57 m. ago Item of clothing can land you £100 fine while driving in heatwave

Fines could rise to £5,000 and nine penalty points in more serious cases

Economics

67 m. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor 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.“Flatli...

Economics

99 m. ago Heathrow wants to raise passenger fees to fund terminal upgrades

The average charge per passenger could rise nearly £5

Politics

1 hour ago Fears Heathrow’s move to raise airport fees by ‘excessive’ 17% will push up fares

Airport is seeking increase to expand passenger capacity and fund new lounges, shops and restaurantsBusiness live – latest updatesHeathrow is seeking to raise the landing fees it charges airlines by 17% as part of a plan to invest £10bn into Europe’s busiest airport, in a move airlines say will push up air fares for travellers.The airport operator has made a submission to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to increase the fees, saying the rise would fund a plan to increase annual passenger capacity to 92 million and expand terminal space for new lounges, shops and restaurants. Continue reading...

Society

2 h. ago People on highest PIP could see payments rise to nearly £800 each month from next April

The September CPI figure published in October will determine the annual uprating for DWP disability benefits.

Economics

2 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

2 h. ago 'Despicable' taxi driver left teenage girl in tears being sick

Wahid Riaz has been jailed

Politics

2 h. ago Chess: Carlsen fights off Gukesh in Zagreb as ChessFest returns to Trafalgar Square

The Norwegian, 35, lost his second game in a row to the 19-year-old Indian but won a third in “old man’s chess” style, while 20,000 fans are expected in London on SundayIt looked as if the Carlsen era might finally be over. The Norwegian, 35, had just lost his second game in a row to India’s world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, 19, who was on a streak of five successive wins and leading the Zagreb event three points ahead of Carlsen. The game was like their first in Stavanger, where Carlsen had spoiled a winning position and images of his frustrated table thump went round the world. “Now we can question Carlsen’s domination,” said Garry Kasparov.Except this time the sequel was different. The format changed from rapid to blitz and Carlsen launched his own eight-game unbeaten streak including a win against the Indian teenager using “old man’s chess” with no tactics, while Gukesh tailspun into a catastrophic run of 1.5/9. An alternative description would be that Carlsen reverted to the st...

Politics

2 h. ago 'Ticking tax timebomb' warning as UK economy shrinks 0.1% in May in fresh blow to Rachel Reeves

The City had expected a 0.1% rise in GDP

Events

2 h. ago BP says oil and gas production to rise after renewing focus on fossil fuels

The energy giant told investors that upstream production is now expected to be higher between April and June.

Politics

2 h. ago 'When doctors finally told me what my rash was, I considered dying'

Mum Rachel, 46, had been suffering 'eczema' for two years before she got a proper diagnosis

Events

2 h. ago 'Doctors said I had eczema, but the truth made me want to die'

Mum Rachel, 46, says when she got the diagnosis she considered letting her body 'die naturally'

Events

2 h. ago Body of teenage boy is found in lake after huge search operation

Emergency crews descended on Powell's Pool, a large body of water on the edge of the park near the Boldmere area of Sutton Coldfield at around 9pm following reports a boy had gone missing.

Politics

2 h. ago UK economy shrunk 0.1% in May, ONS reveals in blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Analysts had forecast a 0.1% rise in GDP in May

Politics

3 h. ago Voices: ‘We’re now dealing with thinking robots’: Readers reflect on AI’s growing influence

Our community sees the rise of AI as both inevitable and unsettling. While some embrace its calm, predictable support, others warned that machines mimicking empathy risks confusion, dependence, and corporate exploitation

Economics

4 h. ago Sutton Park UPDATES: West Midlands Police confirm body of teenage boy pulled from lake

The teenager vanished in the water at Powell's Pool, a lake at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, on Thursday evening, and West Midlands Police have confirmed he has died

Events

4 h. ago Sutton Park UPDATES: West Midlands Police confirm body of teen pulled from lake

The teenager vanished in the water at Powell's Pool, a lake at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, on Thursday evening, and West Midlands Police has confirmed he died

Events

4 h. ago Missing teen surfer ‘miraculously’ found alive on remote Australian island

Teenager rescue from a remote island about 12km off the coast

Events

5 h. ago ‘I’d be proud to be thrown out of America!’ Eric Idle on Trump, life after Python and not talking before lunch

Ahead of his UK tour, the former Monty Python star responds to questions from Catherine Zeta-Jones, David Mamet, Janet Suzman, Steve Coogan, Bill Oddie and othersWhen news broke in 2021 that Eric Idle had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, dismay was followed by relief when he survived to get the all-clear. Now 83, Idle is thriving and about to embark on his first UK tour since 1973.Over haddock and chips in London last month, a gentle and friendly Idle answered questions submitted by readers and fellow writers, actors and comedians about his time as a Python, Broadway smash Spamalot – his musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – as well as selfies, Peter Cook and why he feels sorry for the royals. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Brave Scots mum’s plea after newborn son’s heart stopped working just weeks after birth

"Vinnie went really limp, very lethargic... He hadn't cried since being discharged from hospital and was rarely eating. I knew something was wrong."

Politics