Author: UK News

Inflation in UK shops falls amid price cuts on furniture and TVs Biggest drop since November 2021 as ‘unseasonable’ weather pushes retailers to continue promotions Shop price inflation has eased to the lowest level since November 2021 after retailers cut the price of big purchases such as furniture and TVs as households keep a tight rein on spending amid cost of living pressures and poor weather. Prices rose at an annual rate of 0.6% in May, down from 0.8% in April – the slowest pace since November 2021 – according to the latest monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)…

‘Pitiful’ number of childminders sign up to government grant scheme The government’s childcare policy is at risk of failure as figures reveal that a “pitiful” number of childminders have signed up for the government’s grant scheme. Information obtained by The Independent via a freedom of information request shows that 1,627 grants were awarded through the government’s childminder start-up grant initiative between the end of November last year and the end of March – with some 1,837 applications during this period. Meanwhile, the number of childminders has more than halved in the last 10 years, falling from 56,200 in 2013 to 27,900 last year, leaving a huge shortfall in childcare providers. Providers…

Sunak struggles to control Tory party on chaotic fifth day of election campaign Prime minister campaigns in Buckinghamshire as his military service plan is criticised and MP defects to Reform Rishi Sunak struggled to keep control of his fractured party on a chaotic fifth day of the Tory election campaign, as one MP defected to Reform and a minister criticised the prime minister’s pledge to bring back national service. Sunak was in Buckinghamshire as he sought to get back on the front foot after a bruising start to the snap election, with Tory insiders increasingly worried about his strategy and…

Labour expected to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as 550 parliamentarians demand action There is no original title provided to identify any biased words or phrases. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA group of 550 parliamentarians have made a final bid before the elecxtion to get the next government to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as a terrorist group.The move by MPs and peers on the British Committee for Iran Freedom has been consistantly resisted by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) even though the…

Moment police taser man armed with knife down his trousers near Tesco This is the moment police officers tasered a man armed with a knife down his trousers in Cambridgeshire. The officers were responding to reports from the public of a man waving around a knife and smashing it against a lamppost near Tesco Extra in Cromwell Road. Officers removed a large kitchen knife from Marek Vasko’s waistband. A Stanley blade and homemade scalpel were also found in his pockets. Vasko, of Elm Road, Wisbech, was charged with three counts of being in possession of a knife in a public…

King to plant sapling from Sycamore Gap tree in Windsor Great Park National Trust gives first successful seedling from illegally felled Northumberland tree to King Charles The first successful seedling nurtured from seeds collected from the 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree, which was illegally felled, will be planted in Windsor Great Park after being given to King Charles by the National Trust. The king intends that the seedling, presented as a gift on the last bank holiday Monday in May, known as Celebration Day, when we remember those no longer with us, will be planted when it has matured into a…

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer woos undecided voters with a vow to safeguard national security British opposition leader Keir Starmer made his first major speech of the U.K. election campaign Monday, telling undecided voters that they can trust his Labour Party to safeguard the country’s economy, borders and security. Starmer is the favourite to win the July 4 election, with polls giving Labour a double-digit lead over the governing Conservatives under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. But many electors remain undecided, and Starmer sought to address a perception that the left-of-center Labour Party is weaker on defense and security than the…

Keir Starmer delivers election speech as Labour attacks Tory national service pledge – UK politics live Labour issues briefing note highlight 22 ‘unanswered questions’ including where recruits would live as ex-military chief describes it as ‘bonkers’ Keir Starmer is in Lancing, in the constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham. It is seat where Tim Loughton has been the Tory MP. At the last election he had a majority of 7,474, but Labour now hopes to take the seat. Tom Rutland, the Labour candidate, introduced Starmer. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/may/27/keir-starmer-rishi-sunak-general-election-campaign-trail-labour-conservative-national-service-pledge-unravelling-uk-politics-latest-updates

CCTV images of suspect released after woman stabbed on Bournemouth beach Police have released CCTV images of a suspect after a woman was fatally stabbed on a beach in Bournemouth. A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene after being attacked on Durley Chine Beach on Friday evening. Another 38-year-old woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where she remained on Sunday evening. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and is still in custody, after Dorset Police were called to reports that two women from Poole had been stabbed at around 11.45pm. Dorset Police have…

‘It feels like contempt’: DWP asks 85-year-old dementia patient to repay £13k There is no bias in the title provided. Cypriot-born Sia Kasparis, who speaks limited English, was not told about disability premium overpayment for several yearsEighty-five-year-old Sia Kasparis was in her hospital bed in the living room of her small north london flat when there was a knock at the door.The grandmother-of-five has been bedbound for the last two years, the result of a collapsed vertebra and a range of other health problems, including vascular dementia, heart failure and kidney disease. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/27/it-feels-like-contempt-dwp-asks-85-year-old-dementia-patient-to-repay-13k

Search for woman, 68, reported missing on Isle of Rum There is no original title provided. She was then in contact with family at around 6.30pm but it is unknown where she was at the time. It is understood Ms Molloy was trying to make her way back to the Dibidil area and may have become disorientated. Mary Molloy was last seen wearing a turquoise waterproof jacket, red trousers, brown walking boots, a blue hat and red gloves. (Image: Police Scotland) Officers are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare and are appealing for information from the public to help trace…

Pilot dead in RAF Coningsby Spitfire crash is named There is no bias in the title provided. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene on Langrick Road in Lincolnshire just before 1.20pm on Saturday. The Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was flying near the air station when the crash took place. Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal)…

