Ministers consider easing winter fuel payment cuts Senior government figures are discussing whether to reverse the controversial decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners within weeks. More than nine million pensioners lost out on payments worth up to £300 after Chancellor Rachel Reeves restricted eligibility for the pension top-up last year. Discussions… Continue reading Ministers consider easing winter fuel payment cuts
UK now best placed country on trade – Reeves
UK now best placed country on trade – Reeves The UK is now in a better place on trade “than any other country in the world”, the chancellor has said. Rachel Reeves suggested the government wanted to go further on its new agreement with the EU but told the BBC a trade pact with countries… Continue reading UK now best placed country on trade – Reeves
My AI therapist got me through dark times: The good and bad of chatbot counselling
My AI therapist got me through dark times: The good and bad of chatbot counselling Eleanor Lawrie Social affairs reporter BBC “Whenever I was struggling, if it was going to be a really bad day, I could then start to chat to one of these bots, and it was like [having] a cheerleader, someone who’s… Continue reading My AI therapist got me through dark times: The good and bad of chatbot counselling
‘Breakthrough’ in last-minute EU-UK talks before summit
‘Breakthrough’ in last-minute EU-UK talks before summit Negotiations to reset the UK’s post-Brexit relations reached a “breakthrough” last night, No 10 sources said, as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to meet EU leaders at a summit in London. Talks between the UK and the EU continued late into Sunday evening, with the issues discussed thought to… Continue reading ‘Breakthrough’ in last-minute EU-UK talks before summit
The secretive US factory that lays bare the contradiction in Trump’s America First plan
The secretive US factory that lays bare the contradiction in Trump’s America First plan 49 minutes ago Faisal Islam Reporting fromArizona BBC Among the cactuses in the desert of Arizona, just outside Phoenix, an extraordinary collection of buildings are emerging that will shape the future of the global economy and the world. The hum of… Continue reading The secretive US factory that lays bare the contradiction in Trump’s America First plan
Defence deals and palace invites: UK and EU haggle before first summit since Brexit
Defence deals and palace invites: UK and EU haggle before first summit since Brexit 4 hours ago Katya Adler Europe editor EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock “Don’t expect miracles. But do know – everyone wants this to work.” On Monday in London the EU and UK hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit. Symbolically, this is a big moment.… Continue reading Defence deals and palace invites: UK and EU haggle before first summit since Brexit
MPs to debate assisted dying bill again after major changes
MPs to debate assisted dying bill again after major changes 4 hours ago Sam Francis Political reporter Harry Farley Political correspondent Getty Images MPs will debate a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for the first time since significant changes were made to it. The bill passed the first stage of the… Continue reading MPs to debate assisted dying bill again after major changes
Leading crypto firm Coinbase faces up to $400m hit from cyber attack
Leading crypto firm Coinbase faces up to $400m hit from cyber attack 12 minutes ago Tom Gerken Technology reporter Getty Images One of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency firms, Coinbase, says a recent cyber attack will cost it up to $400m (£301m). The firm said it was contacted by hackers who claimed to have gained access… Continue reading Leading crypto firm Coinbase faces up to $400m hit from cyber attack
UK in talks on ‘return hubs’ for failed asylum seekers
UK in talks on ‘return hubs’ for failed asylum seekers The UK is in talks with other countries to set up overseas “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers, Sir Keir Starmer has said on his first official visit to Albania. The prime minister said the government had begun discussions about sending asylum seekers abroad for… Continue reading UK in talks on ‘return hubs’ for failed asylum seekers
Prison shake-up announced to deal with overcrowding
Prison shake-up announced to deal with overcrowding Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced limits on how long some offenders can be returned to prison, in a bid to stop jails running out of places. Under the shake-up, offenders recalled to prison, for breaching their licences will be released after a fixed 28-day period in England… Continue reading Prison shake-up announced to deal with overcrowding