Month: January 2025

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have ordered Cabinet colleagues to ditch policies which could stand in the way of efforts to grow the economy. The Prime Minister said the Government’s “growth mission” was now the driving force behind policy decisions. He told business chiefs in the City of London that had been made clear to “each of our Cabinet colleagues”. The Chancellor will deliver a major speech on Wednesday […]

Scotland’s First Minister has said reconnecting power in Scotland following Storm Eowyn has been a “colossal” task and the impact is a “warning that climate change is with us”. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power after the storm hit on Friday with almost 8,000 homes still cut off on Monday morning. Gusts hit 100mph north of the border as high winds caused claimed one life and caused […]

More than 200 UK companies have made the permanent switch to a four-day working week with no loss of pay, marking the latest milestone in the campaign to change the way British people work. The companies range from marketing agencies, IT firms and consultancies to those in the charity sector, and collectively employ more than 5,000 people. Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said the five-day […]

Spencer Matthews has said he is “running away from my former self” by taking on endurance pursuits after struggling with alcohol issues. The former reality star-turned-endurance athlete, 36, recently set a world record by running 30 marathons in 30 days across the Jordanian desert. Matthews will next embark on completing “full distance triathlons” in all seven continents which will consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a […]

Emma Raducanu came up short in a three-hour marathon to crash out in the first round of the Singapore Open. The British number two lost 5-7 7-5 7-5 to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a match featuring 17 breaks of serve. Raducanu was playing in her first match since splitting with coach Nick Cavaday, who stepped down last week due to health issues. Instead, the 22-year-old had her mother Renee for company […]

Palestinians have been allowed to return home to the largely destroyed region of northern Gaza after more than 12 months of besiegement by Israel. Israel’s withdrawal comes in the wake of a fragile ceasefire brokered with Hamas in recent months. Thousands of Palestinians headed north on Monday after waiting for days to cross into their homeland. Associated Press reporters said people were seen crossing the Netzarim corridor shortly after 7am. […]

Stormy weather is bringing the threat of flooding and more disruption to transport across large parts of England and Wales. A series of yellow warnings for wind and rain have been issued for large parts of England and Wales with more than 40 flood warnings in place. After a Met Office warning for rain over parts of Wales and central, southern and northern England, ran until 6am on Monday and […]

A persistent slowdown in activity among private sector firms could weigh on economic growth over the coming months, with businesses set to cut staff and raise prices, according to a survey. The upcoming increase to national insurance contributions has prompted firms to assess their budgets urgently, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. Output across the private sector is expected to drop over the next three months, having fallen over […]

The King will travel to Auschwitz to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation as Sir Keir Starmer spoke of the “collective endeavour” to defeat the “hatred of difference” on Holocaust Memorial Day. Charles will join survivors and other dignitaries invited to a service at the site of the former concentration camp in Poland on Monday, also meeting the country’s President Andrzej Duda during his brief visit. The Prince of […]