warned to stay away from their homes because of a risk of further quakes At least 30 people are dead after a series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, with officials warning people in some areas on Tuesday to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes. Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude […]

Labour has pledged to ensure British produce makes up at least half of food in schools, hospitals and prisons as it set out its “new deal” for UK farmers. The party said it would use government buying power to back agricultural businesses as it seeks to woo rural voters before a general election next year. A quota-driven approach across parts of the public sector at home would run alongside Sir […]

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has said she feels “robbed” of 2023 following her cancer diagnosis. The 33-year-old Welsh dancer has had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment throughout this year and is looking forward to being “fit and healthy” in 2024. She also hopes to win the BBC celebrity dance competition’s Glitterball trophy next year. Dowden finished her last bout of chemotherapy in November, she said in an […]

Teenage sensation Luke Littler is daring to dream after he continued his historic World Darts Championship journey to reach the quarter-finals. Teenage sensation Luke Littler is daring to dream after he continued his historic World Darts Championship journey by downing hero Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals. The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace tournament alight on debut and is the youngest player ever to reach the last eight after a stunning 4-1 win. He […]

Two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson has died, his family has announced. The British actor, well known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper, died “suddenly” on Saturday. His death was confirmed in a statement shared by his agent on behalf of his family. The statement read: “It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at […]

The 29-year-old man was found injured and given first aid by paramedics at the scene. Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service to the scene at the Abbey estate near St John’s Wood just after 7.30pm on Friday. A man was taken to hospital but died later that evening. A cordon is in place at the scene near London’s famous Abbey Road while detectives, who have launched a murder […]

It follows an incident in Sheffield on Wednesday A 23-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a “Good Samaritan”, who died after being hit by a car while trying to help a stranger. Father-of-two Chris Marriott, 46, died on Wednesday after he went to the aid of a woman he saw unconscious in the street during a disturbance in the Burngreave area […]

They've been honoured for their work setting up the brain injury charity SameYou. The actress said she still briefly feels as though she is having another brain haemorrhage every time she gets a headache, and described how not being able to speak after surgery made her think “let this end now”. Her first brain haemorrhage, a bleed on the brain, happened while working out in a north London gym in […]

The list for 2024 includes many from the world of entertainment, sport and business. The King has made the Archbishop of Canterbury a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of his prominent role in the coronation. Justin Welby anointed and crowned Charles during the ceremony on May 6 at Westminster Abbey, as the world watched the King fulfil his destiny. Meanwhile, Dame Shirley Bassey says […]

A driver has been caught behind the wheel while disqualified 20 times within four years, an investigation found. The motorist, who has not been publicly identified, was among 37,595 British drivers convicted of the offence during that period, figures obtained by the PA news agency revealed. There were 8,025 repeat offenders, including 123 who were caught more than five times. A senior police officer said the Driver and Vehicle Licensing […]

Drivers are being warned to avoid the “flat battery blues” when they return to work after the festive period. The RAC said it deals with more flat batteries on the first working day of each year than on any other day. This is because many people leave their cars idle for more than a week after stopping work for Christmas, causing batteries to drain. The RAC predicted that around 28% […]

Carol Kirkwood has said she feels “no pressure whatsoever” about her appearance. The Scottish BBC weather presenter, 61, said one benefit of getting older is that you care so much less about what others think. She told Prima magazine: “I feel no pressure whatsoever about how I look. “I’m just into my 60s, but I think the positive is that you care less about what people think of you. “You […]

Allowing more criminals to serve sentences out of jail would help cut crime and ease pressure on prisons, according to a Lords committee. As prisons reach “crisis point” amid overcrowding, the group of peers called on the Government to make better use of community sentences after the number handed down over the last decade “dropped dramatically”. In a report published on Thursday, the Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee set […]

Writing on social media, Grealish said “Not once did I say ole” Manchester City’s Jack Grealish has denied being disrespectful towards Fluminense during Friday’s Club World Cup final victory. Tempers briefly flared after the final whistle as City captain Kyle Walker and Fluminense defender Felipe Melo grappled in a heated argument. Melo subsequently blamed Grealish for stoking tensions, claiming the City winger had shouted ‘ole’. Melo appeared to feel the England star was mocking Fluminense […]

Justin Welby is apparently due to be admitted to the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) for his “personal service” to the Crown The King is set to knight the Archbishop of Canterbury in the upcoming New Year Honours list, according to reports. The Daily Mail newspaper said Justin Welby will be admitted to the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) for his “personal service” to the Crown. Awards under the RVO are in the King’s gift and are […]

