UK News

The UK Government borrowed more than expected for the latest financial year, according to new official figures. Public sector net borrowing rose to £151.9 billion in the year to the end of March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This was £14.6 billion higher than the £137.3 billion forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility. The yearly figure was also £20.7 billion more than the same period a year […]

There are not enough NHS staff to ensure safe care for maternity patients or those recovering from injury or illness, according to a poll. Nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives who responded to a Unison survey said there were too few staff on 69% of shifts, up from 63% two years ago. NHS workers reported the highest proportion of safety concerns after their shifts on maternity wards (81%), in rehabilitation units […]

Vehicle breakdowns caused by potholes increased by nearly a fifth in 12 months, new figures indicate. Some 9,439 callouts to breakdowns as a result of poor road surfaces in the UK were received by the RAC between January and March. That was a 19% increase from 7,904 during the same period last year. Common vehicle problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. Prime […]

Talks aimed at ending the long-running Birmingham bin strike will resume on Wednesday. Leaders of the Unite union will meet officials from the city council in a new bid to resolve the row. Union members have been on strike for more than a month in a bitter dispute over pay and jobs, leading to rubbish piling up on the streets. The two sides met last week and both said they […]

Sir Keir Starmer said a woman is an “adult female” as he appeared to U-turn on his previous stance on trans rights following the Supreme Court’s judgment on the issue. In his first public comments since the justices’ decision on April 16, the Prime Minister said he is “really pleased” with the clarity that the court’s ruling offers. In March 2022, before entering No 10, Sir Keir said “a woman […]

Sir Keir Starmer has said it is “incredibly humbling” to see the work being done by allied nations to train Ukrainian troops. The Prime Minister also praised the “resilience” of Ukrainians as he visited a military base alongside his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, to see the work under Operation Interflex. More than 54,000 Ukrainians have already received training under the programme. Sir Keir said: “This is the second time […]

Sir Keir Starmer will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday, following his death on Easter Monday aged 88. His body will be laid out for public view from Wednesday in St Peter’s Basilica, so mourners can pay their respects to a man dubbed the People’s Pope. The Prime Minister will join other leaders […]