Reeves plans energy bill help for those who need it most

In his first speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham has promised to give people more “breathing space” to help with the cost of living. Policies will be announced on Tuesday – his first full day in the job. Although a few hours after taking office, the new prime minister confirmed he will be “looking at”…

A landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions has been abandoned after Saudi Arabia and the US succeeded in ending the talks. More than 100 countries had gathered in London to approve a deal first agreed in April, which would have seen shipping become the world’s first industry to adopt internationally mandated targets to reduce…

Rail fares in England next year are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced. The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns. The most recent fare rise, in March 2025, was 4.6%. Rail fares traditionally have gone up in…

Reuters Cold weather payments have been triggered across 697 postcodes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as temperatures plunged across the UK. Households on certain benefits are entitled to the money when there is a prolonged period of below-zero temperatures. In Scotland, those on low incomes and benefits may receive a separate winter heating payment,…