Spending Review: How much did schools, transport and the NHS get?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled the government’s Spending Review, detailing the day-to-day budgets for departments for the next three years. The NHS will see a 3% increase in funding each year, along with additional funding for defense and housing. However, other departments will face budget cuts, such as a 1.7% reduction at the Home Office,… Continue reading Spending Review: How much did schools, transport and the NHS get?

UK will end use of asylum hotels by 2029, Reeves says

Political reporter Sam Francis and political correspondent Jack Fenwick reported the government’s new plan to phase out the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that this move would save £1bn annually. The announcement was made during the Spending Review where £200m was pledged to address the asylum backlog,… Continue reading UK will end use of asylum hotels by 2029, Reeves says

Tories accuse PM of funding tax cuts for Mauritians with Chagos deal

During prime minister’s questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the UK’s £3.4bn deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining control of a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, calling it a “terrible” agreement. She questioned why British taxpayers should fund tax cuts in Mauritius. Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam revealed that… Continue reading Tories accuse PM of funding tax cuts for Mauritians with Chagos deal

Ballymena: Police deploy more officers after 'mob violence'

In response to two days of violent unrest, the Northern Ireland police have deployed additional officers into affected areas, stated Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson. The turmoil, primarily centered in Ballymena, resulted in 32 officers getting injured and six people arrested. Beginning with a peaceful protest concerning an alleged sexual assault in County Antrim, the… Continue reading Ballymena: Police deploy more officers after 'mob violence'

Key points at a glance from the Spending Review

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has revealed the details of the UK’s inaugural multi-year spending review since 2021. This review outlines the day-to-day budgets of government departments for the next three years, which are used to cover employee salaries and deliver public services. It also establishes their investment budgets up to the end of the decade,… Continue reading Key points at a glance from the Spending Review

UK agrees post-Brexit deal over Gibraltar

Political reporter Becky Morton has reported that the UK and the European Union have reached an agreement regarding Gibraltar’s status post-Brexit. Negotiations concerning the border regulations between Spain and the British Overseas Territory have been ongoing since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020. The UK government stated that this agreement would eliminate the… Continue reading UK agrees post-Brexit deal over Gibraltar

Hundreds of jobs at risk as bus maker Alexander Dennis plans shutdown of Scottish sites

The planned closure of the Falkirk bus factory has put up to 400 jobs at risk, as the manufacturer, Alexander Dennis, considers moving its operations to England. The company, which also has a factory in Larbert, is contemplating transferring manufacturing to a site in Scarborough. This move would result in the discontinuation of work at… Continue reading Hundreds of jobs at risk as bus maker Alexander Dennis plans shutdown of Scottish sites

Rachel Reeves announces funding boosts for NHS and housing

In an address to the House of Commons, Rachel Reeves unveiled a substantial increase of £29bn annually for the NHS, as well as additional funding for defense and housing projects as she presented her outlined spending plans for the upcoming years. Each department’s allocation for day-to-day expenditures from 2026 to 2029 and investments extending to… Continue reading Rachel Reeves announces funding boosts for NHS and housing

Bus fares to jobs: Seven ways the Spending Review affects you

In an era where the discussions on departmental budgets and fiscal rules may seem distant from our daily struggles of managing the cost of food shopping and our personal finances, the repercussions of the Spending Review cannot be overlooked. Although it is not a Budget where taxes are altered or numerous new policies are unveiled,… Continue reading Bus fares to jobs: Seven ways the Spending Review affects you

Belfast Zoo closed for a second day after E.coli outbreak

Belfast Zoo remains closed for a second consecutive day following the discovery of E. coli in a water sample taken from the site. The closure, initiated as a precautionary measure by Belfast City Council, is in effect while further sampling is conducted by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the council’s environmental health team. The… Continue reading Belfast Zoo closed for a second day after E.coli outbreak