3 h. ago Ministers accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ over UK’s soft power around the world

Government’s own advisers warn of funding crisis for BBC World Service, British Council and universitiesAs US retreats, is there a ‘soft power’ opportunity for UK?Ministers have been accused of being “asleep at the wheel” over threats to the UK’s soft power around the world, as some of their own advisers warned a funding crisis is undermining key institutions promoting British influence.Members of the government’s new soft power council, set up by ministers earlier this year, warned the BBC World Service, the British Council and universities – regarded as the bodies at the forefront of the UK’s soft power efforts – all face major financial pressures. Continue reading...

Politics

45 h. ago Rapid snowmelt and Trump cuts compound wildfire fears in US west

Region is experiencing an unusually warm spring, raising concerns of fierce wildfire season amid limited resourcesUnusually warm springtime temperatures have contributed to rapid reductions in snowpacks across the western US that rival the fastest rates on record, increasing concerns around wildfire season.The rapid snowmelt, in addition to reduced staffing and budget constraints initiated by the Trump administration, has set the stage for a particularly dangerous season across the west, according to an analysis of publicly available data by the Guardian and interviews with experts in the region. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago For every disabled parking bay there are 52 Blue Badge holders as oversubscribed scheme is rife with fraud and abuse

Demand for permits continues to rise with the rate of new applications increasing by 31% between 2022 and 2024. And instances of Blue Badge fraud are up 1,000% since 2016.

Events

3 d. ago Calls for delayed West Lothian train station to be funded by Scottish Government

As the council and Winchburgh Developments prepare to meet potential funders of the long delayed station, Labour’s Linlithgow councillor Tom Conn called on the SNP government to “stop ducking and diving.”

Politics

3 d. ago No money left to finish road connecting £50m ‘bridge to nowhere’, Lincolnshire council admits

Lincolnshire County Council need at least £33 million in external funding to complete the Spalding Western Relief Road

Economics

4 d. ago New update on calls to increase State Pension to £427 each week to match minimum wage

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition supporting calls to increase the State Pension to match the National Living Wage rate.

Economics

4 d. ago Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week

The annual uprating to benefits took place on April 7 with Universal Credit payments increasing by 1.7% - however, the higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after that date

Economics

8 d. ago West London council to buy 250 new homes using pension fund money after requests skyrocket

West London council to buy 250 new homes using pension fund money after requests skyrocket  MyLondon

Economics

8 d. ago Worries over pause on applications to South Ayrshire Coastal Communities Fund

South Ayrshire Council has agreed to pause applications to the £140k fund, instead directly supporting projects that have already been deemed suitable

Politics

9 d. ago Major doubt over huge Barry marina project after company pulls out

Plans for a new marina are no longer being funded but the leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council insisted other elements of the waterfront scheme will still go ahead

Politics

9 d. ago Dept. Q review: Edinburgh's murder rate increases again as Matthew Goode's rogue detective delights in Netflix drama

There’s a new crimefighter on the streets of Auld Reekie in a hotly-anticipated new Netflix series - and we’ve seen the first two episodes.

Events

9 d. ago Fact check: More people are paying higher rate income tax than five years ago

The number of people paying the 40% rate has increased from 4.4 million to 7.4 million in the last five years.

Economics

1 week ago Paisley cafe sees 'dramatic' increase in customers after becoming local hit

Paisley Pie Co. has seen footfall increase after benefitting from Renfrewshire Council’s town centre premises fund.

Economics

1 week ago Can the council make me sell my mother's bungalow to pay for care?

My mother may need sheltered housing in future. Could the council make me sell her bungalow, currently held in trust, to fund her care needs?

Politics

2 w. ago Renfrewshire Council prepares funding bids which could unlock regeneration of Lochwinnoch

Officials will submit applications to Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery for ambitious 'Cornerstones Project'.

Politics

2 w. ago North Lanarkshire councillors endorse plan supporting families and improving school attendance

The report, which was unanimously endorsed by North Lanarkshire Council’s education committee, described how the council is using additional funding from external bodies to provide preventative support at the earliest stage.

Culture

2 w. ago Child poverty rate among rural Dumfries and Galloway communities hits record high

New figures show there has been a huge increase in rural poverty rates over the past 15 years.

Events

2 w. ago Thousands to get £100 in cost of living help as scheme reopens

In the recent extension of the Household Support Fund scheme, Hartlepool Council received £1.75million in funding and recently confirmed how it planned to spend it

Economics

2 w. ago Finance expert shares five ways to use bank holiday weekend to beat inflation rate rise

The UK inflation rate increased from 2.6 per cent in March to 3.5 per cent in April.

Economics

3 w. ago Humanities groups sue Trump administration to reverse local funding cuts

A humanities federation and a state council have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to reverse local funding cuts made by Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and the National Endowment for the Humanities

Politics