UK hospitals are preparing for what could be the most severe flu season in a decade, as a rapidly spreading mutated strain of the virus fuels an early and steep rise in cases, especially among children. Health officials warn that once the virus reaches older and more vulnerable groups, hospital admissions are expected to climb sharply. The threat has prompted NHS leaders to intensify flu vaccination campaigns, expand same-day emergency…

Following government plans to require refugees and asylum seekers to undertake mandatory volunteering as a condition for being allowed to settle in the country, More than 320 UK charities have declared and disagree they will not cooperate. The organisations including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Charity Retail Association, and local branches of Age UK and Citizens Advice warned that compelling people to volunteer would be exploitative, unworkable…

A man who joined a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Llandudno dressed as a high-ranking Royal Navy officer is now under investigation, after veterans and serving personnel raised suspicions that he may have been posing as a Rear Admiral. Authorities are looking into the man’s identity after he took part in last weekend’s wreath-laying on the seafront in Conwy county. Witnesses said he marched to the war memorial with a colleague,…

By Eniola Amadu Resident doctors in England have commenced strike action as a result of disagreement over pay. The industrial action which is expected to last for five days marks the 13th strike by doctors since March 2023. Health leaders have cautioned that the NHS may be forced to cut frontline staff and reduce the number of appointments and operations if the strikes continue. The representatives of the health trusts…

The UK economy grew by just 0.1% between July and September, as a sharp decline in car production weighed on output, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure fell short of analysts’ expectations of 0.2% growth and marks a slowdown from the 0.3% expansion seen in the previous quarter. The weak performance comes less than two weeks before Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her Budget,…

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure from senior ministers to dismiss whoever was behind anonymous briefings suggesting he could face a leadership challenge. The controversy erupted after reports named Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as potential rivals to Starmer. Both ministers have denied plotting against the prime minister and are now demanding that the source of the leaks be identified and sacked. Starmer has…

Office

Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has made clear he will fight any attempt by Labour MPs to remove him as party leader, amid growing speculation of an internal revolt. Allies of Starmer said he intends to resist pressure from within his party, following fears that MPs could move against him after the upcoming Budget. Critics have accused Downing Street of being in full bunker mode, while supporters warn that a…

Thousands of NHS staff in England are set to lose their jobs after a deal was reached with the Treasury allowing the health service to overspend this year to cover redundancy payments. The agreement clears the way for around 18,000 administrative and managerial roles to be cut as part of major reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and redirecting funds to frontline services. NHS England, the body that oversees the health…

The UK government has announced major reforms to the driving test booking system to tackle long waiting lists and stop bots from reselling test slots at inflated prices. Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said only learner drivers will soon be allowed to book driving tests, ending the practice of third-party resellers and even instructors booking on behalf of learners. The move, she said, will help stop candidates being exploited by online…

Bbc

The United Kingdom has introduced a new wave of immigration rules affecting families, students, and seasonal workers, as part of efforts to reduce dependence on low-wage foreign labour and tighten border controls. The changes, announced by the Home Office in October, take effect from November 11, with additional phases to be implemented through 2025 and 2026. From January 2026, foreign nationals applying to work in the UK will be required to…