Author: UK News

Commonwealth should become a trade bloc and invite Ukraine to join, says new report A major new report has proposed turning the Commonwealth into a trade and security bloc and inviting Ukraine to join. Ahead of the biannual Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Samoa next week, the think tank Policy Exchange has produced a report to revitalise the international club of nations. The report, which has cross-party support in the Commons and has been backed by former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Australia’s ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer, comes with exclusive polling revealing public support for the plans.…

Ministers vow crackdown on rip-off nursery fees Ministers are to crack down on the nurseries charging banned ‘top-up’ fees, warning they prevent parents from using much-needed childcare. In his first newspaper interview since taking the job, education minister Stephen Morgan told The Independent the government would look at “all options” to prevent the practice. The problem was “an issue up and down the country”, he warned. Earlier this year The Independent revealed parents were facing a hike in nursery fees of up to 15 per cent as they pick up the tab left by funding gaps in the Tory flagship…

King Charles given rare Sydney honour as Kate issues powerful tribute: Royal news – live King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour following an apparent snub from Australian officials ahead of his arrival on Friday. The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla. This rare honour was given the go-ahead by the New South Wales government at an estimated cost of around £50,000. As the couple prepares to kick off their…

Counter-terrorism police investigating UK warehouse fire over possible links to Russia Counter-terrorism police are investigating possible Russian involvement in an incident in Birmingham where a package caught fire at a DHL warehouse. It comes as another package suspiciously caught fire at a DHL facility in Leipzig, Germany, while other incidents involving fires suspected to have been started by Russian spies were identified across Europe this year. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that officers from counter-terrorism policing are investigating an incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way, Minworth. “On Monday 22 July, a package at the location…

London students fear abandoning courses over inability to apply for discounted fares System for applying for travelcards yet to be restored after cyber-attack on Transport for London’s IT systems. Students in London fear they may have to abandon their school and university courses to save money after a cyber hack on Transport for London’s (TfL) IT systems left them unable to apply for discounted travelcards. TfL suspended applications for discounted travel passes when its systems were hacked in early September, compromising the details of about 5,000 Oyster card holders. It is unable to say when the system will be restored.…

Great British Energy can become a major power generator, says its chair Jürgen Maier’s vision for company includes the potential to borrow its own money in order to rival multinationals. Britain’s new national energy company will eventually become a major power generator, running its own windfarms, tidal power and carbon capture schemes and potentially borrowing its own money, according to its new chair. Jürgen Maier, the chair of Great British Energy (GBE), told the Guardian in an interview that his vision for the company far outstrips its current scope and would put it on a par with multinational firms such…

Iconic london nightclub closes down to become ‘luxury hotel’ | UK News An iconic London club has become the latest victim to the capital’s dwindling nightlife and has closed its doors for good. Tiger Tiger has confirmed its closure, thanking everyone for ‘years of incredible memories’ on their website. The club, based just off of Piccadilly Circus, is reportedly set to become a luxury hotel after operating at a loss for years. One Reddit account, called RossKillington, claimed to be the regular Saturday DJ at the venue until it closed down. He wrote: ‘It’s sad that another big night club…

Millionaire business owners urge Rachel Reeves to raise £14bn from rise in capital gains tax A group of wealthy investors argue it would have no impact on investment in the UK and would raise vital funds for public service. Rachel Reeves has been urged by a group of millionaire business owners to raise £14bn from an increase in capital gains tax at this month’s budget, arguing it would have no impact on investment in Britain. Ahead of the chancellor’s set-piece event on 30 October, the group of wealthy investors said increasing the tax rate on asset disposals would help to…

Sara Sharif murder trial latest: Pathologist tells jury what caused 10-year-old’s death Sara Sharif died as a result of “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect”, a pathologist has said. The school girl had suffered two traumatic injuries in the days before her death, as well as 71 recent injuries including bruises, abrasions, skin ulcers consistent with burns and probable bite marks. On the third day of her murder trial on Wednesday, jurors were shown graphics outlining a string of injuries found on the 10-year-old’s body. The Old Bailey previously heard her head was covered with “homemade hoods” made of…