It follows an incident in Leeds on Wednesday A woman has been charged with murdering her five-month-old baby daughter who was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital from a park. West Yorkshire Police said Hayley Macfarlane, 39, from Barnsley, is due to face magistrates in Leeds on Saturday. She has been charged with the murder of daughter Evelyn after an incident at Woodhouse Moor park in Leeds, the force […]

The 16 year old has booked his place in the third round Teenager Luke Littler continued his dream PDC World Championship debut by defeating Andrew Gilding to reach the third round. The 16-year-old was the toast of Alexandra Palace after beating Christian Kist on Wednesday and he was at it again 24 hours later with a 3-1 success against 20th seed Gilding. The UK Open champion is 37 years older […]

Princess Anne says the late Queen felt it would be 'difficult' if she died at Balmoral Queen Elizabeth II felt it would be “difficult” if she died at Balmoral but was persuaded to step back from the “decision making process,” the Princess Royal has told a documentary. Anne reveals the late Queen’s thinking during her last days in an interview for the BBC film, and says about the accession of her brother the […]

The 17 year old, who was missing for six years, has spoken out for the first time since he was found Alex Batty has revealed he decided to return to the UK for a better future, having realised his mother was “a great person but not a great mum”. Interviewed for the first time, the 17-year-old said he realised he could no longer live with his “anti-government, anti-vax” mother after an argument. […]

A train operator has “strongly” urged its customers not to travel on services to and from Edinburgh before mid-afternoon, as Storm Pia is expected to cause significant disruption. Issuing “do not travel” advice, TransPennine Express (TPE) asked customers to delay their journeys in and out of the Scottish capital until after 3pm, as parts of the UK brace for high winds. A yellow weather warning for wind came into effect […]

Laurence Fox’s “misogynistic comments” about female journalist Ava Evans, in which he asked “who would want to shag that?”, was the most complained-about TV event of the year, Ofcom has revealed. The remarks made by actor-turned-politician Fox about political correspondent Ms Evans during an episode of GB News’ Dan Wootton Tonight on September 26 received 8,867 complaints. Fox and presenter Wootton, who both later apologised, were suspended by the channel […]

The Premier League and other sports governing bodies should cut the “bombardment” of gambling ads in stadiums to minimise children’s exposure to them, MPs have said. The cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee welcomed the forthcoming voluntary withdrawal of gambling sponsorship from the front of Premier League players’ shirts, but warned that the move would not significantly reduce the volume of betting ads visible during a game. The committee said the Government should take […]

An advert for Rimmel London has been banned for “playing on young girls’ insecurities about their appearance” by implying it is necessary to wear make-up to school to succeed. The Facebook ad, seen on September 9, read: “Get ready to slay this back-to-school season. Get 25% off Multi-Tasker Concealer and other Rimmel faves…” The post included a video of 25-year-old influencer Lana Jenkins applying make-up, with further text underneath reading: […]

Nottingham Forest have appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach. The Portuguese has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the City Ground following Tuesday’s sacking of Steve Cooper. Nuno, who will take charge of Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth, returns to English football following a two-year absence when he left Tottenham after an ill-fated four-month stay. He has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad in […]

Patients have been warned that there will be “significant disruption” to NHS services as junior doctors in England have gone out on strike during one of the busiest periods of the year. Doctors in training – which make up around half of the medical workforce in the NHS – began their 72-hour strike at 7am on December 20. NHS leaders have expressed “disappointment” that talks between the British Medical Association […]

The Housing Secretary is expected to announce he will take on council planning departments that “drag their feet” when it comes to processing housing applications. Michael Gove, in a speech in central London on Tuesday, is set to say that he will call out local authorities where planning performance has been poor. He is expected to pledge to intervene if there have been delays to house building as a result […]

Scientists have found carrots can help us to avoid cancer and other traditional elements of the Christmas dinner have health benefits. A study at Newcastle University found five servings of the vegetable per week was linked to a 20% reduction in developing all types of cancer. The findings, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, showed eating just one serving per week still gives a significant reduction, with […]

At least 111 people were killed in a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in a cold and mountainous region in north-western China, the country’s state media reported. Search and rescue operations were underway in Gansu province and the neighbouring Qinghai province on Tuesday. The earthquake left more than 230 people injured, damaged houses and roads, and knocked out power and communication lines, according to the media reports. State broadcaster CCTV said that […]

Actor Christopher Eccleston has described playing Scrooge in a stage play in London as the “role of a lifetime”. In an interview with the Big Issue magazine, which is published on Monday, he said Scrooge addresses the “monster side” of everyone. Eccleston, who is a Big Issue ambassador to show his support for the organisation, said Christmas was a difficult time for many people, highlighting the millions of people who […]

