UK News

Finance Secretary Shona Robison told MSPs the two-child benefit cap will be scrapped in Scotland (Robert Perry/PA)

Two-child benefit cap to be scrapped in Scotland under Budget plans

Scotland’s Finance Secretary has announced the Scottish Budget for 2025/26 (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scotland’s Finance Secretary has announced the Scottish Budget for 2025/26 (Jane Barlow/PA)

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Key points from the Scottish Budget

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier listens to speeches at the National Assembly prior to a no-confidence (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier listens to speeches at the National Assembly prior to a no-confidence (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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No-confidence vote expected to apply coup de grace for Barnier’s government

A baby boy born in Blackpool between 2021 and 2023 is currently likely to live for an average of 73.1 years (Peter Byrne/PA)

A baby boy born in Blackpool between 2021 and 2023 is currently likely to live for an average of 73.1 years (Peter Byrne/PA)

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Blackpool replaces Glasgow as area of Britain with lowest male life expectancy

The King and Queen formally bid farewell to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher as they leave Buckingham Palace in London on the final day of their state visit to the UK (Aaron Chown/PA)

The King and Queen formally bid farewell to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher as they leave Buckingham Palace in London on the final day of their state visit to the UK (Aaron Chown/PA)

King and Queen say farewell to Emir of Qatar as state visit ends

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she is ‘investing £768 million in affordable homes’ (PA)

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she is ‘investing £768 million in affordable homes’ (PA)

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Campaigners welcome £768m for affordable housing but warn far more required

More than 600 red and fallow deer live in Richmond Park (PA)

More than 600 red and fallow deer live in Richmond Park (PA)

Police appeal after dog filmed chasing and fatally injuring deer in Royal Park

Brigitte Macron greets Camilla ahead of the Entente Litteraire Prize ceremony (Benjamin Cremel/PA)

Brigitte Macron greets Camilla ahead of the Entente Litteraire Prize ceremony (Benjamin Cremel/PA)

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Recovering Queen embraces France’s first lady at literary award ceremony

John Torode has said he will continue to be part of MasterChef (BBC PA)

John Torode has said he will continue to be part of MasterChef (BBC PA)

John Torode ‘loves being part of’ MasterChef and will continue to be part of it

Pete Hegseth is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be US Defence Secretary, meets with Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-Ala., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,

Pete Hegseth is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be US Defence Secretary, meets with Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-Ala., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,

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Trump considers DeSantis for Pentagon role with Hegseth under pressure

William and Harry will address Diana Award recipients separately (Yui Mok/PA)

William and Harry will address Diana Award recipients separately (Yui Mok/PA)

William and Harry sending congratulations separately to Diana Award winners

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte called for increased defence spending (AP)

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte called for increased defence spending (AP)

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Nato chief urges European allies to ramp up defence spending

Donna Nelson’s daughter Kristal Hilaire voiced fears over her mother outside the Chiba District Court (AP)

Donna Nelson’s daughter Kristal Hilaire voiced fears over her mother outside the Chiba District Court (AP)

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Japanese court convicts Australian who says she was tricked into smuggling drugs

Heavy rain and wind has been forecast throughout the country into the weekend (Yui Mok/PA)

Heavy rain and wind has been forecast throughout the country into the weekend (Yui Mok/PA)

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Forecasters issue yellow warning for heavy rain and wind during the weekend

The study into avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children was led by the University of Aberdeen (Chris Radburn/PA)

The study into avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children was led by the University of Aberdeen (Chris Radburn/PA)

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‘Fussy eating’ disorder linked to differences in brain structure, study shows

Labour’s Liam Conlon said a blue badge is key to ensuring disabled people can live an independent life (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Labour’s Liam Conlon said a blue badge is key to ensuring disabled people can live an independent life (Jonathan Brady/PA)

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Disabled MP calls on Starmer to tackle blue badge theft

Charli XCX coined the term brat, sparking the brat summer which became one of the biggest TikTok trends in 2024 (Ian West/PA)

Charli XCX coined the term brat, sparking the brat summer which became one of the biggest TikTok trends in 2024 (Ian West/PA)

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Brat summer and ‘demure’ make-up feature in TikTok’s top trends of 2024

