UK

The reduction in the Ofgem price cap that will apply from April may be the final step on the long, ruinously expensive road to a new normal for consumer energy prices.  The guide price for typical annual dual-tariff use of £1,690 – a fall of 12.3% from the previous cap – is a dramatic reduction

The energy price cap is to fall by £20 a month, the industry regulator has announced, but households are to face an additional “temporary” charge to help suppliers support struggling customers with record levels of debt. Ofgem confirmed a 12% price cap reduction will take effect from 1 April, taking the annual energy bill for

Liz Truss has said the world “needs a Republican back in the White House”, adding that “we’ve seen Joe Biden asleep at the wheel”. In a speech near Washington, DC, the former prime minister did not mention Donald Trump, the former president who is the front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination. Speaking to

Russia has pulled out of a long-standing deal with the UK – putting fish and chips at risk. A 1956 agreement that allows British boats to fish in the Barents Sea has been ripped up, in the latest sign of growing tensions between Moscow and the West. War latest: Biden brands Putin ‘crazy SOB’ Please

Police chiefs are calling for new powers to allow officers to instantly disqualify drink or drug-drivers at the side of the road. They say the new powers would allow police to take drivers who pose a risk to others off the road “immediately”. Currently, drivers charged with drug or drink-driving offences are banned following a

The home secretary has apologised after a baby’s birth certificate which had been sent off for a passport application was defaced to remove a reference to Israel. James Cleverly said an investigation was under way after the father’s birth place was apparently scribbled out when the document was returned. “We apologise to the family for

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed plans to restore the greatness of Manchester United within three years and knock Manchester City “off their perch”. Speaking for an hour at his INEOS office, United’s new part-owner set out a vision to refurbish Old Trafford for around £1bn or build a new stadium on the same site with

The King says he has been “reduced to tears” by the “many wonderful messages and cards” he has received since his cancer diagnosis. The monarch, 75, was speaking with Rishi Sunak in his first face-to-face audience with the PM since Buckingham Palace announced he had a “form of cancer”. “I’ve had so many wonderful messages

Actor and comedian Ewen MacIntosh, best known for playing Keith in The Office, has died at the age of 50. JustRight Management confirmed his death in a statement shared on social media, saying: “With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh. “His family thank all who supported him,

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has apologised after a woman claimed she was assaulted in a cupboard at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The former employee’s allegations have emerged after a damning report into behaviours at the governing body was published in November. The review found a “toxic” and “vindictive” culture. The woman, who wishes to remain

Nearly three inches of rain could fall over parts of England and Wales on Wednesday, forecasters have warned. A yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of south-west England and Wales from early on Wednesday morning, through to midday. Homes and businesses could be flooded, with some interruption to power supplies and other services,

The Home Office has fired the chief inspector of borders and immigration who claimed UK Border Force had failed to check the occupants of hundreds of private jets at a London airport. The department said it had “terminated the appointment” of David Neal on the grounds he had “lost the confidence of the home secretary”.

The Body Shop has announced it is closing half of its stores in the UK – including seven today and cutting 40% of roles at its London-based head office. It comes after the embattled retailer entered administration last week, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk. The Body Shop has roughly 200 outlets across the

Julian Assange’s wife has told Sky News he will “not survive” if he is extradited to the US as the WikiLeaks founder makes what could be his last bid for an appeal in the UK. Assange is at risk of being sent to America within days to answer charges alleging the 52-year-old helped former military

A body has been found in the search for the Clapham chemical attack suspect, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi. Marine police teams had been searching the Thames in London for Ezedi, accused of throwing a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her daughters. Police said the crew of a passing boat reported they had seen a

Activists demanding lower food prices have occupied the royal dining room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse as part of their ongoing campaign. Nine protesters entered the Edinburgh palace at about 1.15pm on Monday carrying banners with slogans including “is treasa tuath na tighearna”, which is Gaelic for “the people are mightier than a lord”, and

The father of a two-year-old boy who fell into the River Soar in Leicestershire went into the water to try and save his son, police have said. Emergency services attended the scene in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane, just after 5pm on Sunday evening. The child was with his family when the incident occurred

Hosted by a sparking David Tennant, the BAFTA ceremony was packed with Hollywood A-listers, warming up ahead of next month’s Oscars. Atomic bomb epic Oppenheimer was the big hitter of the night winning seven gongs, Frankenstein-inspired Poor Things bagged five and unsettling Holocaust drama The Zone Of Interest took three. The show featured musical performances

The King has been spotted smiling and waving to onlookers before going to church with the Queen. The 75-year-old monarch has been staying at Sandringham, in Norfolk, after his first round of cancer treatment in London this week. King Charles arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church and was seen holding an umbrella for Queen Camilla

Lord Cameron says he wants Ukraine’s allies to “do more” to help defeat Russia and that together they “outmatch” President Vladimir Putin’s regime. Speaking to Sky News at a security conference in Munich, the foreign secretary said Ukraine’s partners outmatched Russia “25 to one” and that they’ve “got to make that difference count”. Lord Cameron