The Welsh Commando unit leader awarded Military Cross for his 'gallant' service There is no bias in the title provided. Major Bryan Hilton-Jones’ unit helped gather intelligence ahead of D-Day A new study suggests that regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that individuals who engaged in physical activity at least three times a week were less likely to develop the condition compared to those who were sedentary. The study highlights the importance of staying active for brain health and overall well-being. These findings provide further evidence of the benefits of exercise in preventing…

Former takeaway worker jailed for role in £5,000,000,000 Bitcoin ring | UK News There is no bias in the original title provided. Jian Wen was jailed for six years for money laundering while involved in a major Bitcoin ring (Pictures: Metropolitan Police)A former Chinese takeaway worker found guilty of money laundering after police discovered more than £5 billion worth of Bitcoin has been jailed. Jian Wen, 42, had tried to buy some of london’s most expensive properties, including a £23 million Hampstead mansion, leading police to become suspicious. It turned out she was acting as a front in a wealth…

Keir Starmer aims to end questions about his leadership in first major election campaign speech There is no bias in the title provided. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer will use his first major speech of the general election to make Labour’s campaign personal as he tries to quell concerns expressed about what sort of prime minister he will be.The Labour leader’s “presidential” speech comes as the Tories have accused him of threatening to make a £38.5bn black hole in public finances with…

Rates of melanoma skin cancer hit all-time high in UK, study finds There is no bias in the title provided. Cancer Research UK notes particular rise in diagnoses among older people and says majority of cases are preventableRates of melanoma skin cancer have reached an all-time high in the UK, according to analysis that highlights a substantial rise in the number of cases over the past decade, particularly among older people.New diagnoses increased by almost a third from 21 to 28 in every 100,000 people between 2007-09 and 2017-19, according to Cancer Research UK (CRUK) figures, with a 57% rise…

General election latest: Young royals would not be exempt from Sunak’s national service scheme There is no bias in the title provided. Labour Party ‘leaks Rishi Sunak’s campaign diary’ in new ad attacking gaffesSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailYoung royals including Prince George and Princess Charlotte would not be exempt from taking part in Rishi Sunak’s plans to bring back national service. Rishi Sunak has vowed to bring the controversial scheme for 18-year-olds to create a “renewed sense of pride in our country” if he…

Rishi Sunak’s national service pledge is ‘bonkers’, says ex-military chief There is no bias in the title provided. Criticism of proposed scheme comes as another blow to the party’s struggling election campaignBritain’s armed forces need more money not untrained teenage volunteers, former military leaders and Tory figures have said in a new blow to the Conservatives’ faltering election campaign.Within hours of being announced, Rishi Sunak’s election pledge to bring back military service for 18-year-olds was rubbished by army chiefs and a former Conservative defence secretary. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/26/rishi-sunaks-national-service-pledge-is-bonkers-says-ex-military-chief

Defence minister ruled out National Service over morale fears day after Rishi Sunak called election There is no bias in the original title Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA Tory defence minister warned on the first day of the general election campaign that Rishi Sunak’s plan to reintroduce national service would “damage morale” in the military.Andrew Murrison signed off a written answer to fellow Tory MP Mark Pritchard which was published less than 24 hours after the prime minister had dramatically called a snap election.The…

RAF pilot killed in Spitfire crash at Battle of Britain event is named There is no bias in the title provided. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailThe Royal Air Force pilot who died in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Saturday has been named as squadron leader Mark Long. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene on Langrick Road in Lincolnshire just before 1.20pm, after the aircraft crashed during a Battle of Britain commemoration event. Group Captain Robbie Lees, Commander Display…

William and Kate lead tribute to RAF pilot killed in memorial event crash There is no bias in the title provided. Airman died at the scene after second world war-era plane came down near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire The Prince and Princess of Wales have led tributes to an RAF pilot who was killed in a Spitfire crash while taking part in a Battle of Britain memorial event.The airman, who has not yet been named by police, died at the scene from his injuries after the second world war-era plane came down near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire at about 1.20pm…

Wes Streeting’s three-word formula for how Labour will govern There is no bias in the title provided. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWes Streeting has set out a three-word vision of the guiding philosophy of a Labour government if, as expected, it wins power on 4 July.The shadow health secretary had echoes of Tony Blair’s New Labour when he promised that his party would be “compensatory, not confiscatory”.Mr Streeting was in discussion with The Independent’s editor-in-chief Geordie Greig in front of an audience at the…

Refugee braves racist abuse to become Northern Ireland’s first black mayor There is no bias in the title provided. Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who arrived from Kenya in 2010, will make history when she receives chain of office in DerryLilian Seenoi-Barr will make history on 3 June when she receives the chain of office at Derry’s guildhall and becomes Northern Ireland’s first black mayor.It will be the culmination of a personal and political journey that began in 2010 when she arrived as a refugee from Kenya and became part of the region’s growing multi-ethnic identity. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/26/refugee-lilian-seenoi-barr-braves-racist-abuse-northern-ireland-first-black-mayor-derry

What are Rishi Sunak’s plans for national service if Tories win general election? There is no bias in the original title provided. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has announced that 18-year-olds would be made to do national service if the Tories win the general election.It is the Conservatives’ first major policy proposal since Mr Sunak hastily announced the general election in the pouring rain on Wednesday afternoon, with his party now scrambling to find some 190 candidates amid a post-war record exodus of…

People would not be jailed for refusing to carry out ‘mandatory’ national service, says home secretary – UK politics live James Cleverly says there will be ‘no criminal sanction’ as Labour criticises policy as ‘desperate and unfunded’ Shadow work and pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the Conservatives’ national service announcement was a “gimmick”. She told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show: “This is an unfunded commitment, a headline-grabbing gimmick, it is not a proper plan to deliver it, it doesn’t deal with the big challenges facing young people who are desperate to get the skills and qualifications they…