Live coverage of England’s home Test cricket matches would be protected for free-to-air TV under a proposed law change put forward in Parliament. Six Nations rugby matches involving home countries would be given the same status by the Bill submitted by Labour former minister John Spellar. Ofcom’s rules require that full coverage of certain major sporting events is offered to free-to-air broadcasters if they are in the regulator’s “group A” […]

The Prime Minister is to address military personnel in Scotland as he pays tribute to Army, Navy and RAF servicemen and women who are giving up time with their families over the festive period to be on duty. Rishi Sunak will sit for a cup of tea with personnel on Monday and hear stories of their work over the last year to support the security of people in Scotland and […]

The Queen raised a laugh from family and friends when she showed her “relief” after returning to Buckingham Palace following the King’s coronation. Camilla was filmed blowing out her cheeks by a BBC documentary crew after arriving with Charles to a rapturous welcome from members of the royal household, who applaud and cheered following their crowning at Westminster Abbey. The Princess Royal, interviewed for Charles III: The Coronation Year, said: […]

The countdown to the next general election has reached a symbolic moment, with exactly a year to go until the current session of Parliament must end. December 17 2024 is the latest possible date by law for proceedings in Westminster to finish, ahead of the country going to the polls. If a general election has not already been called by this date, Parliament will be dissolved automatically and an election […]

Sir Kenny Dalglish will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023. Dalglish, who scored 167 times in 320 appearances, lifting nine trophies for Celtic before he moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee at the time of £440,000, will be handed the award on Tuesday. Dalglish would go on to become a Liverpool great and helped the club retain the […]

Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams and Ellie Leach are the youngest final line-up ever Ellie Leach, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier are set to battle it out on the dancefloor in a bid to be crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2023. The actors will each perform three routines with their professional partners during the grand finale of the BBC dance competition on Saturday night. Former Coronation Street star Leach, 22, is […]

A litre of unleaded petrol now costs 142.57p on average at the pumps Petrol prices are at their lowest in more two years, the RAC has said. A litre of unleaded petrol now costs 142.57p on average at the pumps, a price not seen since the end of October 2021. It is around 10p a litre cheaper than in the run-up to last Christmas, but diesel prices have not fallen. […]

The broadcaster is blaming 'inflation and funding challenges' The BBC says it has benched long-running quiz show A Question Of Sport, ending a more than 50-year run on the national broadcaster. A BBC spokesman said: “Due to inflation and funding challenges, difficult decisions have to be made, therefore Question of Sport is currently not in production at the moment.” The national broadcaster cited “value for money” for BBC licence fee payers, which has seen the network reshuffle […]

The Duke of Sussex has been awarded £140,600 after bringing a phone hacking claim against a tabloid newspaper publisher at the High Court. Mr Justice Fancourt concluded there was “extensive” phone hacking generally by Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) from 2006 to 2011, “even to some extent” during the Leveson Inquiry into media standards. The judge also ruled that the Duke’s phone was probably hacked “to a modest extent” by the […]

Rebecca Welch will make history as the first woman to referee a Premier League match later this month, while on Boxing Day Sam Allison will become the first black man to officiate a top-flight game in 15 years. The 40-year-old Welch will take charge of the Fulham v Burnley match on December 23, while Allison will be the man in the middle for Sheffield United’s home game against Luton three days later. Uriah Rennie […]

Police are concentrating their search efforts on the River Wensum in Norwich Detectives are continuing the search for mother of three Gaynor Lord as her family mark a week since her disappearance. Officers said there is a “high probability” that Ms Lord went into the River Wensum in Norwich, where a huge search is being conducted by specialist divers. Police said they have not been able to establish her state of mind when she went […]

Levels of homelessness in England this Christmas are likely to be 14% higher than last year, according to analysis by Shelter, which blamed a housing emergency it said is out of control. The charity estimated that on any given night in 2023 there were 309,550 people in some form of homelessness, the majority of whom were in temporary accommodation. This is up from its estimate of 271,421 in its 2022 […]

The UK Government is going to miss its 2030 decarbonisation targets without “an immediate step change” in policy, the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) has said. A lack of consistent messaging, U-turns and watered down targets mean the Government has to “close the gap” within the next five years. The UK is committed under the Paris Agreement to lower its emissions by 68% compared to 1990 levels by the end […]

A downward trend in house sales and new home buyer inquiries appears to be easing, according to surveyors. A net balance of 14% of property professionals reported new buyer inquiries falling rather than rising in November, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said. While this signals that buyer demand is continuing to fall, it is the least negative figure since April 2022. Across the UK, feedback is mixed regarding […]

