The London Underground is experiencing a complete shutdown due to union members taking part in a series of walkouts. The action began on January 5th and will have a lasting impact on passengers from Sunday evening. Transport for London has advised passengers to complete their journeys before 17:30 GMT. Little or no service is expected… Continue reading London Underground strike: Services set to be halted by walkouts
Category: UK News
School absences: Boost sport to get pupils back in class – report
A new report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) highlights the need for more physical activity in schools and investment in youth clubs to address the high number of children who regularly miss school. The report suggests that over one in five English children are persistently absent from school, double the pre-pandemic level. CSJ… Continue reading School absences: Boost sport to get pupils back in class – report
Christine Granville: The Polish aristocrat who was Churchill's favourite spy
In the early hours of 15 June 1952, Christine Granville returned to the hotel she called home in London’s Kensington, after her flight to Belgium had been cancelled due to engine failure. As she reached her usual room upstairs, a man in the lobby shouted her name and demanded the return of some letters. Granville… Continue reading Christine Granville: The Polish aristocrat who was Churchill's favourite spy
The woman who spent Christmas in search of a rare plant
Rosemary Parslow, a natural history enthusiast, spends her winters crawling on frozen ground in the Scilly Islands in search of a rare and endangered fern. The Scilly Islands are home to more than a hundred islands, which are mostly uninhabited, and featuring unique wildlife species, including rare and beautiful wildflowers, globally important seabirds, and exotic… Continue reading The woman who spent Christmas in search of a rare plant
National Insurance calculator: What will I pay and how is tax changing?
Starting Saturday, millions of UK employees will see reductions in their National Insurance (NI) payments. However, a record-level increase in overall tax payments will counter this positive news. As per the changes, 27 million workers will pay 10% on earnings ranging from £12,571 to £50,270, down from the previous rate of 12%. The reduction will… Continue reading National Insurance calculator: What will I pay and how is tax changing?
20mph speed limit enforcement to start in Wales this month
Enforcement of Wales’ £34m 20mph default speed limit in built-up areas will begin this month. The Welsh government confirmed that the law, which came into effect last September, will now be enforced after the “initial bedding-in period”. But it also acknowledged that not all drivers breaking the 20mph (32 km/h) limit will be prosecuted in… Continue reading 20mph speed limit enforcement to start in Wales this month
Amputee put in Essex hotel miles from family and friends
Peter Shanks, a 64-year-old man who recently had his leg amputated, has expressed feeling “hopeless” after being relocated from a hospital far away from his loved ones. His mobile home in West Hanningfield was deemed unfit for post-operation and he was transferred to a hotel approximately 20 miles away. Chelmsford City Council has said it… Continue reading Amputee put in Essex hotel miles from family and friends
Rare Star Wars Jawa figure found in loft to be auctioned
A highly sought-after Jawa Star Wars figure has been unearthed for auction for the second time in six months. The original Jawa figure, complete with a vinyl cape, exceeded its estimated value of £10,000-£15,000 when it was sold for £26,670 in July by Hertfordshire’s Excalibur Auctions. The same seller has now discovered another rare Jawa toy,… Continue reading Rare Star Wars Jawa figure found in loft to be auctioned
Couple found dead in Greenock house named by police
Police Scotland has announced that Alison and Neil McLaughlin were found dead in Greenock. The couple had been reported as missing by a concerned individual who had not heard from them for several days. They were discovered on Friday evening inside their home on Banff Road. The cause of death has yet to be determined,… Continue reading Couple found dead in Greenock house named by police
Serving Met Police officer in court charged with rape
A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with two counts of rape, non-fatal strangulation, and causing actual bodily harm. The allegations relate to a report of rape at a home in Islington, north London, last Monday. The accused officer, PC Andrej Sagaidak, who serves in south-east London, has been suspended from duty. He appeared before… Continue reading Serving Met Police officer in court charged with rape