Local News

A former Tory minister who quit in protest at the government's handling of the climate crisis has revealed he will vote Labour at the election.In another blow to Rishi Sunak's faltering campaign, Chris Skidmore accused the prime minister of "siding with climate deniers" in order to "deliberately politicise" the transition to clean energy. Election latest: Chart shows surge in election date bets He said this was perhaps "the greatest tragedy […]

Ten people have been convicted over a business that sold more than £4m worth of counterfeit drugs made in garages and garden sheds on the dark web. Brian Pitts, 29 - who used the alias "Milkman" online - ran the gang with his girlfriend Katie Harlow, 26, and his father-in-law Lee Lloyd, 47, from their base in Thailand. Other members of the West Midlands-based group, who were mainly from the […]

Two people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil protesters painted several private jets orange at an airfield - where they claim Taylor Swift's jet landed just hours before.It's not clear if Swift's jet was one of those that has been targeted by the eco-protesters, who said they are demanding an "emergency treaty" to end the use of fossil fuels by 2030. In a statement, Stansted Airport said Essex Police […]

Even the world of escapism can't escape politics. Decisions made on the green benches of parliament could be life or death for the circus. Like many businesses, it is walking the wire between rising costs and cash-strapped audiences. Election latest: Starmer's wife says protest outside home made her feel 'sick'As part of our Bench Across Britain series we visited a circus tent in south Leicestershire where punters try to forget […]

John Swinney has now been on the campaign trail for most of his short time as Scotland's first minister, which began just six weeks ago.After a turbulent 15 months for the SNP following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon and then Humza Yousaf, the party of independence is fighting for its life against a resurgent Labour poised to win back some old heartlands. For the nationalists, this is existential. Having won […]

Two climate activists have been arrested after Stonehenge was sprayed with "orange powder paint" as part of a protest calling for the next government to commit to phasing out fossil fuels by 2030.The historic stone circle in Wiltshire was sprayed at around midday, according to the Just Stop Oil protest group - and comes just a day before thousands of people are expected to head there for the summer solstice. […]

UK inflation has eased to 2% - increasing the prospect of an interest rate cut within months.The consumer prices index (CPI) rate for the year to May was confirmed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday. The figure indicates that prices are still rising, but at the slowest pace since July 2021.The ONS said the drop was largely down to falling food prices, while the cost of motor […]

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have released a new portrait to mark their 25th wedding anniversary.The royal couple are dressed down in the relaxed shot taken in the gardens of their Surrey home, Bagshot Park, by photographer Chris Jelf. Prince Edward, 60, is the youngest of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip's four children - and the only one who has not been divorced.He married Sophie Rhys-Jones […]

A billionaire donor who backed Boris Johnson at the last election said he will be voting for Labour next month because the Tories' record has left him in "despair". John Caudwell, who founded Phones4U, gave half a million pounds to the Conservatives in 2019 to avoid what he called "the disaster that would have been Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street". Election latest: Labour to win landslide, poll projects However, he […]