Manchester United’s European campaign is over after Kingsley Coman fired already-qualified Bayern Munich to a victory that meant Erik ten Hag’s men finished bottom of their Champions League group. A wild, error-strewn continental group stage left the Red Devils’ last-16 hopes hanging by a thread, with progress only possible if they beat the German champions at Old Trafford and Copenhagen and Galatasaray drew. But the Danes’ victory and Coman’s finish […]

The size of the UK economy contracted in October as the manufacturing and construction sectors were hit by poor weather. Gross domestic product (GDP) is thought to have fallen 0.3% during the month, down from 0.2% growth in September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. It came as all three of the main sectors that the ONS tracks fell into negative territory for the first time since July. Economists had expected […]

Around eight million eligible households across the UK will receive a £299 cost-of-living payment in February, the Government has announced. The payment will be made to people on eligible means-tested benefits between February 6 and 22 and is part of a wider support package for households. It is one of three means-tested cost-of-living payments being made over 2023/24, worth up to £900 in total. The £299 payment in February 2024 […]

Jennifer Aniston said she texted Matthew Perry on the morning of his death and he was happy, healthy, and “not in pain”. The actress, who played Rachel Green opposite Perry as sarcastic and witty Chandler Bing in US sitcom Friends, said that Perry was “getting in shape” before his death at the age of 54 on October 28. “He was happy. He was healthy. He had quit smoking,” Aniston told […]

Pay growth has eased back at the fastest pace for two years, while vacancies dropped further in the longest run of declines on record, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said private sector regular earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 7.3% in the three months to October, down from 7.8% in the previous three months. This was the steepest fall in earnings growth since the three months […]

Domestic football in Turkey has been suspended indefinitely after one of the country’s top referees was punched to the ground by a club president following a Super Lig match on Monday. Halil Umut Meler was approached on the pitch and hit by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, sparking chaotic scenes as players and officials joined the melee or tried to intervene. Meler had sent off one player from each side, […]

The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett has said the new series is “the best” yet and that he is viewing it “in an entirely different way” following the birth of his child. The ITV1 reality singing competition will return to screens this month with TV presenter Davina McCall, singer Rita Ora, chat show host Jonathan Ross and comedian Mo Gilligan in the detective chairs. On the programme, contestants are disguised […]

The value of UK drinks exports increased by more than £1 billion in the past year, new research suggests. The total jumped from £8.3 billion in 2021/22 to £9.4 billion in the 12 months to July this year, said business advisers Hazlewoods. Spirits are playing a key role in rising drinks exports, with continued demand for whisky from traditional markets in EU countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Poland, as […]

The UK’s tax level across the economy has increased to its highest rate on record, according to new data from the OECD. It came as separate figures showed the UK also now faces the highest level of property taxes across the developed world. The OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) annual revenues statistics update found the total tax-to-GDP ratio across the UK hit 35.3% for the 2022/23 financial year […]

Ellie Leach said she has surprised herself by how much her confidence has grown since joining Strictly Come Dancing three months ago. The former Coronation Street star, 22, agreed she is a “completely different person” at the semi-final stage of the BBC competition, compared with when it began in September after being paired with professional Vito Coppola. “I think that I didn’t realise how much of a personal journey I […]

Sir Keir Starmer will argue that the Conservatives have shredded their ability to govern the nation as their warring factions are “fighting like rats in a sack”. The Labour leader will use a speech on Tuesday to vow that his “fundamentally changed” party is ready to rule and that he “won’t let the Tories take the country down with them”. He will claim that it is Labour that “shares Britain’s […]

The King and Queen have chosen a coronation day photograph taken at Buckingham Palace for their Christmas card this year. The formal image, showing Charles and Camilla in the palace throne room following the coronation, contrasts with the relaxed family group photo selected by the Prince and Princess of Wales. The monochrome image chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales shows the family, all wearing plain shirts, arranged around […]

The details have emerged in court documents Queen Elizabeth II wanted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to continue to have “effective security” after they quit as working royals, court documents have revealed. The details emerged in the legal judgment given in Harry’s High Court libel case against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) on Friday. The duke is suing ANL over a February 2022 article about his legal challenge against the Home Office following a decision to change […]

It means the final four are Sam Thompson, Tony Bellew, Nigel Farage, and Josie Gibson Marvin Humes has left I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! after receiving the fewest public votes. The JLS singer was eliminated from the ITV reality show – leaving just Sam Thompson, Tony Bellew, Nigel Farage, and Josie Gibson in the Australian jungle who will be taking part in the infamous celebrity cyclone. Humes said the experience was […]

