National News

The NHS is spending more than £1 million a week hiring private ambulances to attend emergency calls, according to research by a trade union. Unison said its figures were based on responses from two thirds of ambulance trusts in England that pay commercial companies to provide cover for critically ill patients. More than a dozen private companies are being commissioned by ambulance trusts across England to fill widening gaps in

Labour has pledged to train thousands more GPs as it claimed nearly three million patients have seen their practice close down or merge in the past five years. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said GP practices are “shutting up shop across the country”, leaving people to “travel miles to be seen and GPs overburdened”. According to figures obtained by the party through freedom of information (FOI) responses from NHS bodies

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal need to rediscover their “ruthless” streak after they blew a two-goal lead for the second time in a week. The Gunners suffered another dose of the title jitters as West Ham came from two down to draw 2-2 at the London Stadium. The Premier League leaders raced two goals in front inside the opening 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, but, just as they

Antony and Diogo Dalot struck as injury-hit Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League and extended relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest’s winless run. Erik ten Hag’s men headed to the City Ground looking to bolster their top-four hopes before turning their attention to this week’s key Europa League and FA Cup clashes. United impressed in a victory that was more one-sided and comprehensive than the 2-0 scoreline suggests. The

The RCN boss Pat Cullen is calling on the government to improve it's pay offer Nurses could strike until Christmas if they cannot reach a deal with the Government, a union leader has warned. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leader Pat Cullen called for the Government to improve its pay offer to avoid further strikes but assured patients that nurses will come off picket lines to deal with emergencies. The

The Norwegian netted two goals, as Man City beat Leicester 3-1 Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City increased the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-1 win over Leicester. The prolific Norwegian’s double saw him level with the competition’s record of 32 goals for a 38-game season. Haaland’s brace came after a superb early strike from John Stones and all but wrapped up a victory for City

The death toll has risen to 56, with almost 600 people wounded Sudan’s military and a powerful paramilitary force have battled fiercely in the capital and other areas, dealing a new blow to hopes for a transition to democracy and raising fears of a wider conflict. A doctors’ syndicate said on Sunday that the death toll had risen to 56, with at least 595 people wounded. The clashes capped months

Campaigners are welcoming the announcement The building of new smart motorways is being cancelled as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged concerns about safety and cost. Fourteen planned smart motorways – including 11 that are already paused and three earmarked for construction – will be removed from Government road building plans, given financial pressures and in recognition of the lack of public trust. Campaigners welcomed the move, but demanded the Government now return the hard shoulder on

Campaigners are calling for jump racing to be banned Police arrested 118 people at Aintree Racecourse as large numbers of protesters attempted to gain entry to the track – delaying the start of the flagship Grand National. Scores of activists climbed fences at Aintree, with at least two fixing themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices, animal rights group Animal Rising said. The protesters breached security fences as National runners were in