12 h. ago UK economy eked out growth at the end of 2024, figures confirm

This is unrevised from the ONS’s first estimate, confirming a picture of a sluggish economy over the second half of the year.

Economics

29 h. ago Three in 10 children living in poverty, ‘shameful’ record figures show

At least 200,000 more children were living in poverty in the UK in 2024 compared to 2023, latest figures show

Politics

32 h. ago UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 3.5% in 2024, Government figures show

Emissions within the UK were 54.2% lower than 1990 levels, the Energy Department said.

Politics

4 d. ago Death by euthanasia in the Netherlands increased 10% in 2024, figures show

Watchdog urges ‘great caution’ with psychiatric illnesses after deaths in such cases rise to 219 from two in 2010The number of people in the Netherlands who died by euthanasia increased by 10% last year, figures have shown, as the official watchdog warned doctors to exercise “great caution” in cases where person has a psychiatric illness.The Netherlands, which has one of the world’s oldest and broadest euthanasia laws, allows doctors to end a person’s life if they are “suffering unbearably, with no prospect of improvement”. They must be diagnosed with a medical condition, but this can include a mental illness or dementia.In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the UK and Ireland, you can call Samaritans on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14...

Events

6 d. ago Comic Relief's Red Nose Day viewing figures drop by one million from 2024

More than £34million was raised for Comic Relief projects all over the world

Politics

1 week ago Tube lifts closed almost twice as often in 2024, figures show

Tube lifts closed almost twice as often in 2024, figures show  BBC.com

Politics

1 week ago Deloitte predicts global revenues in women’s sport will reach $2.35bn in 2025

Basketball leaps ahead of football and set to hit $1bnBut Fifa study shows stark reality facing many clubsRevenues in elite women’s sports are growing significantly faster than previously predicted and are forecast to reach at least $2.35bn (£1.82bn) globally in 2025, according to new Deloitte research.Leaping ahead of women’s football, women’s basketball is now projected to generate more than $1bn of revenue alone in 2025, up 44%. In 2023, Deloitte reported that all women’s sports combined would generate more than $1bn for the first time throughout 2024 and the true figure by the end of 2024 was far higher than anticipated, reaching $1.88m, after a 240% increase in the space of just four years. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Alarming rise in child abuse cases linked to 'witchcraft' as kids subjected to exorcisms

Since 2014, local authorities have logged 14,000 cases of abuse linked to witchcraft. And the latest figures show cases are rising. Councils identified 2,180 in 2024, up from 1,950 in 2018/19 and 1,460 in 2016/17

Events

3 w. ago Premier League revenues almost double those in La Liga and Bundesliga

New Uefa figures show extent of Premier League powerReport says Chelsea 2024 squad was most expensive everThe Premier League’s financial power continues to blow its European rivals out of the water, with combined revenues almost double those in Germany and Spain according to newly released figures from Uefa.In the latest evidence of England’s sizeable competitive advantage, Uefa’s annual European club finance and investment landscape report showed Premier League clubs reporting revenue of just over €7.1bn (£5.9bn) in the 2023 financial year. The top flight’s nearest competitors, La Liga and the Bundesliga, brought in €3.7bn and €3.6bn respectively. It forms part of a wider picture in which revenues in the continent’s top divisions totalled €26.8bn, 17% more than before the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Later life mortgage lending jumped in the 2024 fourth quarter, new figures show

Some 35,840 new home loans were handed out to older borrowers in the fourth quarter of last year, marking a 28.2% annual increase, according to UK Finance

Politics