Friday night's vote at the Security Council saw the US use it's veto to block the proposal Britain chose to abstain on a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza that was only blocked by the US. Thirteen of the 15-member security council voted in favour, but the action was blocked because of Washington’s veto on Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza as he […]

Boris Johnson has denied claims that he used the phrase “let the bodies pile high” during the Covid-19 pandemic. The former prime minister dismissed as “absurd” the claim by former top aide Dominic Cummings in his 233-page witness statement to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry published after he had given verbal evidence on Thursday. He told Lady Hallett’s probe: “I am accused — by the usual sources — of saying that […]

One in four people are likely to give a second-hand gift to relatives or friends this Christmas, new research suggests. A survey of 2,000 adults by Royal Mail found that half said they would be happy to receive a second-hand or regifted present, with only one in four taking umbrage. Most of the one in four respondents who plan to give second-hand gifts said they would tell the recipient, with […]

Rishi Sunak is facing fresh pressure over his beleaguered Rwanda policy after it emerged the cost of the scheme has already reached £240 million, despite it never being used. The Government spent a further £100 million in the 2023-24 financial year while flights remained grounded amid a series of legal setbacks, on top of the £140 million previously paid out. According to a letter from the Home Office to committee chairs, ministers […]

An inquest into the death of a headteacher who is thought to have killed herself following an Ofsted inspection is to conclude. Ruth Perry’s family say she took her own life after a report from the watchdog downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns. Her sister, Professor Julia Waters, previously said Ms Perry had experienced the “worst day of her […]

Police in Las Vegas killed a gunman on Wednesday at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) after a person opened fire on campus, killing three and critically wounding a fourth. The identities of the gunman, those killed, and those injured have not been made public. Initial reports came in at 11.45am local time of shots being fired, which saw both local and campus police descend on the university as […]

Campaigners are staging a blockade at a defence company’s shipyard in Glasgow in protest over its ties to Israel as they call for a ceasefire. The blockade at the entrances to the BAE Systems site in Govan in Glasgow has been organised by a local group in co-ordination with Workers for a Free Palestine. They are urging BAE to end their ties with Israel and cease all weapons, defence and […]

A woman has died and two people, one a teenager, have been left injured following a shooting in east London, the Metropolitan Police said. Three people were found with gunshot wounds after police were called at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to reports of a shooting in Vine Close, Hackney. A 42-year-old woman died at the scene and two others – a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy – were taken to hospital […]

Boris Johnson will face the first of two days of questioning over his handling of the pandemic when he appears before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. It comes after the former prime minister denied deleting WhatsApp messages after it emerged he had not been able to provide the inquiry with any communications from February to June 2020. The highly anticipated appearance by Mr Johnson is expected to see him admit that […]

Rishi Sunak is under pressure from all wings of his party as Tory MPs await the promised Rwanda legislation set to accompany the newly signed treaty with Kigali. Designed to designate Rwanda a safe destination and address the concerns that saw the Supreme Court deem the Government’s flagship asylum policy unlawful, the Bill could be published in a matter of days. But its likely contents have already divided Tory MPs, with fears […]

Home Secretary James Cleverly has arrived in Rwanda to sign a new treaty to help revive the Government’s stalled asylum deal. Mr Cleverly travelled to Kigali as Rishi Sunak bids to make the plan to send migrants to the African nation legally watertight after the Supreme Court’s ruling against the policy. Domestic legislation, which will be rushed through Parliament to assert Rwanda is a safe destination for asylum seekers who […]

The Environment Agency has issued more than 60 flood warnings across England as heavy rain replaced snow as the nation’s major weather concern. At 6am on Tuesday, 69 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – were in place, mainly in Dorset, Somerset and across the Midlands. There were a further 182 flood alerts, where flooding is considered possible. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for the north […]

A British teenager has been killed in Gaza while fighting for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the Israeli army said. Binyamin Needham, 19, died on Sunday and was promoted to the rank of sergeant after his death, the IDF said. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Mr Needham was born in England and moved to Israel when he was eight years old, with his parents and five siblings. The outlet quoted his sister, Orly, […]

The fund will help 54 local authorities provide care for vulnerable people outside of hospital, but critics say it is a “sticking plaster” Councils across England will receive a £40 million cash boost to provide social care and free up hospital beds this winter, the Government has announced. The fund will help 54 local authorities provide care for vulnerable people outside of hospital, but critics say it is a “sticking […]

The Bahamas-flagged 'Unity Explorer', owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted A British-owned ship has been hit by a missile in the Red Sea as part of an assault by Iranian-backed rebels, the US military said. The Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer, owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted in the drone and missile assault on Sunday. US military Central Command said the Unity […]

