National News

It will be paid in three instalments to about eight million households on means-tested benefits A Bill which will hand millions of people £900 in cost-of-living payments has cleared the House of Commons. The Social Security (Additional Payments) (No.2) Bill received an unopposed third reading and it will now undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords. It provides for a £900 cost-of-living payment to be paid in three instalments

The film is in cinemas on the 17th of March Dame Helen Mirren looked powerful as she attended a photocall for her upcoming superhero film in which she stars as the villain. The 77-year-old Oscar-winner – who plays Hespera, daughter of Atlas, in Shazam! Fury Of The Gods – donned a long bronze-toned coat paired with black leather gloves and her striking light blonde locks for the event in central

He suffered the ankle ligament injury last month Neymar is to undergo ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season. The 31-year-old Paris St Germain and Brazil forward suffered the injury last month. A statement from the Ligue 1 club read: “Neymar Jr has had several episodes of right ankle instability in recent years. “Following his last sprain contracted on February 20, the medical staff of Paris St

An improved offer was made in February to the Fire Brigades Union of a 7% pay rise backdated to last July and a further 5% from July this year Firefighters have voted to accept a pay deal aimed at averting strike action, with a union leader hailing the settlement as a “testament to the power of collective action”. An improved offer was made in February to the Fire Brigades Union

Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson has described himself as a “retired prison activist” but told his parole hearing he loves a “rumble”. Making his latest bid for freedom on Monday, one of the UK’s longest-serving prisoners told a panel of Parole Board judges he is now anti-violence, a man of “peace” and “almost an angel now” compared with his old self. It was his 95-year-old mother’s “last dream” to see him

The Met Police are facing criticism for failing to prevent Sarah Everard’s murder, as Wayne Couzens is finally brought to justice for a series of earlier flashing incidents The Metropolitan Police have faced criticism for failing to prevent Sarah Everard’s murder, as Wayne Couzens was finally brought to justice for a series of earlier flashing incidents. Ex-officer Couzens, 50, was supposed to be on duty and working from home when he exposed himself

She joins Mwaka Mudenda, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the dog on the long-running children's TV show Wheelchair racer Abby Cook has been announced as the 42nd Blue Peter presenter. The new host of the long-running children’s TV show will join Mwaka Mudenda, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the dog as she makes her debut on Friday by showing her skills at the track and meeting animals in the studio. Cook, from

One of the UK's longest-serving prisoners is beginning to make his latest bid for freedom Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson has described himself as a “retired prison activist” but told his parole hearing he loves a “rumble”. Making his latest bid for freedom on Monday, one of the UK’s longest-serving prisoners told a panel of Parole Board judges he is now anti-violence, a man of “peace” and “almost an angel now” compared with

They were 21 year old Eve Smith, 21 year old Darcy Ross and 24 year old Rafel Jeanne Tributes have been paid to the three people killed in a crash that left two others seriously injured. Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the accident while Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived. All five were in a Volkswagen Tiguan that came off the