News – World and UK

Energy firms will have to offer household tariffs free of standing charges as an alternative to existing ones under plans by regulator Ofgem. The regulator wants suppliers to have to offer “zero standing charge” tariffs alongside other tariffs by next winter as part of plans to address ballooning household energy debt. It is also proposing new standards for suppliers to make it easier for customers who are struggling to pay […]

Veterans who suffered mistreatment in the armed forces under the “gay ban” will receive up to £70,000 each as part of a £75 million scheme being launched by the Government. Defence Secretary John Healey described the historic wrongs faced by LGBT+ service personnel as a “moral stain on our nation”, ahead of applications for the financial redress programme opening on Friday. The total amount available will be £75 million, exceeding […]

The Middle East nation were the sole bidders Saudi Arabia have been confirmed as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup. The Middle East nation were the sole bidders for the finals in 10 years’ time, with an online FIFA Congress voting by acclamation in favour of their staging despite the huge controversy surrounding the bid. The hosting rights for the centenary tournament in 2030 were rubberstamped at the same […]

A horrific campaign of abuse Three members of Sara Sharif’s family have been found guilty over the 10-year-old’s death after years of horrific abuse. Her father Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of her murder and her uncle Faisal Malik, 29, was convicted of causing or allowing her death following a trial at the Old Bailey. Mr Justice Cavanagh adjourned sentencing until next Tuesday, telling […]

The Government says it's support for the sector is ‘steadfast’ Dozens of tractors have lined up in Whitehall to protest against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax for farmers. The Government says it's support for the sector is ‘steadfast’.  Will Elliott, aged 50, drove his tractor for three hours from his farm near Grafham, south of Guildford, in Surrey, to attend the protest. His farm, Whipley Manor Farm, predominantly grows cereal […]

Women and girls are being left to “suck it up” and endure pain for years due to a lack of awareness surrounding painful reproductive conditions, according to a new report. They frequently have their conditions dismissed due to “medical misogyny”, “pervasive stigma” and a lack of education surrounding common conditions including endometriosis, heavy periods and adenomyosis, according to the Women and Equalities Committee of MPs. The committee set out to […]

Most teachers are reluctant to use or are not interested in artificial intelligence for pupil learning and assessment, new research has found. A study of more than 5,000 teachers by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, found that the majority (64%) are not using AI tools such as ChatGPT professionally, and 19% are not interested in using it in the future. A lack of clarity on their schools’ policy around […]

One in 160 people were estimated to be homeless in England on a given night this year, new research from Shelter has suggested. The charity said its research into people living in temporary accommodation, sleeping on the streets and living in hostels is “the most comprehensive overview of recorded homelessness in England”. But its figure of 354,016 is still likely to be an underestimate, it said, as some types of […]

The Government has said it will build four new prisons within the next seven years in a bid to grip the overcrowding crisis. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) promised to find a total of 14,000 cell spaces in jails by 2031. Some 6,400 of these will be at newly built prisons, with £2.3 billion towards the cost over the next two years. The remaining places will be found by measures […]