British Isles
Three major parties rule out raising VAT
31 May 2024
Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats have all pledged not to raise value-added tax (VAT) if they win the general election. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that the Tories would maintain the current VAT rate, challenging…
Number of UK homes for sale hits eight-year high
31 May 2024
The UK housing market currently has £230bn worth of homes for sale, the highest supply in eight years, keeping house prices stable for the rest of 2024. According to Zoopla, the supply of homes for sale…
NHS computer issues linked to patient harm
31 May 2024
IT system failures in the NHS have been linked to three patient deaths and over 100 instances of serious harm, according to a BBC investigation. A Freedom of Information request revealed that 200,000 medical letters went…
Justin Welby has launched the Difference programme for church youth groups through his Reconciliation Ministry. This initiative aims to nurture a new generation of peacemakers, building on its success in churches, prisons, and secondary schools. Difference…
A nine-year-old girl has been critically injured and three adults wounded by a drive-by shooting outside a Turkish restaurant in east London, on 29 May. Witnesses described a gunman on a motorcycle spraying bullets at diners…
PM calls a general election on 4 July
23 May 2024
Rishi Sunak surprised many by calling for a UK general election on 4 July, aiming to secure a fifth term for the Conservatives. Parliament will be suspended shortly, marking the start of a five-week campaign. Sunak's…