British Isles
Thursday, 14 March 2024 22:06
World's largest trees 'thriving in UK'
Giant redwoods, the world's largest trees, are thriving in the UK, surpassing their native numbers in California. Introduced by the Victorians as a symbol of botanical prestige, there are an estimated 500,000 giant redwoods in the…
Friday, 08 March 2024 03:16
Budget 2024: Jeremy Hunt cuts National Insurance again as election looms
In the 2024 Budget announcement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt introduced tax cuts to bolster the Conservative Party's prospects. He reduced National Insurance by 2p, following an earlier cut in January. This move was labelled a "con" by…
Friday, 08 March 2024 03:15
New tax on vapes announced in Budget to discourage non-smokers from adopting habit
The UK government plans to implement a new tax on vaping products starting October 2026, announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the Budget speech. This move aims to deter non-smokers from starting vaping while maintaining vaping…
Friday, 08 March 2024 03:14
Birmingham City Council signs off 'devastating' cuts
Birmingham City Council, Europe's largest local authority, has approved significant service cuts to address a financial crisis, including a 21% increase in council tax over two years. The council, facing bankruptcy, must save £300m, resulting in…
Friday, 08 March 2024 03:13
Understanding why our young people have such poor mental health
A recent study by the Resolution Foundation revealed that 34% of UK youths aged 18-24 exhibit symptoms of mental disorders, the highest rate among all age groups. This marks a significant shift from 20 years ago…
Friday, 08 March 2024 03:06
NHS England leaders welcome £6bn budget boost but say much more is needed
NHS England leaders have responded positively to the £6bn budget increase from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aimed at addressing rising demands, tackling the care backlog, and upgrading outdated IT systems. The budget for 2024/25 will see a…