Angela Rayner says cladding must be removed faster after Grenfell report

More than 2,000 buildings in the UK still have unsafe cladding, according to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, who has said it is “not acceptable”. Rayner has promised to put pressure on developers to remove the cladding as part of a crackdown on the building safety crisis. The announcement comes after a report on the 2017… Continue reading Angela Rayner says cladding must be removed faster after Grenfell report

Labour to unveil plans to abolish hereditary peers in Lords

The UK House of Lords is set for the biggest shake-up in decades, as plans to eliminate the remaining hereditary peers from its composition are unveiled. The 92 seats reserved for this group are inherited through family titles. Abolishing them is a key election pledge made by the Labour Party. The current changes will complete… Continue reading Labour to unveil plans to abolish hereditary peers in Lords

Stormont ministers hope to agree draft programme for government

After more than seven months since the Northern Ireland Executive’s return, there is hope that they could reach an agreement on a draft programme for government. There has been some criticism about the failure to agree on this so far. The politicians involved are expected to make the final decision at a meeting on Thursday.… Continue reading Stormont ministers hope to agree draft programme for government

'My Kenyan bride-to-be conned me out of £85k – now I'm homeless'

An elderly British man has lost his life savings of £85,000 in a romance scam that left him homeless. Rodrick Lodge, 69, was introduced to an apparent Kenyan woman named Anita by a friend he had met in the country. Mr Lodge subsequently sent money to fund renovations to a house she claimed to own.… Continue reading 'My Kenyan bride-to-be conned me out of £85k – now I'm homeless'

The 800-year-old Oxfordshire B&B that's embraced gen z marketing

Fyfield Manor, an 880-year-old bed and breakfast located near Wallingford in Oxfordshire, has recently gone viral on TikTok for adopting a Gen Z approach to advertising. The B&B posted a video to its TikTok page on Monday with the caption “When you ask your gen z daughter to write the marketing script”. The video describing… Continue reading The 800-year-old Oxfordshire B&B that's embraced gen z marketing

Chris Mason: Grenfell report leaves many waiting for change

The recent Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is yet another example of the failures of our society, institutions, and governance. It forces us to look at the culture, attitudes, regulations, truth, and candour of our society. The report reveals the vast breadth of failure and blame, pointing fingers towards the government, construction industry, companies, and contractors… Continue reading Chris Mason: Grenfell report leaves many waiting for change

Universities ask for funding help as freshers pack for term

Without action to tackle their finances, British universities will slide into decline, according to Universities UK president Prof Dame Sally Mapstone. Her call comes as universities prepare to make further cuts this year, with 40% of universities in England predicting deficits, according to the Office for Students. The situation is caused by tuition fees being… Continue reading Universities ask for funding help as freshers pack for term

Alert issued over potentially deadly fake bottles of Glen's Vodka

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning to the public about fake bottles of Glen’s Vodka that have been found to contain isopropyl alcohol, an industrial solvent that can cause death in severe cases. Some 35cl counterfeit bottles have been discovered, which could have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka.… Continue reading Alert issued over potentially deadly fake bottles of Glen's Vodka

Anti-pollution law to threaten water bosses with jail

Water company executives who pollute rivers and waterways could be banned from receiving bonuses and face prison under proposed new legislation by the UK government. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will apply to England and Wales and aims to strengthen regulators’ powers to address companies that pollute. It will also make it easier to impose… Continue reading Anti-pollution law to threaten water bosses with jail