10 h. ago Minister to get power to veto sentencing guidance after ‘two

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she wanted to ‘right the democratic deficit that has been uncovered’.

Politics

26 h. ago Top England women's rugby star faces ban as video of male ref slur goes global

Referee Oliver Salmon accused Sinead Peach of making the awful remark before sending her off

Politics

41 h. ago The Guardian view on GCSE resits: admitting the problem is just the first step | Editorial

The low pass rate in compulsory retakes is one of many challenges in 16-19 educationFor years, rigid rules and a shocking failure rate in compulsory GCSE retakes have been one of the exam system’s dirty secrets. At last this dire situation is getting some of the attention it deserves. This year, nearly a quarter of all maths and English language entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were for students aged 17 or older on a repeat attempt – with just one in six of those retaking maths managing to pass.By calling this a crisis, Jill Duffy, who heads the OCR exam board, has thrown a spotlight on the problem. But admitting that there is an issue with resits, as officials are now doing, is only the first step. There are differing views about what ought to happen next. Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago Winter Fuel Payment claimants in four groups 'not eligible' even if over age limit

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the winter fuel payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before September 22, 1959

Politics

47 h. ago Children and pregnant women in England to start receiving flu vaccinations

Expectant mothers and all children aged between two and 16 years are eligible for the vaccine in the rollout ahead of winter

Politics

66 h. ago England rugby hero rocked by tragedy and scandal is now bankrupt

He had a hugely successful career on the pitch but has also made headlines for events off of it

Politics

3 d. ago UK’s largest lake faces environmental crisis as rescue plans stall

Toxic algae cases in Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh have tripled since last year, as local fishers’ incomes plummetThe UK’s largest lake, Lough Neagh, is on course to record its worst year of potentially toxic algal blooms to date, as rescue plans remain deadlocked.As a ban on eel-fishing in the lake is extended yet again, with local fishers’ incomes falling by 60% since 2023, there have so far this year been 139 detections of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) growths recorded at the lough and its surrounding watercourses, according to a government pollution tracker. This is more than treble the number for the same point in 2024 (45). The data covers the 400 sq km freshwater lough, its tributaries, and smaller peripheral bodies of water, including Portmore Lough and Lough Gullion. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Trump’s approval rating plummets to record second term low, new poll says

Gaza, Jeffrey Epstein and National Guard occupation of Washington D.C. all fuel drop in Trump’s support with Republicans

Politics

3 d. ago High street chain shuts 56 stories with six going 'in weeks'

Scope, a charity shop chain with branches across England and Wales, has been hit by a serious of shutterings this year

Politics

4 d. ago Biggest rugby players in the world as England star's young nephew makes list

South Africa are world renowned for producing some of the biggest athletes on the planet.

Sport

4 d. ago High street chain closes 56 stores with some shutting 'in weeks' full list

A charity shop chain with branches across England and Wales has been hit with difficulties

Politics

4 d. ago Tonight's rugby news as Gatland in shock England link and Wales players given ultimatum

The latest rugby stories from Wales and around the world on Thursday, August 28.

Sport

4 d. ago BBC legend's 6ft 10in nephew is young England rugby star but could play for Wales

The teenage lock currently plays hsi rugby across the border but is eligible to play for Wales

Politics

4 d. ago Yellow weather warning issued as three inches of rain set to drench parts of Britain within hours

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for southern England and Wales with up to three inches set to fall in a few hours between 10pm today and 12pm tomorrow.

Events

5 d. ago More than 280,000 crimes unrecorded by police last year, watchdog finds

An inspectorate praised the reduction in unrecorded offences since 2014 but said certain crimes must be better documented.

Events

5 d. ago Washout end to August will not stop hottest summer on record, say forecasters

Wet and windy conditions are set to sweep in for the final days of meteorological summer.

Politics

5 d. ago Fertility rate in England and Wales plummets to record low – this is how we compare with the rest of the world

The fertility rate in England and Wales has dropped to 1.41 – a new low – despite a rise in the number of births last year

Politics

5 d. ago Britain's 'baby deserts' REVEALED as birth rates slump to lowest level ever

Alarming Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) data shows the fertility rate-the average number of children a woman has-in England and Wales slumped to 1.41 in 2024.

Politics

5 d. ago Fertility rate hits record low in England, Scotland and Wales

Last year’s total fertility rate of 1.41 for England and Wales was lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, ONS saysThe fertility rate for England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row to reach a record low, figures show.The total fertility rate across both nations, meaning the average number of live children women can expect to have across their child-bearing life, stood at 1.41 in 2024, down from 1.42 in 2023, the lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, according to the Office for National Statistics. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Wind farms are driving YOUR electricity bills up, admits Ofgem as prices go up by DOUBLE expected amount amid Ed Miliband's green drive

Energy regulator Ofgem revealed this morning that the price cap will rise from October 1 by 2 per cent - double what was expected - for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales.

Economics