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Showing posts from May, 2026

'Shameful' more spent on benefits than jobs for young people, says Milburn

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Reforms are needed of the welfare system to tackle the high numbers of young people not in work or education, says Alan Milburn.

Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control

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The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.

Morrisons planning to close 100 stores in next few months

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It said difficulties had been exacerbated by "significant cost increases resulting from government policy choices".

Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats

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Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.

UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues

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Temperatures hit 28.4C in parts of England on Friday, while delays have been reported at the Port of Dover and Birmingham Airport ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

City's living costs drive workers to food banks

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It is so expensive to live in Cambridge a charity says people with jobs need subsidised food.

'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now

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Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?

The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds

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A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.

The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches

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Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.

Inflation falls to 2.8% but is expected to rise from here

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Energy prices were lower due to the government's energy bill support package and lower wholesale prices before the Iran war.

Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt

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Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.

Faisal Islam: Why a full HS2 line could still be built despite the latest fiasco

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The Transport Secretary has said the high-speed rail line will not be completed until 2039.

Young drivers targeted by 'ghost brokers' selling fake car insurance online

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The finance watchdog warns bogus brokers are selling fake car insurance through social media.

PlayStation Plus to raise monthly subscription fee

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The video game firm says the increase is due to "ongoing market conditions".

Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?

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The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding

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It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.

How can the PM improve the lives of Londoners?

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The BBC Politics London show asks three bodies which policies could improve Londoners' lives.

Trump and Xi conclude 'very successful' talks but few deals confirmed

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There were plenty of choreographed ceremonies but no trade breakthroughs after the two-day visit.

Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache

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More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.

'They took £20,000 I didn't owe': Parents hit by child maintenance errors

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John Hammond is one of 30 parents who told BBC Your Voice they'd experienced problems with the CMS.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

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The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking

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Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.

How driving test booking is changing for learner drivers

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From 12 May, only learner drivers can book their own tests, not instructors.

Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence

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While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.

How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'

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The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.

This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here's what to check so you don't

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It's essential to read your policy details carefully - here's a checklist to tick off before you set off on your travels.

Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache

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More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.

How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy

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Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.

'We had people come just to see it': Amazon delivers its first UK parcels by drone

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The unmanned aircraft can drop off 100 parcels a day within a 12km radius of Amazon's hub.

Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict

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Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.

Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff

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Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.

Cathedral to help run food share scheme in city

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Hereford Cathedral says it will provide operational support to help the "incredible volunteers".

Gap co-founder Doris Fisher dies aged 94

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She opened the first store with her husband Don in 1969, with the company calling her "a pioneering force in American retail".

Struggling High Streets fuel sense of neglect for voters ahead of local elections

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Failing High Streets fuel a wider sense of political discontent which could prove crucial in the upcoming elections for English councils in May.

The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages

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What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?

The Real Greek rescued by Cote Brasserie-owner

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All but nine of the Mediterranean chain's 28 outlets are being taken over by the family-owned Karali group.

Pentagon says US military to be an 'AI-first' fighting force

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The US military has agreed eight new contracts with big tech firms as it expands its artificial intelligence capabilities.

Crayola toys recalled over possible asbestos contamination

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People should stop using the products immediately and keep out of the reach of children, the government says.

Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages, under new plans

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Ministers hope move would help avoid last-minute flight cancellations for passengers this summer over Middle East fuel supplies.

No evidence of widespread fuel price-gouging, watchdog says

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Profit margins were "broadly unchanged" between February and March, the UK's competition watchdog says.