Police officers seized more than £4.5 million worth of drugs in Scotland over a period of three months earlier this year, according to a new report. The figure was contained in Police Scotland’s latest performance report covering the second quarter of 2023/24 detailing drug discoveries between July and September. It said activity over the period included two men being arrested and charged after a pill press and nearly one million […]

Strikes by train drivers will continue on Sunday, leading to the cancellation of services, with more disruption set to hit passengers for the rest of the week. Members of the drivers’ union Aslef are staging a series of walkouts in the coming days in a long-running dispute over pay. They are also banning overtime until next weekend which will lead to disruption and cancellations. Drivers on East Midlands Trains and […]

Cumbria Police has urged people not to travel to the county on Sunday after it declared a major incident because of heavy snowfall on the county’s roads. The force said a multi-agency response was ongoing on Saturday evening to “minimise the challenges that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s road network”. It has urged people not to travel to the county on Sunday unless necessary, adding that […]

Leaders of developing nations have used the second day of the UN climate summit to press rich industrial countries to share their knowhow to fight global warming and ease the financial burdens they face. The annual United Nations Conference of the Parties, known as Cop28, in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates featured about 150 presidents, prime ministers, royals and other leaders who are presenting plans to cut heat-trapping emissions and […]

Flights have been suspended after UK temperatures dropped to minus 10C in some places overnight. Scattered weather warnings are in place across the country and Glasgow Airport said it had suspended all flights temporarily because of “heavier than forecast snow”. “Flight operations are currently suspended due to heavier than forecast snow,” the airport said on X, formerly Twitter, shortly before 7.30am on Saturday. “Our winter teams have been working through […]

Charles will tell leaders and climate delegates that the “hope of the world” rests on decisions taken at the international summit The King is expected to say that he hopes Cop28 will be a “critical turning point towards genuine transformational action” in a speech to world leaders at the climate summit on Friday. Charles will be giving an opening address where he is expected to tell leaders and climate delegates […]

No areas of it's policing are currently inadequate, according to HMICFRS England’s third biggest police force has “significantly improved” its performance but still needs to do better at managing offenders, said the police inspectorate. In its report, published on Friday, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) judged that no areas of policing by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are currently inadequate. Stephen Watson replaced Ian Hopkins […]

Booking systems will close on 15th December The NHS is urging anyone still eligible for Covid and flu vaccines to book an appointment and get potentially lifesaving protection ahead of Christmas. Booking systems will close from December 15, making December 14 the last day to make a booking, with hundreds of thousands of appointments still available each week across England. Vaccination is the best way for people to ensure they […]

Members of Aslef at 16 train operating companies will refuse to work overtime from today, and begin a series of strikes tomorrow Rail passengers are being warned to expect disruption over the next week because of strikes and an overtime ban by train drivers in their long-running dispute over pay. Members of Aslef at 16 train operating companies will refuse to work overtime from Friday until December 9 and will […]

Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger has been described as “one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs” following his death at the age of 100. Mr Kissinger, who served under former presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, died at his home in Connecticut, his consultancy firm said. The diplomat played a key role in foreign policy in the United States during the Cold War and […]

Matt Hancock is expected to contest accusations made about his performance as health secretary during the pandemic as he appears before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The ex-minister’s evidence is expected to take up the whole of Thursday’s sitting hours following repeated criticism made against him by a number of other witnesses. The former Tory MP, who now sits as an independent after losing the party whip for appearing on ITV’s […]

Henry Kissinger, the US secretary of state who dominated foreign policy under former presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, has died aged 100, his consulting firm Kissinger Associates said. The firm said in a statement Mr Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut and is survived by his wife Nancy, two children, David and Elizabeth and his five grandchildren. Mr Kissinger was born in southern Germany in 1923 before he […]

Halfords has cautioned over a slowdown in sales growth as demand for big-ticket products weakened in recent months. It came as the motoring and cycling retailer revealed a rise in sales and profits for the past half year in an otherwise positive update to shareholders. However, the company said on Wednesday it has seen “volatile” trading patterns so far this financial year amid uncertainty in the wider economy. “In the […]

Hamas released 12 hostages and Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, the fifth day of a fragile ceasefire that has enabled humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and that mediators hope to extend even as Israel pledges to resume the war. Israel said 10 of its citizens and two Thai nationals freed by Hamas returned to Israel. Soon after, Israel released the Palestinian prisoners. The truce is due to […]

Phil Foden created two and scored another as holders Manchester City came from 2-0 down to preserve their unbeaten Champions League run with a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig. Erling Haaland also broke another record as City produced an emphatic response to Lois Openda’s first-half double at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Substitute Julian Alvarez came off the bench to wrap up the fightback and secure top spot in Group […]

