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Rachel Fairless volunteers at a new social supermarket in North Shields that helps people with low-cost groceries. She has learned communication and cooking skills and now wants to pursue a culinary career. The pantry is a joint effort by local groups to help those with care experience and support the community with affordable food options.
Key Facts
Rachel Fairless volunteers at a social supermarket in North Shields.
The supermarket supports families with low-cost groceries.
The pantry is open once a week and offers a bag of groceries for £10.
Rachel was referred to the project by the council's care leavers team.
She learned skills like cooking from scratch and better communication.
The project is a joint initiative by North Tyneside Council and other local services.
The social supermarket also helps people who have care experience gain life skills.
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Young people in England are having a hard time buying their first homes because house prices are much higher than their incomes. The government plans to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029 to help with this issue. Some believe more needs to be done, like improving public transport and managing second homes, to make housing more affordable.
Key Facts
The government aims to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029.
The average house in the East of England costs around £332,000, about nine times the average salary.
Lauren Finch, 29, lives with her parents and says her salary only allows her to afford a £90,000 home.
Renting is expensive, with average annual rent in the East of England at about £15,660.
Some young people are advised to get extra jobs or partners to help afford homes.
Second homes are said to increase house prices in some areas.
A new permanent mortgage guarantee scheme is introduced to aid first-time buyers.
Calls are made for better infrastructure and public transport to support new housing developments.
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Students are urged to speak out about scams on dating apps as reports of blackmail, especially sextortion, increase. Authorities recommend confiding in trusted friends and reporting incidents to prevent and address scams.
Key Facts
Sextortion involves criminals tricking someone into sending sexual images, then using those images to blackmail the victim.
Nationwide, a UK building society, found that 28% of students reported being scammed, and half worry about becoming victims.
In 2023, 33 police forces in England and Wales recorded nearly 8,000 blackmail cases involving sextortion, compared to just 23 in 2014.
Fraud experts advise checking for odd phrases in chats and verifying profile photos online as part of scams prevention.
Students are encouraged to talk to trusted people for support and to report cases to authorities if they experience blackmail.
Scammers also target grieving families by pretending to charge for free funeral livestreams, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
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A group of volunteers at the Big Venture Centre in Wolverhampton is helping people in tough neighborhoods by offering discounted items and other support. Locals feel that despite some council efforts, such as funding for children and street maintenance, their area is neglected, with issues like safety, rubbish, and lack of activities for young people remaining concerns.
Key Facts
The Big Venture Centre is in Wolverhampton and helps people by providing discounted items and support.
Jane Platt, a volunteer, feels her area is struggling but finds safety and purpose at the centre.
Residents in areas like Bushbury and Heath Town feel neglected, despite council claims of support.
Tracey Walters, a local resident, wants more activities for children and better cleanliness.
The council says it has provided over £121,000 for children's programs and conducted street maintenance.
Concerns about drugs and anti-social behavior remain, with claims of neglected, empty houses.
The City of Wolverhampton Council is working with police and organizations to improve safety and community support.
The council mentioned ongoing efforts in regeneration and holding meetings for resident feedback.
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River Island, a UK clothing retailer, plans to close 33 shops due to more people shopping online and increased costs to run stores. This decision puts many jobs at risk, and the company will ask for lower rent at 71 other locations while trying to minimize job losses.
Key Facts
River Island will close 33 stores in the UK.
The closures could lead to many job losses.
The company cites more online shopping and higher operating costs as reasons.
River Island has 230 shops and about 5,500 employees.
It has experienced financial losses, with a £33.2 million loss in 2023.
River Island wants lower rent at 71 additional shops at risk.
No head office workers will lose their jobs because of the closures.
Creditors will vote on the plan on 4 August, and a court decision will follow on 7 August.
River Island started in 1948 and changed its name in the 1980s.
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The UK government is preparing for the possible temporary nationalization of Thames Water, a major water supplier in southern England that is experiencing financial difficulties. This comes after a potential investor, KKR, withdrew from a major investment deal with the company. Despite these challenges, Thames Water continues its operations and works towards improving its financial situation.
Key Facts
The UK government is getting ready to possibly take control of Thames Water temporarily if needed.
Thames Water is a large water company serving about 25% of the UK population, mainly in southern England and London.
Thames Water is dealing with significant debts and difficulties in updating its infrastructure.
Earlier this month, a major investor, KKR, pulled out of a £4 billion deal to support Thames Water.
Thames Water's creditors have proposed a £17 billion plan to recapitalize the company and secure more investment.
Despite the financial situation, Thames Water states it continues to operate normally and serve its customers.
The company is hoping for regulatory leniency to help with its financial recovery and infrastructure improvements.
The government insists Thames Water must still meet all its legal and environmental responsibilities.
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Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, plans to leave his $13.9 billion fortune to over 100 children he has fathered, some through sperm donation. He has stated that his children will not access the inheritance for 30 years, aiming to encourage them to build independent lives. Durov is also facing criminal charges in France related to the moderation of illegal content on Telegram, which he denies.
Key Facts
Pavel Durov is the founder of Telegram, an instant messaging app known for privacy features.
He plans to distribute his $13.9 billion fortune among over 100 children, including those conceived via sperm donation.
