15 h. ago Men think they don’t have a biological clock – but postponing fatherhood could stop them having children

Without a time limit on procreation, the pressure is off men when it comes to the question of fatherhood. But does a deadline-free existence hinder, rather than help, when it comes to family planning? Helen Coffey investigates whether procrastination ultimately winds up limiting male fertility choices

Politics

33 h. ago Bitcoin and crypto funds on their way for UK investors, as watchdog plans to lift its ban

The FCA banned the sale of bitcoin and other crypto ETNs to UK retail investors alongside crypto derivatives in 2020, arguing they were not appropriate.

Economics

57 h. ago Woman who won payout after rape case dropped welcomes new review scheme

A new pilot gives rape victims the right to ask for their case to be reviewed if it emerges prosecutors plan to drop investigations.

Events

58 h. ago ‘A day marked by reflection, bold ambition, and a shared sense of purpose’

COMMENT: Thomas McCormack, head of investment planning at headline sponsor SSEN Transmission, on his organisation’s efforts to scale-up renewables and strengthen the grid

Politics

69 h. ago UK must tackle energy bills as firms face £24bn in extra costs – CBI

CBI boss Rain Newton-Smith is calling on the Government to draw up a ‘serious plan’ to cut power bills and invest in energy security.

Economics

3 d. ago Santander scraps plan to appoint executive under criminal investigation

Spanish lender had previously announced Alexsandro Broedel Lopes would be new chief accounting officer

Events

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s investment plans: sugaring the bitter pill of austerity | Editorial

The chancellor is right to be planning for the long term, but voters won’t be patient if change isn’t felt soonInequality between British regions is not a new problem and Rachel Reeves is not the first chancellor to want to close the gap. In 2014, George Osborne promised a “northern powerhouse” to rival the dominance of London and the south-east. He pledged devolution and investment in infrastructure to connect northern cities, to unlock productivity and growth.Since then, Britain’s economy has suffered multiple shocks, some external (the pandemic, inflation stoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), others self-inflicted (Brexit, Liz Truss’s mini-budget). Each time, the damage was more severe in places already falling behind. Boris Johnson claimed levelling up as his defining purpose. Rishi Sunak let the ambition slide. Now it is being revived by a Labour chancellor. In a speech announcing transport investments on Wednesday, Ms Reeves promised a “renewal of Britain”, with prosperity ...

Politics

3 d. ago Badenoch challenges Starmer at PMQs over winter fuel payment U

Tory leader says PM should apologise to pensioners and asks how U-turn will be fundedReeves says her changes to the fiscal rules last year will make more investment possible.The decisions that we made in October mean that, for the first time, the Treasury actually takes account of the benefits and not just the costs of investment, and together, the fiscal rules mean that, unlike our predecessors, we will not be balancing the books by cutting investment.And that is why we can increase investment by over £113bn more than the last government plans, meaning public investment will be at its highest sustained level since the 1970s.I have had to say no to things that I want to do too, but that is not because of my fiscal rules. It is the result of 14 years of Conservative maltreatment of our public services, our public realm and of our economy. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Kristi Noem says DHS investigating if Boulder suspect’s family knew attack plan amid moves to deport his wife and kids

The DHS Secretary announced on Tuesday that the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Soliman had been taken into custody by ICE agents

Events

4 d. ago Thames Water nationalisation ‘not the answer’ says minister after private equity rescue fails

Future of Britain’s biggest water supplier in question as investor pulls out of turnaround plan

Events

4 d. ago Nightmare of how Putin would flatten Britain: Ports and airfields bombarded, oil rigs and satellites sabotaged and waves of cyber attacks feared if Russia pounces

In a 144-page document, revealed yesterday, defence chiefs outlined the five terrifying 'methods of attack' Britain should brace itself for if it was forced into a major conflict with the likes of Russia.

Events

4 d. ago Private equity giant KKR pulls out of plans to invest in Thames Water

The utility said it would take forward discussions with ‘certain senior creditors’ on an alternative plan to stabilise its finances.

Economics

5 d. ago AI, drones and missile defence investment part of UK new defence plans

The SDR marks the ‘most profound change for about 150 years in how you think about armies, navies and air force,’ one of the authors suggested.

Events

6 d. ago UK plans to build six weapons factories to bolster military readiness

Plans for £1.5bn investment in munitions manufacturing response to government’s defence review’s call to boost stockpilesThe UK will spend £1.5bn on building six munitions and energetics factories to “better deter our adversaries” as part of its long-awaited strategic defence review.John Healey, the defence secretary, said the funds formed part of plans for an “always-on” weapons pipeline and would support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Voices: It is time the left made a case for immigration – and how to control it

A credible migration plan means investing in UK skills, enforcing fair rules, and building a country where all workers – wherever they’re from – are treated with dignity, writes Paul Nowak

Politics

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves set to revive Tory plans to invest in the Red Wall as Labour tries to head off Reform threat

Rachel Reeves is said to have ordered a review of the framework to enable investment in the North and Midlands at next month's spending review.

Events

9 d. ago Will megafunds really put an extra £6,000 in the average pension?

Some experts are sceptical about the touted benefits to workers from the UK government’s proposed shake-upAmid all the jargon of the latest announcement on pensions, one number will have leapt out: the claim that the average worker will gain £6,000 in their retirement fund as a result.The figure comes from the government’s final report of its Pensions Investment Review published on Thursday. It lays out plans to shake up defined contribution pensions, the funds that invest workers’ regular payments in stocks, shares and other assets to grow the money. These provide workers with an income on retirement based on the value of their stake; the size of this income will depend on how much they have paid in and how well the investments have performed. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Trump team makes it easier to invest 401(k)s in crypto. Some experts say that’s a bad idea

Rescinding Biden-era guidance on pension plan investments in crypto comes as vice president declares industry has ‘a champion and an ally in the White House’

Politics

1 week ago European fertiliser plants use US ammonia made with shale gas, investigation reveals

Despite green promises, Yara and BASF’s Texas factory relies on highly polluting natural gas from Permian BasinThe coastal city of Freeport, Texas is a dense tangle of metal pipes, tanks and towers. Located 60 miles south of Houston, it’s home to a sprawling petrochemical complex – one of the largest and most polluting in the US.Among its facilities is a plant dedicated to the production of ammonia, a colourless compound of nitrogen and hydrogen and a key ingredient in fertilisers widely used on industrial arable farms – including on fields of barley, wheat and maize across Europe.This article was supported by a grant from Journalismfund.eu Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Police chiefs call for ‘serious investment’ amid early prison release plans

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has agreed to allow some criminals, including violent and sexual offenders, to be released early for good behaviour.

Events