The UK government delayed the switch-off of old RTS meters, which control heating and hot water. The transition will now proceed gradually, with energy suppliers contacting affected users ahead of time to replace these meters, typically with smart meters, to ensure no households lose service.
Key Facts
The government has postponed the large-scale switch-off of RTS meters.
RTS meters help control heating and hot water using longwave radio frequency.
RTS meters have been in use since the 1980s and are now outdated.
About 314,000 households still use these meters, with a third located in Scotland.
The initial deadline of June 30 was found unachievable.
Suppliers are replacing old meters with smart meters but need more time.
The government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, assure customers they will not face sudden loss of service.
Energy UK reports an increase in smart meter installations, urging continued cooperation from consumers.
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Japanese company Nippon Steel has completed its purchase of US Steel for $14.9 billion. To address US government concerns, Nippon made several agreements, including allowing government oversight and promising investment in US operations.
Key Facts
Nippon Steel bought US Steel for $14.9 billion, including taking on its debt.
The deal includes Nippon investing $11 billion in US Steel by 2028.
Nippon gave the US government a "golden share," allowing it to influence major decisions, such as job transfers and factory closures.
US Steel will keep its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with US citizens in top management positions.
The deal aims to protect and create over 100,000 jobs.
US President Donald Trump initially opposed the deal but later approved it after assurances from Nippon.
Trump's approval came after hearing concerns about potential job losses from local officials.
The US Steelworkers union was against the takeover, and a lawsuit was filed against former president Joe Biden over the deal.
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The West Marsh Baby Bank in Grimsby, which supports around 15 families each week, has had to discard 80% of its supplies because they got damp and mouldy. The storage container was leaking, and the group needs a new, dry place to store items to continue operating.
Key Facts
West Marsh Baby Bank is located in the West Marsh Community Centre in Grimsby.
The baby bank had to throw away most of its supplies due to dampness and mould.
The storage problems stem from an old, leaking shipping container.
The organization was set up in 2022 by volunteers to help with the cost of living crisis.
They provide items like nappies, baby wipes, milk formula, and prams to about 15 families each week.
They assist both families on benefits and working families who are having financial difficulties.
They receive requests for help from health visitors and social workers.
The group is seeking help, such as a new container or financial donations, to replace the damaged storage.
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The UK government plans to change two major welfare benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit. The changes aim to save £5 billion by 2030 and will mean some families will receive less money, while others may get more. These adjustments include stricter assessment criteria for PIP and changes in the amount and conditions for Universal Credit.
Key Facts
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people with long-term physical or mental health conditions.
PIP has two parts: daily living and mobility components.
The daily living component's assessment will be stricter, affecting around 800,000 people.
New rules for PIP start in November 2026, requiring higher scores to qualify.
Universal Credit is a payment for people over 25 to help with living costs.
Changes to Universal Credit involve reducing additional payments for disability until age 22.
The incapacity top-up for new claimants will decrease from £97 to £50 weekly by 2026-27.
The basic rate of Universal Credit will increase to £106 by 2029-30.
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The Scottish government will no longer universally offer its winter fuel payment to pensioners and will instead recover payments from those earning more than £35,000 through the tax system. This change aligns with the UK government's approach and aims to ensure pensioners with lower incomes receive the support they need.
Key Facts
The winter fuel payment helps pensioners with heating costs during the cold months.
In Scotland, pensioners earning less than £35,000 will qualify for the payment.
Pensioners in Scotland will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, based on age.
Payments will be reclaimed from pensioners earning over £35,000 through taxes.
Around 720,000 pensioners in Scotland are expected to be eligible for the payment.
The UK government reinstated the winter fuel payment for most pensioners in England after protests.
The Scottish government delayed its payment plans after changes in funding from the UK.
Earlier promises for a universal payment system in Scotland have been revised.
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Steve Smith, the founder of Poundland, tried to buy back the company when it was for sale but missed the opportunity. The business, which has 792 stores in the UK and Ireland, was sold to the US investment firm Gordon Brothers. Poundland plans to close around 70 stores and two distribution centers due to expiring leases and requests for rent reductions.
Key Facts
Steve Smith, who started Poundland, attempted to repurchase the business but was too late.
He founded the first Poundland store in Burton-upon-Trent in 1990.
Smith sold his shares in Poundland in 2006 for £250 million.
Poundland currently operates 792 stores and employs about 16,000 staff in the UK and Ireland.
The company was recently bought by US investment firm Gordon Brothers.
Due to lease expirations and rent reduction requests, Poundland might close around 70 stores.
Two distribution centers, one in South Yorkshire and another in the West Midlands, are marked for closure.
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Northern Ireland households spend the most on food compared to other basic needs, as stated by the Consumer Council. The cost of food is part of a broader issue of rising prices, with inflation remaining at 3.4% last month.
Key Facts
The Consumer Council reported that food shopping is the largest part of basic household spending in Northern Ireland.
