News – World and UK

Nearly three-quarters of higher education providers could be in deficit by the next academic year, according to new analysis by the sector’s regulator. The Office for Students (OfS) said up to 72% of providers could fall below the line by 2025-26 based on current trends, with a reduction in student numbers a significant factor. A £3.4 billion reduction of net annual income is also projected across the sector. The forecast […]

The Home Office spent £15 million buying a derelict prison contaminated with asbestos amid political pressure to stop housing migrants in hotels, according to Whitehall’s spending watchdog. The government department cut corners and paid more than it needed to in its haste to acquire the Northeye site in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, but this was “ultimately deemed unfit for its intended purpose due to contamination”, the National Audit Office (NAO) said. […]

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing pushback from senior Labour figures over his stance on assisted dying. Mr Streeting, who is voting against the assisted dying Bill, has suggested it would cost the NHS more if a new law was brought in. He has also asked his officials to carry out a cost analysis of any change. On Thursday, former minister Baroness Hodge suggested Mr Streeting should follow guidance from […]

UK economic growth slowed between July and September relative to the previous quarter, according to official data. The UK economy grew by 0.1% over the period, versus 0.5% growth between April and June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The estimate was behind economist predictions of 0.2% and comes as a blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves who unveiled a rise in business taxes in Labour’s first Budget in Government […]

The cast express “sorrow and joy” The cast of Doctors have expressed “sorrow and joy” as the final episode of the BBC soap airs, bringing the show to a close after more than two decades. Last year, the BBC revealed that the long-running series, which began in 2000 would be coming to an end in 2024. The show is about the doctors and staff at a busy Midlands GP practice, […]

I don’t like it – Kane irked by team-mates withdrawing Frustrated captain Harry Kane has suggested some England players have forgotten the importance of representing their country following a spate of withdrawals. The Euro 2024 runners-up round off a mixed year by heading to Greece for Thursday’s must-win Nations League match before a Wembley encounter against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. But interim boss Lee Carsley’s final camp has been hit by an […]

Could boost growth as Budget backlash continues Rachel Reeves will tell City chiefs she has a plan to boost the economy with billions in pension investment as she continues to battle criticism over her tax-raising Budget. The Chancellor was warned by business chiefs she needs to “work hard” to restore confidence in the UK as a destination for investment following the Budget “piling additional costs on firms”. She will use […]

44-year-old Turkish man arrested Sir Keir Starmer has said the arrest of a 44-year-old Turkish man suspected of being a supplier of small boats was a “significant piece of the jigsaw” in tackling Channel migrant crossings but “I’m not pretending it’s the silver bullet”. The suspect was detained at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam on Wednesday after a joint investigation by Dutch and Belgian authorities and the UK’s National Crime Agency […]

The British Museum is to receive the highest-value gift in UK museum history as it acquires £1 billion worth of Chinese ceramics. Trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation are to donate 1,700 pieces to the London museum, based in the city’s Bloomsbury area. British businessman Sir Percival David, who lived from 1892 to 1964, collected the items in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and China, with his passion for the […]