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BBC News Available for over a year Today, Andy Burnham has announced the return of the £2 bus fare cap in most of England – taking effect from January 2027. Bus fares had initially been capped at £2 in 2023 by the Conservatives, and was later increased to £3 by Keir Starmer. Andy Burnham has […]

BBC News MI5 and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been ordered to pay £20,000 in damages to a journalist, after they illegally obtained his phone records. Former BBC Journalist Vincent Kearney took a case at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London. It is believed to be the first time that MI5 […]

BBC News A lump sum, equivalent of 25% of the annual ministerial salary, is payable when a minister stops holding office. Departing ministers who are aged over 65 or are reappointed within three weeks do not qualify. The 2025/26 accounts, external for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government record the severance payment for […]

BBC News Those who were on leave were told the plans would already be under way by the time they returned, according to a senior civil servant familiar with the discussions. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, welcomed the changes to the structure of government but cautioned that […]

BBC News The last two circuits, Silverstone and Spa, have been particularly difficult for them because of the lack of performance of their Honda engine. But even at the Spanish Grand Prix last month, a more corner-dependent track, they were four seconds off pole position, and more than three seconds off the Racing Bulls and […]

BBC News Oil prices hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May as the escalating conflict in the Middle East reignited fears over global energy supplies. Brent crude – the global benchmark for oil prices – rose more than 5% on Thursday after several days of increases as the US stepped up military […]

BBC News Aston Villa have announced the loan signing of Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho until the end of the 2026-27 season. The 22-year-old’s transfer will “become permanent next summer should certain criteria be met”, said the Blues, with the Argentine already agreeing a four-year contract at Villa Park. The terms of the obligation to buy […]

BBC News Sam Lamiroy said Burnham’s announcement is a step in the right direction and shows the government is trying to help, but agrees with Nick Smith that “VAT is the real problem”. He said the turnover of a typical pub or restaurant can easily be between £500,000 and £1m, meaning a £1,000 saving “won’t […]

BBC News Pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will be given a 20% cut to business rates from April, which the government estimates will save firms around £1,100 next year. In his third policy announcement since becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham said: “For too long, governments have stood by while cherished venues have […]

BBC News Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been stripped of his knighthood by the King. Donaldson, who was an MP from 1997 until 2024, was convicted in June of 18 counts of sex abuse including one count of rape, which he committed against two women when they were children. In the […]