National News

Scheme offering free meals and activities to poorer pupils in holidays extended

Government funding for a programme which offers children from low-income families free meals and activities during the school holidays will be extended.

Government could close asylum hotels next year with one off scheme charity

The Government could close asylum hotels next year by allowing people from certain countries likely to be recognised as refugees temporary permission to stay under a “one-off scheme”, analysis by the Refugee Council has suggested.

More than 280000 crimes unrecorded by police last year watchdog finds

More than 280,000 crimes went unrecorded by police last year, with “unacceptably low” numbers of anti-social behaviour offences being officially documented.

Home Office bid to appeal against Epping asylum seeker ruling due to be heard

The Home Office’s bid to challenge the decision to temporarily block the owner of the Bell Hotel in Epping from housing asylum seekers is due to be heard at the Court of Appeal on Thursday.

It hasnt sunk in yet Grimsbys Man Utd supporting goalkeeper Christy Pym

Grimsby goalkeeper Christy Pym said it “had not sunk in” after his side knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup by winning an epic penalty shootout 12-11.

Jack Draper forced to pull out of US Open with arm injury

Jack Draper’s arm injury has forced him to pull out of the US Open.

Two children killed in shooting during Mass at Catholic school in Minneapolis

A gunman has opened fire with a rifle through the windows of a Catholic church and struck a group of children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 people in an act of violence the police chief called “absolutely incomprehensible”.

Reform UK gains first MSP as Tory defects to Nigel Farages party

A Scottish Conservative MSP has defected to Reform UK, Nigel Farage has announced at a press conference in Scotland.

Fertility rate for England and Wales falls to new record low

The fertility rate for England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row to reach a new record low, figures show.

Richard Branson says dyslexia is a superpower as new campaign launches

Sir Richard Branson has said “thinking differently is something to be celebrated” as a nationwide awareness campaign celebrating dyslexic entrepreneurs is launched.