UK

The prime minister has said a new law will be introduced so people wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal are “swiftly exonerated and compensated”. In the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the year, Rishi Sunak said he will make sure those convicted as part of the Post Office scandal will be “swiftly exonerated and compensated”.

More than half of child sexual abuse offences recorded in 2022 were committed by other children, new figures reveal. Police say the rise of child-on-child abuse is fuelled by access to violent pornography and smart phones. Data from 42 police forces in England and Wales shows that a total of 106,984 child sexual abuse offences

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells will hand back her CBE with immediate effect amid the fallout of the Horizon IT scandal. The scandal led to the convictions of hundreds of sub-postmasters. Ms Vennells said in a statement: “I continue to support and focus on co-operating with the inquiry and expect to be giving evidence

Hundreds of domestic abuse survivors will receive cash payments of £2,500 each to help them flee their tormentors, under a new initiative. The £2m scheme, which launches this month, is described as a “lifeline” for women who can’t flee – or are forced to return to – abusive relationships because they cannot afford essentials. A

Actor Idris Elba has urged the government to immediately ban machetes and so-called zombie knives, saying it’s “time to push the agenda as strongly as we can”. The Luther star has launched a campaign called Don’t Stop Your Future, and told Sky News that “the nation wants to see that we do care about our

“A mix of snow showers and sleet” is forecast for parts of the UK as a yellow warning for ice comes into effect in the early hours of today, the Met Office has said. London and the South East are covered by the warning that comes into force at 4am until 10am today. The forecaster

Planned strikes which would have crippled London Underground services this week have been called off, according to a union. RMT say the industrial action by its workers on the Tube network – scheduled to take place from Monday to Thursday – will no longer go ahead, after positive talks with Transport for London (TfL). The

The government is being urged to “wake up and smell the flood water” following Storm Henk – amid fears that climate change is making extreme weather events more common. More than 1,800 properties have flooded after heavy downpours fell on already sodden ground, and the Environment Agency has warned more homes will be affected as

Rishi Sunak had doubts the government’s Rwanda asylum scheme would stop small boat crossings while he was chancellor, according to documents seen by Sky News. The Number 10 papers, prepared in March 2022 shortly before the Rwanda plan was first announced, also suggest the prime minister wanted to scale back the plans. A government source

A yellow cold weather alert across England comes into force at 9am this morning – and will remain in force for most of next week. All of this comes as many parts of the country continue to grapple with the aftermath of Storm Henk, with heavy rainfall inundating homes and almost cutting off communities. As

HMRC used a sarcastic post on X quoting a Sky News story to remind Luke Littler of his income tax obligations after his remarkable run to the World Darts Championship final. After reporting in our new Money blog that Littler, 16, will pay £83,000 in tax from his £200,000 earnings collected from his stunning performance

A major incident has been declared after Nottinghamshire was hit by widespread flooding – as the south of England faces another deluge of rain. Nottinghamshire County Council said the incident was declared “due to rising levels along the River Trent” and that residents who live in flood risk areas should be prepared to evacuate their

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to commit to unfreezing tax thresholds if Labour wins the next general election, saying he won’t make promises he can’t keep. However, the Labour leader was firmer in his position on inheritance tax, telling Sky News if the Tories reduce it, he will reverse that change because he does not

Several NHS trusts across England have declared critical incidents on the first day of the junior doctors’ strike, while some are calling for staff to return to work amid patient safety concerns. The six-day walkout – the longest in NHS history – began on Wednesday as junior doctors who are members of the British Medical

A hero couple saved a stranded three-year-old girl and her mother as their car sank into a swollen river amid Storm Henk. Liam Stych and his partner Tia Draper were out for a walk in Hall Green, Birmingham, when they saw a Fiat Punto sinking into a torrent. Qucking-thinking Mr Stynch, a roadworks engineer, climbed

Junior doctors in England are due to walk out for six days, starting on Wednesday morning. The industrial action, from 7am on 3 January to 7am on 9 January, is the longest in the history of the NHS. Health service executives have said the strike could mean “one of the most difficult starts to the

