News – World and UK

The show secured the highest Christmas Day ratings since 2008 James Corden has thanked fans for tuning into the finale of his hit sitcom Gavin And Stacey after it secured the highest Christmas Day ratings since 2008. The co-creator of the BBC comedy, with Ruth Jones, wrote an emotional farewell to the show, which drew an average audience of 12.3 million on Christmas Day, according to overnight figures. On Thursday […]

That's according to Toffees boss, Sean Dyche Sean Dyche senses his players are hungry for more as Everton look to build on their recent run of impressive draws. The Toffees frustrated champions Manchester City in a Boxing Day Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium that ended 1-1. Coming after successive goalless stalemates against title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea, it was another valuable point in the battle against relegation. Everton […]

That's according to HM Revenue and Customs HM Revenue and Customs has revealed that more than 4,400 Self Assessment customers avoided peeling the sprouts to file their tax return online on Christmas Day. In total, 40,072 customers – as well as spending the three-day holiday indulging in usual Christmas pastimes of eating, drinking and watching festive favourites on the TV – found time to go online and wrap up their […]

The scheme will give grants of £20,000 or more The Government will go ahead with a £15 million fund to help get surplus food from farms to homeless shelters, food banks and charities. The scheme to be launched in 2025 will give grants of £20,000 or more to the not-for-profit food redistribution sector in England. It continues a pledge by Sir Keir Starmer’s predecessor Rishi Sunak to launch a food […]

Sir Phil Redmond says social media is the “big issue” children are facing nowadays Soap supremo Sir Phil Redmond says that “courage has gone out of broadcasting” in recent years, and suggested that TV watchdog rules should be broken more often. TV writer Sir Phil, who created Hollyoaks, Grange Hill and Brookside, pushed for future schools-set soaps to be more gritty, and said social media is the “big issue” children […]

One in three workers plan to find a new job or make a career change in the coming 12 months, new research suggests. A survey of 2,000 workers by flexible jobs site Indeed Flex indicated that only half intended to stay in their current role in 2025, with almost a fifth undecided. Nearly half of younger workers – aged 18 to 24 – are planning to switch jobs, compared to […]

The teenage actress who became a viral star as the mysterious masked figure scaring children at a botched Willy Wonka event has looked back on her “crazy” year. Felicia Dawkins, 17, captivated the internet as The Unknown, one of many alternative characters – including Oompa Loompas renamed Wonkidoodles – from February’s disastrous Willy’s Chocolate Experience in Glasgow. The unlicensed nod to Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory went viral […]

Parents are being urged to ensure seat belt wearing becomes “second nature” for children as figures show 40% of rear seat car passengers killed in crashes are not belted up. Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation made the plea in response to PA news agency analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) statistics. The percentage of car occupants who die in crashes that are unrestrained falls to 23% for drivers and […]

Rachel Reeves will enter 2025 with the economy flatlining, inflation rising and a looming Whitehall spending review which experts warn will be “difficult”. The Chancellor believes the Government has taken tough decisions to get the public finances back on track and the benefits of public investment and planning reform will boost growth. Carl Emmerson, deputy director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said her focus on investment was “commendable” and […]