UK

Inflation has hit its highest level in 40 years amid the deteriorating cost of living crisis. The rate shot up to 9% last month – its highest level since comparable readings in 1982. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a broad-based hike in prices for everyday goods and services during April

The government is set to bring forward legislation on the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Last year, there was outrage when the government proposed to effectively end all prosecutions related to crimes committed during the Troubles. The move was opposed by all five of the main political parties in Northern Ireland

A government minister has suggested that people struggling with the cost of living should take on more hours or move to a better-paid job. Rachel Maclean, the safeguarding minister, told Sky News’ Kay Burley that those were some of the ways households could “protect themselves” as prices soar. She said that every minister was looking

The prime minister is expected in Northern Ireland on Monday as efforts to break the political deadlock at Stormont intensify. Boris Johnson will hold talks with party leaders and attempt to persuade the Democratic Unionists to enter the power sharing government. Sinn Fein is now the largest party but its vice president, Michelle O’Neill, cannot

Business leaders in the fish and chip industry are calling on the government to offer a “long-term strategy” to their food shortages crisis – or face a third of chippies closing. The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) has warned the four key ingredients that make up a traditional fish and chip meal are deeply

Cancer campaigner Deborah James has said she’s had the “most surreal, mind-blowing, humbling five days” of her life after being made a dame and her fundraiser reaching more than £5.7m. The podcast host, who is receiving hospice-at-home care to treat her terminal bowel cancer, thanked the public for their “generosity” and the Duke of Cambridge

Two people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in London, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed. The pair live in the same household and are not linked to another person who was diagnosed with the disease in England earlier this month. The viral infection is similar to human smallpox and usually causes mild illness,

The government has delayed plans to crackdown on unhealthy food promotions for a year. Promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free (Bogof) offers and extra free deals on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) would have been banned under the new measures, part of the wider Obesity Strategy, in October. Instead the promotions will be banned

The Queen has been pictured smiling at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, days after missing the State Opening of Parliament due to mobility issues. She was seen chatting to several people from the window of her car as she arrived at the event. Several of the Queen’s horses are understood to be appearing at the

Cancer campaigner and podcast host Deborah James has been awarded a damehood, the government has announced. The presenter of the BBC Podcast You, Me and The Big C was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2016 and she has since kept her 300,000 Instagram followers up to date with her treatments. On Thursday night, Number

At least 50 more fines have been issued as a result of the police investigation into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during coronavirus restrictions. But Number 10 has confirmed Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not one of those who have received a new fixed penalty notice (FPN). In the latest update on its

Tax cuts could now be announced before the summer recess, Sky News understands. Ministers have been forced to rethink plans after grim forecasts from the Bank of England suggested the economy was now at risk of recession. Inflation is also likely to be higher than expected just six to eight weeks ago, putting pressure on

The government will not be bringing forward an emergency budget in light of the cost of living crisis, but “will be saying more and doing more to help people”, Michael Gove has said. Responding to the government’s Queen’s Speech on Tuesday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed the government was “bereft of ideas” as the

The government has set out its legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session in the Queen’s Speech. Laying out what new laws will shape people’s lives over the next year, it contains 38 pieces of legislation. For the first time in 59 years the Queen was forced to defer to her son Prince Charles and

Boris Johnson has promised to “grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families” through new measures in the Queen’s Speech. The address, which outlines the government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead, focused heavily on the economy as the PM aims to get the country “back on track” after

The Queen will not be attending tomorrow’s State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years, Buckingham Palace has said. The Prince of Wales will read the Queen’s Speech on her behalf, with the Duke of Cambridge also in attendance. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility

The royals will visit all parts of the UK over the bank holiday Jubilee weekend, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Wales, Buckingham Palace has announced. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit Northern Ireland and the Princess Royal will be in Scotland. All will attend public events marking the platinum anniversary.

Labour’s Lisa Nandy has defended “Mr Rules” Sir Keir Starmer and said it was “not illegal to eat” after latest claims about alleged COVID rule breaking by the party leader. Sir Keir has said he was working and stopped to eat when he was filmed having a beer in a room in Durham in April

Sinn Fein is to become the first nationalist party to take control of the Northern Ireland Assembly in its 101-year history. The party has 27 seats, pushing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has 24 into second place. The most seats the DUP can return with is 25 and Michelle O’Neill is now set to

A treasure trove of footage of the Queen taken from her personal film archive is to be shown for the first time, including clips of the young princess showing off her engagement ring months before the announcement was made public. The monarch granted documentary-makers unprecedented access to hundreds of home recordings filmed by her, her