National News

More than two in three parents prefer Ofsted’s proposed report cards for schools over current inspection reports, a survey has suggested. The majority of parents said the report cards were easy to understand (86%) and they found the use of colour coding to grade schools helpful (84%), according to the poll commissioned by the watchdog. […]

Assisted dying free on the NHS if proposed legislation becomes law is a fundamental change to the principles on which the health service was founded, a leading opponent has said. Conservative MP Danny Kruger said the NHS would, if the Bill being considered at Westminster passes into law, become the “national health and assisted suicide […]

“Sadistic” online gangs dominated by teenage boys are committing harrowing crimes, including child abuse and sharing extreme material, that desensitises them to brutal violence, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned. Reports relating to the so-called “com networks” increased six times in the UK between 2022 and 2024, involving thousands of users and victims. Some […]

The trailer for the Duchess of Sussex’s new podcast has been released, with Meghan promising “girl talk” and advice on how to create “billion-dollar businesses”. Confessions Of A Female Founder launches next Tuesday, and is the latest in Meghan’s flurry of output after her much-criticised Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand […]

Actor Stephen Fry will be knighted by the King for his services to charity. Sir Stephen, 67, known for BBC comedy Blackadder and hosting quiz show QI, will be honoured at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday alongside more than 50 others, including three-time Olympic medallist Dina Asher-Smith. Both Sir Stephen and Asher-Smith […]

Co-op is to match Aldi prices for the first time on more than 100 everyday products, claiming it is the largest move of its kind across UK convenience stores. The lower prices will be available to the retailer’s member customers and, for them, will see a pint of Co-op milk fall from 95p to 85p […]

Patients who see a GP face to face are more likely to be satisfied with their care, research suggests. A study, published in the British Journal of General Practice, found patient satisfaction was lower at surgeries that relied more both on telephone appointments and consultations with staff who are not GPs. These non-GP staff may […]

A huge Iron Age hoard discovered in a Yorkshire field by a metal detectorist could lead to a revaluation of the wealth and status of the elite living in northern Britain 2,000 years ago, an archaeologist has said. The Melsonby Hoard, which lay untouched in two ditches near the North Yorkshire village of that name […]

New legislation to prevent people from smoking in houses with children could help bring about “real change” by preventing youngsters from being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, an expert has said. Professor Sean Semple, from the University of Stirling, said while Scotland had brought in a ban on smoking in public places, there was still […]

Reece James’ brilliant free-kick set England on course for a second World Cup qualification win in four days as Thomas Tuchel’s side made light work of Latvia. Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor began his reign with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Albania on Friday and ended his first camp by triumphing in these nations’ first ever […]