Author: UK News

The Independent leads on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza – which is said to be almost finalised. There is a large image from the LA fires as the headline notes the death toll has risen and incoming high winds could spread them further. The top of the paper reports a former actress has branded Harry and Meghan ‘disaster tourists’ after they visited an area affected by the fires. Israel and Gaza on brink of peace Talks between Israel and Hamas are being held today in Qatar to finalise a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. On Monday…

The Daily Express focuses on the distress of a dairy farmer affected by a government decision to limit inheritance tax relief for farms to £1m. The farmer argues this policy endangers his family’s future and calls for a reversal. ‘It’s now my life, my children’s life and my grandchildren’s future at stake’ “We’ve had many struggles over the years, not least the large overdraft, milk quotas, low milk prices and TB; it was often difficult to pay the bills. But just when we should be handing on to the next generation and enjoying our grandchildren, a bomb has taken off in…

The front page of the Mirror reports on the comments from a grieving mother whose daughter was driven to suicide after suffering years of domestic abuse. Her abuser was yesterday cleared of manslaughter. Elsewhere, the front page reports on the MI5 files that have been released. Grieving mum’s anguish: My girl’s voice was not heard Speaking after Wellings, 30, was convicted, Kiena’s devastated mother Angela Dawes said: “I’m finding it almost impossible to put into words how big of an impact losing Kiena has been. Kiena was a rare gem. She brought so much love and kindness to this world, into everyone…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has separated from his wife after nearly 30 years together, according to The Sun. The paper also reports on a ‘win’ for the late cancer campaign of Dame Debs after the NHS slashed the bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 50. The tabloid leads with news Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has split from his wife after 30 years together. The paper calls it a “Prem shock”. The paper suggests the visible strain on the manager – seen during the season – is in part due to the separation.

Tuesday’s front pages are heavily dominated by speculation over the future of the chancellor as well as the latest news from the economy. 

Images of Kiena Dawes – the young woman who ended her own life after suffering abuse at the hands of her partner – make many of the splashes this morning. Her ex-partner, Ryan Wellings, was cleared of manslaughter (but found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence). Her mother’s anguish leads several of the tabloids, as her family believe the abuse Kiena suffered drove her to suicide. 

Several newspapers warn British people who own homes in Spain (but don’t live there) could soon be facing taxes of up to 100% as part of plans being proposed in Spain to help tackle the country’s housing shortage. 

The back pages are made up of Premier League gossip and the latest from the Australian Open.

Former first minister of Scotland said the couple, who wed in 2010, ‘have been separated for some time now’ Nicola Sturgeon ends marriage to former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell  Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell have “decided to end” their marriage, she said in a post on social media. Making the announcement on Instagram, the ex-SNP leader said: “With a heavy heart I am confirming that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage. “To all intents and purposes we have been separated for some time now and feel it…

Exclusive: Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack is set to discover on Tuesday if members have voted for him to stay in post Fate hanging in balance of top union boss who pushed Starmer over workers’ rights  The union leader most credited with pushing Sir Keir Starmer to keep Labour’s commitment to a dramatic overhaul of workers’ rights will soon discover if he has been reelected as general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Matt Wrack, who has led the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for two decades, is now seen as the last of “the awkward squad” generation…

Declassified documents reveal MI5’s secret tips for tailing a suspect Do not use false beards, carry plenty of spare change for the tube, and if you have to tell a taxi driver to “follow that cab”, be prepared to give him a big tip. That was the advice issued to rookie MI5 “watchers” whose job it was to covertly follow and report on suspected enemy agents. The guidance is contained in a booklet issued to all new recruits to the Security Service during the Second World War. Declassified documents reveal MI5’s secret tips for tailing a suspect https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/declassified-documents-mi5-recruits-tips-b2679034.html

Just Stop Oil activists deface Charles Darwin’s grave inside Westminster Abbey Two Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested after they defaced Charles Darwin’s grave in Westminster Abbey. Police led the two protesters away after they used chalk spray to write “1.5 is Dead” on the naturalist’s grave at around 10am on Monday. The group said the graffiti was a reference to the news that the planet has experienced the first year in which temperatures have exceeded the target of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial times. Just Stop Oil activists deface Charles Darwin’s grave inside Westminster Abbey https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/just-stop-oil-charles-darwin-grave-westminster-abbey-b2678491.html

Will the Brexit headache ever end? Join our exclusive panel as we discuss five years of Britain outside the EU Nearly five years have passed since the UK left the European Union, yet Brexit remains a central and divisive issue in British politics. But what have we learned from Brexit? And how are its consequences continuing to shape the UK’s future? Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul as he hosts an engaging panel discussion that will explore these questions and more, reflecting on the ongoing impact of Brexit and its long-term effects. Will the Brexit headache ever end?…

Who could be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor? Who could be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor?  In football manager parlance, the dreaded vote of confidence from the club chairman often shortly precedes an inevitable sacking. So when Keir Starmer said on Monday he has “full confidence” in his beleaguered chancellor Rachel Reeves, tongues started wagging on her future. It was noticeable that the prime minister had to be asked twice before he answered the question, and he avoided saying her job was guaranteed until the next election while on camera. Only three…

The average property value increased by £2,400 last year. But where was it the most? Where in the UK homes are increasing and decreasing in value the most  More homeowners have seen their property increase in value last year, compared with 2023, according to latest calculations. Around half of UK homes increased in value by 1% or more in 2024, Zoopla estimated. Whilst 2024 saw a broad recovery of house prices, around a third of homes recorded price declines of 1% or more last year, equating to just over nine million properties. Just under six million homes last year recorded…

