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The Government has announced £16 million of funding for the Forest Research programme looking into climate and pest resilient woodlands. A competition for a new national forest will also be launched this week, alongside the unveiling of two new community forests. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the increased risk of tree disease and pests, such as ips beetles and ash dieback, alongside the impacts of

Long-awaited legislation that would ban the creation of new leasehold houses in England and Wales will be introduced to Parliament later. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will mark its first step on the path to become legislation, hailed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove as a “landmark moment for millions”. Other than in exceptional circumstances, new houses in England and Wales will be freehold from the outset, under the planned

A scheme introduced to enhance access to general practice by bringing in staff such as pharmacists and physician associates could be driving down GP vacancies, a new survey suggests. Some 44% of family doctors told GP publication Pulse they had seen a reduction in the number of vacancies advertised in the last year, with 23% noting a reduction in the last six months. The 612 respondents reported 619 vacancies in

Five-time gold medal winner Laura Kenny is targeting her fourth Olympics next year after the birth of her second child this summer. Kenny, who has topped the podium in London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, has her eyes set on Paris as she is keen to prove motherhood is no reason to end her career after the arrival of their second son Monty in July. “I obviously want to compete

The ninth celebrity has said they are “really gutted” to depart Strictly Come Dancing. Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon has missed out on dancing in the quarter-finals for the BBC One show’s musicals special as she went home during Sunday’s results show episode. The 39-year-old faced Bad Education star Layton Williams, 29, in the dance-off after they both landed in the bottom following the judges scores and a public vote.

Tens of thousands have attended a march against antisemitism in London, as the crowd heard that the Jewish community will “not be intimidated”. Former prime minister Boris Johnson was among the high-profile figures joining the demonstration, a day after crowds also gathered in the capital to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. Those who addressed the marchers included Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and immigration minister Robert Jenrick, as

The 29 year old has defended a pole-based routine on last week's show following criticism from former Strictly professionals Layton Williams has said he is living his best life by “pushing the boundaries” on Strictly Come Dancing. The West End and Bad Education star, 29, was asked about criticism from former Strictly professionals Brendan Cole and James Jordan over a pole-based routine on last week’s episode of the BBC One

The Business Secretary says car makers, aerospace companies and clean energy firms are set to benefit A multibillion-pound funding package for key manufacturing sectors will drive growth and boost investment in the UK, ministers have said. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the UK would not be drawn into a “distortive subsidy battle” as the Government set out its plan to boost key sectors and nurture a “globally competitive” battery supply chain over the

Lord George Robertson said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be emboldened if foreign governments stop providing weaponry The world’s attention must “stay on Ukraine” as the Russian invasion continues, a former Nato secretary-general has warned. Lord George Robertson said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be emboldened to extend the attacks beyond Ukraine if foreign governments stop providing weaponry. It comes amid a four-day pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the