Better data over the use of handcuffs and other restraints on young innocent people in care is needed to help bring an end to the “brutal handcuffing of vulnerable children”, a cross-party group of MPs and peers has said. In a letter to children’s minister Claire Coutinho, the signatories said they are concerned at what
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The government has confirmed that two-thirds of NHS England cancer targets will be scrapped by the autumn as it aims to bring cancer care “into the modern era”. The new guidelines will see the 10 targets currently in place reduced to three – and the two-week wait target will be scrapped in favour of the
Downing Street has not denied reports that Rishi Sunak will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in the autumn – just five years after the murder of a US-based journalist caused outrage around the world. The crown prince and the state’s day-to-day leader was accused of ordering the assassination of the Washington Post writer
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has been criticised for suggesting employers won’t ask pupils about their A-levels in a decade’s time. Ms Keegan said students “shouldn’t be disappointed” if their results were not what they had hoped for as top grades fell from last year – although they remain above pre-pandemic levels. Please use Chrome browser
Suella Braverman has been urged to “stand up” to France as reports emerged the country is intercepting fewer migrants in the Channel despite a £480m funding deal. The call from Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis came as The Telegraph claimed just 45.2% of migrants have been stopped by French patrols since January, down from 45.8% in
There have been over 100 sewage leaks in government buildings across the UK in the past 12 months, data obtained by the Liberal Democrats reveals. Legionella was also discovered in water outlets in HMRC’s Liverpool offices, leading civil service unions to criticise the “unsafe and unsanitary environments” for civil servants. But the government says it
Calls from pubs and the Liberal Democrats for alcohol licensing laws to be relaxed for Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final have been rejected by ministers. Pubs can choose when they open on Sundays, but the time from which they can start selling alcohol varies depending on each pub’s individual licence. The British Beer and Pub
A Tory MP has written to his local police force asking officers to “turn a blind eye” to pubs opening an hour early for the Women’s World Cup final this weekend. Pubs can choose when they open on Sundays, but the time from which they can start selling alcohol varies depending on each pub’s individual
Nearly three out of five drivers (58%) want to see cameras that detect illegally loud vehicles rolled out across the UK, according to a new survey. The poll, commissioned by the RAC found that 22% of the 1,424 motorists asked were against the idea, with a similar proportion (20%) unsure. The Department for Transport (DfT)
For some time now there has been a growing air of confidence around BAE Systems. That was underlined when, earlier this year, the UK’s biggest defence contractor reported a record order book. And it was further emphasised when, today, BAE announced it is spending $5.55bn (£4.35bn) on the aerospace division of the US packaging giant
Profit at UK companies has grown slightly, the latest official figures show, suggesting widespread price hikes were not solely to increase profits. There have been concerns this year about so-called “greedflation” – with companies accused of driving up inflation by increasing prices for profit. However, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show
A Labour frontbencher has failed to deny claims the party has watered down its key commitment to strengthen workers’ rights. The Financial Times alleged leader Sir Keir Starmer has scaled back this commitment in an attempt to appease corporate backers, including by diluting his pledge to bolster the rights of gig workers. This would mean
The banking sector is being warned it faces penalties if it does not secure free access to cash for the UK population, including businesses, following waves of branch closures over more than a decade. Hours after Sky News revealed the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was to be given powers to fine banks that fail to
Retail sales fell for only the second time this year as wet weather led to a surprise 1.2% drop, official figures show. It’s a steep fall from growth of 0.6% in June, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A contraction of 0.5% had been forecast. Growth in how much people were
Chinese authorities have unveiled fresh measures aimed at propping up investor confidence in the country’s stock market. The main securities regulator, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said it would introduce a number of measures aimed making it easier to trade. These include cuts in the cost of trading, via a reduction in the handling fees
There are “genuine grounds for hope” for the future of high street retailer Wilko, according to the GMB union, after the company entered administration, endangering 12,500 jobs. The union met with administrators PwC as part of the formal consultation process and confirmed there had been “expressions of interest” from prospective buyers. Those potential purchasers are