Month: January 2025

The Government must say how many migrants die crossing the Channel, a charity has urged, amid fears more perished in 2024 than in the previous three years combined. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the status quo “is not working” as he called on ministers to look at opening up new routes into the UK for people fleeing conflict or persecution. The Home Office confirmed several schemes […]

The Post Office needs to be “taken out” of its role in administering redress schemes for victims of the Horizon scandal, Labour MP Liam Byrne has said, as the “legal bill appears to be racking up all the time” on compensation. The Commons Business and Trade Committee said compensation for victims is still not being paid quickly enough and the Government should face financial penalties if the process does not […]

A new King, a global pandemic and a trophy for England at the women’s Euros mean this is already a decade like no other – and all were responsible for some of the biggest TV audiences of the first half of the 2020s. Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles’s coronation both attracted enormous ratings, as did former prime minister Boris Johnson’s broadcasts about Covid-19, proving that moments of history […]

Millions of bus passengers in England have been hit by an increase in single fares from £2 to £3. The Government increased the bus fare cap on Wednesday for the first time since it was launched for most routes two years ago. It will remain at £3 until the end of 2025. The Department for Transport (DfT) said this will enable “potential savings of up to 80% on some routes”. […]

There has been a “troubling” increase in the number of people admitted to hospital for health problems caused by a lack of vitamins, new data shows. NHS figures analysed by the PA news agency show a dramatic rise in people with a main diagnosis of anaemia (caused by lack of iron) and B vitamin deficiencies. The Royal College of GPs said the findings are “very concerning” and highlight how a […]

Flights from UK airports must use a minimum amount of lower-carbon jet fuel from Wednesday, with the introduction of the sustainable aviation fuel (Saf) mandate. By law, Saf must make up at least 2% of all jet fuel used in flights in 2025. The percentage will rise annually, reaching 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. The Department for Transport described the requirement – which applies to all aviation fuel […]