Consumer confidence records ‘sharp slide’ in expectations for general economy Consumer confidence fell in September amid a sharp slide in expectations for the general economy, figures show. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index dropped two points to minus 19 this month, with all measures down in comparison to last month. Expectations for the general economy fell
Tribunals ‘falling short’ in addressing sexual misconduct among doctors – report Sanctions for doctors found guilty of sexual misconduct may be too lenient in around a quarter of cases, a report suggests. Nearly 24% found guilty of sexual misconduct were allowed to continue practising following a suspension after a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) case,
Government branded ‘cowardly’ over rent control exemptions The Scottish Government has been branded “cowardly” over the decision to exempt certain properties from rent controls. It emerged this week Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan had decided to exempt mid-market rent (MMR) and build-to-rent (BtR) properties from the rent controls in the Housing (Scotland) Bill. The legislation would
Migrant set to be deported after losing ‘one in, one out’ removal challenge An Eritrean man is set to be deported to France on Friday after losing a High Court bid to have his removal under the Government’s “one in, one out” scheme temporarily blocked. The migrant, who cannot be named, arrived in the UK
Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas teases ‘exciting changes’ for new series Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has teased some “exciting changes” and “twists and turns” ahead of the new series. The BBC One dancing programme will return to screens this Saturday with a host of new celebrity contestants, including Apprentice star Thomas Skinner,
Interest rates held at 4% as UK ‘not out of woods’ on inflation The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4% as it said the UK was “not out of the woods” on inflation, with taxes contributing to rising food costs. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep rates unchanged, following
‘Little progress’ made opening up top jobs to state-educated people – charity The privately educated are “maintaining a vice-like grip” on the top jobs in Britain, a charity has said, and is calling for employers to be required to report on the economic backgrounds of their workforce. The Sutton Trust has found the most influential
‘Power of peatlands’ embraced in new strategy to tackle climate crisis The “power of peatlands” is to be embraced in a new strategy by Stormont to tackle the nature and climate crisis and improve water quality. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir described Northern Ireland’s peatlands, which cover around 12% of the region,
US firms to invest £150 billion in UK as part of Donald Trump’s state visit American investment worth £150 billion has been unveiled as part of US President Donald Trump’s historic second state visit. Some 7,600 “high quality” jobs will be created across the country as a result of the influx of cash from big
Irish police find remains of child in search for missing boy Irish police believe they have uncovered the skeletal remains of a child who had been missing for years following a search in the Donabate area of Co Dublin. Daniel Aruebose has been missing for several years but would have been seven years old if