Government axes new smart motorways after safety concerns.
An all lane-running section of the M23 in Surrey, UK. (Image: Google Street View) The building of new ‘smart motorways’ has been cancelled by Downing Street, owing to safety concerns and a lack of public trust. Fourteen planned smart motorways – including 11...
The locations of all traffic enforcement cameras in Plymouth
Have you been driving in Plymouth and accidentally ended up in a bus lane? Well, you wouldn’t be the only one, as in the last five years Plymouth City Council has fined over 107,000 motorists for bus lane and keep-clear offences. However, since 2017, the amount of...
Government crackdown on anti-social behaviour
The story: The sale of laughing gas to the public will be banned as part of a wider crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Levelling up Secretary Michael Gove said the “scourge” of nitrous oxide is turning public places into “drug taking areas” and is helping fuel...
Amount of UK students drinking alcohol is decreasing.
The effects of the cost-of-living crisis, and societies changing relationship with health means younger people are staying away from drinking. From 2005 to 2015, the percentage of 16-24-year-olds in England who do not drink alcohol increased from 18% to 29%. Sales of...
HSBC rescues UK arm of failed Silicon Valley Bank
HSBC has purchased the UK arm of failed US Silicon Valley Bank, which collapsed on Friday. It held over $175bn in customer deposits, including an estimated £10bn from UK companies, in its UK subsidiary. Many UK-based tech companies urged they could go bust without...
Photo ID Needed for Elections
Voters will now have to produce photo ID before casting their votes at elections. The Electoral Commission has launched a public awareness campaign urging voters across England to ensure they are ready for the changes now in place for voting. This comes into force...
Introduction of Charges at Park and Ride
Parking charges may be introduced at the George Park and Ride site near Marjon University, if plans backed by Plymouth City Council go ahead. The council’s cabinet, who unanimously approved a 21-day statutory consultation period for the introduction of a 24-hour fee...
70,000 university staff to strike for 18 days in February and March
The University and College Union (UCU) have announced they will be striking for 18 days over February and March, in their ongoing dispute over pay, conditions, and pensions. The strikes follow three days of industrial action in November last year. Over 70,000 members...
Homelessness in England
Homelessness has been on the rise in England with at least 271,000 people now officially recognised as homeless, according to charity Shelter. Chief executive of Shelter Polly Neate said: “The new year should be a time of hope, but this isn’t the case for the 271,000...
Planned anti-strike legislation could see unions sued by employers
Planned legislation could see unions sued if they fail to provide a minimum level of service in key industries while they are taking industrial action. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to detail the planned legislation in a report as soon as tomorrow....
All the strikes this December- mapped
With an ever-increasing number of strikes being announced for the coming weeks, it’s hard to keep up. The strikes will have far-reaching consequences for everyone, so we’ve put together an easy to read calendar for all the strikes coming up. Click here for a high...
Further train strikes announced in December, with next week’s walkouts set to go ahead
Rail union RMT has announced that Network Rail staff will walk out from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 27 December. Network Rail staff make up about half of those involved in the ongoing pay dispute. Their jobs include signalling staff, and engineering and maintenance...