Starmer clashes with Sunak over national security at PMQs as assisted dying bill introduced – Politics latest Sir Keir Starmer was involved in a tense exchange with Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) over national security. Mr Sunak said the PM has halted the implementation of the foreign agents registration scheme. Mr Starmer simply replied “that is not correct”, before sitting down to cheers from Labour backbench MPs. The foreign agents registration scheme would ensure that those working for a foreign power declare their lobbying activities with the UK government. At PMQs, Mr Starmer also revealed that the government…

Budget 2024 live: Inflation falls to lowest rate in three years, Reeves ‘eyes £40bn’ in cuts and spending Rachel Reeves will announce Labour’s first Budget in 15 years later this month, leading one of the most highly-anticipated fiscal events in over a decade. As the chancellor looks to fill the £22bn “black hole” in public spending she announced in late July, speculation has mounted about what measures will be included on 30 October. During Labour’s first few months in power, ministers have warned that “tough decisions” will be required to balance the books. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said…

Trending News Inspiration Papers News that Matters Impact on your life Good News Watch: Inquiry into Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess begins Pep Guardiola approached over England job but has four other options Vladimir Putin ordered Novichok attack on my life, Salisbury victim Sergei Skripal tells Dawn Sturgess inquiry Previous Next Previous Next Dan@ Dantechnik Read More I see #SkyNews are still banging on about Taylor Swift and Starmer again. 🙄🙄🙄 Andrew Neil @afneil Read More UK inflation fell to 1.7% in the year to September, the lowest rate since April 2021. So much for the Bank of England’s prediction…

Today: Outbreaks of rain will affect northern and western parts through the day. The rain will be heavy at times, leading to some localised disruption. Drier towards the east and southeast of England in particular. Feeling warm here in any sunshine. Tonight: Outbreaks of heavy rain will continue to move northeastwards through the night. Southern and western areas becoming dry by the end of the night. Another mild night for many. Source: Met Office

Wednesday’s front pages continue their coverage of the upcoming October Budget with the papers continuing to speculate over whether the chancellor will introduce a national insurance increase. Other domestic political stories make the lead with the Conservative leadership race being a popular topic as the race narrows down.
Elsewhere, several of the papers report Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife met Taylor Swift during one of her London concerts as the row over why the American singer was given a blue-light escort continues.
Images of Thomas Tuchel are splashed on many of the front pages – and all the back pages – after it emerged he is set to become the new England manager.

Liz Truss’ think tank publicly shames Kemi Badenoch for not answering questions Liz Truss’ think tank Popular Conservatism has publicly shamed Kemi Badenoch for failing to answer 12 questions it sent to her and Tory leadership rival Robert Jenrick. With Tory members set to choose the replacement for Rishi Sunak, the think tank also known as Popcon and launched by Ms Truss last year, put out the replies it got for each question. For each question under Ms Badenoch they put: “No response received”. Director Mark Littlewood told The Independent: “I’m perplexed, to be honest. We really wanted her content.…

Ministers warned not to repeat same mistakes by leaving Afghan heroes at mercy of Taliban Ministers have been warned not to repeat the same mistakes over Afghan soldiers, with fears their pledge to finally relocate special forces soldiers who fought with the UK could still leave 1,500 at the mercy of the Taliban. Campaigners and former military top brass hailed armed forces minister Luke Pollard’s announcement this week that acknowledged the troops had worked for Britain. He pledged to bring an estimated 500 to safety following a Ministry of Defence review. But campaigners warned the decision to only grant sanctuary…

Pictured: Note allegedly found by Sara Sharif’s body saying ‘It’s me Urfan Sharif who killed my daughter’ A note that was allegedly found by Sara Sharif’s body in her father’s handwriting has been pictured in court. Taxi driver Urfan Sharif, 42, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of his 10-year-old daughter’s murder alongside Sara’s stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle, Faisal Malik, 29. It is alleged within hours of her death the defendants had booked a flight out of the country. Police found Sara’s body in a bunk bed in her home in Woking, Surrey, on 10 August last…

Keir Starmer met Taylor Swift at London gig as questions continue over her blue-light escort Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer met with pop star Taylor Swift at one of her London concerts to discuss the Southport attack. It is understood that Sir Keir and his family spoke to the Shake if Off singer and her mother after he was invited to attend the Wembley gig on 20 August. This comes amid questions over government intervention in talks over the security for the concerts after Swift was given a taxpayer-funded police escort. Last week, it was claimed the Metropolitan Police’s special…