Summary: The government unveils plans to make it easier for people to expand homes upwards and outwards. Increased investment in brownfield sites aims to revitalize urban areas and boost homeownership. The government stands by its commitment to build 300,000 homes annually by the mid-2020s. Local opposition and environmental concerns pose challenges to housing development in certain areas. Addressing the housing crisis remains a significant issue for future elections. After a...

Pat Cullen: Negotiations Need To Happen 'Urgently' | Good Morning Britain MUSIC Now, the head of the Royal College of Nursing Union is calling for a double-digit pay rise for nurses in England, which raises the stakes in their long-running dispute with the government. Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the RCN, previously told members to accept the government's offer of 5% in March, but it was rejected in a vote by 54 to 46. And Pat Cullen joins us now. Good morning, Pat. The Times reports today nurse leader criticised for pay uterine. It has the government minister Grant Shapp saying, Pat Cullen just recently was encouraging her members to settle for the pay rise that was on the table. It's frankly rather confusing now that she seems to be coming back and saying the opposite. Now, obviously, it's your job as the RCN leader to represent the views of your member...

Georgian government drops 'Russian law' after days of protests In many ways they're seen as just kind of looking at how to look after themselves to maintain their grip on power And these kinds of tools they're borrowing from the Kremlin playbook because it's effective at quelling dissent So they're you could argue that they're they're not exactly pro-russian They're just behaving in a way that will in an authoritarian way that will enable them to hold Sure. Well last night was actually the second night of Mastery protests that we've been seeing here in Tbilisi And before that even people were coming out in crowds to protest against this legislation That the government's been trying to push through and again last night we had police in riot gear using water cannon and tear gas and pepper spray to Dispel to get rid of the protesters who were o...

Summary: Retail sales in the UK increased by 0.7% in June 2023 compared to the previous month, but were down by 1% compared to June 2022, indicating a gradual slowdown. Consumer confidence in July showed a decline, attributed to rising interest rates, fiscal drag, and reduced disposable income. Small businesses face challenges due to the cost of doing business, including higher interest rates, inflation, and the highest tax burden in 70 years. The UK government borrowed £18.5 billion in June 2023, with a significant portion going towards paying interest on previous debt. Debates arise about the sustainability of government borrowin...

Summary: UK MPs criticize the government for underestimating Russia 's Wagner mercenary group 's growth and influence. The scathing report highlights the lack of understanding of Wagner's activities in Africa and calls for a task force to monitor the group's actions. Wagner group operates like a mafia network, collaborating with governments for mineral rights , leading to exploitation in Africa . Russia also seems to have underestimated the Wagner group , struggling to control its actions. ...

Summary: Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledges to progress towards net zero emissions without adding to household bills amidst high inflation rates. The government boasts a commendable track record in environmental efforts compared to other countries, reassuring citizens about their commitment to balancing sustainability and affordability. Sunak confirms the government's progress in delivering a million new homes, with a focus on ensuring homeownership opportunities for all in the right way. The practical approach includes encouraging home expansions in suitable locations, investing in brownfield sites, and supporting the planning syst...

Martin Lewis: Energy Price Guarantee rise would be 'act of national harm' If the price rises in April, it's not firms, it's not regulators, it is the government putting people's prices up. Well, I wrote to the Chancellor three weeks ago, asking him to not increase the rise, the energy price guarantee in April by 20% as planned, for all the reasons that have just been outlined there. And most importantly, what you have to understand is if we do increase it, it would result in an act of national mental health harm. People have been battered by successive rises in energy bills, 14% rises in broadband, 7% in water, 5% in council tax. And for the sake of just three months, and you heard the explanation of why it's just three months there, to send millions of people another letter is bad for people's finances. It's bad for people's state of mental health....

Summary: A whistleblower claims the government possesses remains of potentially non-human spacecraft from UFO crash sites . The whistleblower hints at government contact with intelligent extraterrestrials. Recoveries of crashed craft reportedly included non-human biologics, according to individuals with direct knowledge. Classified documentation exists to support the claims, to be discussed in a secure facility. In a shocking revelation, a whistleblower claims that the gov...

