Tag: UK News

A historic church near Lockerbie, Applegarth Church, was saved from being lost thanks to a rapid fundraising effort led by a local couple with deep connections to the area. Andrew and Kirsteen Mitchell managed to raise £70,000 in just two days through a crowd-funding campaign, securing the building after appealing to members of Clan Jardine,… Continue reading Historic church saved in two days after global clan Facebook plea

Sir Richard Branson has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of his wife, Joan, at the age of 80. The couple, married since 1989, shared a life together that included raising three children and welcoming five grandchildren. In an emotional Instagram post, Branson described Joan as not only his “best friend” but also his “guiding… Continue reading Sir Richard Branson 'heartbroken' as wife Joan dies aged 80

The recent announcement regarding the Irish language band Kneecap and their ability to enter Canada has sparked significant controversy and confusion. The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office along with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have both clarified that they were not involved in the claims of a ban preventing the band from entering the country.… Continue reading Kneecap: Canadian PM's office and border services not 'involved' in ban

Authorities are investigating an assault on a residence in south Belfast, which is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. The incident involved vandalism to a house located on Ormeau Embankment, where several windows were smashed, and racist graffiti was painted on the walls. The damage is believed to have occurred sometime between Monday… Continue reading Ormeau Embankment: Attack on house treated as hate crime

A couple from Kent has shared their distressing ordeal after losing nearly £30,000 to scammers impersonating police officers. Wendy and Ken, residents near Canterbury, detailed how the scam began with a phone call from someone posing as a detective constable. The caller claimed that an individual had been detained for attempting to use their bank… Continue reading Fake police scammed Canterbury couple out of nearly £30,000

Budget day has arrived in the UK, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to unveil a series of new policies aimed at addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges. According to The Sun, the forthcoming Budget will introduce additional taxes on various everyday activities and products, including work-related expenses, pensions, housing, taxis, milkshakes, and hotel stays. The revenue… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: 'Rachel Reeves' Budget Ledger' and 'Jury trials scrapped'

Here is a summary of the key planned UK tax and pension changes reported, based on the information you’ve shared: ### Income Tax Bands (England/Wales) – Basic rate: up to £50,270 taxed at 20% – Higher rate: £50,271 to £125,140 taxed at 40% – Additional rate: over £125,140 taxed at 45% – Note: Scotland has… Continue reading When is the Budget and what could Rachel Reeves announce?

Porcelain Victoria, a 26-year-old sex worker, has been engaged in the profession for eight years. She appreciates the flexibility her self-employed status affords her, especially as it allows her to manage her working hours around childcare. Reflecting on her work, she says, “I very much enjoy how freeing it is and, of course, bringing a… Continue reading 'I would love to be doing this in my 60s' – the debate over selling sex in Scotland

A mother of four from County Londonderry has described the potential end of the two-child benefit cap as “life-changing” as she looks ahead to the upcoming budget announcement. Lucy Campbell, who lives in Coleraine, expressed relief at the possibility that her family “wouldn’t struggle anymore” if the policy were removed. The current cap restricts payments… Continue reading Autumn Budget: Removing two-child benefit cap would be 'life-changing'

Shumeet Banerji, who recently stepped down as a non-executive member of the BBC board, has made his resignation letter public, offering new insight into the circumstances leading to the resignations of the BBC’s director general and news chief. Banerji, who quit last Friday, had originally cited “governance issues” as his reason for leaving, but the… Continue reading Shumeet Banerji criticised BBC chair's handling of bias crisis in resignation letter