Labour MP Clive Efford raised the issue at PMQs in the Commons (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA)

Labour MP Clive Efford raised the issue at PMQs in the Commons (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA)

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Labour MP: Infected blood compensation scheme changing ‘behind closed doors’

Killer nurse Lucy Letby has been interviewed by detectives in prison over the suspicious deaths of more babies (Cheshire Constabulary/PA)

Killer nurse Lucy Letby has been interviewed by detectives in prison over the suspicious deaths of more babies (Cheshire Constabulary/PA)

Lucy Letby questioned over more baby deaths

The performance of English pupils has risen since the pandemic (PA)

The performance of English pupils has risen since the pandemic (PA)

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England moves into top five in global rankings for science

The names of Kamala Harris and Chappell Roan caused some problems for news anchors and others in the States (Invision via AP/AP)

The names of Kamala Harris and Chappell Roan caused some problems for news anchors and others in the States (Invision via AP/AP)

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Kamala Harris and Chappell Roan feature on list of mispronounced words

Syrian opposition forces had pushed into the outskirts of Hama, a strategically important city (AP)

Syrian opposition forces had pushed into the outskirts of Hama, a strategically important city (AP)

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Syrian forces battling insurgents north of strategic city of Hama

Helen Holland, 81, died two weeks after the collision (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Helen Holland, 81, died two weeks after the collision (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Police officer denies causing death by careless driving in royal escort crash

South Western Railway will be nationalised next year (PA)

South Western Railway will be nationalised next year (PA)

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Three rail firms to be brought into public ownership but fares will still rise

Former European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders’ term ended at the weekend (AP)

Former European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders’ term ended at the weekend (AP)

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Belgian authorities open fraud probe into former EU justice chief

The raids in Germany are targeting gangs who bring migrants to the UK in inflatable boats (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The raids in Germany are targeting gangs who bring migrants to the UK in inflatable boats (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Series of police raids on small-boat people smugglers

50 Cent will headline Trnsmt on Glasgow Green (PA)

50 Cent will headline Trnsmt on Glasgow Green (PA)

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50 Cent among headliners at Trnsmt

The services sector is the biggest in the UK economy (Yui Mok/PA)

The services sector is the biggest in the UK economy (Yui Mok/PA)

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UK services sector ‘close to stalling’ in November after Budget tax rises

Some teenagers suffer long Covid for more than two years, a new study suggests (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Some teenagers suffer long Covid for more than two years, a new study suggests (Gareth Fuller/PA)

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Most teenagers with long Covid ‘will recover’ – study

Chaos erupted at a match in the Stade de Nzerkeore (Nimba Sports Zaly via AP)

Chaos erupted at a match in the Stade de Nzerkeore (Nimba Sports Zaly via AP)

Relatives hunt for missing people after deadly Guinea stadium crush

Fearne Stewart, five, is one of five child cancer survivors who inspired a new poem called Courage Looks Like Me (Steve Welsh/PA)

Fearne Stewart, five, is one of five child cancer survivors who inspired a new poem called Courage Looks Like Me (Steve Welsh/PA)

Scottish schoolgirl among child cancer survivors who inspired poem about courage

Concerns have been raised about hospice beds closing due to a lack of funding and staff (PA)

Concerns have been raised about hospice beds closing due to a lack of funding and staff (PA)

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Hundreds of hospice beds shut due to a lack of funding – charity

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said ‘the time to act is now’ (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said ‘the time to act is now’ (Jonathan Brady/PA)

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Lammy tells Nato members to ‘get serious’ about increased defence spending

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte (AP)

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte (AP)

Second impeachment complaint filed against Philippine Vice President Duterte

Shayne Ward, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Wynne Evans, Sarah Hadland and Jamie Borthwick will take part in the 2025 live tour (Ray Burmiston/PA)

Shayne Ward, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Wynne Evans, Sarah Hadland and Jamie Borthwick will take part in the 2025 live tour (Ray Burmiston/PA)

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Tasha Ghouri and JB Gill among stars on 2025 Strictly Come Dancing live tour

Mr Yoon’s decision has led to calls for his impeachment (AP)

Mr Yoon’s decision has led to calls for his impeachment (AP)

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Explainer: What events led to chaotic scenes in South Korea?

