Scientists have confirmed the Sycamore Gap tree was at least 100 to 120 years old when it was felled in 2023. The tree stood in a natural gap beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and was studied by Historic England, the body safeguarding the country’s historic environment. The assessment suggests it first appeared in the landscape in the late 19th century. The felling occurred overnight in September 2023, and Daniel Graham […]

The Universal Credit Act has received royal assent, formalising welfare reforms the government says will help sick and disabled people into work. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged the passage faced a challenging process, after wider reform plans were diluted following Labour opposition. Earlier this summer, proposed changes to eligibility for the PIP element were scrapped and will be reviewed under work led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms. […]

Bella Ramsey has welcomed the creation of a Madame Tussauds London waxwork of their likeness. The actor, known for Game of Thrones and The Last Of Us, said it was incredible to have their image captured in wax. The figure is based on Ramsey's appearance at The Last Of Us season two premiere in Los Angeles in April, when they wore a green suit, black boots and chunky rings. Ramsey, […]

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed Angela Rayner after she admitted an underpayment of stamp duty on a flat in Hove. He said he was proud to stand alongside his deputy at Prime Minister's Questions and supported her decision to refer herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. Rayner, who is Housing Secretary, said initial legal advice had suggested she owed standard stamp duty, but further guidance from […]

Ofcom said the programme attracted 576 complaints after Rylan Clark's comments on This Morning on 27 August, during a discussion about migrants housed in hotels. Clips of the 36-year-old presenter quickly circulated online. During the discussion, Clark said: 'This country is built on immigration, legal immigration. You know that a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life have come over here from other countries, are […]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said officers are in an impossible position when handling online statements and should not police toxic culture wars debates. He said he would submit suggestions to the Home Office on how social media laws could be clarified and that pilots could be tested within a matter of weeks. Linehan, 57, was arrested at Heathrow after arriving from Arizona on suspicion of inciting violence […]

Esther Ghey has urged the Government to fund pouches that lock pupils’ phones away during the school day, arguing a statutory ban would have helped her daughter Brianna Ghey. She has launched an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer seeking a nationwide ban on school phone use. The campaign highlights a system already in place at Birchwood Community High School in Warrington. Ms […]

Elias Morgan, 35, was jailed for a minimum of 45 years after being convicted of the murder of Lenny Scott, a prison officer. The case centred on a mobile phone found in Morgan's cell at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside, which prosecutors said showed he was having a sexual relationship with a female officer. Morgan had first tried to bribe Mr Scott with £1,500 to destroy the phone; when the officer […]

The Conservatives will push for a Commons vote in the autumn budget to rule out rises in property taxes. An Opposition Day debate on Wednesday will examine reports that the Chancellor could scrap private residence relief. Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly said 'a family home is not a piggy bank to raid', as the party signals it wants to prevent changes to capital gains tax on homes and other levies […]