Author: UK News

How Vladdy dare you The Sun plays on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name with its headline “How Vladdy dare you,” following news that the paper’s defence editor, Jerome Starkey, has been issued a Russian arrest warrant. The Sun claims the warrant was issued due to his “fearless coverage” of the Russia-Ukraine war and reports that No. 10 has dismissed the move as “desperate.” Princess Kate features on the front page.

Many of Friday’s front pages focus on the tragic collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, DC, which claimed 67 lives. 

Elsewhere, the front pages cover a variety of domestic stories from domestic violence to the NHS to Nigel Farage’s call for more people to get behind Brexit.


A handful of papers feature images of British pop singer Marianne Faithfull – who has died at the age of 78.

The back pages cover Manchester United’s win in last night’s Europa League – the win means United advanced straight to the Round of 16.

Exclusive: PM urged for a radical rethink of Brexit to boost economic growth as it’s revealed government won’t calculate loss of the UK’s biggest market Starmer accused of having head in the sand over cost of Brexit Keir Starmer has been accused of having his “head in the sand” over Brexit as figures show the UK is conclusively worse off five years after leaving the EU. The prime minister has been urged for a radical rethink of the Brexit reset to drive economic growth as he prepares to open his negotiations at a dinner with EU leaders on Monday. Writing…

Brexit five years on: What was promised vs what we got Five years after Britain officially left the European Union, Brexit is less popular than ever. YouGov polling on Wednesday showed the number of Brits who think leaving the EU was a good idea is at its lowest since the referendum, with just three in 10 saying it was the right decision. Most voters support Britain returning to the EU, with even one in six who backed the UK’s departure now experiencing regret. Brexit five years on: What was promised vs what we got https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-anniversary-leave-starmer-reform-boris-johnson-b2689370.html

A winner is yet to come forward after matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Star numbers in last Friday’s draw UK EuroMillions players urged to check tickets after winner yet to claim £83.4m jackpot A UK lottery ticket holder who won £83.4m in a recent EuroMillions draw is yet to claim their jackpot, it has emerged. Players have been urged to check their tickets after National Lottery operator Allwyn said the winner in last Friday’s draw is still to come forward. The winner purchased their ticket in a retail setting, Allwyn revealed on Thursday, after matching all five…

A ministerial oversight group for the strategy ‘only met four times in three years’ Government efforts in recent years to tackle violence against women have failed, watchdog says  A government strategy to stop violence against women set up in the wake of the killings of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa has failed, a watchdog has ruled. Despite spending millions, the victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have not had improved outcomes with an “epidemic” of violence spiralling out of control. VAWG is a “significant and growing problem” affecting one in 12 women, the National Audit Office (NAO) said,…

The damning report comes ahead of Labour plans to cut disability benefit spending Disabled Britons suffering ‘unacceptable treatment’ at hands of DWP The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is letting down disability benefit claimants and putting them at risk of greater hardship, a damning new report has found. Customer service across the whole department is also criticised alongside the rising issue of underpayments in the wide-ranging document from the Commons cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Chaired by Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the committee make several recommendations to improve the DWP. These include improving call waiting times, better tackling fraud and reducing…

Captain Tom Moore timeline: From NHS hero’s legacy in pandemic to controversy almost five years later Decorated Second World War veteran turned pandemic hero raised £33m for NHS before passing away in 2021 but the foundation set up in his name has been heavily criticised in a watchdog report that also names Captain Tom’s daughter and son-in-law for mismanagement, Joe Sommerlad and Alex Ross report Captain Tom Moore timeline: From NHS hero’s legacy in pandemic to controversy almost five years later https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/captain-tom-moore-covid-fundraising-b2689517.html

Claire Freemantle said she had no memory of the fatal crash Driver bailed for second time after two schoolgirls killed in Wimbledon school crash  The driver of the four-by-four which smashed into a primary school killing two schoolgirls has been bailed for the second time after the Met Police rearrested her. Claire Freemantle, 48, is now due to report to a police station in late April. Her Land Rover Defender smashed through a fence of the Study Prep school in Wimbledon and killed Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both 8, as they celebrated the last day of the summer term…

The BBC has apologised to staff who felt ‘unable to raise’ their concerns All the allegations made against Russell Brand More details have emerged into the allegations about Russell Brand’s behaviour, after several women accused him of sexual misconduct while he was at the height of fame. The BBC has now apologised to staff as part of review into the presenter’s conduct, which found that a number of people “felt unable to raise” their concerns. It found that when he was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music between 2006 and 2008, he was viewed to have “great…

John Prescott’s funeral – latest: Starmer joins mourners as Reeves vows Heathrow third runway within decade John Prescott’s funeral – latest: Starmer joins mourners as Reeves vows Heathrow third runway within decade Sir Keir Starmer and Labour ministers have begun to arrive at Lord John Prescott’s funeral. More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to Lord Prescott’s service at Hull Minster. Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer’s.…

Everything you need to know about the Heathrow debate – which spans over two decades The history behind Heathrow’s third runway debate – and who’s against it Rachel Reeves delivered a landmark speech this week, promising economic growth across all regions of the UK. Speaking in Oxfordshire, the chancellor pledged a slate of new development projects – including a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Discussions about the expansion of London’s busiest airport date back to 2003, when its owners first sought approval for the third runway. Over 20 years later, Labour has got behind the project as the government invites…

“The culture of routine overspending without consequences is over”, Wes Streeting has warned, as he unveiled a new, trimmed-down mandate for the NHS. Wes Streeting takes NHS mandate ‘back to basics’ as health secretary wages war on overspending  “The culture of routine overspending without consequences is over”, Wes Streeting has warned, as he unveiled a new, trimmed-down mandate for the NHS. The health secretary, who said he will bring the health service “back to basics”, warned that the “NHS must learn to live within its means”. His new targets include cutting waiting list times, improving access to GPs and dentists…

