National News

There must be no easing of sanctions on Russia until the war in Ukraine ends, Sir Keir Starmer has said following a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris. The Prime Minister said the group, which does not include the United States, had agreed there should be no reduction in sanctions on Moscow […]

Storm overflows spilled sewage into England’s rivers, lakes and coasts for new highs of more than 3.61 million hours in 2024, Environment Agency figures have shown. It is only the second year that 100% of storm overflows have been monitored, allowing direct comparison between years, and it reveals that although the number of spills fell […]

Unions are calling on the Government to help secure the future of British Steel after the company announced it is consulting on closing blast furnaces, raising fears of heavy job losses. Community, the GMB and Unite said it was “devastating” news that British Steel’s Chinese owner Jingye is launching a consultation on closing the blast […]

Environmental campaign group Just Stop Oil has announced it will stop direct action, claiming it has won its demand to end new oil and gas. The group had drawn attention, criticism and jail terms for protests ranging from throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers and spray painting Charles Darwin’s grave to climbing on gantries […]

Police will be given greater powers to stop “intimidating” protests being staged near places of worship. Forces already have the authority to place restrictions on demonstrations under the Public Order Act, but the law is due to be changed to allow protests to be stopped specifically if worshippers will be intimidated. The Metropolitan Police has […]

Fresh talks are to be held on Thursday in a bid to resolve a long-running pay dispute involving refuse collectors which has led to rubbish piling up in streets. Members of Unite in Birmingham are on an indefinite strike, with no sign of a breakthrough, leading to residents across the city complaining of a health […]

The UK’s data protection watchdog has fined a software provider £3 million over a 2022 ransomware incident which disrupted some NHS services. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said Advanced Computer Software Group had been fined over security failings that put the personal information of 79,404 people at risk. The firm provides IT and software services […]

Dancing On Ice has been “rested” with “no current plans for another series”, an ITV spokesperson has said. The show, in which celebrities are paired with professional ice skaters to perform routines for a panel of judges, has run for 17 series. It also took a break after the ninth series in 2014 before making […]

Welfare cuts will leave an estimated quarter of a million more people, including 50,000 children, in relative poverty after housing costs across Great Britain by the end of the decade, according to the Government’s own impact assessment. The Chancellor claimed the “broken” welfare system must change and help more people into work, otherwise “we are […]

Rachel Reeves blamed “increased global uncertainty” as the budget watchdog slashed its forecast for economic growth. The Office for Budget Responsibility halved its forecast for growth in gross domestic product in 2025 from 2% to just 1%. The watchdog’s assessment also indicated the Chancellor would have missed her goal of balancing the nation’s books without […]