Author: UK News
Sunday’s front pages are heavily dominated by Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming October Budget. Suspected tax ‘raids’ as some papers call them are splashed on the front as political experts offer up their opinions from taxing businesses to the winter fuel cuts.
Many of the tabloids continue reporting on the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne. The 31-year-old pop star fell from his hotel balcony in Argentina on Wednesday and died at the scene.
IPP sentence: Top judge demands help for prisoners ‘left to rot’ under ‘morally wrong’ indefinite jail terms Britain’s former top judge has backed The Independent’s campaign for prisoners serving indefinite jail terms to have their sentences reviewed, and called for the government to take responsibility for the “morally wrong” punishment. John Thomas, a member of the House of Lords who served as lord chief justice from 2013 to 2017, fears that without action, those sent down under abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences will be “left to rot” serving a jail term that is “inherently unfair”. Reacting to a…
Ukraine cleric pleads with Starmer for help over Zelensky’s Orthodox church crackdown Sir Keir Starmer has come under pressure to quickly appoint an envoy for religious freedom after frustration over the delay to replace former Tory MP Fiona Bruce. The row has broken out as a leading Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) priest has appealed to the UK for help in urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to end his crackdown on the church and priests in his country. Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra, was arrested over suspicions he was “disseminating information about the movement or location of armed…
One person killed and homes evacuated after explosion and fire at house in Bedford One person has been killed and another seriously injured after an explosion and fire at a house in Bedford. Homes in the town’s Cleat Hill area were evacuated after the emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 7.30am, with Bedfordshire Police still advising people to avoid the area as of Saturday evening. An investigation into the cause of the fatal blast is still ongoing, police said in an update at 6pm, and advised residents in the area who were still in their homes to keep…
Reeves plans stealth taxes as Starmer prepares to splurge billions on NHS Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that his government will not break Labour’s manifesto pledge over raising taxes on working people despite growing concerns about plans for stealth taxes to help fund the NHS. The prime minister is set to reveal new plans for the NHS which will include billions in extra investment accompanied by wholesale reform. The revelation comes as The Independent has been told that a plan is being put together by the UK’s most powerful think tank Labour Together on how Labour will win the next…
Ex-Tory chair who called party Islamophobic gives her vote to Kemi Badenoch A former Tory peer who called out her own party for being Islamophobic has in a shock move given her backing to Kemi Badenoch, saying she “hopes and prays” that the candidate will bring sanity to the Conservatives. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sayeeda Warsi, who has recently published her book Muslims Don’t Matter, said she might regret voting for Ms Badenoch but sees her as the least bad option. She said: “I know I am probably going to regret doing this but I also know…
King Charles and Queen Camilla to begin tour of Australia with Sunday church service King Charles and Queen Camilla’s six-day tour of Australia will begin with a church service on Sunday, as part of their first visit to the Commonwealth nation since being crowned. Sydney Opera House was lit up with a projection of images of the royal couple as they touched down on Friday evening for a tour intended to celebrate Australia’s people, culture and heritage The 75-year-old King was appointed Australia’s admiral of the navy, field marshal of the army and marshal of the air force shortly after…
‘I don’t have bruises, but he destroyed me’: Technology-enabled domestic abuse rises to unprecedented levels Jasminder* didn’t realise she was being abused until she left her partner. He controlled her finances, tracked her calls, and sent intimidating messages as their relationship fell apart. When she needed a new phone, her then-husband told her she had such a terrible credit score the contract would have to be taken out in his name. Jasminder had no idea if this was true as he wouldn’t let her access their joint bank account. It was years before she finally broke free. “I have no…
Storm Ashley tracker: Where and when are Met Office weather warnings in force across UK? The Met Office has issued “danger to life” weather warnings as parts of the UK brace for Storm Ashley to bring rain and winds of up to 80mph this weekend. The first named storm of the season will initially hit Ireland on Sunday morning, where warnings for strong winds are in force across seven counties, including Galway, Mayo, Kerry and Donegal. It will then track northeastwards and reach the UK early on Sunday morning, according to the Met Office, bringing with it likely power cuts,…
Wes Streeting’s NHS revolution with smartwatches to monitor diabetes in 10-year plan Wes Streeting is set to reveal plans for people to monitor their own health from the comfort of their homes with a 10-year plan aimed at revolutionising the NHS. The health secretary wants to roll out smartwatches to more members of the public in a bid to tackle debilitating conditions like heart disease and diabetes. The devices would allow people to monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels, and be warned about spikes before their health took a turn for the worse. The innovation is part of a…
Is China cannibalising the EU car industry? Troubles at VW point to growing doubts about future of Europe-wide sector as imports of cheap EVs rise. For decades Germany has enjoyed a reputation as Europe’s car capital, with slogans such as Vorsprung durch Technik emblematic of its political and industrial prowess. But troubles looming over Volkswagen, where unions are battling threats of layoffs and factory closures, have raised questions not just about its future but the wider European car industry. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/20/is-china-cannibalising-the-eu-car-industry
Storm Ashley set to ravage parts of UK with winds of up to 80mph Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailInjuries and danger to life are likely during the 80mph winds set to hit parts of the UK this weekend in the first named storm of the season.The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning over the powerful winds as Storm Ashley hits the northwest of Scotland on Sunday. A yellow warning relating to the very strong winds has been issued for all of Scotland…
