Time to roll up your sleeves and get litter-picking: the Great British Spring Clean kicks off this week.
Author: WTX News Editor
Cliff Notes A new 100% council tax premium on second homes will be introduced by approximately 75% of councils in England, aimed at generating an additional £445 million in revenue. Critics argue that this measure is insufficient to address the housing crisis, describing it as a “naked cash grab” that will not significantly impact second homeowners’ decisions. Local authorities may impose exemptions for certain circumstances, raising concerns about potential loopholes while acknowledging the tax is…
Nearly half of Scots ‘would back charging tuition fees’ The Scotsman reports the report, published by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, found 48 per cent of Scottish adults would back the idea of charging fees “based on the ability to pay”. Fewer than a third of respondents (29 per cent) said they would not back such a move, according to polling conducted by Ipsos Mori. The front page covers Scotland being demoted to…
Wales World Cup campaign off to a flyer Western Mail leads with Wales boss Craig Bellamy has praised his side for sticking to their principles in Saturday’s win over Kazakhstan, but warns they will need to be at their very best if they are to rack up a second straight World Cup qualifying win on Tuesday. Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 last night.
Uncovered: How Britain conceals its secrets and protects its informers The Irish News reports for decades there have been suspicions that the Northern Ireland justice system and the ‘neither confirm nor deny’ policy was being used to protect informers and hide embarrassing secrets for the British intelligence services in Troubles cases. It can now be revealed how this worked in practice during one of the most high-profile cases in the 30-year conflict.
Chancellor risks war with unions over spending cuts The Times looks at a more political angle, suggesting the chancellor is risking a “war” with the public sector over her plans to cut thousands of civil service jobs. Pope Francis is pictured on the front splash after he was released from hospital having been admitted in hospital for an extended period of time.
Education braces for worst squeeze in a generation – as Reeves admits cuts are coming The i reports departments across Whitehall are preparing to tighten their belt ahead of expected spending cuts, with the education sector being no exception. The paper says the department is bracing for the “worst squeeze in a generation”.
Reeves must take action to stop OAP bill The Daily Express warns the chancellor that a petition, with more than 100,000 signatures, asks her to use her Spring Statment to stop pensioners on modest incomes from being hit with tax bills. Elsewhere, thousands of lives could be saved by combining statins with another cholesterol-lowering drug, according to new research, according to a new study.
Several of the UK newspaper front pages report on the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for a snap general election – set for 28 April 2025.
The race for election is fully underway and amongst the key issues Canadians will have in mind as they head to the polls include housing, immigration and of course … Donald Trump.
Several of the UK newspapers pick up on an interview with the National Grid chief John Pettigrew who said that Heathrow had “enough power” from other substations and lack of power wasn’t the reason Europe’s biggest airport shut down.
Cliff Notes Bird flu, specifically the H5N1 virus, has been confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire, marking the first detection in sheep in England. The infected sheep was culled for testing, with no further infections found in the remaining flock, and the risk to livestock is currently deemed low by authorities. Officials urge livestock farmers to maintain strict biosecurity measures and report any signs of infection to safeguard against bird flu following recent outbreaks. Bird…
Most of the UK newspapers speculate, assess and give their verdict on what’s expected to be revealed in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, which will be announced on Wednesday. ‘Worst cuts in a generation,’
A lot is happening this Monday morning with news across the UK being dominated by both domestic politics and international stories. The chancellor is making the headlines ahead of Wednesday’s Spring Statement, with the newspaper front pages speculating on what cuts are coming to public services.
Protests across Turkey, US tariff backlash and Canada’s snap election are featured across the UK news this morning.
Pope Francis is pictured on a handful of newspapers after he was discharged from hospital.
Cliff Notes A high-profile US delegation will visit Greenland this week, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice-President JD Vance, amid ongoing discussions about the potential annexation of the territory by the United States. The delegation, which includes White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright, aims to strengthen partnerships and deepen understanding of Greenland’s culture and resources during their visit. Greenland and Denmark’s governments have expressed opposition to US annexation…
The Pentagon has been under scrutiny for a recent purge of online content that celebrated military achievements by women and minorities, resulting in the removal of significant historical references from Defence Department sites and social media.
The Constitutional Court of South Korea has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting leader. This decision allowed Han to address pressing issues, including the implications of global trade changes.
David Pelicot recounts the devastating moment he learned his father, Dominique, drugged and raped his mother, Gisele, involving numerous other men in the abuse, severely impacting the family.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Istanbul for five consecutive nights, decrying the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption charges.
A third teenager, aged 16, has been arrested and charged regarding the death of 15-year-old Amen Teklay in Glasgow.
The government mandates local councils in England to publish annual reports detailing pothole repairs to receive full funding from a £1.6bn road repair package, with a risk of losing a quarter of an additional £500m if they do not comply.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for 28 April amid escalating tensions with the US, particularly threats from President Donald Trump regarding Canada’s sovereignty and trade policies.
The Public Sector Fraud Authority is launching an investigation into allegations that thousands of students are fraudulently claiming substantial student loans with no intention of studying or repaying the amounts.
Pope Francis insisted on travelling in his Fiat Papal car rather than taking a helicopter, reflecting his desire to connect with the public after his hospital discharge.
Cliff Notes – At least seven killed in Russian drone attacks At least seven killed in Russian drone attacks in Ukraine following a large-scale drone assault by Russia, affecting multiple regions including Kyiv and Kharkiv. The Ukrainian military successfully intercepted 97 out of 147 launched drones, with significant casualties reported in the capital, including a 5-year-old child. Ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are set to begin in Saudi Arabia, amid mixed prospects for long-term…
Cliff Notes Pope Francis returned to the Vatican after a 38-day hospital stay due to pneumonia, marking the longest hospitalisation of his papacy. He greeted dog walkers on his way home, appearing tired but expressing gratitude, while also continuing care for a lingering lung infection. As he resumes his duties, he is advised to avoid large gatherings and will have access to medical support at the Vatican residence. Pope stops to greet dog walkers as…