Author: UK News

Warning over bill that could change what you talk about in the pub Workers who go for drinks together have been warned about what they talk about in the pub. The equalities regulator has warned of the “complexity” employers might face in deciding whether an overheard conversation in a workplace could amount to harassment. The Government’s Employment Rights Bill includes provisions to require employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment at work by third parties. Warning over bill that could change what you talk about in the pub https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ehrc-pub-talk-work-workers-bill-b2679714.html

Starmer’s Chagos deal in the balance ‘as UK to wait for Trump approval before signing’ Britain will await approval from Donald Trump before signing a controversial deal on relinquishing control of the Chagos Islands, it has been revealed. Sir Keir Starmer’s government had reportedly been optimistic about a deal to cede control of the islands to Mauritius, following a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), before the US president-elect is inaugurated on 20 January. But officials briefed on the talks told the Financial Times that while “good progress” has been made in the protracted talks with Mauritius, they…

The SMEs shortlisted for the Cork Chamber Company of the Year Awards in Ireland. Since then, the company has grown rapidly and today employs 35 people helping firms to decarbonise and providing ESG solutions. Based on the South Mall, in Cork, Climeaction was founded in 2021 by Paul Murphy, below, with the aim of providing specialised energy audits for micro-businesses and SMEs. The firm’s services include consultancy, digital tools, and climate action programmes that are tailored to companies to achieve their sustainability targets and goals. Cork Chamber Company of the Year Awards Climeaction said its approach to companies is a…

Police have issued a ‘do not approach’ warning to two teenagers after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich. Detectives investigating the murder of Kelyan Bokassa, 14, have said they want to speak to Colin Chabikwa, 15, and Mosawar Zazi, 16. Kelyan was attacked and killed as he travelled on the 472 bus on Woolwich Church Road on January 6. No arrests have been made. The Metropolitan Police said they are following ‘a number of lines of inquiry’ relating to the murder investigation, which has led to them wanting to speak to the teenagers. They…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves continues to face pressure despite the pound and the UK government borrowing costs showing signs of stabilising after a turbulent few days.

A man has been cleared of manslaughter after his partner’s suicide. Ryan Wellings was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence.

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.

Mostly dry, though rather cloudy. Patchy drizzle England and Wales. Early fog becoming mainly confined to hills. Sunniest across eastern Scotland and northeast England, with morning brightness in the far south and northwest. Generally milder, though breezy in the north. Tonight: Remaining rather cloudy for many with patchy drizzle. The best cloud breaks developing across eastern Scotland, northeast England and Cornwall, where patchy fog and frost forming. Breezy in the north. Source: Met Office

The front page of The Guardian reports that “ruthless” public spending cuts may be implemented as the government seeks significant savings. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones is expected to address potential “sweeping changes to public services” in an upcoming speech. A report on the front suggests there are risks of a rise in unwanted pregnancies as women are ditching the pill in favour of fertility-tracking apps. Elsewhere, the cost of cleaning up toxic forever chemical pollution could reach more than £1.6tn across the UK and Europe over a 20-year period, an annual bill of £84bn, research has found. The front…

Metro’s lead story reports Ryan Wellings has been labelled an ‘innocent monster’ after being convicted of prolonged domestic abuse but acquitted of manslaughter. His partner, Kiena Dawes, left a note before her death, blaming Wellings. Innocent Monster Outside court, mum Angela Dawes said: ‘Justice has not been done. It breaks my heart that her beautiful baby girl doesn’t have her mummy because of that monster.’ Described by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC as an ‘entitled, aggressive bully’ and by Kiena’s friends as a ‘horrible little bastard’ with a jealous streak, he did not like being answered back – which ‘triggers his…

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.