Author: UK News

Keir Starmer is facing a new backlash from the trade unions after he was accused of imposing a new round of austerity again on fire and rescue. Starmer facing new trade union challenge over ‘Labour austerity’ Keir Starmer is facing a new backlash from the trade unions after he was accused of imposing a new round of austerity again on fire and rescue. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has claimed that the Labour government has imposed a real-terms cut to fire and rescue services across England. In a warning to the prime minister he said: “Austerity under a…

Tories demand PM widens investigation to councillors and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, who was a member of the Whatsapp group, apologises for not speaking out against ‘completely acceptable’ comments Starmer facing calls to probe second Labour MP over Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group row Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to widen his party’s investigation into allegations of offensive messages on a WhatsApp group, which has already led to the sacking of former health minister Andrew Gwynne. It came as Burnley MP Oliver Ryan admitted to being a member of the Whatsapp group where Gwynne made the offensive comments and issued…

Why are Britain’s farmers protesting?  Thousands of farmers are expected to join a rally in Whitehall as they protest against the Labour government’s extension of inheritance tax to agricultural property. Industry leaders say the plan, put forward by chancellor Rachel Reeves during her first Budget last October, is “marching the UK into a food crisis”. Below, we look at why exactly the farmers are on strike. What are the changes to farm tax?Previously, farming businesses qualified for 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business property. But now the tax is being imposed on farms worth…

Calling all coffee and Oatly oat milk lovers – as the collaboration you never knew you needed until now, has arrived. Yes, our dairy-free prayers have been answered and we now have the incredible Vertuo limited edition Oatly Barista Edition pods available. Don’t have a Vertuo machine? Fear not as you might next week… but more on that later. Costing 79p per pod and much less than the bang average ‘coffee’ you’re buying every morning, Nespresso says: ‘when used with Oat drink, this coffee displays strong cereal and sweet aromatics, complemented by a smooth texture, low bitterness, and light body.’…

A woman has died after after her car crashed into a London bus in east London. The woman driving the car was rushed to hospital, but she died a short time later Emergency services were called to Lea Bridge Road in Hackney just before 7am today. The woman driving the car was rushed to hospital, but she died a short time later. The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at approximately 06:50 hrs on Saturday, 8 February to reports of a car in collision with a bus in Lea Bridge Road, near the junction of Clapton Road, E5. ‘Officers, London…

Health minister sacked over racists WhatsApp messages, after being caught. Andrew Gwynne allegedly sent racist, sexist messages in a WhatsApp group. The health minister Andrew Gwynne sacked over WhatsApp messages. Health minister sacked over WhatsApp messages The MP for Gorton and Denton was also suspended from the Labour Party after the Mail on Sunday reported, external the messages, which insulted constituents, fellow MPs and councillors. A government spokesperson said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was “determined to uphold high standards of those in public office” and “will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards”. Gwynne calls…

Former culture secretary warns Netflix revolution has made BBC licence fee unsustainable. Sir John Whittingdale was the last culture secretary to renegotiate the BBC charter including the licence fee but now believes it needs to find a new means of funding. Netflix revolution has made BBC licence fee unsustainable The former Tory minister said: “The broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the last BBC charter review with more and more people choosing to subscribe to streaming services. At the same time, the number refusing to pay a licence fee is growing each year putting increasing pressure on the BBC’s finances.…

Grenfell Tower set to be demolished facing uproar. Bereaved London families and survivors have previously said ‘no one’ supported plans to demolish the block. Grenfell Tower set to be demolished amid backlash from survivors. The government said on Friday that the tower, which was preserved after the horrific blaze ripped through the building and killed 72 people in June 2017, will be “carefully” taken down. Ministers had been met with fierce criticism from some bereaved families and survivors of the fire following a private meeting about its future earlier this week. Grenfell Tower set to be demolished Confirmation of the decision has…

