News – World and UK

There is an “urgent need for a rapid turnaround” of England’s health watchdog owing to “significant failings” in how it works, according to a damning review. The final report of senior NHS leader Dr Penny Dash into the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found changes were needed to “restore credibility” within health and social care. Dr Dash interviewed more than 100 staff at the regulator, received some 125 emails and also […]

UK earnings growth has fallen to its lowest level for more than two years amid further signs of a weakening jobs market, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said average regular earnings growth eased back to 4.9% in the three months to July, down from 5.1% in the previous three months. This marked the lowest level since the three months to June 2022. But earnings growth […]

New weight loss jabs could be given to unemployed people to help them get back into work, Wes Streeting has suggested. The Health Secretary said “widening waistbands” were placing a burden on the NHS. The latest generation of weight loss medicine, like Ozempic or Mounjaro, could be administered to people in order to get them back into employment, and to ease costs to the health service, he added. Mr Streeting’s […]

The UK is “critically vulnerable” to another energy crisis that would see price spikes, the Energy Crisis Commission has warned. The high-level group of experts, including representatives from Energy UK, Citizens Advice and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said the 2021-2022 crisis exposed various weaknesses in Britain’s energy system across three areas – supply, demand and targeted support for the poorest households. The commission was launched earlier this year […]

Michael Jackson’s jacket and John Lennon’s first vox amp, which he used with the Beatles, are expected to fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer. More than 350 rare and unique items of music memorabilia will go on sale at the Propstore auction on Friday November 15, including instruments, handwritten lyrics and autographs. Pieces worn and used by late music stars including George Michael, Prince […]

Harry Wilson maintained his scoring streak for Wales as a 1-0 Nations League win over Montenegro saw manager Craig Bellamy create Welsh football history. Bellamy became the first Wales manager to be unbeaten in his first four games as his side stayed two points behind Group B4 leaders Turkey, 4-2 winners in Iceland. Wilson has found himself a bit-part player at Fulham this season, managing only 36 minutes in the […]

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in Luxembourg to discuss security issues with his EU counterparts as the Government continues its attempt to “reset” relations with the bloc. Mr Lammy is the first Foreign Secretary to attend the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council for two years, and he hailed his visit as a “historic moment” as he arrived for the meeting on Monday morning. He told reporters: “UK and Europe’s security […]

The UK is not “locked into” a winter of higher flood risk despite recent wet weather, officials have said, but urged people to plan for all eventualities. Officials from the Met Office and Environment Agency are urging people to be prepared for flooding, at the launch of “flood action week” on the anniversary of – Storm Babet which brought significant floods across the country. And experts warn that climate change […]

Right-to-die campaigner Tony Nicklinson would be “absolutely fuming” that more progress has not been made in the past 12 years on legalising assisted dying, his daughter said. Lauren Peters, who was 25 when her father died days after his case was rejected by the High Court in 2012, spoke ahead of the introduction of a Bill in Parliament this week to give choice at the end of life. Mr Nicklinson, […]