House sellers are accepting discounts of £18,000 on average in order to agree a deal with buyers, according to a property website. Zoopla, which released the figures, said they are further evidence of a strong buyers’ market, as higher mortgage rates hit demand and more supply boosts buyers’ choice and negotiating power. The typical 5.5% discount-to-asking price for achieved for UK property sales is at a five-year high, Zoopla said. […]

NatWest customers will be given opportunities to play a family-friendly board game in branches, which could help educate people about scams and break taboos around family finances. The All Mod Cons game will be available to play in selected branches from December 1. It was created by a team of game developers in partnership with the bank’s fraud team. Players need to work their way around a board, dodging scams […]

Shop price inflation has eased for the sixth month in a row as retailers compete fiercely for customers ahead of Christmas, figures show. Shop prices were 4.3% higher than last November, down from October’s 5.2% and the lowest inflation since last June, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-NielsenIQ Shop Price Index. Food inflation overall slowed to 7.8% from October’s 8.8%, the seventh consecutive drop and its lowest rate since […]

Long-awaited legislation that would ban the creation of new leasehold houses in England and Wales will be introduced to Parliament later. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will mark its first step on the path to become legislation, hailed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove as a “landmark moment for millions”. Other than in exceptional circumstances, new houses in England and Wales will be freehold from the outset, under the planned […]

A scheme introduced to enhance access to general practice by bringing in staff such as pharmacists and physician associates could be driving down GP vacancies, a new survey suggests. Some 44% of family doctors told GP publication Pulse they had seen a reduction in the number of vacancies advertised in the last year, with 23% noting a reduction in the last six months. The 612 respondents reported 619 vacancies in […]

Five-time gold medal winner Laura Kenny is targeting her fourth Olympics next year after the birth of her second child this summer. Kenny, who has topped the podium in London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, has her eyes set on Paris as she is keen to prove motherhood is no reason to end her career after the arrival of their second son Monty in July. “I obviously want to compete […]

The 29 year old has defended a pole-based routine on last week's show following criticism from former Strictly professionals Layton Williams has said he is living his best life by “pushing the boundaries” on Strictly Come Dancing. The West End and Bad Education star, 29, was asked about criticism from former Strictly professionals Brendan Cole and James Jordan over a pole-based routine on last week’s episode of the BBC One […]

The Business Secretary says car makers, aerospace companies and clean energy firms are set to benefit A multibillion-pound funding package for key manufacturing sectors will drive growth and boost investment in the UK, ministers have said. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the UK would not be drawn into a “distortive subsidy battle” as the Government set out its plan to boost key sectors and nurture a “globally competitive” battery supply chain over the […]

Lord George Robertson said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be emboldened if foreign governments stop providing weaponry The world’s attention must “stay on Ukraine” as the Russian invasion continues, a former Nato secretary-general has warned. Lord George Robertson said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be emboldened to extend the attacks beyond Ukraine if foreign governments stop providing weaponry. It comes amid a four-day pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the […]

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remains under pressure to revive the policy after this month’s Supreme Court defeat The flagship Rwanda asylum plan is not the “be all and end all” of Government efforts to tackle illegal migration, the Home Secretary has said. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remains under pressure to revive the policy after this month’s Supreme Court defeat, with some Tory MPs also angered by latest data on legal […]

The 2024 Brit Awards will see the number of nominees for British and international artist of the year increase from five to 10. This year’s award ceremony sparked criticism over a lack of female representation in the gender-neutral British artist category, with the prize going to Harry Styles. The international artist of the year category saw Beyonce triumph over Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Burna Boy and Kendrick Lamar. The design of […]

HMV is to swing open the doors of its historic Oxford Street store after a four-year absence, with the retailer’s boss saying it is a “great moment” in the chain’s recovery. The entertainment chain will host a raft of bands with live performances on Friday, when it welcomes customers to the shop it first opened in 1921. Owner Doug Putman said he hopes the shop can have “crowds which will […]

Novak Djokovic told rowdy British fans to “shut up” after leading Serbia to a 2-0 victory in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga. The world number one showed his annoyance with a section of the 5,000-strong British support by cupping his ear and blowing ironic kisses at the end of the first set of his 6-4 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie. When the same group of fans began drumming during […]

Girls Aloud will reunite for a 2024 arena tour in memory of their late bandmate Sarah Harding. The band announced the tour with a video which saw Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh reunite at a drive-in cinema where clips of the band performing their hit tracks including Sound Of The Underground, Love Machine, Call The Shots and Biology were played. The tour will be a “celebration of […]

