Margaret Ferrier: MP suspended from Commons over 2020 Covid breach – and risks by-election June 6, 2023 Margaret Ferrier has been suspended from the House of Commons for 30 days for breaching coronavirus rules. The Commons voted 185 to 40, majority 145, to approve the motion to suspend the independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Ms Ferrier, a former SNP MP, was in the Commons chamber as MPs approved her suspension. [...]
Four new UK banking hubs planned following sector-wide deal November 2, 2022 It has been revealed that four new so-called ‘banking hubs’ will be created across England, with another six to receive support for business deposits, following a review of cash access. Banking hubs are similar to traditional bank branches but spaces are shared. They consist of a counter service operated by Post Office staff, where customers [...]
Team by team: Premiership Rugby transfer analysis August 16, 2024 It’s fair to day that I had my fair share of transfers when I was playing professional rugby across England and France. And while rumours of who is going where remains one of the most fascinating parts of the rugby off-season, the confirmed transfers – a month our from the new season – allow us [...]
Plans to house asylum seekers in military bases and barges as government pushes ahead to ‘discourage’ small boat crossings March 29, 2023 Asylum seekers will be housed in disused military bases, ferries and barges under government plans to reduce spending on hotels. Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is expected to announce the use of two RAF sites as he tries to reduce the £6.8m a day the government says it spends on hotel accommodation. The plans are likely [...]
Man accused of killing Conservative MP David Amess pleads not guilty December 21, 2021 The man accused of killing Conservative MP David Amess has pleaded not guilty today. Ali Harbi Ali, 25, also pleaded not guilty to preparing acts of terrorism between May 2019 and September this year. Ali has been accused of stabbing Amess to death at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex in October, following his [...]
The best things to do in autumn 2024, from amazing new films to London theatre September 12, 2024 Autumn can be about taking stock; enjoying long walks on the Heath and cosying up on the sofa. But it’s also the season when some of the most exciting new cultural events launch, from theatre to exhibitions and festivals. With A-Listers hitting the West End, major art shows and a creepy festival of death, this [...]
Parents and students set for court battle over A-level results August 16, 2020 Angry parents and students are preparing to take legal action to appeal A-level results awarded under the emergency coronavirus marking system. Many students saw their expected results downgraded by the government’s system last week, particularly in lower socio-economic areas. For example, there have been many examples of students from poorer backgrounds having expected A* or [...]
Uber faces final Supreme Court appeal to argue drivers are not employees July 20, 2020 Uber will tomorrow begin one final attempt to overturn a ruling that means it must treat its drivers as “workers” in what could be a landmark case for UK employment rights. The ride-hailing app has already been defeated on the two previous occasions it has tried to challenge the ruling, which was first made in [...]
Uber: What does the workers’ rights U-turn mean for the ride-hailing giant? March 17, 2021 Uber agreed yesterday to give its 70,000 UK drivers holiday pay and pensions following a landmark ruling in the Supreme Court. The court ruled that all UK drivers are employees of the taxi giant — rather than being self-employed — and are therefore eligible to receive holiday pay on a fortnightly basis. Susannah Streeter, senior [...]
Sir David Amess stabbing: Everything we know so far October 16, 2021 Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed multiple times at a meeting with constituents. Here is everything we know so far: – The Southend West MP was fatally injured at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex at midday on Friday and died at the scene. – Essex Police said the response [...]