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The number of households unable to afford basic essentials such as food and heating is at a record high, according to new research which suggests the rise has been driven mainly by those traditionally less likely to be struggling. An estimated 7.4 million low-income UK households were not able to afford at least one essential item in the last six months, anti-poverty organisation the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said. This […]

Young obese women are driving a rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes across England, research suggests. A new study found a rise in the number of young adults developing type 2 diabetes, and they tend to be fatter at the point at which they are diagnosed than older people. The research, published in Lancet Regional Health Europe, is the first to examine trends in new cases of type 2 diabetes […]

Andy Burnham’s premiership begins at a time when four-fifths of Britons feel the country is going in the wrong direction, only half are satisfied with their living standards and confidence in the quality of the NHS has plummeted, according to polling. The results show the new prime minister faces having to “navigate this highly fragmented, multi-polarised political landscape and rebuild some optimism for the future”, researchers said. Standing in Downing […]

The father of a 16-year-old who was murdered on a North Ayrshire beach has said losing him has “devastated our family forever”. Kayden Moy was fatally stabbed on Irvine beach on May 17 last year, after three teenagers acted together to attack him. Cole Turley, 18, admitted the killing, while Jay Stewart, 19 and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty of murder following […]

Andy Burnham told ministers he will lead a “cost-of-living Government” after announcing an £850 million tax cut on electricity bills. From October 1 electricity bills will be VAT free, saving households about £45 a year as part of the new Prime Minister’s promise to help ease cost-of-living pressures. But Darren Jones, a key ally of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer who lost his Cabinet post on Monday when Mr […]

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday over the death of Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister. Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. Kerry was also arrested on suspicion of […]

UK Government borrowing fell by a third last month, a bigger decline than forecasters were expecting and delivering some early relief to John Healey on his first day as Chancellor, official figures show. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing was £16 billion in June, which was 33.1% less than the same month last year. It means the figure came in £300 million below the Office […]

Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban for just over 10 million customers as the exceptionally dry, hot weather drives a surge in demand. The restriction, also known as a temporary use ban (TUB), will come into effect at 12.01am on Thursday. But the utility is also asking households to follow the ban immediately, ahead of its official start date. The restriction covers the 10.1 million customers that the firm […]

David Dimbleby has said he is “appalled” by cuts at the BBC which will result in up to 2,000 people losing their jobs. The national broadcaster aims to make £500 million in savings over two years, with job cuts announced in April set to take place over the next three years. Speaking to Radio Times, the former Question Time host, 87, expressed his dismay at the decision. “Why on earth […]