The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has urged Scotland’s parties to back a plan to raise the Scottish child payment to £80 by the end of the next Parliament. The group describes its prescription for change as a manifesto to transform children’s health and says whichever party forms the Government after the Holyrood election in May must act with bold, evidence-based policies. It would raise SCP from £27.15 […]

Scientists from the University of Birmingham will examine the long-term impact of vaping on people who have quit smoking. About 200 participants will be recruited through the NHS staff smoking cessation clinic at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and community stop-smoking services. Half will receive nicotine replacement therapy (patches or gum) and half will use vapes. Over 12 months, researchers will collect samples to assess lung health and compare […]

Karen Carney, the former England footballer who played for Chelsea and Arsenal, has joined Strictly Come Dancing for its 23rd series. She is paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu. Carney said she signed up to rebuild her confidence after facing criticism for women commenting on men’s football. She described the backlash she faced around four years ago as very challenging and said she has since focused on resilience and hard […]

Thames Water said a blockage weighing around 100 tonnes was cleared from a west London sewer in Feltham. The mass, located more than 10 metres below street level, was mainly made up of wet wipes bound by fat, oil and grease and was described as the equivalent of eight double-decker buses. A specialist team accessed the sewer via a large manhole chamber equipped with gas monitors, then used blasting, chiselling […]

Dame Jilly Cooper, the author famous for the Rutshire novels, has died aged 88 after an unexpected fall, her family said. Her children Felix and Emily described the loss as a complete shock. In a message released by Buckingham Palace, the Queen paid tribute, calling Cooper a legend and a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to her and to many others. She wrote: 'Very few writers get to be a […]

Britain's Conservative Party has pledged to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs if it wins the next general election. The commitment was announced by shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride at the party conference, who said the burden of Labour's tax rises had been 'simply too much to bear' for many businesses. He told delegates that, subject to public spending being brought under control, a future Conservative government […]

St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London is reopening its North Wing to visitors for the first time in what organisers describe as a 300-year history. The 1732-built section is Grade I listed and features a Great Hall and a staircase decorated by Hogarth, with works including The Pool of Bethesda and The Good Samaritan. The wing will be accessible to the public on two days each week. Barts Heritage oversaw a […]

The government has signalled a major reform of the homebuying system, saying the proposals could reduce costs for buyers and shorten the process. Planned changes include requiring sellers and estate agents to provide more information when a property is listed, reducing the need for buyers to carry out searches and surveys. Contracts could be binding earlier to reduce the risk of a property chain collapsing. The package would also introduce […]

Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, the 47-year-old has confirmed. Moody told the BBC the diagnosis was given two weeks ago and that facing what lies ahead is difficult. He said there is a reluctance to dwell on the future for now. Moody said his symptoms are currently mild. He described some muscle wasting in his hand and shoulder but stressed he remains […]