Browsing: UK News

The front page of The Irish Times this morning 21/03/2025

The Daily Record front page this morning 21/03/2025

Scotland’s media reports Nicola Sturgeon cleared in SNP embezzlement case after almost two years under the spotlight. The media has reacted to the news – with the story dominating much of the Scottish newspapers and websites this morning. 

Sturgeon along with the SNP’s former treasurer have been cleared in the probe. But Sturgeon’s husband, with whom she is now separated, is in court facing charges of embezzlement. Peter Murrell had been the SNP’s chief executive since 1999 but resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.

Government borrowing surged to £132.2bn last month, significantly exceeding forecasts and representing a £15bn increase from the previous year.

The prime minister and his plans for British military deployment in Ukraine dominate several newspaper front pages this morning and still find space on the websites – though much has been pushed further down to cover the massive fire at Heathrow Airport and the ongoing travel chaos. 

The papers report the prime minister has stepped up plans for a 31-nation military force to provide security guarantees to Kyiv.

The prime minister is having a change of heart regarding putting boots on the ground in Ukraine and instead favours air and sea support.

The country’s defence secretary has warned Britain will not shy away from using nuclear weapons that could do ‘untold damage’ if UK troops are attacked.

The UK’s headlines report Heathrow closed all day due to a nearby fire at a substation. The airport has warned there will be “significant disruption” over the coming days and has told passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. 

This is a developing story and does not feature on the front pages but is heavily dominating online news websites. 

You won’t be surprised to see that the tabloid media uses more biased headlines, whilst the broadsheets offer more factual and less emotive language in their headlines.

There is a variety of stories dominating the UK headlines this Friday from the chaos at Heathrow Airport to Nicola Sturgeon cleared in the SNP embezzlement case – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your daily news breakdown. 

The UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, will be closed all day on Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power. The airport has warned there will be “significant disruption” over the coming days and has told passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. 

The former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared in the police investigation into the funding and finances of the party she led – the SNP. Her husband, who is separated from Sturgeon, has appeared in court charged with embezzlement. Murrell, who had been SNP chief executive since 1999, resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared of any wrongdoing in Police Scotland’s investigation into the SNP’s funding, expressing relief at the outcome.

Ousted Reform MP Rupert Lowe criticises Nigel Farage after leaked WhatsApp messages reveal Farage’s disdain for Lowe’s recent critical interview, calling him “disgusting” and “contemptible.”

Tom Ford, an Olympic gold medallist, is barred from competing for Cambridge in the Boat Race due to eligibility criteria, making him the fourth rower to face this issue.

Our picks of tonight’s must-watch TV tonight in the UK from the Nations League to the hot new Netflix comedy The Residence.

Labour Minister Luke Pollard dismissed claims that the government is “centre right,” asserting that recent cuts aim to enhance work opportunities and bolster defence funding.

The front page of the Western Mail this morning 20/03/2025:

This Weeks News Briefing Editorial looks at the real cost of political priorities. How can a modern economy cut welfare like 3rd world economy.

UK welfare cuts are increasingly out of touch with the needs of the public, especially against the backdrop of rising foreign aid to Ukraine and increased NATO spending. This has left many Brits asking: why is our health and well-being not being prioritised?

The answer may be simpler—and more strategic—than it seems. When people are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table, they have less time to question the actions of those in power.

By keeping the public in a state of financial insecurity, politicians maintain control while diverting spending towards areas that benefit their financial backers. But where is all our tax money actually going, and why are we always told to tighten our belts while government spending skyrockets?

The front page of The Irish News this morning 20/03/2025:

The front page of The National Scot today 20/03/2025:

An independent review into the official UK data recording of people’s biological sex and their gender identity has spun several stories as the media reacts to the data. 

The review was led by Alice Sullivan, a professor of sociology and research specialist at University College London, who said the guidance should be updated to make sure both sets of data were recorded in a clear and distinct way.

Nicholas Prosper, 19, has been sentenced to 49 years behind bars. The teen was sentenced for the triple murder of his own family members. He had attempted to carry out a school massacre plot in a bid to become an infamous school shooter. Prosper idolised American gunman Adam Lanza was planning to kill 34 people – one more than Lanza’s deadliest shooting. 

Police were able to stop Prosper from reaching the school after a neighbour called the police that morning due to the noisy attack. Cops arrived at the family flat at 05:50 am where they found his little sister, brother and his mother slain. Police arrested him after he escaped to a wooded area, stopping him from carrying out his school massacre plot. 

Cliff Notes – Bank of England mulls interest rate decision Wage growth remains robust, with wages excluding bonuses rising by 5.9% in the three months…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil her Spring Statement next week just a week after massive backlash to the government’s plans to overhaul the welfare system. 

The papers have been given a preview of the Spring Statement and they report there will be no more tax rises but austerity cuts on the way – the heavy cuts to public spending and benefits are to close the budget deficit.

What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to a planned massacre in Luton to international football – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your daily news breakdown. 

Much of the UK media looks ahead at next week’s Spring Statement which is expected to reveal more cuts – it comes off the back of the government’s plans to slash benefits.

Triple murderer Nicholas Prosper has been sentenced to at least 49 years for killing his family. He had planned a school massacre in a bid to become famous.

An independent review on how gender and sex data is collected has led to several stories this morning as the data is assessed by the media.

The sunshine is here in the UK! Today could be the hottest day of the year so far – but don’t get use to it, rain is set for the weekend.

Donald Trump and his phone call with Zelensky is heavily covered in the UK media this morning.

The Tour de France will make its return to the UK in 2027, featuring both the men’s and women’s races across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Jamie Cooper, 33, escaped from a prison van on the M55 motorway while being taken to court after overpowering escort officers during a medical emergency.

Teenage boys in the UK, particularly those aged 14 to 17, are being targeted by Nigerian crime gangs using online “sextortion” scams that involve threatening to share sexual images unless payment is made.