UK News

The King “required a short period of observation in hospital” after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has said. Charles has cancelled an away day to Birmingham on Friday to prioritise his recovery as a precautionary measure and is now back at Clarence House. The King, 76, was said to be on good form at his London home where he is working on state papers and making […]

At least five people have been wounded in a stabbing in Amsterdam, police in the Dutch city said. The stabbing happened on Thursday near Dam Square in central Amsterdam. One person has been arrested. Police have cordoned off the area and multiple ambulances have responded to the event. A trauma helicopter called to the scene has landed on the square. “A motive is currently still unclear, but part of our […]

Media company Sky has said around 2,000 jobs are at risk as part of an overhaul of its call centres. The company, which owned by US media giant Comcast, has said it plans to shut three of its 10 current UK call centres, in Stockport, Sheffield and central Leeds. Some roles will also be affected at Sky’s call centre sites in Dunfermline and Newcastle. It said around 7% of its […]

There must be no easing of sanctions on Russia until the war in Ukraine ends, Sir Keir Starmer has said following a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris. The Prime Minister said the group, which does not include the United States, had agreed there should be no reduction in sanctions on Moscow despite suggestions from the White House such a move would be part of a ceasefire […]

Storm overflows spilled sewage into England’s rivers, lakes and coasts for new highs of more than 3.61 million hours in 2024, Environment Agency figures have shown. It is only the second year that 100% of storm overflows have been monitored, allowing direct comparison between years, and it reveals that although the number of spills fell slightly compared with 2023, the duration of sewage discharges was up. There were 450,398 recorded […]

Unions are calling on the Government to help secure the future of British Steel after the company announced it is consulting on closing blast furnaces, raising fears of heavy job losses. Community, the GMB and Unite said it was “devastating” news that British Steel’s Chinese owner Jingye is launching a consultation on closing the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe steelworks this June, or at a later date if an agreement with […]

Environmental campaign group Just Stop Oil has announced it will stop direct action, claiming it has won its demand to end new oil and gas. The group had drawn attention, criticism and jail terms for protests ranging from throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers and spray painting Charles Darwin’s grave to climbing on gantries over the M25. In a statement, the campaign group said: “Just Stop Oil’s initial demand […]

Police will be given greater powers to stop “intimidating” protests being staged near places of worship. Forces already have the authority to place restrictions on demonstrations under the Public Order Act, but the law is due to be changed to allow protests to be stopped specifically if worshippers will be intimidated. The Metropolitan Police has already stopped pro-Palestine protests taking place near a synagogue in Portland Place in central London […]

Fresh talks are to be held on Thursday in a bid to resolve a long-running pay dispute involving refuse collectors which has led to rubbish piling up in streets. Members of Unite in Birmingham are on an indefinite strike, with no sign of a breakthrough, leading to residents across the city complaining of a health emergency. The union has claimed any chance of a breakthrough was being “hobbled” by commissioners […]