UK must do more to lead innovation in bio-tech sector, Lords committee says The UK has already lost its position as a world-leader in certain scientific innovations and technologies, and is in “severe” danger of slipping further behind without urgent action, a House of Lords report has warned. The cross-party Lords Science and Technology Committee said the UK must do more to boost innovation in the area of engineering biology to prevent it from entering a “doom loop” where foreign competitors leapfrog British efforts. The report follows an eight-month inquiry into engineering biology, an emerging area of science which uses…

More than 100 AI trials to boost small-business productivity launched Some 120 projects trialling how AI could help small businesses be more productive have been launched by the Government in its first wave of initiatives to use the technology to boost the economy. The projects include an AI tool that can predict potholes before they appear, another which can anticipate where mould is likely to grow in buildings and another being trialled at a bakery aimed at cutting food waste. Each of the projects will receive a share of £7 million in Government funding to help test the AI technology.…

Proposals aim to protect UK infrastructure from ransomware All public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure could be banned from making ransomware payments under new Government proposals designed to combat the cyber crime. A Home Office consultation is being launched that will consider expanding the existing ban on government departments making such payments, which are often demanded by cybercriminals to unlock or return files they have accessed after breaking into a computer system. The proposals also include a ransomware payment prevention regime, designed to increase the National Crime Agency’s awareness of live attacks and block payments to known criminal groups…

TV host signs off with powerful message as channel shuts down after 10 years TV channel London Live is closing after over 10 years. Bosses made the announcement with a statement addressed to their ‘loyal followers’ today. Posted on X, the message began on a sombre note, admitting that ‘sadly’, the channel will be going off air. ‘The TV channel will no longer be on air from 12am on 20th January and the final news programme will be on 16th January at 6pm,’ the statement confirmed. ‘We want to thank you for following and supporting us over the last 10…

The government is to set out plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs, the government said.

The pound has dropped to its lowest value against the dollar since November 2023 while government borrowing costs have continued to rise. The pound fell to $1.21 on Monday morning as the recent sell-off continued.

A new way of tackling homelessness is showing promise. Will it catch on? Mexico, Canada and now the UK are among those offering direct financial support to homeless people. The results are encouraging Homelessness is a growing problem in the UK with a record number of people living in temporary accommodation. It adds urgency to a new trial that will see homeless people in England and Wales receive direct financial support to help get them back on their feet.  The pilot will recruit 360 people, half of whom will continue to receive their current level of support – so acting…

Dry and cold in the south today with some sunny spells. Cloudier in the north with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Windy in northern areas with gales in northern Scotland. Mild in the north. Tonight: Staying largely cloudy across with north with light outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Dry and cold in the south with some clear spells, allowing for patchy fog and frost.

Kyle Walker’s imminent departure from Manchester City to Italian club Inter Milan leads The Sun newspaper. Little Mix singer Jesy makes the front page after she announced she was pregnant with twins whilst there is also coverage of the nurse stabbed by a patient at a hospital in Manchester. A man has been arrested and the nurse is said to be in a critical condition. Bid to save marriage: La dolce cheater The Sun front page reports on Manchester City and England player Kyle Walker’s request to leave City and go play abroad – namely in Italy. The paper said…

James Cleverly writes for today’s edition of the Express. The former Home Secretary slams Labour and says families and businesses are suffering. Elsewhere, the death of a PC leads the front page after a tragic crash killed the woman described as the “very best of British policing.” Dancing on Ice makes the front splash. Britain under ‘tax assault’ from ‘inept’ Labour Writing for the Daily Express, former Home Secretary James Cleverly accused the government of a “tax attack,” claiming that rising taxes have harmed families, businesses, farmers, and schools. The government cited significant challenges during its initial months in office. Britain…

A horror attack at an A&E in Manchester has seen a nurse stabbed by a 37-year-old man. It’s understood that the attack on the nurse was triggered by a dispute over waiting times. Celebrity stories make up the rest of the Daily Mirror’s front page, including a report that darts star Luke Littler has hired a bodyguard and Little Mix singer Jesy has revealed she is pregnant with twins. Nurse attacked: Stab horror in A&E A nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by a 37-year-old man. The female member of staff at Royal Oldham Hospital…

Most of the front page is dominated by UK news – though a spot is left to cover the LA wildfires. There is coverage of the government’s plans to expand AI use in the UK’s public sector as well as a recent poll that suggests young people are shunning democracy in favour of “strong leaders without elections”. The ongoing cold snap – (and the rising flu cases) also make the front page. From schools to potholes: huge expansion of AI in public sector The government is set to unveil its AI plans today, a story The Guardian has chosen to…

The Independent continues with its coverage of the chancellor and the UK economy. The paper has been a harsh critic of Rachel Reeves since she revealed her October Budget. Elsewhere, the LA wildfires are also covered. Online, The Independent leads with the same two stories – and reports the death toll in the LA fires is rising amid fears of strong winds returning to the affected areas further fanning the flames. Top companies’ confidence in Reeves plunges The Independent’s lead story reports that the chancellor is facing backlash since her “much criticised” trip to China. The paper says Rachel Reeves’s…

Wildfires lead the front page of the Metro – and dominate the website. There are several stories about the ongoing crisis in California, including a backlash against the wealthy for hiring private firefighters, the return of strong winds to the area, the ongoing looter crisis that has swept the affected areas and greedy landlords taking advantage of those in crisis. Los Angeles Wildfires: L.A.WLESS Metro’s lead story reports that there is growing backlash to Los Angeles elites – including Hollywood celebrities – over reports that they are hiring private firefighters to protect their homes and properties. The paper’s front page…