UK

Rishi Sunak himself declared that 2024 will be an election year – at the least discreet location possible: a Christmas party for political journalists. This year that election will be looming in the background of every issue, whether politicians intend it to or not. The Conservatives – who were last ahead in the polls more

A police officer has been charged with sexual assault on a child. PC Dean Dempster is accused of sexual assault on a child under 13 and misconduct in a public office, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. The 34-year-old, who was posted to GMP’s Oldham district, is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court

Google and Amazon must do more after a British woman made a suicide pact with two people she met online and used the internet to buy poison, a coroner has said. Chloe Macdermott, 43, died in May 2021 after buying a lethal substance from the US on Amazon. An inquest at Inner West London Coroner’s

The King and Queen have attended a church service in Sandringham on New Year’s Eve. A crowd of onlookers had gathered as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday morning. Members of the public who hoped to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors were photographed being searched by police. The late Queen

Lewis Capaldi says he’s going to continue taking some time to carry on looking after himself after his six-month hiatus from touring saw an improvement in his health. In a long post on Instagram he says he’s working with some “incredible professionals” to help with his Tourette’s and anxiety issues. He also thanks fans for

COVID vaccines could soon be sold on the high street, according to retailers. One industry leader said it was in talks with vaccine suppliers and the scheme could be introduced as soon as next year. A Superdrug spokesperson said the firm is speaking “with suppliers about potentially offering a private COVID vaccination service in 2024.

The number of young people taking ketamine has tripled in recent years – a surge which experts blame partly on its affordability and widespread availability during the cost of living crisis. Now, the mother of an 18-year-old student who died on her first night at university after taking the drug has called for the police

Eurostar trains are set to resume this morning after “unprecedented” flooding in a tunnel brought chaos for thousands. The company said all services would run to Paris, Brussels, London and Amsterdam – but warned there could still be delays and packed stations. Southeastern and Thameslink rail are also predicting serious disruption. Travellers were stranded yesterday

House prices are expected to remain static or fall again next year after a drop of 1.8% since the end of 2022, according to one of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders. Nationwide building society has said a rapid rebound in prices is “unlikely” in 2024 after the fall recorded from December 2022 to 2023. “It

A fire has broken out at Blackpool Tower, with video showing flames at the top of the iconic structure. Firefighters in climbing gear are “on their way up”, according to a tourist information page, as high winds continue to hit the seaside resort. In a statement Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We have six

The father of an American driver who fled the UK after a crash left a British nurse unable to walk has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his son’s legal costs. Issac Calderon, 22, has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a collision on the A4103 near Shucknall

Self-driving cars could be on British roads as early as 2026, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said. Asked if people could soon be travelling “with your hands off the wheel, doing your emails”, he agreed the prospect was possible in as little as three years’ time. He told the BBC: “I think that’s when companies

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being petitioned to apologise to British child migrants who suffered “shame and isolation”.   It is the latest move by campaigners demanding an official apology for the treatment endured by youngsters shipped to Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries. The petition, initiated by the group Home Children Canada, states

An actor known for his roles in Doctor Who and Emmerdale died in his sleep on Christmas morning, his family have said. Richard Franklin was 87. In a statement, his family said: “Richard sadly died in his sleep after fighting long term illness. “We are deeply saddened by his loss, we will fondly remember him

The King has used his second Christmas message to praise people’s “growing awareness of how we must protect our Earth”. The monarch described the natural world as a “manifestation of the divine” and said that caring for it is a “responsibility owned by people of all faiths and none”. “We care for the Earth for

Manchester United has confirmed the sale of a 25% stake to the British billionaire petrochemicals tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The sale is likely to be welcomed by United fans who believe the club has been starved of investment under the ownership of the Glazer family. Sky News’ city editor Mark Kleinman learned earlier today that

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United Football Club will be announced today, 13 months after the launch of a review initiated by the Glazer family. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport will take control of the football side of the club. This breaking news story is being updated and more details

James Cleverly has apologised after joking about putting a date rape drug in his wife’s drink in comments made at a Downing Street reception within hours of the Home Office announcing plans to crack down on spiking. The home secretary told female guests “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not

Millions of mobile phone users are being warned of potential text scams in the lead-up to Christmas, peaking today on what is being dubbed “Super Saturday”. The BT-owned EE network has said cyber criminals could try to take advantage of the busy last-minute shopping period to issue delivery-style scams, suggesting parcels are waiting to be

The cost of train travel is set to rise by almost 5% next year, according to the government. In England, regulated rail fares will increase by up to 4.9% from 3 March 2024, the Department for Transport has said. The government says the new 4.9% cap is lower than the equivalent in Scotland, where prices