News

The average annual cost of a nursery place for children under two has risen by nearly £1,500 in five years, putting a strain on working families, Labour has claimed. The average annual cost of a nursery place for children under two has risen by nearly £1,500 in five years, putting a strain on working families, Labour has claimed. New analysis by the party also suggests that for primary school children, […]

Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban has announced a ban on poppy production, even as farmers across the country begin harvesting the flower that produces the opium used to make heroin. Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban has announced a ban on poppy production, even as farmers across the country begin harvesting the flower that produces the opium used to make heroin. The order warns farmers that their crops will be burned and they can be […]

Boris Johnson has condemned Russia’s “despicable attacks” against Ukrainian civilians in Irpin and Bucha, adding that “we will not rest until justice is served”. Boris Johnson has condemned Russia’s “despicable attacks” against Ukrainian civilians in Irpin and Bucha, adding that “we will not rest until justice is served”. The Prime Minister said “no denial or disinformation from the Kremlin” can conceal that President Vladimir Putin is “desperate” and “his invasion […]

Dover has been plunged into traffic chaos, with gridlocked roads near the port caused by disruption to cross-Channel ferries and bad weathe The suspension of P&O services, with three of the company’s vessels at berth in Dover, has been partly blamed for long queues in the area. Adverse weather in the Channel and congestion caused by tourists travelling to Kent for an Easter getaway are also said to be contributing […]

Liang Wenbo has been suspended from the World Snooker Tour pending the outcome of an investigation into an alleged breach of the sport’s misconduct rules. The world number 33 was fined a total of £1,380 and given a 12-month community order at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Friday for what the Crown Prosecution Service called a “domestic-related assault”. Snooker’s world governing body, the WPBSA, determined that Liang has a case to […]

England captain Heather Knight has told her team-mates that World Cup success is “written” for them ahead of their final clash with Australia on Sunday, according to spinner Charlie Dean. Knight’s team opened the tournament – and their title defence – with three consecutive losses, but a fifth straight victory saw them reach a second successive final. Having been on the brink of exiting the tournament, England fought back in […]

Criminal and civil investigations have been launched into the decision by P&O Ferries to sack nearly 800 workers. The company was widely criticised for making the seafarers redundant without notice on March 17. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the Insolvency Service has started “formal criminal and civil investigations”. The Insolvency Service said: “Following its inquiries, the Insolvency Service has commenced formal criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the […]

Gary Ballance is poised to miss the start of Yorkshire’s county campaign as he prioritises his mental health, according to the club’s interim managing director of cricket Darren Gough. Ballance, who featured in 23 Tests for England between 2014 and 2017, came under enormous scrutiny last November as he confessed to using racist language towards former Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq. While Ballance was suspended indefinitely from England selection as part […]

The first fines issued by police investigating Whitehall parties held during lockdown have reportedly started arriving. The fixed penalty notices are thought to relate to one of the earliest events under investigation – a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020 to mark the departure of a private secretary. The £50 fines are said to have been delivered by email and issued to junior civil servants. […]