Author: Dave Carter

The UK government has said an extra 85,000 childminder and nursery places would be needed to expand government-funded hours for babies and toddlers in England, along with the recruitment of an additional 40,000 staff by September 2025. Early years charities have expressed concern at the requirement, describing the challenge as “an immense one”. Figures released… Continue reading DfE says 85,000 more free childcare places needed in England

Ofcom’s annual research on children’s digital activity has revealed that almost one in four children between the ages of five and seven now own a smartphone. Additionally, the study showed that the percentage of children using messaging services has risen from 59% to 65%. The number of children active on social media has also increased… Continue reading Ofcom: Almost a quarter of kids aged 5-7 have smartphones

Directly elected regional mayors are now becoming a more common aspect of governance throughout England. The West Midlands is currently experiencing a heated competition between two main candidates: Conservative Andy Street and Labour’s Richard Parker. Street has been twice victorious in the mayoral race, and now dedicates his campaign to placing his personal brand above… Continue reading How mayors became the fashionable new thing in England

Photographer Jim Grover recently marked the 200th anniversary of Trinity Homes Almshouse in Brixton by exploring its history and meeting some of its current residents. Grover has long been curious about the distinctive Georgian building on Brixton’s busy Acre Lane and was keen to discover the stories of those who lived there. The almshouse was… Continue reading Behind the doors of an almshouse in Brixton

The Conservative party is facing a predicament after allegations that a sitting MP for Fylde, Mark Menzies, had abused his position, seeking to access the party funds for personal use. The party has suspended Mr Menzies, although he remains under investigation. The allegations were published in The Times newspaper. A separate article suggests that Mr… Continue reading Tory response to MP Mark Menzies allegations appalling, says activist

Residents of two villages in Ceredigion, Wales have called for a 20mph (32km/h) speed limit near their homes. Several people from Eglwys Fach and Furnace, where a section of a major road has a 40mph limit without a pavement, have said they do not feel safe walking there. Speaking before Wales’ Transport Secretary Ken Skates announced… Continue reading Wales 20mph: We want speed limit, say Ceredigion villagers

Families of the victims in the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin have urged the government to apologize following the verdict delivered by the new inquest. The inquest jury found the deaths of 48 people were ‘unlawful killings’. The original ruling in 1981 had said that an arson led to this disaster, but it was… Continue reading Stardust: Apology call after nightclub fire deaths verdict

Evidence has emerged which suggests that a hitman who was allegedly hired to murder a shopkeeper’s wife over 40 years ago had inside information about the whereabouts of money kept at the property. The body of the victim, 36-year-old Carol Morgan, was found at Morgan’s Store in Linslade, Bedfordshire, in August 1981. Allen and Margaret… Continue reading Carol Morgan case: Hitman had 'inside knowledge' in 1981 murder

Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The 59-year-old was originally arrested in April 2023 as a suspect and subsequently released without charge. He has now been taken into police custody for further… Continue reading Peter Murrell re-arrested in SNP investigation

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has issued an apology to Andrew Malkinson, having spent 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The commission stated that it was an “unreserved apology.” In July 2023, Mr. Malkinson was cleared of all charges after DNA evidence exonerated him for the 2003 rape of… Continue reading Criminal review board 'sorry' for failing Andrew Malkinson