Millions of households are facing a further squeeze on finances with almost three in four local authorities planning to increase council tax by the maximum amount allowed. Of the 114 councils who provide social care and have published their 2023/24 budget proposals, 84 are planning a 5% hike, research by the County Councils Network (CCN)
UK
Officers from West Mercia Police have congratulated themselves for saving Easter after recovering almost 200,000 stolen chocolate eggs. The creme eggs were stolen from a unit in Stafford Park, Telford, on Saturday. Police said the chocolate collection box, which also included other treat varieties, was thought to be worth around £40,000. Shortly afterwards, a vehicle
BBC chairman Richard Sharp made “significant errors of judgement” by facilitating an £800,000 loan guarantee for Boris Johnson, a cross-party committee of MPs has found. The committee said Mr Sharp should “consider the impact his omissions will have” on public trust in the broadcaster after he failed to declare his role as a go-between for
BBC chairman Richard Sharp made “significant errors of judgement” by facilitating an £800,000 loan guarantee for Boris Johnson, a cross-party committee of MPs has found. The committee said Mr Sharp should “consider the impact his omissions will have” on public trust in the broadcaster after he failed to declare his role as a go-between for
The BBC chairman’s position is becoming “increasingly untenable” after a committee of MPs found he made “significant errors of judgement” by facilitating a loan guarantee for Boris Johnson, a frontbench Labour MP has said. Lisa Nandy made the remarks on Sky News after it emerged Richard Sharp, who helped Mr Johnson secure an £800,000 loan,
Police in southern California say they are “hopeful” of finding missing actor Julian Sands, but admitted the outcome of the search “may not be what we would like”. Sands has not been seen for four weeks, after first being reported missing in the Mount Baldy region of the San Gabriel mountains on 13 January. “Regarding
Three people have been arrested after “violent scenes” outside a hotel where asylum seekers were staying in Merseyside. A demonstration descended into chaos outside the Suites Hotel in Ribbers Lane, Prescot, on Friday evening. A police van was set on fire and officers were seen carrying riot shields in the area. Knowsley MP Sir George
The emblem for King Charles’s coronation, created by former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive, has been unveiled. The design guru created the insignia taking inspiration from His Majesty’s “love of the planet, nature, and his deep concern for the natural world”. Sir Jony – who is credited as the creative mind behind the iPhone –
Energy suppliers have agreed to end the forced installation of prepayment meters in vulnerable customers’ homes, the government has said. The move comes as an investigation revealed debt collectors working for British Gas forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers. An undercover investigation by The Times claimed a company used by British Gas
An exclusive Sky News/Ipsos poll has found that young people are feeling increasingly lonely – with the cost of living crisis leading many to take on extra work, move in with their parents and cut back on socialising. The poll, conducted in December, found 37% of 18 to 24-year-olds felt lonelier this winter than they
The Church of England has voted in favour of a motion to offer blessings to same sex-couples in civil partnerships and marriages. A near-eight-hour debate across two days ended in a vote for the motion on Thursday at a meeting of the General Synod – the church’s parliament. The Synod’s three houses all voted overwhelmingly
Russian officials have attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “hasty” visit to Europe – dismissing his speech to MPs in Westminster as “theatrical”. The Ukrainian president made a surprise appearance in London on Wednesday, where he urged the UK and Western allies to provide “wings for freedom” by supplying advanced jets. Mr Zelenskyy then travelled to Paris for