Ofcom said its latest research revealed most people do not need letter delivery six days a week Royal Mail set to ditch some Saturday deliveries in new shake up Royal Mail is set to shake up its delivery service after Ofcom put forward new plans. Ofcom proposes ending Saturday deliveries for second-class mail, in a move that could save Royal Mail millions annually. The regulator, after a consultation, believes this change won’t compromise needs while maintaining six-day-a-week first-class deliveries. This move could save Royal Mail between £250 million and £425 million yearly. Royal Mail set to ditch some Saturday deliveries…

Thursday’s front pages report on the chancellor’s backing of an expansion to Heathrow airport. Some editorials suggest the third runway will be an economic headache whilst others take a more optimistic tone, suggesting the chancellor is reviving the economy.

Many of the front pages feature an image of US actress Renee Zellweger who was in London at the Premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

The back pages lead on how the English clubs fared in last night’s Champions League matches. Liverpool lost but they still finish at the top of the table, Arsenal and Aston Villa are through to the last 16.

Manchester City made a comeback after going 1-0 down and are through to the playoffs.

UK politics – live: Anger as Reeves’ support for third Heathrow runway sparks climate backlash Chancellor Rachel Reeves has prompted fury with the growth plan she unveiled, including backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and for new roads, as well as sweeping away environmental protections in planning. Shaun Spiers, executive director at think tank Green Alliance, warned against “growth at any cost”, saying: “The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it’s crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK’s climate targets.” UK politics – live:…

Buyers rush to complete sales ahead of 1 April stamp duty changes Housing market has strongest start in three years — see how your area fared The UK housing market has seen its strongest start in three years, with new sales agreements up 12 per cent in the four weeks to 24 January, compared with the same period last year, according to property website Zoopla. This surge in activity comes as the number of homes for sale also increased 10 per cent year-on-year. Zoopla has said this could be driven by buyers aiming to complete purchases before the April 1…

East West Rail project could be catastrophic for barbastelle bats, Cambridgeshire County Council warns Rachel Reeves backs East West Rail scheme despite fears for bats and newts  A rail route backed by chancellor Rachel Reeves – who played down consideration of bats and newts in development – has been fraught with fears it will wipe out bats and their habitats. Cambridgeshire County Council this month warned of a potentially catastrophic effect on barbastelle bats of the East West Rail project, a new rail link between Oxford and Cambridge. The scheme could be “unacceptable” and have a “catastrophic” impact on their…

The Metropolitan Police announced the 60-year-old and 42-year-old would appear in court on 25 February Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged after Sigourney Weaver play disrupted Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been charged following the disruption of a West End production of The Tempest, starring Sigourney Weaver. Richard Weir, 60, of Hotspur Street, Tynemouth, and Hayley Walsh, 42, of Grantham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, were charged with aggravated trespass on Tuesday, according to the London Metropolitan Police. Police said the charges related to an incident at Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, where at around 8pm, two Just Stop Oil…

Sir Keir hails vision of former deputy prime minister, adding: ‘I know many people will be raising a glass to John today’ Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘legendary’ John Prescott ahead of funeral Sir Keir Starmer has hailed John Prescott’s “fighting spirit” ahead of the former deputy prime minister’s funeral service in Hull. Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer’s. More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to the…

Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. Under pressure Rachel Reeves issues defiant response when quizzed on Keir Starmer relationship Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. The senior Labour minister insisted she and prime minister Keir Starmer are “a strong team”, as her growth plan comes under scrutiny from her own party. The chancellor was grilled on her economic plans when she appeared on ITV’s Peston on Wednesday (29 January). The ITV News political editor asked: “I’ve never known a prime minister being forced to declare confidence…

Chancellor’s optimistic economic growth vision hit in the short term as Tesco and Lloyds announce hundreds of job losses and she admits fixing the economy is ‘not an easy job’ Rachel Reeves’s plan for Heathrow to ‘turbocharge’ economy struggles to take off Rachel Reeves has given her backing to the long-awaited expansion of Heathrow airport as she set out her “optimistic” vision for Britain’s economy with a plan for growth based around building “faster and better”. However, the chancellor’s upbeat message was almost immediately hit by short-term economic woes, with Tesco cutting 400 jobs and Lloyds announcing the closure of…

Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail after dangerous dog attack. The reality TV star appeals against jail term after admitting twice being in charge of out-of-control dog. The 32-year-old, who won the 2018 season of the reality show alongside then-girlfriend Dani Dyer, pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, with one of the incidents causing injury. Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail He lodged an appeal following his sentencing at Southend Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A CPS source said: “He was granted conditional bail pending that appeal.” Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard…

The closures are due to begin in May as the group concentrates on its online services Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to close 136 high street bank branches Lloyds Banking Group is to shut 136 more high street branches as it accelerates plans to cut costs and digitise the bank. It will close 61 Lloyds, 61 Halifax and 14 Bank of Scotland branches between May this year and March 2026. The closure plan comes just weeks after Lloyds shook up its branch business to allow customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to use stores across any of…

Mohamed Samak would complain that he and his wife Joanne did not have a sexual relationship Hockey coach and wife were living ‘separate lives’ before she was ‘stabbed to death’ An interior designer was living an almost separate life to her hockey coach husband before she was stabbed to death, a court heard. Egyptian Mohamed Samak stands accused of murdering his 49-year-old wife Joanne who he claims stabbed herself “repeatedly” in front of him after he woke at around 3am. He told a jury at Worcester Crown Court, he found Joanne screaming and “trying to stab herself” before she slumped…