5 h. ago NHS facing ‘absolutely shocking’ £27bn bill for maternity failings in England

Exclusive: Legal actions rise after death or injury of hundreds of babies and women in recent yearsThe NHS is facing an “absolutely shocking” £27bn bill for maternity failings in England, the Guardian can reveal, after a series of hospital scandals triggered a record level of legal claims.Hundreds of babies and women have died or suffered life-altering conditions as a result of botched care in NHS trusts across the country in recent years, prompting the government to launch a “rapid” national inquiry. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Bank of England fines Mastercard’s Vocalink £11.9m over compliance failures

Vocalink says it processes more than 90% of salaries, 70% of household bills, and 98% of state benefit payments in the UK.

Economics

2 w. ago Chris Woakes rues ‘pretty frustrating’ close calls as England denied by India and umpires on opening day

India were the beneficiaries of two borderline decisions as England’s reviews failed to succeed due to the umpire’s call

Politics

2 w. ago Miscarriage of justice watchdog chief quits after public confidence ‘badly damaged’

Karen Kneller resigns from Criminal Cases Review Commission, heavily criticised for bungling of Andrew Malkinson caseThe chief executive of the miscarriage of justice watchdog for England, Wales and Northern Ireland has resigned after serious failings in the case of Andrew Malkinson.Karen Kneller, who had held the position since 2013, has left her job at the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) after one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history, it was announced on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Newcastle fail with £45m Elanga bid and step up pursuit of £40m

Nottingham Forest extremely reluctant to sell ElangaGoalkeeper Trafford was also wanted by Howe last yearNewcastle have had a £45m bid for the Sweden right-winger Anthony Elanga rejected by Nottingham Forest but hope to succeed where they failed a year ago by signing the Burnley and England goalkeeper James Trafford.Eddie Howe has long admired Elanga but, as first reported by the Athletic, Forest are extremely reluctant to sell. They also appear uninterested in a potential part-exchange deal involving the Newcastle left-winger Harvey Barnes. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on maternity care failings: Wes Streeting’s new inquiry must learn from past mistakes, not repeat them | Editorial

The health secretary deserves praise for trying something new. But links between poor care and overstretched staff must not be avoidedThe announcement of a new inquiry into maternity care failures in England, including the shockingly higher risk of mortality faced by black and Asian mothers, indicates an overdue recognition that improvements are needed. From the devastating 2015 review of a decade of failure at Morecambe Bay, to last year’s birth trauma report from MPs, there is no shortage of evidence that women face unacceptable risks when giving birth on the NHS. The question is whether a review chaired by Wes Streeting himself can achieve what previous ones have not.His role as chair is not the only novel aspect of this inquiry. A panel including bereaved parents will share their experiences and knowledge, alongside expert evidence. This format should focus minds on the human consequences of systemic failures, including mother and baby deaths, and on the need for accountabi...

Events

3 w. ago Luke Littler and Luke Humphries branded 'rabbits in the headlights' after World Cup flop

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries represented England in darts' World Cup but failed to live up to the hype they generated as they got knocked out of the tournament by Germany

Politics