The National Databank works like a food bank for mobile data (PA)

The National Databank works like a food bank for mobile data (PA)

Virgin Media O2 expands National Databank access to all O2 stores

Charles Sabine with his daughter, Breezy (Family handout/PA)

Charles Sabine with his daughter, Breezy (Family handout/PA)

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New therapy for Huntington’s disease ‘may slow progression’

Protesters attend a rally to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Protesters attend a rally to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

South Korea’s leader urged to resign or face impeachment over martial law decree

This Tuesday, December 3, 2024 image provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows the top of a sinkhole in the village of Marguerite, Pennsylvania, where rescuers were searching for a woman who disappeared (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)

This Tuesday, December 3, 2024 image provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows the top of a sinkhole in the village of Marguerite, Pennsylvania, where rescuers were searching for a woman who disappeared (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)

Search extends into night for US woman who may have fallen into sinkhole

What the papers say – December 4 (PA)

What the papers say – December 4 (PA)

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What the papers say – December 4

A private gender clinic in England for those aged 16 and above has been rated outstanding by the health watchdog (Alamy/PA)

A private gender clinic in England for those aged 16 and above has been rated outstanding by the health watchdog (Alamy/PA)

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First registered private gender clinic for young people in England ‘outstanding’

Budget spending plans will be ‘transformational’ for Scotland’s arts sector, the Culture Secretary said. (David Chsekin/PA)

Budget spending plans will be ‘transformational’ for Scotland’s arts sector, the Culture Secretary said. (David Chsekin/PA)

Scottish culture sector to get ‘transformational’ spending boost, Roberston says

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the Emir of Qatar to Downing Street on the last day of his state visit to the UK (Hannah McKay/PA)

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the Emir of Qatar to Downing Street on the last day of his state visit to the UK (Hannah McKay/PA)

Starmer hails partnership with Qatar as he welcomes Emir to Downing Street

Karren Brady (Ian West/PA)

Karren Brady (Ian West/PA)

Football clubs ‘alarmed’ by lack of consultation on regulator – Karren Brady

Child serial killer Lucy Letby (Cheshire Police/PA)

Child serial killer Lucy Letby (Cheshire Police/PA)

‘I’m innocent’ says nurse Lucy Letby, as police probe more baby deaths

UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson (UnitedHealth Group via AP)

UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson (UnitedHealth Group via AP)

UnitedHealth executive shot dead outside New York hotel

BBC Children in Need had funded LGBT Youth Scotland over 14 years (Peter Byrne/PA)

BBC Children in Need had funded LGBT Youth Scotland over 14 years (Peter Byrne/PA)

Children in Need ex-chair: I was thrown under bus on transgender charity funding

Charles with guests during a visit to St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill, London, to meet and thank DEC staff, aid workers and volunteers (Mina Kim/PA)

Charles with guests during a visit to St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill, London, to meet and thank DEC staff, aid workers and volunteers (Mina Kim/PA)

King thanks charity workers for their efforts in the Middle East

Physical banknotes and coins can be essential for some people’s safety and survival, the Treasury Committee has heard (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Physical banknotes and coins can be essential for some people’s safety and survival, the Treasury Committee has heard (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Economic abuse survivors rely on physical cash for safety and survival, MPs hear

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met with his new parliamentary party on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met with his new parliamentary party on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Next government must reflect Fianna Fail’s election success – Martin

Boris Johnson called on Sir Keir Starmer to correct the record (Toby Melville/PA)

Boris Johnson called on Sir Keir Starmer to correct the record (Toby Melville/PA)

Tories call on Starmer to correct record over partygate ‘conviction’ claim

Shona Robison is unveiling her tax and spending plans for 2025/26 (Jane Barlow/PA)

Shona Robison is unveiling her tax and spending plans for 2025/26 (Jane Barlow/PA)

Robison outlines Scottish Budget with vow it ‘offers hope for future’

Official figures show the army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists (PA)

Official figures show the army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists (PA)

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Army could be destroyed in six to 12 months in full-scale war, minister warns