British Isles
World's largest trees 'thriving in UK'
Giant redwoods, the world's largest trees, are thriving in the UK, surpassing their native numbers in California. Introduced by the Victorians as a symbol of botanical prestige, there are an estimated 500,000 giant…
Budget 2024: Jeremy Hunt cuts National Insurance again as election looms
In the 2024 Budget announcement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt introduced tax cuts to bolster the Conservative Party's prospects. He reduced National Insurance by 2p, following an earlier cut in January. This move was labelled…
New tax on vapes announced in Budget to discourage non-smokers from adopting habit
The UK government plans to implement a new tax on vaping products starting October 2026, announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the Budget speech. This move aims to deter non-smokers from starting vaping…
Birmingham City Council signs off 'devastating' cuts
Birmingham City Council, Europe's largest local authority, has approved significant service cuts to address a financial crisis, including a 21% increase in council tax over two years. The council, facing bankruptcy, must save…
Understanding why our young people have such poor mental health
A recent study by the Resolution Foundation revealed that 34% of UK youths aged 18-24 exhibit symptoms of mental disorders, the highest rate among all age groups. This marks a significant shift from…
NHS England leaders welcome £6bn budget boost but say much more is needed
NHS England leaders have responded positively to the £6bn budget increase from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aimed at addressing rising demands, tackling the care backlog, and upgrading outdated IT systems. The budget for 2024/25…
German ambassador refuses to apologise for leaked call 'revealing British troops in Ukraine'
Germany's ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, has declined to apologise for a leaked call that inadvertently exposed details about British troops in Ukraine. The leak, attributed to Russia, revealed a conversation between…
Street preacher wins settlement from police
Avon and Somerset police have confessed they acted ‘disproportionately’ when stopping pastor Dia Moodley from criticising other religions while street preaching. The notice was issued in 2021, to prevent him from ‘passing comments…
Cathedral’s 900 years of ministry recognised
A motion has been introduced in the Scottish parliament to formally recognise St Giles' Cathedral, a landmark in Edinburgh with a history spanning 900 years. MSP Miles Briggs commended the cathedral for its…
Justin Welby: ‘God is greater than our fears’
The Archbishop of Canterbury, in his presidential address at General Synod, illuminated the enduring message of faith and resilience amidst global turmoil. He highlighted the pivotal role of faith in navigating through adversity,…
