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Hundreds of community mental health projects could miss out after just over half of applications for funding were granted by ministers, Scottish Labour has warned. The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Third Sector Interface (TSI), authorised 1,461 projects set up to offer local support by March 2023. However, the scheme, which delivers funding to community initiatives across Scotland’s 32 local authority

The chances of the UK securing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States are “very low”, according to the Business Secretary. Kemi Badenoch said the change of administration from Donald Trump to Joe Biden following the 2020 US election is the reason why the UK has not made progress on such a deal. Conservative MPs have described an FTA with the US as the “greatest prize of all”

The Archbishop of Canterbury has paid tribute to his mother who has died aged 93. Lady Jane Williams passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, Lambeth Palace said. The Most Rev Justin Welby said she led a “remarkable” life, working for Winston Churchill and Nobel Prize winner Professor Sir Ernst Chain. Mr Welby said he will treasure many memories of her which are “full of grace, laughter and joy.” He added:

Kemi Badenoch has signed off UK membership to a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc, bringing British businesses a step closer to being able to sell to a market of 500 million people with fewer barriers. The Business and Trade Secretary signed the accession protocol to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in New Zealand on Sunday. Britain is the first new member and first European nation to join

Crowds have gathered in Brighton to mark the Trans Pride protest calling for equal rights for transgender people. Organisers expect between 5,000 to 10,000 people to take part, half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route. Flags and banners were waved as the volunteer-led community event, now in its 10th year, began outside Brighton Library with speeches and applause. Brighton

Declan Rice has completed his transfer from West Ham to Arsenal in a British record £105million deal. The England midfielder’s departure from the club he joined a decade ago was confirmed by the Hammers on Saturday morning, with Arsenal announcing the switch had been completed in the afternoon. Rice’s move to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term contract sees him become the most expensive English player in history and follows

Local authorities in England and Wales have called for disposable vapes to be banned in the UK by 2024 on environmental and health grounds. The Local Government Association (LGA) said the sale and manufacture of single-use e-cigarettes should be stopped next year in line with other European countries. France is considering a ban by the end of 2023, with the European Union expected to follow suit in 2026. The LGA said it