A rail-ticketing trial in northern England uses mobile-phone tracking to determine fares. Passengers on Northern services between Harrogate and Leeds will be able to pay by boarding a train and tapping a button in a dedicated app. The app uses GPS in the phone to identify where a passenger alights, and the system charges the lowest applicable fare at the end of the day. A barcode is generated by the […]

The eighth module of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will examine the pandemic’s impact on children and young people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will look at how vulnerable youngsters were supported and how decisions on schools, lockdowns and related measures were made. The inquiry is expected to hear from former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson in the coming weeks. In a previous module, a former No 10 […]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a plan at the Labour party conference in Liverpool that would guarantee a paid work placement for long-term unemployed youths. The proposal would tie benefit rules to take-up, with sanctions for claimants who refuse offered roles. It forms part of Reeves's case for a society built on contribution, and she will also set out funding for libraries in all English primary schools and […]

The British Medical Association has told Health Secretary Wes Streeting to act within 48 hours to prevent a dispute with GPs over plans to keep online access available during working hours. From 1 October, GP practices in England will be required to keep their online consultation tool open for non-urgent requests, including appointments, medication queries and admin tasks, for the duration of the day. The change was announced by the […]

A new study suggests that eating more fruit may lessen the impact of air pollution on lung function. Researchers from the University of Leicester analysed UK Biobank data from 207,421 participants to explore links between diet and lung health. They compared fruit, vegetables and wholegrain intake with FEV1, the amount of air exhaled in one second, and used fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as the pollution measure. For every five micrograms […]

The National Trust has launched a commission inviting artists and organisations to create works from the remaining timber of the Sycamore Gap tree, which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall for up to 120 years. The tree was felled on 28 September 2023 during Storm Agnes, in the pitch black, by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers. Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, the pair were jailed for four years and three […]

An international team of astronomers and astrochemists has reviewed years of data to assess whether cosmic dust is porous. The grains, which help form stars and planets, are found in regions such as the Pillars of Creation, and the work appears in Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. The study involved Professor Martin McCoustra of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh among its contributors. Researchers describe the dust grains as far from solid rocks. […]

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a widening of the free breakfast clubs scheme, with around 2,000 primary schools in England expected to join the rollout. The plan is supported by £80 million (€92.0 million), and ministers say families could save up to £450 a year in childcare costs (€517.5). Ms Phillipson unveiled the plan as Labour delegates prepared to attend the party’s annual conference in Liverpool. She said: 'The […]

West Ham United have dismissed Graham Potter as head coach after nine months in charge. Potter was relieved of his duties two days ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Everton. The club's supporters had turnover against Potter following last weekend's defeat to Crystal Palace, and the owners have acted as West Ham seek a fourth manager in 18 months. In a club statement, West Ham United said: "West […]