British Museum Thefts: Director Hartwig Fischer Quits Over Stolen Treasures
British Museum director Hartwig Fischer has said he will step down from his role, after treasures were stolen from the London institution. In a statement, he said it was evident the museum “did not respond as comprehensively as it should have” when it was told about the thefts in 2021. Mr Fischer also withdrew remarks... Read More
MPs’ ‘Winding Down’ Pay To Double At Next Election
Payments for MPs who lose their seats or step down at the next general election will be doubled. The money is aimed at helping ex-MPs close down their offices and manage the departure of their staff. At the last general election departing MPs were paid for two months after losing their seats. However, IPSA, which... Read More
Families Sue Government For Failing To Protect Care Homes From Covid
Thirty families are starting legal action against the government, care homes, and several hospitals in England over the deaths of their relatives in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The families argue not enough was done to protect their loved ones from the virus. They are claiming damages for loss of life and the... Read More
Pressure On The Asylum System Is Unsustainable – Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak has warned the UK’s asylum system is facing unsustainable pressure after the cost almost doubled in a year to nearly £4bn. The prime minister, who has made stopping small boats one of his top five priorities, said the cost was “unacceptable”. Home Office asylum spending rose by £1.85bn in the year 2022/23. Labour... Read More
GCSE Results Set To Drop Close To Pre-Covid Levels
GCSE results in England are set to drop for a second year running, bringing grades back in line with 2019 levels. It follows a spike in higher grades in 2020 and 2021 when exams were canceled because of COVID-19, and results were based on teachers’ assessments. In Wales and Northern Ireland, results are set to... Read More
‘Chinese Spy’ Targeted Thousands Over UK LinkedIn
A Chinese spy is alleged to have used LinkedIn to contact thousands of British officials and lure them into handing over state secrets. The Times said that the spy worked for Beijing’s Ministry of State Security and used a series of false names. The MI5 has previously warned that spies are using LinkedIn to target those... Read More
Jobs To Go As Attempts To Find A Buyer Fail – Wilko
The administrators of Wilko said jobs are set to go and stores will close after it fails to find a buyer for the whole business. However, PwC said parts of the group could still be bought. Wilko announced earlier this month that it was going into administration, putting 12,500 jobs and its 400 stores at... Read More
UK-India Trade Talks Enter ‘Final, Trickier’ Stage – Government
UK trade talks with India are reaching their “final but trickier” stages, according to government sources. Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch is visiting India for a meeting of G20 trade ministers this week. There has been speculation about whether a trade deal may be struck before Rishi Sunak visits India in September. But the BBC has... Read More
Woman ‘Joyous’ After Sister Donates Womb In UK first
Surgeons in Oxford have carried out the first womb transplant in the UK. The recipient was a 34-year-old woman, and the donor was her 40-year-old sister, both of whom wish to remain anonymous. Doctors say both recovered well from surgery and the younger sister plans to have IVF this autumn using embryos that she and... Read More
Grant Shapps Visits Kyiv As UK Backs Ukraine Nuclear Power
UK support will help power Ukraine’s nuclear plants, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has said after visiting the country. The government has announced it will provide a £192m loan guarantee to enable a UK-based company to supply Ukraine with uranium enrichment services, a vital part of nuclear fuel. Nuclear power generates more than half of... Read More