Durov stated that his children will not receive their inheritance for 30 years to help them become independent.
He is facing criminal charges in France for allegedly failing to moderate illegal content on Telegram.
Durov denies these charges, describing them as absurd and stating that criminals using Telegram does not implicate him.
He was previously the founder of VKontakte, a Russian social network.
Telegram is popular worldwide and has more than a billion active users each month.
Critics argue that Telegram's large group capacity allows for the spread of misinformation and illegal content.
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Retail sales in the UK dropped by 2.7% in May, marking the largest decline since December 2023. The decrease was mainly due to lower supermarket sales, with people buying less alcohol and tobacco. Government borrowing reached £17.7 billion in May, the second-highest level for May on record.
Key Facts
Retail sales fell by 2.7% in May, the biggest monthly drop since December 2023.
Supermarkets reported reduced sales, especially in alcohol and tobacco.
In April, retail sales had risen by 1.3% due to good weather, contrasting the decline in May.
Government borrowing in May was £17.7 billion, the second-largest since 1993.
Income tax and National Insurance revenue rose, but spending increased more, partly due to inflation-related benefit adjustments.
Retail sales from March to May were still 0.8% higher compared to the previous three months.
The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, but it shrank by 0.3% in April.
The UK government has borrowed £37.7 billion in the first two months of this financial year, less than forecasted.
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Labubu dolls, created by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart, have become extremely popular worldwide. The dolls feature distinct pointy ears, big eyes, and mischievous grins, and their popularity has significantly boosted Pop Mart's profits and international reach.
Key Facts
Labubu is a character from "The Monsters" toy series by artist Kasing Lung.
The dolls feature pointy ears, big eyes, and a distinctive grin.
Pop Mart launched Labubu in 2019 and saw profits nearly triple in the following year.
Celebrity endorsements from figures like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian have helped popularize the dolls.
Labubu dolls are sold in over 30 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia.
Pop Mart began using "blind boxes" for sales, where customers don't know which doll they're buying until they open the package.
Over 70,000 counterfeit Labubu dolls were confiscated by Chinese customs recently.
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The UK government plans to spend £9 billion each year for the next ten years to improve hospitals, schools, and courts. This is part of a larger £725 billion strategy to boost the UK's economy by fixing and replacing important infrastructure. However, details on specific projects, such as roads and railway updates, will not be shared until mid-July.
Key Facts
The UK will spend £9 billion yearly for ten years on public buildings like hospitals and schools.
The total infrastructure plan is worth £725 billion aimed at economic growth.
A specific list of projects, including roads and rail lines, will be released in mid-July.
The current project list may be narrowed down from more than 600 inherited from former leadership.
The government is exploring new funding models, including public-private partnerships.
There is no current approval for a planned northern high-speed rail link.
Additional funding includes £8 billion for flood defenses and £1 billion for bridges and roads.
£39 billion will support affordable housing, and £15.6 billion will enhance regional transport.
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A music shop in Norwich called Professional Music Technology (PMT) closed due to financial issues. The closure affects local musicians who used the store as a place to get instruments and inspiration.
Key Facts
Professional Music Technology (PMT) opened its first store in Norwich in 2008.
The store moved to a new location in Botolph Street in 2012.
PMT went into administration in June due to high costs and low profit margins.
Dan Moss, a percussion expert at the store, said the closure was unexpected and leaves a gap for musicians in the area.
Dylan Barber, a local sound engineer, mentioned that physical music stores play a vital role in starting a music career.
Interpath, the administrators, stated their priority is to support employees who lost their jobs.
A different music store owner, Mark Hedges, expressed sadness over PMT's closure but noted his own business is doing well.
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The Bank of England is likely to keep interest rates at 4.25% as its policymakers announce their decision. Although previous cuts suggested more could follow, analysts now expect further reductions later in the year due to ongoing high inflation.
Key Facts
The Bank of England's interest rate is currently at 4.25%.
The bank last cut rates in May from 4.5% to 4.25%.
Inflation in May was 3.4%, above the Bank's target of 2%.
Interest rates affect borrowing costs and savings returns.
Economic growth is slow, which pressures the Bank to consider rate cuts.
Global issues, like tensions in the Middle East, could impact oil prices and inflation.
Most mortgage holders in the UK have fixed-rate deals, but rate trackers will feel immediate changes if rates go down.
The Bank uses interest rates to help control inflation and economic activity.
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The UK government is expanding the Warm Home Discount, allowing twice as many households to receive a £150 discount on their energy bills this winter. The change means that anyone on means-tested benefits will automatically receive the discount, regardless of their property's size or energy efficiency.
Key Facts
About twice as many households will benefit from a £150 discount on their energy bills this winter.
The change affects those on means-tested benefits, who will now automatically qualify for the discount.
The previous restrictions based on property size and home energy score have been removed.
This change will help an additional 2.7 million households, including nearly a million with children.
Energy companies will pay for and distribute this discount, but the criteria are set by the government.
Some critics say the expanded scheme still excludes those on non-means-tested benefits.
Energy UK's chief executive supports the changes and calls for further targeted support.
The expansion may slightly increase energy bills for all due to costs being covered by energy companies.
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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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