Author: News Desk

MPs pile pressure on Starmer with new group demanding closer EU ties Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to re-examine the UK’s relationship with the European Union, as a new group of MPs from across the political spectrum has formed to urge the prime minister to forge closer ties with the bloc. The group, which aims to “discover areas of mutual co-operation and interest” and probe the UK-EU relationship, held its first meeting on Tuesday,The Independent understands. The group will seek to “foster positive relationships with colleagues across Europe”, as well as “encouraging an open and honest dialogue for politicians…

UK-wide ban on disposable vapes from June 2025 Disposable vapes are set to be banned across Britain from 1 June 2025. New laws will reportedly give suppliers a deadline of 1 June 2025 to get rid of all stock across England, with the UK government expecting devolved nations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow suit. The number of children vaping has tripled in the last three years with a significant proportion (nine per cent) of 11 to 15-year-olds using the devices, figures show. A disposable vape sells for £3-£10 depending on the brand, with the total e-cigarette industry worth an…

Watch again: Angela Rayner faces PMQs as Trump accuses Labour of US election interference Watch as Angela Rayner stepped in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 23 October. PMQs came as Donald Trump’s campaign accused Sir Keir’s Labour Party of interfering in the US presidential election. Filing a complaint with the US Federal Election Commission (FEC) which accuses Labour of illegal foreign campaign donations, the campaign’s co-manager Susie Wiles claimed: “The far-left Labour Party has inspired Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies and rhetoric. “In recent weeks, they have recruited and sent party members to campaign for Kamala…

Met Police reopens investigation into Wimbledon school crash that killed two girls The Metropolitan Police has reopened its investigation into the Wimbledon school crash that killed two eight-year-old girls as they celebrated the last day of the summer term. Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both 8, died and several more were injured after the 4×4 ploughed through a fence and hit a building at the Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, on 6 July last year. Following the initial police investigation, it was announced that the driver, Claire Freemantle, had suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel and would…

Is Britain’s disposable vape ban a good idea? Join The Independent Debate The UK government is planning to ban disposable vapes by summer 2025 – and we want to know if you back the move. The new legislation will reportedly give suppliers until 1 June 2025 to clear all stock across England, with the UK government expecting Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to implement similar measures. Supporters of the ban argue that it will help curb the rise in vaping among children and reduce the environmental impact of single-use vapes, which are often discarded improperly. Research shows that the number…

Commonwealth leaders to defy Starmer over slavery reparations Commonwealth leaders are reportedly preparing to defy the UK and agree plans to examine reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. It comes despite Downing Street’s insistence that the issue of reparations is not on the agenda for this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), which begins in Samoa on Friday. But diplomatic sources said officials are already negotiating an agreement to conduct further research and begin a “meaningful conversation”, which could leave the UK owing billions of pounds in reparations. The text of the draft summit communique, seen by the BBC,…

Labour’s war on vaping explained: From disposable ban to higher taxes The sale of disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from next year. Under legislation laid out by the Labour government in Parliament, it will be illegal for retailers to sell the devices from 1 June, 2025. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said businesses will have until the deadline “to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban coming into force”. Defra said vape usage in England had grown by more than 400 per cent between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1…

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Many eastern and northeastern areas will have a fine day with some sunshine, though it will be breezy. Further west there will be more cloud giving the odd patch of rain, and here it will also be windy. Mild everywhere. Tonight: Dry across central and eastern parts with clear intervals and areas of low cloud. Windy in the west and southwest with thicker cloud and outbreaks of locally heavy rain. Mild. Source: Met Office