Ministers plead with MPs to back Theresa May’s deal
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay was questioned by Andrew Marr on whether the government is prepared for no deal The government has made a fresh plea to MPs to get behind Theresa May’s Brexit deal in Tuesday’s crucial Commons vote. No 10 says it is alarmed by reports MPs plan to take control of Brexit if […]
‘Spectacular’ art collection sells for £169k in Cotswolds
A “spectacular” series of 20th century art, collected in a 40-year “labour of love”, has been sold at auction for £169,000. The Cotswold Auction Company’s house in Cheltenham sold the works gathered by Gloucestershire collector Maurice Costley. Mr Costley regularly visited the UK’s top galleries and gathered an “extensive collection” of art over his lifetime. Auction […]
Water firms forced to pay back customers for poor performance
Getty Images Water companies have been ordered to pay back £114m to customers through lower bills after missing key targets. Ofwat, the industry regulator, said that firms are “falling short” on performance measures around leakages, supply and reducing pollution. It said that following a review, millions of pounds would be returned to households by cutting […]
Jersey twinning group reunites after pandemic pause
BBC Petanque was played by members of the St Clement-Cancale twinning group The organisers of a Jersey twinning partnership say they are starting to see more interest after activity stalled during the pandemic. The St Clement Twinning Committee hosted 33 people from the town of Cancale in Brittany, France, after they twinned in 2010. Twinning […]
How Maasai people were reunited with precious heirlooms
Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford A ritual in which a spiritual leader used enkidong stones to learn about the families of the museum items (Credit: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford) On a damp September morning, at the back entrance of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK, a small crowd were huddled around […]
Food industry warns Gove on Brexit ‘crisis’
Getty Images The UK food industry has threatened to stop co-operating with government policy consultations, saying it is busy trying to stave off the “catastrophic impact” of a no-deal Brexit. The warning came in a letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove from more than 30 business leaders. They said it looked “ever more the likeliest […]
Liverpool museum redevelopment at risk as funding ‘under review’
A £10m government grant to redevelop the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool is under review following the Budget. The government said it is “minded to withdraw” the funding which was announced last year as part of a raft of Levelling Up cultural bids. Museum bosses say they are still committed to the project, which would […]
Visa rules eased for building and fishing industry
PA Media Visa rules are being eased for overseas builders, carpenters and people working in the fishing industry, the Home Office has confirmed. Roofers and plasterers have also been added to the Shortage Occupation List, which temporarily eases visa restrictions in areas where employers are struggling to fill vacancies. No 10 denied the move contradicted […]
‘Climbers need to wake up’
AFP / Seven Summit Treks Kami Rita Sherpa broke his own record not just once, but twice after summiting Everest for a 24th time At least 11 people have died trying to climb Mount Everest this year. Kami Rita Sherpa, who’s been to the world’s highest summit more times than anyone else, tells the BBC […]
Diabetes centre in Wolverhampton celebrates three decades
The first purpose-built diabetes centre in the Midlands has celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton opened its doors in September 1994. It was originally built using charitable funds, to handle up to 6,000 patients per year but now sees an average of 16,000 patients annually. Opening […]