Paul Doyle jailed for at least 21 years for Liverpool FC parade attack

Paul Doyle, aged 54, has been sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison after deliberately driving his car into a crowd of over 130 people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade. The incident occurred shortly before 6 pm on May 26, when Doyle, an ex-Royal Marine, “lost his temper” and acted out of rage,… Continue reading Paul Doyle jailed for at least 21 years for Liverpool FC parade attack

Arts Council England set for overhaul after criticism of funding 'straitjacket'

A significant review of Arts Council England (ACE) has called for a radical transformation in how cultural funding is allocated in England, advocating for greater regional authority and the removal of a contentious policy perceived to limit artistic excellence. Former government minister Dame Margaret Hodge conducted the review, which scrutinized ACE’s management of over £680… Continue reading Arts Council England set for overhaul after criticism of funding 'straitjacket'

Stephen Lawrence killer David Norris denied parole

David Norris, convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence, has been refused parole, according to reports from the BBC. Norris, who has been incarcerated since 2012, applied for release during a parole hearing held in October. Stephen Lawrence was fatally stabbed in 1993 in a racially motivated attack in south London when he was just 18 years… Continue reading Stephen Lawrence killer David Norris denied parole

Green paper: Debate on BBC's future kick-started by government consultation

The UK government has initiated a formal review exploring new funding options for the BBC, including the introduction of advertising or a subscription-based system. This move marks the start of a process aimed at deciding the broadcaster’s future, as outlined in a consultation document, often referred to as a green paper, which sets out proposals… Continue reading Green paper: Debate on BBC's future kick-started by government consultation

Troubled heritage body told to address 'unacceptable' governance

Scotland’s spending watchdog has issued a critical report highlighting serious governance issues within Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The Auditor General, Stephen Boyle, identified significant problems including weaknesses in procurement procedures, data breaches, the distribution of complimentary event tickets, and the absence of a formal register of interests for senior leaders. This report comes amid prior… Continue reading Troubled heritage body told to address 'unacceptable' governance

Mears: Asylum seeker hotel firm hands back almost £14m in profit

Mears, one of the United Kingdom’s largest providers of accommodation for asylum seekers, has returned nearly £14 million to the Home Office after it was found to have exceeded the profit limits set within its contracts. The company operates across several regions, including Scotland, the north of England, and Northern Ireland, where it reported its… Continue reading Mears: Asylum seeker hotel firm hands back almost £14m in profit

Children with cancer scammed out of millions fundraised for their treatment, BBC finds

This excerpt describes investigations into potentially fraudulent charity campaigns allegedly exploiting seriously ill children in countries like the Philippines, Colombia, and Ukraine. Key points include: – Families of sick children, such as Khalil (Philippines) and Ana (Colombia), were approached by intermediaries and filmmakers (notably a man named “Erez,” identified as Erez Hadari) offering to create… Continue reading Children with cancer scammed out of millions fundraised for their treatment, BBC finds

UK launches taskforce to 'break down barriers' for women in tech

The UK government has introduced a new taskforce aimed at supporting women in the technology sector by helping them enter, remain, and advance into leadership roles within the industry. This initiative is spearheaded by technology secretary Liz Kendall, who will collaborate with prominent female figures from various tech companies and organizations. Their mission is to… Continue reading UK launches taskforce to 'break down barriers' for women in tech

Thousands of drivers wrongly fined for speeding since 2021

A technical fault has led to the erroneous activation of speed cameras on certain English A roads and motorways, potentially resulting in thousands of drivers receiving wrongful speeding fines. National Highways discovered that since 2021, there have been 2,650 incorrect speed camera triggers caused by a timing issue between cameras and variable speed limit signs.… Continue reading Thousands of drivers wrongly fined for speeding since 2021

UK unemployment rate rises slightly to 5.1%

Recent official data reveals that the unemployment rate in the UK increased to 5.1% for the three months ending in October, up from 5% in the prior quarter. This rise marks the highest number of unemployed individuals since January 2021, nearing levels observed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Office for National Statistics… Continue reading UK unemployment rate rises slightly to 5.1%