News – World and UK

The UK, France and Germany have taken part in a major investigation targeting a people-smuggling network believed to be moving people across the Channel, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said. The operation targeted an Iraqi organised crime group (OCG) suspected of being involved in smuggling people from France across the Channel to the UK in small boats, according to the NCA. The network was involved in sourcing equipment for […]

A pilot scheme to help schools save money on their energy bills and improve energy efficiency has been launched by London mayor Sadiq Khan. The Greener Schools initiative, launched on Thursday, invites London boroughs to apply for part of a £2 million pot to help schools implement a range of interventions including insulation, solar panels and heat pumps as well as climate engagement activities. The grants will be match funded […]

Delays in the criminal justice system are “probably worse than I’ve ever known them to be”, the country’s top prosecutor said as he vowed better support for victims. Delays in the criminal justice system are “probably worse than I’ve ever known them to be”, the country’s top prosecutor said as he vowed better support for victims. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said his “highest priority” since taking on the […]

A building society is increasing the maximum amount that first-time buyers can potentially borrow as a multiple of their earnings, with the launch of a new mortgage range. Aspiring homeowners with a minimum household income of £40,000 may now be able to borrow up to 5.5 times their earnings, Leeds Building Society said. Its previous maximum loan-to-income ratio was 5.25 for first-time buyers and 4.5 on its standard mortgage lending […]

France’s far-right and left-wing legislators joined together on Wednesday to vote for a no-confidence motion prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time […]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced Labour pressure to amend her inheritance tax changes for farmers as a backbencher made clear his opposition to the current proposals. Markus Campbell-Savours, the Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, said he is “not prepared to break my word” given to farmers during the election that Labour had no plans to introduce changes to agricultural property relief (APR). He said he will engage with the […]

A multibillion-dollar money laundering network run by two Russian millionaires and used by UK drug dealers to hide criminal cash has been brought down in an international sting. The system was used by Russian-speaking hackers with millions in cryptocurrency that they needed to turn into cash and assets, as well as street gangs in Britain who had physical money they needed to launder. Irish cartel the Kinahans are also accused […]

The Prime Minister faces pressure to raise human rights issues as he meets the Emir of Qatar to agree a £1 billion investment in climate technology on Wednesday. Sir Keir Starmer is set to host Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Downing Street as the Emir concludes his state visit to the UK. The pair will hail a “significant milestone” in the relationship between the UK and Qatar, as […]

Up to 300,000 children in England could be missing from education, a report has suggested. Teenagers are more likely to leave the English education system, especially in Year 10 when pupils are leading up to their GCSE exams, according to the Education Policy Institute (EPI). The analysis, which compared GP registrations with school registrations and pupils registered in elective home education, estimates that up to 300,000 children may be missing […]