The rising threat of synthetic opioids coming in a variety of forms the new synthetic opioids (NSOs) are one of the fastest-growing groups of new psychoactive substances around the world. The potency of both substances are broadly equivalent and making them roughly 50 times more potent than heroin, there target audience. The rising threat of synthetic opioids The Illicit drug use is damaging large parts of the world socially, politically and environmentally. Patterns of supply and demand are changing rapidly. New synthetic opioids (NSOs) are one of the fastest-growing groups of new psychoactive substances around the world. The EU Drugs…

Satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk makes major strides across Ireland, but is being met with protests in regard to Elon Musk’s political stance. Starlink, the first-of-its-kind satellite internet service developed by Trump ally and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has been making significant inroads across Ireland. The growing technology offers high-speed connectivity using a satellite network, making it more easily accessible across areas like rural Ireland than the offerings of many mainstream competitors. This has led to increasing demand for the product in places like West Cork, Kerry, and the West of Ireland. Mr Musk shared a photo on…

Friday’s front pages report on the Bank of England’s bleak forecast for the UK economy sparked widespread concern, with growth now expected to be just 0.75% this year.

Rachel Reeves is under fire with some of the papers speculating on her future in the role of chancellor and the fears of stagflation – a combination of stagnant growth and rising inflation—are dominating the narrative.

While the interest rate cut to 4.5% offers some relief, the overall economic outlook remains challenging. The papers say the government faces tough choices including potential tax hikes or spending cuts, to stabilise the economy.

Elsewhere, there’s some showbiz news dominating tabloids, including reviews of the new BBC TV series Amandaland, an exclusive interview with the former girlfriend of Liam Payne and coverage of recent allegations made against a TV star.

The back pages are dominated by Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Spurs to book their place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Rachel Reeves has been dealt a further blow in her bid to fulfil Labour’s primary mission of reigniting economic growth, as a downgraded forecast overshadowed news of an interest rate cut. The Bank of England has halved its projections for growth this year because of the impact of the chancellor’s autumn Budget, and inflation is now expected to rise higher than previously estimated, to 3.7 per cent. The Bank also warned that more people will be out of work, as firms swallow higher taxes and an increase to the minimum wage. Ms Reeves, whose future as chancellor is being questioned…

UK weather: Britain braces for cold snap – but is snow forecast for the UK? Several yellow cold health alerts have been issued across the UK as Britons prepare for a cold snap which could bring snow and sub-zero temperatures. The alerts are in place across the northeast, southwest Yorkshire and the Humber, and the southeast from 9am on Friday until 9am on Tuesday. The warnings, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, mean the colder weather could lead to an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and there will be a greater risk to their lives. As a cold easterly wind drifts in from Scandinavia, the south of England…

Kosovo goes to the polls Sunday in a parliamentary election expected to be a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti after his governing party won in a landslide four years ago. Eligible voters, including those of the diaspora, will cast ballots to elect 120 lawmakers among 26 political groupings and one independent candidate in a vote held from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Serb minority has 10 secured seats while 10 more are for other minorities. This is the first time since independence in 2008 that Kosovo’s parliament has completed a full four-year mandate. It is the ninth…

A third of people believe asexuality can be “cured” by therapy, a new study that examines misconceptions of the sexual orientation suggests. Asexual people experience little or no sexual attraction to others and, according to the 2021 Census, there are around 28,000 people who identify as asexual in England and Wales. New research from Kings College London has examined misconceptions around asexuality and found that many asexual people face ignorance about or intolerance of their orientation. In a snap-shot study of 400 people, a third – 31 per cent – of respondents said they believed that asexuality could be cured…

FSA reveals a Goodfella’s garlic bread product contains milk but ingredient not mentioned on label Urgent recall for popular Birds Eye frozen food over allergy risk  An urgent recall has been issued for a popular Birds Eye branded frozen food over an allergy risk. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced Birds Eye Ltd. is recalling Goodfella’s Stonebaked Thin Garlic Bread because it contains milk, an ingredient that is not mentioned on the label. The FSA said in a statement issued on Wednesday: “The garlic bread has been mispacked with a garlic bread that contains cheese. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or…

