24 h. ago Small boat crossings to UK in August fall to lowest level since 2019

Home secretary to hail decline as evidence that Labour’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ is having effect

Politics

31 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

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 England and Wales fertility rate falls for third consecutive year

Last year’s total fertility rate of 1.41 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...

Politics

5 d. ago Fertility rate for England and Wales falls to new record low

For a country’s population to remain stable, discounting any impact from migration, the total fertility rate needs to be around 2.1.

Politics

6 d. ago Weather forecast maps show exact dates TWO monster storms will engulf all of UK

Weather maps suggest two storms will sweep across the UK in just a few days' time, with torrential rain falling at a rate of around 10mm per hour where downpours are most intense

Events

1 week ago GCSE resits for English and Maths could be scrapped as pass rate falls to lowest level in a decade

The current model requires students who fail these two core subjects at GCSE level to resit them repeatedly until they achieve a least a grade 4 in both subjects, up to the age of 18.

Politics

1 week ago Fall in key GCSE pass rate prompts concerns about English and maths resits

The gap in GCSE results between boys and girls is now at its narrowest point this century.

Politics

1 week ago Government’s GCSE English and maths resits policy ‘not fit for purpose’

The curriculum and assessment review is due to set out its recommendations for young people who do not secure a decent pass in the autumn.

Politics

2 w. ago The ugly truth: have Trump’s tariffs finally put an end to Crocs’ 19

The Guardian’s Crocs correspondent traces the highs and lows of the rubbery perforated clogs that divide opinionI’ve been the Guardian’s Crocs correspondent for 19 years now, and get wheeled out for highs and lows. This is a definite low for the rubbery perforated clogs: the share price is down nearly 30% – its lowest level for three years – and revenues are expected to drop by between 9% and 11% in the current quarter.To blame? Donald Trump mostly, and his tariffs. It’s not the first time Crocs have suffered at the hands – or feet – of a Republican US president, as it happens. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago US credit spreads hit lowest level this century after sharp rally

Investors warn credit markets are ‘weirdly confident’ despite threats to global economy

Events

2 w. ago Consumer confidence in UK economy falls to lowest level in two years

Which? says the sharp drop in confidence in the economy has been ‘alarming’

Politics

2 w. ago British Gas owner buys £1.5bn gas terminal in big bet on fossil fuel reliance

Deal for Europe’s biggest facility for LNG imports comes as overall UK gas demand fell sharply last yearThe owner of British Gas has placed a £1.5bn bet on the UK’s future reliance on fossil fuel imports after striking a deal to buy Europe’s biggest gas import terminal.Centrica plans to partner with a US private equity firm to acquire the Isle of Grain terminal in Kent, which can import 15m tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year, even after Britain’s gas demand fell last year to its lowest level since the early 1990s. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Less available places to rent could see prices rise ‘by at least 25%’, report says

The flow of fresh rental properties coming to market has fallen at its fastest rate in five years, according to surveyors

Politics

2 w. ago Fresh blow to Starmer as Labour's approval rating slumps to its lowest EVER level

Labour's net approval rating under Keir Starmer slipped to -55, according to YouGov polling. It comes amid concerns about the number of small boats arrivals, the economy and justice.

Politics

3 w. ago Jobs market cools further over economic concerns and rising costs

Figures showed growth in starting salaries also slowed to its lowest level for more than four years as firms tightened their recruitment budgets.

Economics

3 w. ago Australia beat South Africa by 17 runs in first men’s T20 international – as it happened

Australia battled back from a dreadful start n Darwin to win the first of three T20 matches5th over: Australia 60-3 (Green 25, David 18) So the run rate’s up and the wickets are falling. David doesn’t mind the latter, he maintains the former, thrashing Corbin Bosch’s first ball over backward point for four. It was full and wide but David has the reach to fetch what Travis Head couldn’t earlier. Bosch, tall and blond and built, looks annoyed, bowls the next into leg stump, and has David hitting to his outfielder at deep backward. That’s more the plan. No plan is containing Green though, who makes it look so easy slotting another six over long on. He’s 24 off 7 balls! Then races a single. He’s six foot seventy-three but he’s also quick enough. One ball to come, and David drives it over cover for six!Oh boy. Three down and they’re going at 12 an over. The ground DJ is playing Chappell Roan. Hot to Go. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia v South Africa: first men’s T20 international – live

Updates on the series opener at TIO Stadium in Darwin Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email5th over: Australia 60-3 (Green 25, David 18) So the run rate’s up and the wickets are falling. David doesn’t mind the latter, he maintains the former, thrashing Corbin Bosch’s first ball over backward point for four. It was full and wide but David has the reach to fetch what Travis Head couldn’t earlier. Bosch, tall and blond and built, looks annoyed, bowls the next into leg stump, and has David hitting to his outfielder at deep backward. That’s more the plan. No plan is containing Green though, who makes it look so easy slotting another six over long on. He’s 24 off 7 balls! Then races a single. He’s six foot seventy-three but he’s also quick enough. One ball to come, and David drives it over cover for six!Oh boy. Three down and they’re going at 12 an over. The ground DJ is playing Chappell Roan. Hot to Go. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago This country won the battle against its maternal deaths crisis. Trump’s aid cuts could ruin all that

Twenty years ago, a shake-up of Ethiopia’s abortion law led the maternal mortality rate to dramatically fall. Doctors tell Rachel Schraer that progress could be about to go into reverse because of US funding cuts.

Events