This is the highest level recorded since the Council started its research two years ago.
Inflation, which is the rate at which prices increase, stayed steady at 3.4% last month.
Jessica Ireland from Londonderry creates TikTok videos to show how food shopping costs vary over time.
The National Trust is managing a situation where a whale washed up on a beach and advises people to stay away.
A woman in Northern Ireland experienced a heart attack at work and was initially told it might be a panic attack.
A starry smooth-hound shark was seen in the Connswater River at Victoria Park.
Thousands of visitors are expected at the Balmoral Show, with sunny weather anticipated for the event.
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In the UK, chocolate prices increased by 17.7% in May, the largest rise since records began in 2016, as overall food costs continue to go up. Inflation remains at 3.4%, the highest in over a year, partly due to businesses passing on higher taxes and wage costs to customers.
Key Facts
Chocolate prices in the UK rose by 17.7% in the year to May, marking the fastest increase since 2016.
The main annual inflation rate stayed at 3.4% in May, which is the highest in over a year.
Food prices increased for the third consecutive month, reaching a 4.4% rise in May.
Rising prices are linked to higher taxes and minimum wage increases introduced in April.
Bad weather affected cocoa production in Ghana and Ivory Coast, impacting chocolate supply.
Overall inflation remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target rate.
Travel costs decreased, with airfares falling 5% between April and May.
People, especially young families, are spending less on food and opting to bring their own meals.
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Research by the Consumer Council reveals that food shopping is the highest basic expense for households in Northern Ireland. A Londonderry resident shares her tips on TikTok to show how she saves on food costs.
Key Facts
Food shopping is the main basic expense for households in Northern Ireland.
This level of spending is the highest the Consumer Council has recorded in two years.
Jessica Ireland from Londonderry creates TikTok videos about her food shopping costs.
The Consumer Council is an organization that studies and reports on consumer spending.
TikTok is a social media platform where people can share short videos.
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Co-op, a grocery chain, is offering its members £10 off a £40 shop as a gesture after a cyber attack disrupted operations. The attack affected customer data, and Co-op is recovering, with store operations mostly back to normal.
Key Facts
Co-op members can get a £10 discount on purchases of £40 or more for one week.
The cyber attack targeted Co-op last month, stealing a lot of customer data.
Co-op's 2,300 stores are nearly back to normal after the attack.
The discount is available only to Co-op members, not staff.
Customers experienced empty shelves due to disrupted stock deliveries.
Experts suggest most Co-op customers typically spend less than £40 per visit.
Co-op does not currently plan to offer fraud prevention services following the data theft.
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Research from the Consumer Council shows that in Northern Ireland, food shopping is the largest part of basic household spending, making up nearly 23% of expenses. This spending is higher than housing and other essential costs, impacting low-income families the most.
Key Facts
Food shopping is the biggest part of household spending in Northern Ireland, making up nearly 23% of expenses.
The Consumer Council has tracked these spending patterns using data from Grant Thornton for two years.
Jessica Ireland, a mother from Londonderry, spends about £100-120 weekly on food, which is more than she used to spend.
She notices prices rising, resulting in items being more expensive or smaller in size.
Ms. Ireland tries to save money by buying store-brand items, cooking from scratch, and taking advantage of special offers.
Low-income households in Northern Ireland spend more on food than on any other bills, including housing and energy.
Philippa McKeown-Brown from the Consumer Council notes that food costs take up a significant part of income for poorer households.
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The opening of the HS2 high-speed railway line will be delayed beyond its original target of 2033. The UK Transport Secretary is expected to inform Parliament about this delay and present findings from an independent review on the project's increased costs.
Key Facts
HS2 is a high-speed rail project intended to connect London with major cities in the Midlands and North of England.
The project has faced many delays and budget increases since its approval in 2012.
The cost of HS2 rose by £37 billion under Conservative governments between 2012 and the last general election.
The initial cost estimate for HS2 in 2010 was £33 billion, with an opening date of 2026.
As of the latest estimate, the project's cost could reach up to £57 billion.
The Birmingham to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds sections have been canceled.
An investigation led by James Stewart, former Crossrail CEO, has been conducted to review the project's oversight.
A new chief executive, Mark Wild, was appointed last year to address rising costs.
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Nissan has announced its new Leaf electric car, which will be built in Sunderland, UK. The car will have a range of up to 375 miles on a single charge and use batteries made nearby. It will be available for order later this year and is part of Nissan's new plan for electric vehicle production.
Key Facts
Nissan revealed the new Leaf electric car model.
The car will be manufactured in Sunderland, UK, by a team of 6,000 workers.
The new Leaf can travel up to 375 miles on a single charge.
The car will be available to order later this year.
Batteries for the Leaf will come from AESC UK's facility, next to Nissan's plant.
Sunderland's factory also produces Juke and Qashqai models.
The Leaf is the first model under Nissan's EV36Zero project, focusing on sustainability.
