Defra too reliant on outdated computers, MPs warn
Matt Cardy Outdated IT systems are damaging the work of the government department in charge of protecting the environment and supporting farmers, MPs say. And many of its computers are expensive to maintain and at risk of crashes and security breaches, the MPs warn. In 2021, Defra was given £871m for digital investment. Of that, […]
Inside India’s forgotten pulp films
Cherylann Mollan and Meryl Sebastian BBC News Amazon Prime Video Indian pulp films were a hit in the 1990s “Every scene in a film should touch either your head, your heart… or below the belt,” says director Dilip Gulati, explaining why he makes the films he makes in a new docuseries about Bollywood’s “B movies”. […]
Strikes: Boost union sign-up in private sector
Cemlyn Davies BBC Wales political reporter Getty Images Cardiff nurses on a picket line over pay The Welsh government should help boost the membership of unions representing private sector employees, according to a report from a think-tank. In 2021, only a fifth of private sector employees in Wales were part of a union compared with […]
Rising energy bills force Essex cucumber grower to cut crops
EPA Several supermarkets have limited the number of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers that can bought High energy costs have forced one of the UK’s biggest cucumber firms to reduce production despite salad item shortages in supermarkets. Tony Montalbano from Green Acre Salads in Roydon, Essex, said he will be growing fewer crops and start later […]
Kristen Nugent wins UK-wide cookery competition
Niall McCracken BBC News NI BBC Kristen Nugent, from Killeeshil, has won the Springboard FutureChef competition A schoolgirl from Northern Ireland has won a prestigious UK-wide cooking competition. Kristen Nugent, from Killeeshil, in County Tyrone, came out on top in the Springboard FutureChef competition – a schools-based programme which aims to inspire young people to […]
Abattoir closes for two weeks after outbreak
BBC An abattoir in Angus has closed for two weeks following a Covid outbreak among its workforce. Quality Pork Processors confirmed the move, reported in The Courier, after it emerged last week that 19 cases were linked to its Brechin plant. The QPP Board said those unable to work, including anyone currently self-isolating, would be […]
Bottom trawling ban for key UK fishing sites
Roger Harrabin BBC environment analyst Reuters Scallops are among the species that will be affected Two of the UK’s most sensitive fishing sites are set to receive better protection. The Marine Management Organisation says it plans to safeguard fishing areas in Dogger Bank and South Dorset by completely banning bottom trawling. The sites are already […]
Oasis contract requesting ‘sober-speaking’ helpers fetches £4,000
Paul Bergen/Redferns/Getty Images The band also wanted “a good-quality, two-course hot meal” An Oasis gig contract requesting “sober-speaking” helpers and “Quality lager” for the band and crew during a 1994 performance has sold for £4,000. The contract was sold by a woman who worked in the music industry, ahead of her retirement. The performance, in […]
Ever Given to arrive at Felixstowe ‘a little late’
Reuters The Ever Given was refloated in the Suez Canal on Monday and will be checked before setting sail on the sea again A giant ship that blocked the Suez Canal for almost a week is expected to arrive at the UK’s busiest container port in less than a fortnight. The 400m-long (1,300ft) Ever Given […]
Norwich pub landlord says staff having to ‘police rule-benders’
BBC James Linder said he was happy his pub had opened but did not want to be “policing” customers A pub landlord “happy” to be able to reopen has warned customers not to try to bend Covid restrictions by booking extra tables. James Linder of The Eagle in Norwich welcomed drinkers to the pub’s garden […]