Covid PPE procurement saw ‘vast’ £10 billion waste, inquiry finds The scramble to buy PPE during the pandemic saw the UK waste almost £10 billion of taxpayers’ money, the official inquiry into the handling of Covid-19 has found. In the fifth report of her inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett criticised the “vast” waste in pandemic procurement,
Politicians facing ‘horrific’ culture of violence, Cabinet minister says Politicians face a “horrific” culture of violence which has become worse in recent years, a Cabinet minister has warned. Treasury Chief Secretary Lucy Rigby said it was a “sad and troubling” reality that the threats facing MPs and others in public life had increased. The alleged
UK economy beat the odds because of my choices, Reeves to say Rachel Reeves will say Britain’s economy has “beaten the odds” under her stewardship, in a defence of her record ahead of Andy Burnham’s incoming government. The Chancellor is expected to argue that the UK must “maintain the credibility we have earned”, signalling any
Pubs to serve more than 64 million pints of no and low alcohol beer this summer Pubs will serve more than 64 million pints of no and low alcohol beer this summer, an increase of eight million on last year, according to industry predictions. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the “staggering” growth
Burnham will be next prime minister after 349 MPs back him for Labour leadership Andy Burnham will be the next prime minister after receiving an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs on Monday, taking his total to 349. The additional nominations, on top of the 322 he received last week, mean it is now impossible
Ann Widdecombe’s murder being investigated as terrorism, police say The murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe is being treated as an act of terrorism, police have said. The former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
Family ‘utterly heartbroken’ after 16-year-old boy stabbed to death The family of a 16-year-old boy who died in a stabbing have described him as a strong and kind son who was an amazing brother to his siblings. A murder inquiry was launched last Tuesday after Khadeem Parris, from Motherwell in Scotland, died as a result
Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill dies aged 78 Jurassic Park star Sam Neill has died aged 78, his family has confirmed. The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster dinosaur franchise, died in Sydney, Australia, on Monday. A statement posted to Instagram read: “It is with immense
Warning of ‘summer scramble’ on roads as busiest getaway in four years expected Drivers are being warned to expect the busiest summer getaway on the roads in four years. The RAC estimated that 14.1 million motorists will embark on journeys for holidays or day trips between Friday and Sunday. That is the second highest since
Deadly climate impact: 2,700 heat-linked deaths in recent heatwaves, experts say More than 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during May and June’s record hot spells, as climate change makes heatwaves more deadly, experts estimate. Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) estimated that