7 h. ago Why focusing on ‘empty homes’ is a convenient distraction for ministers

The Scottish Government might want to look like it’s doing something, but the only way to solve the housing crisis is to build more homes, writes David J Alexander

Politics

12 h. ago As much as £5bn needed to revive UK’s struggling high streets, study finds

Business rates cuts not enough as people in poorer areas simply ‘don’t have money to spend’, says Centre for CitiesAs much as £5bn is needed to revive ailing UK town and city centres, with areas including Bradford in Yorkshire, Newport in south Wales, and Blackpool in Lancashire having double the proportion of empty shops as London, a study has found.A report from the Centre for Cities thinktank showed that the health of high streets across the country has varied significantly, and called for authorities to focus on developing homes and high-paying jobs in central locations to increase local spending power. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Bereaved urge ‘truth’ as Covid inquiry shifts focus to care homes

Matt Hancock will appear on Wednesday for a full-day session to face questions during a module set to last five weeks.

Politics

1 week ago Home discomforts send Trump rushing to project image of global patriarch

The tortured progress of the president’s tax-and-spend bill is likely to bring his supporters a big, ugly surprise – little wonder he was so keen to turn the focus to Iran and Nato“Daddy’s home.” So said a social media post from the White House, accompanied by a video featuring the song Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home) by Usher and images of Donald Trump at the Nato summit in The Hague.The US president’s fundraising allies were quick to market $35 T-shirts with his image and the word after Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, referred to Trump’s criticism of Israel and Iran over violations of a ceasefire by quipping: “And then Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get [them to] stop.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Diddy’s lawyers to offer unusual defense involving Iran in closing statement, report says

Diddy’s attorneys could allegedly argue that Homeland Security should focus on ‘the escalating conflict with Iran’ not ‘what Diddy is doing with baby oil’

Events

3 w. ago Finn Russell savours Bath win as he looks forward to Lions test

Fly-half relishes end to his 10-year wait for a league title before switching focus to British & Irish Lions challengeHad Handré Pollard done his homework he might have known what was coming. For Finn Russell has previous with intercepts when attacking Twickenham’s south stand. It was playing that way that he picked off Owen Farrell’s pass before streaking clear in the madcap 38-38 draw between England and Scotland in 2019. And he was at it again on Saturday, coming up with the decisive moment in Bath’s dogged Premiership final victory over Leicester.On this occasion he did not finish off the try himself – you suspect he probably could have – instead flinging a nonchalant pass inside to the onrushing Max Ojomoh. In a final short on champagne moments, it put the fizz in Bath’s performance, extending their lead to 20-7 before a second penalty of the match proved pivotal in ensuring the 29-year wait for a Premiership title was over. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Warning to car owners without driveway as change set to impact two million

The UK government has announced plans that focus on people who don't have access at home

Events