Category: UK News

The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has released a statement mourning the passing of his brother Nick, who passed away on Boxing Day at 60 years old from cancer. Starmer described his sibling as “a wonderful man” who “met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour.” The Prime Minister… Continue reading Starmer pays tribute to brother Nick after death aged 60

The owner of a cafe that was featured in the hit TV series Gavin & Stacey has revealed that he struggled to hold back the tears while watching the show’s final episode. Marco Zeraschi, who runs Marco’s cafe in Barry Island, said that numerous members of the show’s cast and crew had been in touch… Continue reading 'Why Gavin & Stacey stars got in touch with me at Christmas'

A female prison officer has been arrested over allegations of misconduct in public office after a video of her having sex with an inmate was circulated among prisoners at HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The officer, aged 19, was arrested on 23 December and suspended from her job at the facility, which opened in… Continue reading HMP Five Wells prison officer arrested over alleged misconduct

A man has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after a car hit four pedestrians on Christmas Day in London’s West End. The Metropolitan Police said that at 00:45 GMT on Wednesday, a car had been driving on the wrong side of the road in Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho. The alleged perpetrator, Anthony Gilheaney,… Continue reading Soho: Man charged after car driven into people on Christmas Day

Scotland’s Commission on School Reform has expressed concern over student performance in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, after analysing exam pass rates for secondary pupils between 2015 and 2024. Only 40.1% – or less than half – of Scottish fourth-year (typically aged 14 to 16) pupils achieved a pass rate for National 5… Continue reading 'Very worrying' pass rates for maths and science in Scotland

According to the man leading the government’s sentencing review, David Gauke, the UK should use open prisons more often to reduce overcrowding and reoffending rates. Speaking to The Times, Gauke explained that the system has now reached full capacity, and giving inmates the freedom to leave prisons during the day to study and work could… Continue reading Make more use of open prisons, former minister David Gauke says

Newly released state papers claim that Queen Elizabeth II expressed a dim view of Orange marches in Northern Ireland. The papers show that the queen expressed her relief that the marching business in Northern Ireland was quieter than expected when she met with Ted Barrington, the then Irish ambassador to the UK, at a Buckingham… Continue reading State papers reveal late Queen spoke of 'silly marching' in NI

Sofia Brizio, a 27-year-old PhD student from Cardiff, spends four hours a day on “disability admin”. Although her work in academia allows for flexibility, she still encounters everyday tasks such as planning a train journey or booking a medical appointment that “can take half an hour”. Brizio, who has cerebral palsy, says that “the world… Continue reading 'I'm 27, and my disability admin feels like a full-time job'

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry have led to cutback in restaurant and hotel services, reduced opening hours and some temporary closures in rural areas, the BBC has reported. Alex Barry, a 21-year-old who manages the Red Lion pub and hotel in Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, sometimes works alone when no other staff are available. “It’s so hard to… Continue reading Hospitality staff shortages leave rural pub managers working alone

Robert Hudson, also known as Rocky, is retiring from his position as Britain’s longest-serving Royal Mail postman after a career spanning 60 years. He began his Royal Mail career in December 1964, aged just 16, and worked at the Whitechapel Delivery Office as a messenger distributing telegrams. Rocky’s final shift will take place overnight on… Continue reading Royal Mail: UK's longest serving postman calls time on career