United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Starmer pledges to raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027

The UK prime minister committed to a bump in the country's budget for defence ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

25/02/2025

Culture news

2,000-year-old Roman gossip book makes UK bestseller charts

A newly translated version of 'The Lives of the Caesars', a gossip-filled account of the escapades of Roman emperors, has made it into the UK bestseller charts – 2,000 years after it was first published.

25/02/2025

Culture news

UK literacy charity wants audiobooks on national school curriculum

A poll by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) has found that children’s enjoyment of listening to audiobooks had risen. NLT are petitioning the government to include audiobooks in the national curriculum.

25/02/2025

Business

Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher to step down from role

In an unexpected exit from the consumer goods giant, Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher is to give up the helm later this week.

25/02/2025

Culture news

Musicians release silent album to protest UK AI copyright proposals

Over 1,000 artists, including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, and Kate Bush, have launched a silent album, 'Is This What We Want?', in protest against UK government plans that could allow AI companies to use copyrighted content without consent.

25/02/2025

Art

London exhibition explores enduring impact of The Face magazine

A new exhibition at London's National Portrait Gallery explores the cultural impact of The Face magazine; a monthly publication which used to be one of the most influential barometers for style, fashion and the arts.

25/02/2025

Culture news

UK pop stars fail to make global bestseller charts, a first since 2003

For the first time since 2003, no UK artists made it into the global Top 10 albums or singles charts, with the 2024 lists dominated by US and K-pop acts.

24/02/2025

United Kingdom

UK politician jailed for 10 weeks for punching man in street

The jailing of Mike Amesbury, a former member of the Labour party, opens up the possibility of a by-election in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby.

24/02/2025

Travel News

New direct trains could soon link London with these European cities

London St Pancras station would almost triple its capacity to deliver new train services to Europe by 2030.

24/02/2025

Culture news

British Library acquires long-lost draft for Elgar masterpiece

The British Library has secured previously unknown drafts of Edward Elgar’s 'Introduction and Allegro for Strings', shedding new light on the composer's creative process.

24/02/2025

Art

The King of Clubs: New exhibitions delve into life of Leigh Bowery

Leigh Bowery is perhaps best remembered his flamboyant fashion as much as his groundbreaking club nights. When Taboo in Covent Garden opened in 1985, it arguably became the most influential nightclub in British culture. Two exhibitions in London are now looking back on his legacy.

22/02/2025

Nature

London’s Kew Gardens is telling ‘the story of carbon’ through plants

A fungal pavilion, rain garden and colourful plants growing like climate stripes will feature in the new design this summer.

21/02/2025

Art

19th century England comes to life in this photo collection

Some of the oldest landscape photographs of England have been acquired by Historic England, providing a glimpse into the country in the 19th century.

21/02/2025

Health news

Cancer death rates are much higher in UK’s most deprived areas

A new report highlights “huge disparities” related to cancer care in the UK.

21/02/2025

Economy

UK retail sales sharply rebound in January beating expectations

Increasing retail sales in January and improving consumer confidence in February could point towards more optimism in the UK economy, however, concerns persist about slow economic growth and the threat of US tariffs.

21/02/2025

Health news

Healthy ageing more dependent on life factors than your genes

Socioeconomic status and other lifestyle factors are more closely linked to healthy ageing than genetics, a new study suggests.

19/02/2025

Culture news

Central Cee ties Stormzy as most awarded rapper in MOBO history

The 2025 MOBO Awards at Newcastle's Utilita Arena saw Central Cee win Best Male Act and Ayra Starr become the first African woman to win Best International Act.

19/02/2025

Culture news

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69

Rick Buckler, drummer of the legendary British mod band, The Jam, has died at the age of 69.

19/02/2025

Economy

UK inflation sees further spike as it rises to a 10-month high

January's inflation figure is likely to slow down the Bank of England's delivery of interest rate cuts as inflation remains well above the central bank's government-set target.

19/02/2025

Business

HSBC announces €1.9bn share buyback as annual profits jumps

HSBC reported a profit in 2024 as strong performances in wealth and personal banking and global banking and markets offset a decline in its net interest income.

19/02/2025

Health news

No link found with COVID vaccines in pregnancy and child development

The new study is the largest yet to test whether there’s a link between child development and COVID vaccination or infection during pregnancy.

19/02/2025

Lifestyle

British Museum showcases spectacular public treasure hunter finds

Amateur treasure hunters, from detectorists to mudlarkers, are uncovering remarkable historical artefacts across Britain, with the British Museum spotlighting their latest finds.

19/02/2025

Economy

BoE chief says collaboration is key to solving economic imbalances

Speaking in Brussels, Andrew Bailey warned that fragmentation was "bad for global growth" during a time of uncertainty.

18/02/2025

Business

Thames Water: Judge approves emergency plan to keep it afloat

Thames Water, which serves 16 million customers in and around London, was seeking court approval for billions of pounds in rescue loans to prevent it from being nationalised when it runs out of cash next month.

18/02/2025

United Kingdom

Scotland releases prisoners early to relieve overcrowded jails

A long-running crisis of overstuffed jails and backlogged courts has reached a critical level.

18/02/2025

Tech News

What is Gravehawk, the new air defence system heading to Ukraine?

A new Anglo-Danish weapon system disguises short-range Soviet-era weapons in containers the size of storage containers to take down their targets.

18/02/2025