A second electric car battery plant is being developed with a £1 billion investment.
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Poundland plans to close 68 stores as part of a recovery plan after facing difficult business conditions. The company, recently bought by US firm Gordon Brothers, also plans changes like stopping online orders and shifting product focus. These actions aim to streamline operations and improve financial health.
Key Facts
Poundland will close 68 stores as part of a turnaround strategy.
The company was recently sold to Gordon Brothers, an American investment firm.
It intends to close two distribution centers in England.
Poundland is trying to negotiate lower rents with landlords.
The company will stop selling frozen food and refocus on meal deals and essential groceries.
It will also stop online ordering on its website and will use it for browsing and advertising.
Poundland has 792 stores and employs around 16,000 people.
The restructuring plan needs approval from a court before proceeding.
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British Steel has signed a £500 million contract to provide train tracks to Network Rail in the UK. This five-year deal will help secure jobs at the Scunthorpe steelworks and ensure continued track supply for Britain's railways.
Key Facts
British Steel got a contract to supply train tracks worth £500 million.
The contract lasts for five years and starts on July 1.
The deal will help protect thousands of jobs at the Scunthorpe plant, which makes train tracks.
The UK government used emergency powers in the past to keep Scunthorpe's blast furnaces from closing.
The Scunthorpe facility is the last place in the UK making virgin steel, a type of pure steel used in construction.
British Steel will provide about 80% of the tracks for Network Rail, which manages UK railways.
The contract aims to strengthen UK manufacturing and supply chains.
The government is looking at options like public ownership or finding private investors for British Steel's future.
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President Trump signed an order to lower tariffs on UK cars entering the US, which enacts part of a trade deal between the UK and the US. The deal allows up to 100,000 UK cars to enter the US at a reduced tariff rate. Plans to adjust tariffs on other goods like steel are still being discussed.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order to reduce tariffs on UK cars shipped to the US.
The new tariff agreement was made at the G7 summit in Canada.
Up to 100,000 UK cars can enter the US with a 10% tariff, reduced from 25%.
Tariffs on other products like steel and aluminum have not been finalized.
Certain aerospace products will also have reduced tariffs under this deal.
UK steelmakers will continue to face existing tariffs, though negotiations are ongoing.
The UK government has been under pressure to minimize tariffs which affect exports.
The trade deal will go into effect seven days after its official publication.
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The Trump Organization is launching a new mobile phone service named after Donald Trump. They plan to sell a gold-colored smartphone made in America, priced at $499, with a monthly service fee of $47.45. The venture brings up questions about potential ethics issues since the Trump family business could profit from Trump's political role.
Key Facts
The Trump Organization is introducing a Trump-branded phone service.
The smartphone will cost $499 and have a monthly service fee of $47.45.
The service includes "discounted" international calls for military families.
The announcement did not reveal the business partner involved.
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest have been raised.
The Trump family business is run by Trump's sons and has been placed in a trust.
Trump's recent financial reports show he earned over $600 million last year.
The US mobile phone market is mainly controlled by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
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A bioethanol plant in Redcar, run by Ensus, might have to close soon due to a new trade agreement between the UK and the US. This agreement removes a tariff on US ethanol imports, which Ensus says hurts its business and could risk many jobs.
Key Facts
Ensus operates a bioethanol plant in Redcar, UK.
The plant produces around 400 million liters of bioethanol each year.
A recent trade deal removed a 19% tariff on ethanol imported from the US.
Ensus claims this change threatens its business and jobs at the plant.
Over 100 people work at the plant, with a larger supply chain impacting about 3,000 jobs in northern England.
Ensus's warning follows a similar statement from Associated British Foods regarding its bioethanol plant near Hull.
Bioethanol is mixed with petrol to make greener fuel, such as E10 petrol used in the UK.
The US is a major exporter of ethanol to the UK, with expectations for increased market access due to the new deal.
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The UK's largest road tunnel project, the Lower Thames Crossing, received £590 million in government funding. The project will connect Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend in Kent, aiming to ease traffic and improve trade routes, with construction set to start in 2026 and finish by 2032.
Key Facts
The Lower Thames Crossing is the UK's largest road tunnel project.
The project received £590 million in funding from the government.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be between £9.2 billion and £10.2 billion.
The tunnel will connect Tilbury in Essex with Gravesend in Kent.
Construction is planned to begin in 2026 and finish by 2032.
Most of the route will be underground, with twin tunnels running under the Thames.
The crossing aims to reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing by 20%.
Funding is part of a £1 billion package to improve transport in England.
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Elms Funeral Directors in Weston-super-Mare is helping families during the prom season by offering free limo rides to students. This service is designed to ease financial pressure and make the event special for teenagers.
Key Facts
Elms Funeral Directors is located in Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset.
They are offering free limousine rides for students attending prom.
The service aims to reduce financial stress for families during prom season.
Students can personalize their limo rides with bows and ribbons.
Inquiries about the service can be made in private (confidentially).
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