83 m. ago Rachel Reeves says she ‘chooses investment’ as she prepares to unveil Labour’s spending review – UK politics live

Chancellor will reveal how the government plans to spend almost £1.4tn in 2026-27, rising to almost £1.5tr in 2028-29In Wales politcians from almost all parties have been complaining for years about the UK governments decision to categorise HS2 as a project for England and Wales, even though the line does not go through Wales at all. Treating it as a project that nevertheless benefit Wales means Wales does not get equivalent money for its own infrastructure, under the Barnett formula.According to a report by ITV Cymru, Wales will get £445m for rail in the spending review. ITV quotes a Welsh Labour source as saying:This investment is more than Wales would have had so far had HS2 been Barnettised. It will make a massive difference economically and politically.We need to go much further and faster to get one step ahead of the tactics used by small boat gangs.That is why we will boost investment to secure our borders, with up to £280m per year in the Border Security Command by 2028/29. ...

Politics

13 h. ago Tricks to keep FULL £300 winter fuel allowance: JEFF PRESTRIDGE's guide to Labour's U

The volte-face is good news for 9 million pensioners who live in England and Wales who will now receive an annual payment worth up to £300.

Economics

14 h. ago Missiles thrown at police in second night of Ballymena disorder

Riot police were deployed around the Clonavon Terrace area on Tuesday night as hundreds of people gathered in the Co Antrim town.

Events

16 h. ago Lanarkshire MSP calls on Holyrood to make sure OAPs aren't left behind on winter fuel payments

More than 75 per cent of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the Labour government abandoned one of its first, and most controversial, policies.

Politics

17 h. ago UK Government ‘betraying Wales’ over rail funding, Plaid leader says

Rhun ap Iorwerth called for the First Minister of Wales to condemn the UK government’s Welsh rail funding.

Politics

17 h. ago Discount supermarket locking products in GPS tracked security boxes as shoplifting offences soar

The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to the highest level on record

Economics

18 h. ago How to watch England vs Senegal on TV tonight – channel and kick

Thomas Tuchel's England play host to Senegal at The City Ground in Nottingham tonight

Politics

19 h. ago Ballymena violence after alleged sex attack was ‘racist thuggery’, police say

Fifteen police officers were injured in the disturbances in Ballymena on Monday night.

Events

32 h. ago Met Office details exact day half a month's rain to batter Britain in just three hours

The Met Office forecasts "intense rainfall" across parts of the UK, particularly south Wales and Southwest England, but temperatures are expected to rise during this period

Politics

35 h. ago Thunderstorm warnings could be issued this week as ‘intense rainfall’ looms

The deluge is expected to hit on Wednesday evening.

Events

39 h. ago UK teenager who killed herself was ‘highly affected’ by terrorism arrest, inquest finds

Rhianan Rudd died of ‘self-inflicted act’ after facing charges but coroner says failures in her case were ‘not systemic’A vulnerable teenage girl who died five months after terrorism charges against her were dropped was “highly affected” by her arrest but failures in her case were “not systemic”, a coroner has concluded.Rhianan Rudd died at a children’s home aged 16 in May 2022, as the result of a self-inflicted act, said the chief coroner of England and Wales, Alexia Durran.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Events

42 h. ago Winter fuel payment should be restored for NI pensioners – Lyons

Around 250,000 pensioners in NI were affected when the payment was cut last year in a cost-saving measure by the new Labour government.

Economics

43 h. ago Winter fuel payment: Scottish pensioners could be worse off than those in England and Wales after U

The U-turn was confirmed on Monday by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Economics

43 h. ago Scottish pensioners could be worse off than those in England and Wales after winter fuel payment U

The U-turn was confirmed on Monday

Economics

44 h. ago DWP confirms qualifying period for Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 this year

All pensioners in England and Wales will automatically receive the one-off payment this winter.

Economics

46 h. ago Martin Lewis reveals 'one thing surprised him' about Winter Fuel Payment U

Winter Fuel Payments will now be available to all state pensioners in England and Wales who earn under £35,000 a year - and Martin Lewis has published his instant analysis

Politics

47 h. ago Winter fuel payments threshold to rise to £35,000, Rachel Reeves announces

Change means about 7.5 million pensioners in England and Wales who lost out on payment will have it restoredUK politics live – latest updatesAll pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less a year will have the winter fuel payment restored in full, Rachel Reeves has announced, after weeks of uncertainty over the decision to make a U-turn on scrapping the benefit.Ministers are restoring the automatic payments as a universal benefit this winter and then recouping the money when higher-income pensioners fill in their tax returns, as creating a new means test would be a highly complex option. Continue reading...

Economics

47 h. ago Nine million pensioners to receive winter fuel payment this year, Reeves says

The payment will be restored to all pensioners with an income of under £35,000.

Economics

48 h. ago Britain's least popular boys names revealed, so is yours one of them?

The name Roger - which has German heritage - was among some of the most disliked baby names in England and Wales, according to research by online store, Etsy.

Politics

48 h. ago Around 1,000 doctors urge MPs to vote against ‘unsafe’ assisted dying Bill

In a letter, doctors from across the NHS warned the Bill provides ‘inadequate safeguards’.

Politics