British Isles
Birmingham council pull plug on bin strike negotiations
Birmingham faces escalating disruption as the Unite union is threatening bin strikes 'beyond Christmas' following the city council’s decision to end negotiations. Bin workers have been on an all-out strike since March, leaving…
Less meat and smaller portions in school meals, caterers say
Schools across England are struggling to provide nutritious meals as rising costs outpace government funding for free school lunches. Michael Hales, incoming chair of the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACE), reports…
Wales: sexual abuse claims against former bishop and vicar
The Church in Wales faces deepening scandal as fresh historical sexual abuse allegations emerge against former bishop Anthony Pierce, already jailed earlier this year for child sexual abuse, and an unnamed former vicar.…
Migrant boat crossings: France and UK aiming to curb the flow
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are engaged in critical talks aimed at curbing illegal Channel crossings in small boats. During Macron’s historic state visit to the UK, the first by a French president…
Borrowing costs jump and pound falls on Chancellor's tears
Financial markets reacted sharply this week after Rachel Reeves appeared tearful during Prime Minister’s Questions, after the Government’s sudden U-turn on welfare reforms. Sterling fell by 1% against the dollar, while UK borrowing…
MPs vote to proscribe Palestine Action
MPs have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, with 385 in favour and 26 against. Home secretary Yvette Cooper defended the move, stating that…
Starmer’s NHS plan promises more GPs and local health hubs
Keir Starmer has unveiled an ambitious ten-year plan to transform the NHS by shifting healthcare from hospitals to local communities. Central to the proposal are 200 new 'neighbourhood health centres', offering scans, outpatient…
Labour rebels offered major last-minute concession on welfare cut
Labour’s welfare reform bill was plunged into turmoil after the government dropped plans to tighten eligibility for PIP, one of its core cost-saving measures. Facing fierce backlash and the threat of a major…
Prosecutors consider more charges against Lucy Letby
Prosecutors are considering bringing further charges against Lucy Letby, the former neonatal nurse already serving fifteen whole-life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more between 2015 and 2016 at…
BBC chief ‘appalled’ by anti-IDF chants
BBC director-general Tim Davie has told Jewish staff he is 'appalled' by anti-IDF chants during punk band Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set, acknowledging 'deep upset' among employees. The band led some of the crowd…