Stephen Kenny is confident he leaves behind a “great job” for someone else after his contract as Republic of Ireland manager was not renewed. Kenny’s side finished fourth in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, winning just two of eight matches, and after Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand the Football Association of Ireland made the swift announcement it would not be extending his stay. The 52-year-old’s three-and-a-half-year reign brought […]

The economy is “back on track”, Jeremy Hunt will declare as he starts cutting taxes and pushes for business growth ahead of next year’s election. The Chancellor will reportedly use his autumn statement to reduce headline rates of national insurance and make permanent a £10 billion-a-year tax break for companies that invest in new machinery and equipment. His deputy Laura Trott had already indicated that individuals would benefit from a […]

The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover has had a seasonal makeover, transforming the Fab Four into an official Christmas Jumper. The festive knitwear comes after the success of the group’s final song titled Now And Then – which recently topped the official UK singles chart for the first time in 54 years. The limited edition jumper features John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr and George Harrison each wearing […]

A third of British employees have admitted to working in their pyjamas, a survey has found. Employment firm Indeed surveyed over 1,000 employees and 500 employers in the UK, discovering 33% of workers wear pyjamas during shift hours. Employees don nightwear 46 working days a year on average, with one in 12 wearing pyjamas every day. Nearly half of the bosses surveyed said staff have become too casual since the […]

The company that manages the licence fee for the BBC and runs recruitment for the Army has said it might slash up to 900 jobs in a bid to save costs. Outsourcing giant Capita said it would shortly launch consultations as it looks to save around £60 million per year from the early part of 2024. The business said that the cuts would mainly hit “indirect support function and overhead […]

Plans for a huge Las Vegas-style entertainment venue in east London have been rejected. The 21,000-capacity, 300ft-tall MSG sphere in Stratford would be illuminated on the outside and have the highest resolution LED screen on Earth and immersive sound systems to host concerts, shows and sporting events. However, the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) planning application to the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was rejected by Sadiq Khan on Monday. […]

Parents of a three-year-old waiting for a multi-organ transplant have created a campaign to place 230 dolls in children’s hospitals around the country, representing more than 230 UK children awaiting organ donation. The handmade dolls, which have been tailored to look like each child, will wear a badge inviting passers-by to scan a QR code so they can listen to audio recordings of real children telling their stories of needing […]

She'll sit alongside regular presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary Sarah, Duchess of York will co-host This Morning on Monday alongside presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary. Cat Deeley earlier this week stepped in to co-present three shows as ITV looks to replace former host Holly Willoughby, who announced her departure from the programme last month. The duchess, 64, affectionately known as Fergie, has enjoyed previous visits to the This Morning studio and is guest editor, as well […]

Sir Patrick Vallance – one of the Government’s most senior advisers during the Covid pandemic – is to give evidence to the UK’s public inquiry. The former chief scientific adviser is scheduled to speak all day on Monday, followed by England’s chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty on Tuesday and his former deputy, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, on Wednesday. Sir Patrick’s diaries from the pandemic have been in the spotlight during […]

A manhunt was launched on Sunday night, but police say the suspect is now in custody Police have arrested a man after a woman died in the Ravensthorpe area of Dewsbury in West Yorkshire on Sunday. West Yorkshire Police confirmed a man had been taken into custody following a search for the suspect. Officers were called to a property at 6.43pm where the “woman was found seriously injured, who has […]

Households closest to new pylons and electricity substations could receive up to £10,000 off their bills over a decade under plans being announced by Jeremy Hunt. The Chancellor will detail the bid to reduce the delays to projects because of planning objections in his autumn statement on Wednesday. The move will come alongside plans to halve the time it takes to deliver new electricity networks to seven years, and a […]

Schools should tell parents what their child is being taught about “toxic masculinity” and they should assess the impact of such lessons on boys, a group of MPs has said. A “boy-positive school environment” is needed to help close the gender attainment gap, according to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Issues Affecting Men and Boys. A report by the APPG said “toxic masculinity” lessons and initiatives could lead to […]

Nottingham Panthers players returned to the ice on Saturday evening for the Adam Johnson Memorial Game at the Motorpoint Arena, where further tributes were paid to their former team-mate. American Johnson, 29, died in hospital on October 28 after being hit in the neck by an opposition player’s skate during the Panthers’ away Challenge Cup match against Sheffield Steelers. A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and been […]

Two trucks of fuel will be allowed into the territory daily The United Nations was forced to stop deliveries of food and other necessities to Gaza on Friday and warned of the growing possibility of widespread starvation after internet and telephone services collapsed in the besieged enclave because of a lack of fuel. Israel announced that it will allow two tanker trucks of fuel daily into Gaza for the UN and communications systems. The […]

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