PA: British Isles & Ireland
Thursday, 30 November 2023 21:57
Parents in England urged to sign up for free childcare in 2024
In England, working parents are being encouraged to apply for 15 hours of free childcare per week for their toddlers starting in the new year. This initiative is part of a broader reform by the Department…
Thursday, 30 November 2023 21:53
New strain of swine flu detected
A new strain of swine flu, influenza A(H1N2)v, has been detected in a human in the UK for the first time. The patient, who had not worked with pigs, visited their GP in North Yorkshire with…
Thursday, 30 November 2023 21:49
Don’t bother with a funeral, say most poll respondents
A poll commissioned by Theos and conducted by YouGov reveals that less than half (47%) of the 2,569 respondents desire a funeral. The report highlights a significant shift in British grieving practices and warns of a…
Friday, 24 November 2023 10:03
Autumn Statement: NI cut but tax burden still rises
In his Autumn Statement on 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a significant cut in National Insurance from January, from 12% to 10%. However, due to previous tax changes, many workers might not see substantial benefits.…
Friday, 24 November 2023 09:56
Chancellor announces back to work plan for disabled people
On 22 November Jeremy Hunt unveiled a new Back to Work Plan, focusing on helping disabled individuals, those with long-term health conditions, and the long-term unemployed. The plan enhances four different support programmes, and also the…
Friday, 24 November 2023 09:50
£5 million to fight threat of drug-resistant infections
The Government has allocated £5 million in seed funding to the Fleming Centre, a new initiative led by Imperial College London, to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This funding forms part of a broader investment to strengthen…