PA: British Isles & Ireland
Thursday, 21 August 2025 21:19
Far-right link taints ‘patriotic’ grassroots flag movement
A grassroots campaign called 'Operation Raise the Colours' has seen activists in over a dozen English towns hoisting hundreds of Union and St George’s Cross flags on lampposts. Organisers claim the movement aims to restore national…
Thursday, 21 August 2025 21:15
Students receive GCSE and BTec results
On 21 August pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received GCSE, BTec and other Level 2 results. The GCSE pass rate is similar to last year, which saw a third consecutive decline after the Covid…
Thursday, 21 August 2025 21:12
Rachel Reeves' 'mansion tax' plan
Reports suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves may extend capital gains tax (CGT) to primary residences above a set threshold, sparking debate over a potential 'mansion tax’. Currently, homeowners pay no CGT when selling their main residence, but…
Thursday, 21 August 2025 21:09
UK signs deal with Iraq to speed up migrant returns
The Government has signed a new agreement with Iraq to accelerate the return of migrants who have no legal right to remain. Home office minister Dan Jarvis finalised the deal with Iraq’s deputy foreign minister, expanding…
Thursday, 21 August 2025 21:06
Former CofE priest found guilty of 17 indecent assaults
Chris Brain, a former CofE priest and founder of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), has been convicted of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. The NOS, active between 1986 and 1995, blended rave culture…
Thursday, 14 August 2025 20:32
Number of UC claimants jumps dramatically
A record eight million people are now claiming Universal Credit (UC), the highest since its 2013 introduction, and a sharp increase from 6.9 million in July 2024. This has largely been driven by a surge in…