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted by children outside Sydney church King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by children Sunday outside a Sydney church in their first public appearance of their Australian visit. His Majesty’s arrival Friday marked the first reigning British monarch visit to Australia since his late mother Queen Elizabeth II made her 16th journey to the distant nation in 2011. Charles, 75, is being treated for cancer, which has led to a scaled-down itinerary. The couple spent a rest day on Saturday at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the monarch’s representative in…
Storm Ashley – live: Met Office issues weather warning as UK forecast 80mph winds Injuries and danger to life are likely during the 80mph winds set to hit parts of the UK this weekend in the first named storm of the season. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for northwest Scotland on Sunday, as well as a yellow warning for the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and parts of north-west England and Wales. The more severe amber warning will be in force from 9am on Sunday until midnight, and the yellow between 3am and midnight. A…
First look at HS2 train interiors Carriages for controversial high-speed line focus on passenger comfort, innovations and headroom, mock-ups reveal. For now, it remains unclear quite how far any passenger will travel on future HS2 services – whether reaching Euston or on high-speed tracks all the way to Crewe. But however short the journey, an exclusive peek at HS2’s embryonic carriages reveals travellers will be enthroned in “the best seats of any UK trains” – even, arguably, in the toilets. Conscious of discontent with the “ironing board” seats in some of the newest trains introduced to Britain’s railways, HS2 are…
Giant illuminated sphere finds a new home after Londoners reject it | World News London’s planned ‘Las Vegas sphere’ has found a new home in Abu Dhabi after those living in the capital resoundingly rejected it. The £1.8 billion venue in Las Vegas, with an LED screen wrapping halfway around the whole audience, has already been hugely successful. There had been plans for a similar illuminated dome in London, but they never came to fruition. The 300ft-high ‘Crystal Ball’, developed by MSG Sphere London, was going to be built in Stratford, east London, after it was approved by planning officials in 2022.…
Anti-fossil fuel comic that went viral in France arrives in UK World Without End topped bestseller lists but was criticised for embracing nuclear power. In 2019, France’s best known climate expert sat down to work with its most feted graphic novelist. The result? Perhaps the most terrifying comic ever drawn. Part history, part analysis, part vision for the future, World Without End weaves the story of humanity’s rapacious appetite for fossil fuel energy, how it has made possible the society people take for granted, and its disastrous effects on the climate. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/19/world-without-end-fossil-fuel-arrives-uk-comic-france-nuclear
Quarter of UK summit investment came before Labour win, analysis suggests Ministers heralded ‘record-breaking’ £63bn total at London event but £16.5bn appears to have preceded July election. About a quarter of the investment announced by the government at its summit this week appears to have been secured or initiated before Labour came to power. Ministers touted £63bn of investment at the summit on Monday, where they hosted hundreds of company bosses in a showcase of the UK’s pro-growth policies. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/19/uk-international-investment-summit-labour-government
Murder investigation launched after death of man in North Ayrshire A murder investigation has been launched after a man died in what police believe was a “targeted attack” outside his home in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire. John Taylor, 44, was found with serious injuries outside his home in Pollock Crescent on Friday at about 1.55 pm, Police Scotland said. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/19/investigation-launched-after-death-of-man-in-north-ayrshire
Seal spotted sunbathing in central london | UK News A seal has been spotted sunbathing near Canary Wharf, to the delight of passerbys. The black and white speckled animal was seen frolicking in the small waves of the Thames on a busy Saturday in central London. Both grey seals and harbour seals are known to be spotted in the Thames, but it’s a welcome surprise when they decide to sunbathe. Last month, the Zoological Society of London said 600 harbour seals and 3,000 grey seals live in the Thames Estuary, with some opting to swim up further near central London. ZSL’s…
Deal struck to deport migrants arriving in the Chagos Islands to a British island territory Sir Keir Starmer has agreed a deal to deport migrants arriving in the Chagos Islands in small boats to a British island territory. Refugees arriving in the archipelago will be removed to St Helena, another UK territory more than 5,000 miles away in the Atlantic Ocean. The deal was reached in the wake of a political agreement for the UK to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius, following negotiations that began in 2022. That decision, announced earlier this month, is designed to secure the future of…
‘Dozens’ of swans found dead in London canal with Defra investigation launched More than 25 swans have been found dead in a London canal. Charity Swan Support said it began at the end of September when volunteers discovered several of the dead birds along the Grand Union Canal in Bankside, Southall. Since then, the charity says it has now found 25 swans, 15 geese, three ducks, two coots and a moorhen along the stretch of canal that also runs through Uxbridge. Mystery over the dead birds has deepened with tests on the first set of dead swans coming back negative…
Rachel Reeves ‘set to raise fuel duty next year’ as Tory MPs demand freeze Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the end of a temporary 5p cut in fuel duty in her Budget this month, it has been reported. Sources briefed on the chancellor’s thinking told The Financial Times that they believe the cut will take effect from next year. Additionally, the Treasury department has urged Ms Reeves to end a 13-year freeze on fuel duty, according to the paper. As Ms Reeves seeks to address a £22bn “black hole” in public spending announced in late July, the Campaign…
Infrastructure taskforce to help chancellor avoid financial sector turmoil. Rachel Reeves is to seek advice from City experts to ensure big projects’ value for money and reassure markets. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is taking action to ensure her budget plan for a multibillion-pound increase in government borrowing to fund infrastructure projects avoids a Liz Truss-style meltdown in financial markets. Ahead of her tax and spending event Ahead of her tax and spending event on 30 October, the chancellor is convening on Friday the first meeting of a taskforce of leading City figures to advise on infrastructure projects. The government will…