The ‘knockout’ market town named the UK’s best place to live

Flooding is set to disrupt the warmest spring equinox in over 50 years due to thunderstorms accelerated by climate change, with 21 flood alerts in place in the south west and Midlands, particularly in the Bourne Valley, Wiltshire. Despite recent warm temperatures, frost is expected in rural areas as temperatures drop overnight. The Met Office warns of localized flooding and property flooding risks as groundwater levels rise above 70 metres, with the M18 in Yorkshire...

European Parliament officials are considering a €20 million proposal to dismantle scaffolding monthly for the refurbishment of the Paul-Henri Spaak building in Brussels, ensuring the debating chamber remains accessible throughout the three-year construction period. The plan to keep the Hemicycle open during the works may cost between €20-22 million and faces criticism for its potential absurdity and high cost. Belgium emphasizes the importance of debates in Brussels, as the Parliament currently relocates to Strasbourg each...

Ed Sheeran, along with over 600 other artists and industry leaders, has penned an open letter to prime minister Keir Starmer and the government, urging for immediate and long-term funding of music education in the UK with a proposed £250m package. Sheeran highlighted the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians and the economic impact of the music industry, emphasizing the need to reverse the decline in music education. The letter also called on...

The Labour government is considering sending failed asylum seekers to the Balkans to address the crisis of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, with over 5,200 migrants entering Britain this year. Under the proposed plan, overseas "return hubs" would house rejected applicants, differentiating it from the Conservatives' failed Rwanda scheme. The UK may approach Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia for this initiative, which has been endorsed by the EU and the UN's...

Rachel Reeves plans to kickstart the economy and save Labour's housing plan by training up to 60,000 workers in construction to fill 35,000 job vacancies. The £600m initiative aims to address the shortage of workers highlighted by The Independent, as the chancellor faces criticism for expected deep cuts in the spring statement. With a £20bn deficit in public finances, Reeves emphasizes the need for a sustainable approach beyond taxing and spending, as the government looks...

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation forecasts that average living standards in the UK could fall by 2030, with low-income families being hit twice as hard as middle and high earners. The charity warns that upcoming spending cuts could further worsen the financial situation for ordinary families, potentially causing a 3% decrease in disposable income after housing costs for the average family and a 6% decrease for the lowest income families. The Labour government may struggle to...