Access to London – A Different Guide to London

Getty Images A man holds a post-Brexit United Kingdom issued passport - the British passport is now a non-EU passport with a blue cover and a gold Royal crest.

Online UK Passport Application Fee Set to Exceed £100

Online UK Passport Application Fee Set to Exceed £100 The UK government is poised to increase the online passport application fee beyond the £100 mark for the first time, signaling a significant cost hike for travelers. Adult applicants will see fees jump from £94.50 to £102, while children’s fees will rise from £61.50 to £66.50 under the proposed changes.

BBC An alleyway between a concrete wall and garden fences. The alleyway is full of dumped rubbish including mattresses, fridges, sofas, duvets and other household waste

England Empowers Councils to Make Fly Tippers Clean Up and Pay Fines

England Empowers Councils to Make Fly Tippers Clean Up and Pay Fines Local authorities in England are poised to gain new powers that will force fly tippers to personally remove the waste they illegally dump and pay fines—without the need for lengthy court proceedings. This bold move targets the escalating crisis of waste crime ravaging communities across the country.

A nurse during the COVID pandemic in 2020. Pic: PA

UK COVID Inquiry Exposes NHS Struggles and Urgent Lessons

UK COVID Inquiry Exposes NHS Struggles and Urgent Lessons The UK’s healthcare system faced unimaginable chaos during the COVID-19 pandemic. A groundbreaking 400-page report, released today, reveals the raw realities behind the NHS’s pandemic response and the devastating challenges that nearly broke it.

Getty Images Liam McArthur, a man with greying hair, wearing a dark suit and pink shirt, sits in the Holyrood chamber looking despondent. He is being patted on the shoulder by Willie Rennie, a man with grey hair, a grey three-piece suit and grey shirt.

Scottish MSP Withdraws Assisted Dying Bill After Defeat

Liam McArthur Ends Push for Assisted Dying Legislation in Next Parliament Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has decisively ruled out reintroducing his assisted dying bill in the upcoming Scottish Parliament session following its recent defeat. The bill aimed to grant terminally ill, mentally competent adults the legal right to medical assistance to end their suffering, but it was rejected by a vote of 69 to 57 after an intense and emotional debate.

Peebles pleaded guilty to robbery at Warwick Crown Court last week. Pic: West Midlands Police

Shop Worker’s Heroic Act Traps Armed Robber in Coventry

Bravery in the Face of Danger In a tense Christmas Eve robbery in Coventry , a shop worker demonstrated extraordinary courage when he confronted an armed assailant wielding a large kitchen knife. The robber, Jordan Peebles, 32 , attempted to raid an off-licence but was ultimately trapped by the very person he threatened.

Inside the Rage Machine: How Social Media Fuels Division

Unveiling the Dark Engine Behind Online Outrage Social media platforms have transformed communication, but beneath their surface lies a powerful algorithmic engine designed to stoke anger and deepen societal divides. Inside the Rage Machine exposes how these algorithms prioritize outrage, manipulating users and escalating conflict across communities.

EPA Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks on stage. He is wearing a navy jacket and an open-necked white shirt.

Sir Sadiq Khan Urges Labour to Campaign for EU Rejoining

London Mayor Demands Labour’s Bold EU Commitment Ahead of 2029 Election Sir Sadiq Khan , the Mayor of London, has issued a striking call for the Labour Party to pledge rejoining the European Union in the next general election. He insists the UK must also re-enter the customs union and single market before the anticipated 2029 poll to reverse the detrimental effects of Brexit.

Why high UK borrowing costs could be good for pensions | Money newsletter

How Rising UK Borrowing Costs Boost Pension Benefits Rising UK Borrowing Costs: A Surprising Advantage for Pensions Over 175,000 readers now rely on our Money newsletter for expert insights delivered straight to their inbox every Friday. This week’s edition unpacks an unexpected benefit of soaring UK borrowing costs: improved returns on pensions.