The British public have ‘changed their minds’ on migration since Brexit I'm saying Brexit and the 2019 elections were predicated on people's views on migration generally, but particularly legal migration. But we have actually got data that says that, you know, attitudes are changing significantly. Let's take the Ruranda aspect of this, for example, mentioned in your thoughts on that as a policy, because it seems to have two question marks one is practicality is ever actually going to move many people to Rwanda? And secondly, is it going to be palatable to law if we remain in the European Convention on Human Rights? Both of those two questions, I think will come up in the House of Lords. Are they right to push back on Rwanda, do you think? Well, I think it's right for them to challenge the concepts behind the bill, whether they are right to actually challenge the policy...

Summary: The government is urging local councils to permit pubs to open early for the upcoming World Cup final in England , aiming to create a festive and communal atmosphere for fans. The move follows England 's progress to the final, with supporters eager to come together and support their team. Early pub opening could provide a controlled setting for fans to enjoy the match and share the excitement with fellow supporters. ...

Summary: UK sees record number of heat pump and solar panel installations, averaging over 20,000 per month. Government offers up to £5,000 in incentives for renewable energy installations. Investment of £6.6 billion has upgraded 2.5 million homes, with 47% rated C or above. Goal of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028. Debate continues over adequacy of government funding for reaching net zero targets by 2050. ...

Summary: Around 2,400 people died in the contaminated blood scandal, sparking calls for comprehensive compensation measures. Interim compensation payments of £100,000 have been issued to some families, but many remain without financial support. Survivors and bereaved families demand recognition and acknowledgment of the immense suffering they endured. Government ministers, including the prime minister, are providing evidence as the inquiry unfolds. Families affected by the scandal deliver a letter to number 10, urging swift action and resolution. ...

Rishi Sunak to launch new bill to ending asylum seeker claims from small boat arrivals | 5 News If the government gets its way, people arriving like this will not be allowed to claim asylum in future. They'll be sent to a safe country like Rwanda where the government's done a deal and they will be banned from coming here for life. The principle is those seeking asylum should only come through government sponsored schemes. Let's not forget that many people that are on these boats have traveled through a variety of safe countries to get here and we've got to ensure that we've got enough support for our people that are here in the UK. We've taken 450,000 plus people via those safe routes since 2015 but I don't think that we should be allowing the illegal routes to continue. The current system is clearly struggling. Last year more than 45,000 people crossed the...

Summary: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for a major shake-up of the university system by imposing a cap on low-quality degrees. Data shows 66 providers have low graduate progression to high-skilled employment or further study after graduating. The government's plan will be implemented in 2025, leading to debates about its timing and effectiveness. Students' opinions are divided, with some emphasizing equal treatment of all degrees and the importance of pursuing one's passion. ...

Summary: Junior doctors in the UK are considering leaving for opportunities abroad due to significantly better pay. Higher pay in foreign countries is enticing, but the increased cost of living poses challenges. Government allocation of £1 billion for potential strike coverage sparks criticism among junior doctors. The dilemma between better pay and quality of life continues, leaving junior doctors uncertain about their futures. ...

Summary: Malcolm X 's family presents a new witness supporting the assassination conspiracy claims. They allege that the government was involved in the plot to kill Malcolm X . The witness , Eugene Roberts , recounts suspicious activities at the Audubon Ballroom on the day of the assassination . The family aims to correct historical records and seek justice for Malcolm X . The involvement of a security person, Hayer , in the assassination is highlighted in the new evidence. ...

BREAKING: Parts of HS2 line to be delayed for two years Well, there is already anger from some senior local government leaders that it's a betrayal of cities like Birmingham and Manchester and calls into question the government's whole levelling up agenda. Now what has happened is that Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, has at the very end of Commons business on Thursday, and the House is not sitting tomorrow. He has produced a written statement, a written statement, hasn't turned up in the House of Commons to deliver an oral statement and face questions from MPs. He has delivered a written statement, including this news about HS2. There has in the last couple of minutes between been an angry protest from a Labour MP, Sarah Owen, complaining about how Mr Harper did not see fit to come to the House. She said this is an outrageous attempt to avoid scrutiny, and Nigel Evan...