Ministers to U-turn on pub business rates rise within days Ministers are to U-turn on increasing business rates for pubs in the face of mounting pressure from landlords and backbench MPs, the Press Association understands. Pubs have been facing the prospect of much higher business rates after the Chancellor announced plans to end Covid-era discounts
Kate makes surprise appearance with William in show of support for NHS staff The Princess of Wales has made a surprise appearance the day before her birthday by joining the Prince of Wales on a visit to show support for NHS staff in London. Kate accompanied William, who was originally due to attend solo, at
Festive gatherings may have led to ‘bounce back’ in winter viruses Christmas and new year gatherings may have caused a “bounce back” in winter viruses, with the number of people in hospital with flu up slightly, according to NHS England. People in hospital beds with flu in England averaged 2,924 each day during the week
David Coote spared jail after schoolboy video found on laptop Former Premier League referee David Coote has been spared jail after he was found to have a sexual video of a 15-year-old boy in school uniform on his laptop. Coote, 43, previously pleaded guilty to making an indecent moving image of a child of the
Tate Modern attacker jailed for 16 weeks after assaulting Broadmoor staff A man who threw a six-year-old boy off the Tate Modern’s 10th-storey balcony has been jailed for 16 weeks after attacking two nurses at Broadmoor hospital. Jonty Bravery was found guilty of assaulting nurses Linda McKinlay and Kate Mastalerz after he kicked one in
Leeds great Terry Yorath dies at the age of 75 Former Leeds and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness, his family have said in a statement. Terry Yorath was a member of that exclusive club of footballers who have played for and managed their country and
Corridor care ‘best worse option’ as hospitals adapt temporary spaces Some NHS hospitals are adapting corridors and other spaces to provide care by installing plug sockets and emergency call bells in a bid to minimise patient safety risks, an investigation has found. Senior staff told the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) that they made
Average UK house price fell to six-month low in December, says Halifax The average UK house price dipped to its lowest level in six months in December, according to an index. Property values fell by 0.6% or £1,789 month on month on average in December, taking the typical house price to the lowest level seen
Exercise ‘may be just as good at treating depression as psychological therapies’ Exercise may be just as good at treating depression as psychological therapies and possibly even antidepressants, a study suggests. A review of 73 studies from researchers at the University of Lancashire found exercise may have a moderate benefit on reducing symptoms of depression
Queen’s urgent mission over reading rates as book club charity marks milestone The Queen has described her charity’s mission to get people reading as “more urgent than ever”, saying “books do make life better” as she marked the fifth anniversary of her Reading Room book club. Camilla, who founded The Queen’s Reading Room in lockdown,