UK

Britain’s economic reputation has been dealt a further blow after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that this year the UK economy will fare worse than any other country in the developed world – including Russia. In the latest update of its economic forecasts, the IMF said that it expected the UK’s gross domestic product

Rishi Sunak has insisited he acted “decisively” in sacking Nadhim Zahawi as chairman of the Conservative Party after a row over his tax affairs. Speaking in Country Durham at the launch of his government’s emergency care plan, the prime minister defended his handling of situation and stressed his commitment to “integrity” and the need to

A senior US general has privately told Defence Secretary Ben Wallace the British Army is no longer regarded as a top-level fighting force, defence sources have revealed.  They said this decline in war-fighting capability – following decades of cuts to save money – needed to be reversed faster than planned in the wake of Russia’s

The NHS is planning to free up space in A&E by treating up to 50,000 elderly and vulnerable patients in “virtual wards” at home. In December, about 10,000 people were being cared for in that way in England, and ministers want to increase the monthly figure five-fold. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 15-year-old girl died in a stabbing in Northumberland. Police said they were called to the Priestpopple area of Hexham shortly after 5.10pm on Friday to reports that a teenage boy and girl had what appeared to be knife injuries. They were both taken

A maintenance worker in central London has died after being crushed by a hydraulic telescopic urinal – one that’s kept underground during the day and kept out overnight. Emergency services were called to Cambridge Circus in the West End just after 1pm on Friday to reports of a “seriously injured” man. The incident took place

A British teenage extremist has been jailed after his far-right videos were linked to two mass murders in the US. Daniel Harris used an online platform called World Truth Videos to disseminate a “call to arms” for his violent racist beliefs, a court heard. The 19-year-old from Glossop in Derbyshire was convicted of five counts

Lindsey Hill is lying in a hospital bed drifting in and out of a medicine induced sleep. She is also very tired, her body is fighting a serious lung infection. She is 40 years old. You cannot tell this by looking at her as her blanket is pulled up to her chin and a tumble

The NHS winter crisis has been a struggle for patients and staff alike – but it has also prompted a long overdue and necessary debate about its sustainability and future. There are those – like former health secretary Sajid Javid – who think the way forward for the free cradle-to-grave service is to start charging

The Royal Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of fast jet training aircraft because of an issue with an engine, Sky News can reveal.  It is not known when flying training on the Hawk T2 jets at an air base in North Wales will resume. The pause will be another blow for a training

Two to three criminal cases against officers are expected to go to court every week in the coming months, the Met Police commissioner has revealed. The criminal cases are a “mix of dishonesty, violence and violence against women and girls”, Sir Mark Rowley said. He also apologised to the victims of former officer David Carrick

Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked as Tory party chairman after an ethics inquiry into the handling of his tax affairs found a “serious breach” of the ministerial code. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had resisted earlier calls from opposition parties to sack Mr Zahawi as Tory party chairman following reports that he had paid a penalty

Two British nationals were killed while attempting a “humanitarian evacuation” from the Ukrainian town of Soledar, a family statement has said. Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, were reported missing on 7 January amid heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. A statement issued by Mr Bagshaw’s family said the pair’s car was hit

The aunt of law graduate Zara Aleena – who was murdered on her way home after a night out – has called the findings of a report into the Probation Service “extremely distressing”. Farah Naz said it revealed “a litany of errors” in the lead up to her niece’s death. She told BBC Radio Four’s

A firefighter is in a critical condition following a blaze at the former Jenners department store building in Edinburgh city centre. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said five firefighters have been taken to hospital for treatment with one apparently fighting for their life. The families of all those affected have been made aware.

BBC chairman Richard Sharp has asked for a review into potential conflicts of interest following reports he helped Boris Johnson secure a loan. Mr Sharp said that while the appointment of the chairman is “solely a matter for the government”, he wants to ensure that “all appropriate guidelines have been followed within the BBC since

Two people have died and 12 are injured, two of which are serious, following a crash on the M40 motorway, police have confirmed. A woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s died at the scene of the incident, which occurred southbound between junction 5 and 4 on the motorway in Buckinghamshire. Thames

The foreign secretary has evaded answering questions on the latest ‘sleaze’ allegations surrounding Boris Johnson to hit the Conservative Party. James Cleverly was asked about a claim that the BBC chairman Richard Sharp helped the former prime minister arrange a guarantee on a loan of up to £800,000, weeks before he was then recommended for

Buckingham Palace has squashed any suggestions of a slimmed down coronation by announcing a three-day weekend of “ceremonial, celebratory and community events”. Taking place between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May, King Charles has insisted the historic moment should be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” but also “look towards the future”. The King’s first

Rishi Sunak has been branded a “total liability” and “hapless” as he faced a backlash for being fined for a second time, with police handing him a fixed penalty notice over not wearing a seatbelt. Lancashire Police issued the notice after the prime minister appeared without a belt in a clip on Instagram as he