General News
EU plan assumes Northern Ireland will stay in customs union
The UK must accept the prospect of Northern Ireland staying in the EU customs union with oversight by the European Court of Justice after Brexit, a draft European commission treaty shows.
FCA chief warns consumer lenders to treat customers fairly
The head of the Financial Conduct Authority has warned consumer lenders to treat customers fairly as the watchdog seeks to clamp down on high-cost credit for vulnerable borrowers.
Credit card changes to cost lenders up to £1.3bn a year
New rules for credit card lenders will be imposed this week that are designed to save distressed borrowers up to £1. 3bn a year in interest charges.
UK travel networks prepare for Russian freeze
Transport authorities and local councils in London and across the east of England have assured there are procedures in place to "minimise the consequences" of the Russian blast of freezing temperatures and heavy snow due to hit the country this week.
Sadiq Khan announces first-ever London National Park Week
In his quest to make London the world’s first National Park City with over half of the city's space green, Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the first ever London National Park City Week to celebrate the capital’s natural environment and encourage Londoners to make it even greener.
Ofcom to open up BT poles, ban regional pricing in push for 'full fibre'
More British broadband users are set to benefit from super-fast internet speeds, after a draft decision by Ofcom today that will halve the upfront cost of building ‘full-fibre’ broadband networks.
Unions demand urgent meeting with British Gas over plan to cut 4,000 jobs
The Unite union on Thursday called for urgent meeting with British Gas after the company said it was planning more than 4,000 job cuts.
Treasury committee launches cryptocurrency inquiry
The Treasury committee has launched an inquiry into cryptocurrencies and distributed ledgers such as blockchain amid continuing debate about the dangers and opportunities presented by the technologies.
MPs launch enquiry into 'extreme internet' use by UK young people
Parliament's science and technology committee is launching an enquiry into the impact of social media on children’s mental and physical health after a study found the UK has the world's second highest proportion of 15 year olds who are ‘extreme internet users’, which mean they use the internet over 6 hours a day out of school.
European parliament wants special access for UK after Brexit, report says
The European Parliament wants the EU to soften its stance on Brexit and negotiate an agreement that would give the UK special access to the single market, according to a report.
Cleaning and hygiene products contribute as much as cars to air pollution, study finds
A study has found that half of the the air-polluting particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in industrialized cities come from domestic cleaning and hygiene products, even as car-derived emissions decrease due to stricter government controls.
Julian Assange's loses court appeal on UK arrest warrant
A judge in London ruled that the arrest warrant for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange remains valid after he presented an appeal to persuade British authorities to drop charges against him for breaching his bail conditions when he entered the Ecuadorian embassy.
Oxfam deputy chief resigns as sexual misconduct scandal widens
Oxfam deputy chief, Penny Lawrence has resigned on Monday following accusations that she didn’t correctly manage allegations about some of her NGO's staff hiring prostitutes in Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.
George Soros donates an extra £100,000 to pro-EU campaign
George Soros has pledged a further £100,000 to Best of Britain, an anti-Brexit campaign fighting to keep the UK in the European Union, in answer to criticism of his previous donation to the group (£400,000).
Wild west crypto market birthing new 'sex coins'
Peddlers of cryptocurrency have come up with a bold plan - or at least a good way to make headlines - which they think would make selling sex legal in places where it is banned.
Getlink reports new record for Channel Tunnel freight
Getlink - the new moniker for Groupe Eurotunnel - reported a new record for freight through the Channel Tunnel on Monday, as the infrastructure owner welcomed the announcement of new direct passenger services between London and Amsterdam.
Heathrow reports 15th consecutive record month for passengers
Britain’s primary air hub reported a flying start to the year on Monday, with 5. 8 million passengers passing through Heathrow Airport in January.
MPs can be sacked with new tougher sexual harassment sanctions
MPs who have bullied or sexually harassed their co-workers and staff will face stricter new sanctions for their actions and could be suspended.
J Murphy buys Carillion's UK power business
J Murphy & Sons has bought Carillion's UK power business and will take over from the bankrupt company on work for National Grid.
Germany's Merkel agrees coalition deal to keep her in power
Angela Merkel has agreed a deal with coalition partners that will keep her in office for a fourth term as Germany’s chancellor, according to reports.