Millions Facing 5% Increases From April – Council Tax
Millions of households are facing an increase in their council tax from April, as local authorities try to balance their books. Research by the County Councils Network (CCN) suggests three-quarters of English councils with social care duties are planning a 5% hike. This is the maximum allowed without a local vote and would add £100... Read More
Hospitals In England With Worst A&E Waits Revealed
A&E waiting times have deteriorated so much this winter that at some hospitals in England more than half of patients have had to wait more than four hours. BBC analysis of data for December and January shows Hull University Hospitals, Wye Valley and Shrewsbury, and Telford was worst for A&E waits. The best trust out... Read More
Net Zero Targets ‘May Mean Higher Taxes’
The UK has made good progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but getting there may need higher taxes. That’s according to leading economist Lord Nicholas Stern, who says both public and private investment in new technologies is needed. The UK is also being urged to follow the US in stimulating green technology by... Read More
Turkey-Syria Earthquake: UK Aid Is Reaching Syria – Minister
The UK is getting aid to Syria, development minister Andrew Mitchell has said, as he defended the government’s response to the earthquakes which hit the country. The tremor has added to the devastation caused by the civil war in Syria and local rescue groups have complained about the lack of international aid. More than 28,000... Read More
Richard Sharp: Pressure Grows On BBC Chairman After Critical Report
Pressure is growing on BBC chairman Richard Sharp after a critical report from MPs into his appointment. He made “significant errors of judgement” acting as a go-between on a loan for Boris Johnson, while applying for the post, the committee said. The SNP’s John Nicolson, a committee member, told the BBC Mr Sharp’s position was... Read More
UK Economy Avoids Recession But Not Out Of Woods – Hunt
The UK narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, new figures show, after the economy saw zero growth between October and December. This is despite a sharp 0.5% fall in economic output during December, partly due to strike action, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the figures showed “underlying resilience”... Read More
Huge Blast After Unplanned WW2 Bomb Detonation – Great Yarmouth
A World War Two bomb found in Great Yarmouth detonated while work was being done to defuse it, causing a huge blast that was heard for miles. Army specialists were attempting to disarm it when there was an unplanned detonation at about 17:00 GMT. People on social media said they heard a loud bang and... Read More
RMT Union Rejects Latest Offers In Rail Dispute
The RMT rail union has rejected new pay offers, in a blow to any hopes the lengthy dispute was close to ending. The body which represents train firms and Network Rail had described the proposals as their “best and final”. RMT boss Mick Lynch branded the offers “dreadful”, while the transport secretary called the move... Read More
Chester Zoo Celebrates Coquerel’s Sifaka Birth – Dancing Lemur
A critically endangered primate, nicknamed the dancing lemur because of the way it moves, has been bred for the first time in Europe, a zoo has said. Chester Zoo said the birth of the baby Coquerel’s sifaka was a “landmark moment for the species”. A representative said the “precious youngster” arrived to parents Beatrice and... Read More
Afghan Withdrawal A Dark Chapter For UK – Defence Committee Chair
The UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan was “a dark chapter” for the UK, senior Conservative Tobias Ellwood has said. The Defence Committee, led by Mr. Ellwood, is urging the government to hold an “honest” inquiry into the UK’s departure from Afghanistan, which led to the return of the Taliban to power. The MPs’ report warns the... Read More