News

Max Verstappen has cancelled his media commitments at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because of a stomach illness. The double world champion, who dominated Formula One’s season-opening race in Bahrain a fortnight ago, said he has been battling with the bug this week. However, he expects to be in his Red Bull for practice in Jeddah on Friday. “Feeling fine again, after not being fit for a few days because […]

Jeremy Hunt says the measures he's announced will ease labour shortages which have been holding back growth Jeremy Hunt has defended his Budget plan to get people back to work amid accusations he is handing a massive £1 billion tax giveaway to the some of the wealthiest people in the country. The Chancellor said the measures he set out in the Commons on Wednesday will have a “transformational” impact on the economy, […]

Britain was once 7th in the world, now it's 29th The UK is slipping down the global ranks when it comes life expectancy, according to new analysis Researchers found that 70 years ago people in the UK had one of the longest life expectancies ratings in the world, ranking seventh globally behind countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In 2021, the UK was ranked 29th, according to the new analysis, which has been published […]

A major expansion of free childcare and an extension in support for household energy costs will help ease the cost of living as Jeremy Hunt sets out a “Budget for growth”. The Chancellor confirmed that the energy price guarantee, which caps average household bills at £2,500, will be extended at its current level from April to June. It had been due to rise to £3,000 in April and the cost […]

More than 300 academic experts in migration have signed a joint letter to the Government to object to the UK’s Illegal Immigration Bill, arguing the policy is not “evidence based, workable, or legal under human rights law”. The scholars, from mostly British universities, warned the Bill will not stop small boats crossing the Channel, but would, however, increase “the chance of death” as people were funnelled into more dangerous journeys. […]

The cost of a mortgage on a first home is typically around £42 per month cheaper than renting, but the difference has reduced and in some parts of the UK renting may be the less expensive option, analysis suggests. First-time buyers could typically pay around £971 per month for a three-bedroom home, while renters would potentially be forking out around £1,013, according to calculations by Halifax. The difference of around […]

The first stamps featuring the King’s silhouette are to go on sale, with the historic floral set a nod to the green-fingered monarch’s love of gardening. Charles’s uncrowned profile, in silver and facing to the right in the top left hand corner, appears on a collection of 10 special stamps celebrating the nation’s favourite flowers. Unlike Queen Elizabeth II’s famous silhouette, the King is not depicted wearing a laurel wreath. […]

Hundreds of millions of pounds in child trust funds (CTFs) to help young people financially in early adulthood has not yet been claimed, according to a spending watchdog. The National Audit Office (NAO) raised concerns that accounts are at risk of becoming forgotten or lost track of by those holding them. It said estimates indicate that more than one-quarter of CTFs have remained untouched for a year or more after […]

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is to set out plans for 12 new investment zones to “supercharge” growth in hi-tech industries when he unveils his first Budget on Wednesday. Officials said the scheme – backed by £80 million of investment over five years in each of the new high-growth zones – is designed to accelerate research and development in the UK’s “most budding industries”. The move comes after the Government was forced […]