As much as 70% of tasks in computer-based jobs could be transformed or replaced by AI, according to a new study. Experts from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said artificial intelligence was likely to have a “seismic impact” on the economy and society. According to its new report on the technology, jobs reliant on computer-based tasks such as project management, marketing and administrative support are the most likely to be reshaped by the emergence of AI. The think tank has called for greater government intervention on the issue, warning that AI policy is currently too focused on accelerating…

Television chef Gino D’Acampo has denied a string of claims he made sexualised comments and gestures to female employees behind the scenes of his popular programmes. ITV News reports dozens of former staff and freelances have detailed alleged experiences they described as “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous” while working with him over a period of more than 12 years. One woman claimed that in 2019 she saw the celebrity chef – a regular on ITV show This Morning – appearing to threaten a colleague over an ice cream.

The families of the people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire have spoken out after being told the block will be demolished. Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing some of the bereaved families, says Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also Housing Secretary, ‘announced the decision that the tower will have to be carefully deconstructed’. But some bereaved families say their opinions on the future of the tower have been ignored by the government, saying that ignoring their voices ‘on the future of our loved ones’ gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable’. Some 72 people were killed in the…

The distraught mother of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death at school has appealed to other youngsters to beware the devastation they could cause by using knives. Another 15-year-old boy appeared at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday charged with murder, possession of a bladed article and affray after Harvey Willgoose died on Monday. Caroline Willgoose said: “Just think if it was your brother, sister, dad, mum. Can you imagine the devastation if you lost somebody through that? “I don’t want anybody to go through what we are going through.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/school-boy-stabbed-knife-sheffield-b2693036.html

UK interest rates live: Bank of England set to cut interest rates in boost for mortgage holders The UK’s base interest rate is expected to fall to its lowest point in more than 18 months, providing a welcome boost for mortgage holders. Analysts believe the Bank of England will cut the interest rate from 4.75 per cent to 4.5 per cent in its monthly announcement on Thursday at midday. The base rate helps dictate the cost of borrowing such as taking out mortgage with some products, known as tracker mortgages, following it. The figure also impacts rates paid by individuals…

Lab-grown dog meat on sale at major UK retailer in ‘world first’ Pets at Home has launched what it claims are the world’s first meat-based dog treats made with cultivated meat. Their “Chick Bites” combine plant-based ingredients with lab-grown chicken, eliminating the need for raising and slaughtering animals. The cultivated meat, developed by Meatly, originates from a single chicken egg cell sample. The process, according to Meatly, generates enough meat to potentially sustain pets indefinitely. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lab-grown-dog-treat-pets-at-home-b2692827.html

Ethnic minority families are spending a larger slice of their income on housing costs compared to white British families, despite living in more overcrowded substandard homes, a new report has found. New research from thinktank Resolution Foundation suggested this could be down to fewer ethnic minority households owning their own home, or certain nationalities paying more to stay within their local communities. It found discrimination could also be a factor. Ethnic minority adults are more likely than their white British peers to live in London and the South East, which are areas with higher housing costs, the report added. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/housing-arab-british-black-cost-renting-b2692597.html

Migrants who are unemployed or in low-paid jobs will face being forced to leave the UK under plans being drawn up by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. As she seeks both to win back votes from Reform UK and to revitalise the party after last year’s election defeat, Ms Badenoch has pledged to crack down on legal and illegal migration. “The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK. That’s why we should double the length of time before people can qualify for indefinite leave to remain from five…

Trump’s Gaza takeover plan faces global condemnation The Guardian reports the US president’s plan has faced “global condemnation” as it says the head of the UN, António Guterres, has warned it is important to avoid an ethnic cleansing.  Despite Saudi Arabia and numerous other countries coming out against the plan, Trump told reporters “everybody loves it”, the paper says.