A “jealous” woman who ran over her fiance after an argument following a party has been found guilty of murder. Prosecutors said Manchester University student Alice Wood, 23, used her Ford Fiesta as a weapon against partner Ryan Watson, 24, near the home they shared in Rode Heath, Cheshire, at about 11.30pm on 6 May

The government is claiming victory in clearing the backlog of asylum claims – but that has been described as “misleading” as thousands are still waiting for a final decision. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged in December 2022 that he would “abolish” the legacy backlog of asylum claims made before 28 June of that year, with

A 16-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve in London. A murder investigation has been launched following the fatal stabbing in Primrose Hill on Sunday night. Police were called at around 11.40pm and officers gave first aid to the victim before ambulance crews arrived. The boy was pronounced dead shortly before

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of two women in Staffordshire. Police were called to a home in Cheadle, near Stoke-on-Trent, at 3pm on New Year’s Eve to reports that a woman’s body had been found, and another woman was injured. Both women were pronounced dead at around 3.50pm.

Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer says he is doing “very well” and “feeling very much myself” after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch earlier this month. In his first statement since the incident, the 29-year-old footballer thanked “the players, staff, doctors and paramedics” for their “heroic actions”. “I feel thankful that this happened

XL bully dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public – as new rules take effect from today. Selling, breeding, abandoning or giving them away is also now illegal. People have until 31 January to apply for an exemption certificate to keep their dog – and must have it neutered,

Britons are being urged to brace for a further onslaught of wild weather following the devastation of Storm Gerrit. Trains have been cancelled due to flooding in tunnels near Ebbsfleet International. UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast X This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show

The family of a Good Samaritan who died after being hit by a car while trying to help a stranger have said his death shows “the sort of man he was – to go to help rather than to turn away”. Chris Marriott, 46, had been out for a walk with his wife and two

World Cup hero Mary Earps and Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke are among the big names on the latest New Year Honours list. Earps, who earlier this month bagged the Sports’ Personality Of The Year trophy, becomes an MBE for services to football after playing in goal for England’s World Cup campaign, where they

A man who died after a car hit a group of people in Sheffield has been named as father-of-two Christian Marriott Mr Marriott, 46, had been out for a walk with his wife and two young sons on Wednesday afternoon when he stopped to help a woman lying unconscious in the street. It is believed

A fire has broken out at Blackpool Tower, with video showing flames at the top of the iconic structure. Firefighters in climbing gear are “on their way up”, according to a tourist information page, as high winds continue to hit the seaside resort. In a statement Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We have six

Planes were left struggling to land at Bristol Airport and several flights from Heathrow were cancelled as stormy weather hit the UK today. Strong winds meant one aircraft had to make three attempts to land at Bristol, while others were also filmed jolting above the runway in conditions caused by Storm Gerrit. Gusts of up

Self-driving cars could be on British roads as early as 2026, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said. Asked if people could soon be travelling “with your hands off the wheel, doing your emails”, he agreed the prospect was possible in as little as three years’ time. He told the BBC: “I think that’s when companies

The UK is bracing itself for Storm Gerrit which is set to batter much of the country. Multiple yellow weather warnings for strong winds, heavy rain and periods of snow have been issued by the Met Office for 27 and 28 December. Wednesday is forecast to be the worst affected day, with strong winds due

A blind schoolgirl with a brain tumour gave a rendition of a classic Christmas song to Queen Camilla during an invitation to Windsor Castle for tea. Olivia Taylor, 7, was a bundle of excitement saying, “hello Your Majesty” as the Queen walked into the castle’s White Drawing Room for a private tea with her family.

As many begin to travel home after Christmas celebrations, the weather is set to remain unsettled, with a number of yellow weather warnings for ice, rain and wind in place from Boxing Day onwards. The Met Office says low pressure moving across the UK on the 26 December will bring breezy and wet conditions for

Sarah, Duchess of York, joined the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day for the first time in decades.  The royal, who has had a troubled relationship with the monarchy, was pictured smiling as she walked beside her ex-husband, the disgraced Duke of York. For the second year in a row, Andrew made the walk