29 h. ago Heatwave to now see Wales hit record high temperatures, but hot weather will then end with a bang

Temperatures are set to drop by a whopping 16°C next weekend

Society

32 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month running – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatlining growth in May highlights the ongoing pressures facing the UK ec...

Economics

33 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month running in May – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayThe pound has dropped against the US dollar, as investors react to this morning’s worse-than-expected GDP report.Sterling has lost a third of a cent to $1.354, a drop of 0.2%.“The economy contracted slightly in May with notable falls in production and construction, only partially offset by growth in services. However, across the latest three months as a whole, the economy still grew. This reflected strength earlier in the year that resulted, in part, from some activity being brought forward to February and March.“May’s fall in production was driven by oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading...

Economics

53 h. ago School suspensions and exclusions in England reach record high

The rise comes amid warnings of challenging behaviour in classrooms following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Politics

53 h. ago FTSE 100 jumps to new record high as investors shrug off tariff woes

The UK’s top stock index jumped by as much as 100 points, or 1.1%, to a new intraday record of 8,967.21 points.

Economics

54 h. ago Business news live: UK inflation update, plus bitcoin and FTSE 100 hits new record highs

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

56 h. ago The hardest place to buy a house in Wales where the average price is £257,318

House prices across Wales have risen sharply, but local wages haven’t kept up

Economics

2 d. ago Abortion rates reach record high, with experts blaming cost of living crisis forcing women to terminate pregnancies

The percentage of conceptions ending in a legal abortion in England and Wales rose to a record amount in 2022 with just over 40 per cent of pregnancies ending in termination in some areas.

Events

3 d. ago Abortion rate hits record high with three in 10 pregnancies ending in termination

There were 247,703 conceptions leading to a legal abortion in 2022, a 13.1% rise on the 218,923 recorded in 2021, the ONS said.

Events

3 d. ago Number of abortions in England and Wales hit record high in 2022

Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal terminations, ONS figures show, as provider says women struggling to access contraceptionThe number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high in 2022, with a leading provider stating that women are facing “significant barriers” in access to contraception.Almost three in 10 conceptions ended in legal abortions in the two nations in 2022, up from about two in 10 a decade earlier, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Percentage of pregnancies ending in abortion reaches record high

Girls aged under 16 remained the age group with the highest percentage of conceptions leading to abortion

Politics

3 d. ago Figures show record high of almost three in 10 conceptions ending in abortion

There were 247,703 conceptions leading to a legal abortion in 2022, a 13.1% rise on the 218,923 recorded in 2021, the ONS said.

Politics

3 d. ago New data show record high of almost three in 10 conceptions ending in abortion

There were 247,703 conceptions leading to a legal abortion in 2022, a 13.1% rise on the 218,923 recorded in 2021, the ONS said.

Politics

3 d. ago Bank of England says UK banks can increase riskier mortgage lending – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as BoE recommends banks can issue more high loan-to-income level loansCopper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariffTrump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff ratesCarsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, says the copper tariffs will be inflationary domestically in the US and deflationary internationally – which matches the price action we’ve seen since last night.Menke also points out that the jump in US copper prices (13% yesterday) is less than the 50% tariff, implying traders expect some imports will be exempt, saying:President Trump announced the imposition of 50% import tariffs at a cabinet meeting yesterday. While US-traded futures jumped on the news, the price differential is well below the tariff level, pointing to expectations of exemptions for key suppliers or expectations of different demand dynamics.As already mentioned, we remain of the con...

Economics

3 d. ago Second UK supermarket introduces ‘checkout VAR’ after widely

Shoplifting offences have reached a record-high with police recording over half a million incidents last year

Politics

3 d. ago Copper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariff

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economyBusiness live – latest updatesCopper prices hit a record high in the US after Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on the industrial metal, in the latest escalation in his trade war.Trump said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “Today we’re doing copper,” proposing a 50% tariff rate for imports. He also threatened to impose a 200% border tax on pharmaceuticals but in a year or year and a half’s time. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Moment house is swept away in New Mexico flash flooding – video

At least three people were reported missing in Ruidoso, southern New Mexico, after heavy rain triggered flash flooding on Tuesday. The US National Weather Service (NWS) reported the water level of the Rio Ruidoso rose to 20ft (6 metres), a record high crest if confirmed. The NWS also reported a father and two children had been washed away by flash floods in New Mexico and rescue crews were searching for themTexas floods: more than 100 people dead and at least 161 still missingAs the flood risk rises around the world, what can we do to adapt? Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Number of patients in UK waiting for lifesaving organ transplant at record high

More than 8,000 people, including almost 300 children, are on waiting list, as NHS sees sharp drop in donorsThe number of patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the UK has increased to a record high while there has been a sharp drop in donors, official figures show.More than 8,000 people, including almost 300 children, are on the transplant waiting list, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). With nearly another 4,000 in need of an organ but temporarily off the list because they are too sick or unavailable for an operation, it means almost 12,000 people are living in limbo, waiting for the call that can mean the difference between life and death. Continue reading...

Science

3 d. ago NHS transplant waiting list reaches record high as patients stuck in 'limbo'

12,000 Brits are waiting for a life saving organ donation amid an increase in the number of families not supporting donation at the bedside as one mum admits she's 'scared' it'll come too late

Science

3 d. ago US copper prices rise to record high as Trump threatens 50% tariff

President also says he will impose levies of up to 200% on drug imports after a transition period

Politics