The family of an 18-year-old who died after a meningitis infection in Kent have described the loss as devastating and urged faster action to protect other young people.Juliette Kenny fell ill with symptoms including vomiting and facial discolouration and died the day after they appeared, her father said.She is one of two confirmed fatalities linked to the current outbreak. Health officials now...

Health authorities have widened a meningitis B (MenB) vaccination campaign after an outbreak linked to a Canterbury nightclub, prompting long lines of university students seeking protection.The UK Health Security Agency now says anyone who visited Club Chemistry between 5 and 15 March is eligible for a jab.The offer has also been extended to sixth form pupils in affected areas and to people who...

The flare-up around Iran is already sending sharp ripples through the UK economy, touching everything from farmers' fuel supplies to homebuyers' mortgage deals.Even though Britain does not import Iranian gas, recent missile strikes have driven up global energy prices fast enough to affect domestic markets.Farmers are rationing red diesel and some mortgage offers have been withdrawn as lenders...

A string of attacks on a major gas field shared by Iran and Qatar has pushed energy markets higher and put fresh strain on the U.S.-Israel partnership.Israeli forces struck facilities in the South Pars field, one of the world’s largest gas reserves, and Iran responded by targeting an energy complex in Qatar.The tit-for-tat exchange prompted a fierce post from US President Donald Trump on his...

Missile attacks on Qatar's key energy hub at Ras Laffan have caused heavy damage to liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquids facilities, sending gas prices sharply higher and raising concerns about a prolonged hit to global supplies.Ras Laffan is Qatar's main LNG processing complex, handling roughly one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas.The site, near the North Field and about 80km...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ignited a fresh political row after urging closer economic cooperation with the EU as a route to greater resilience.Speaking at the Mais lecture hosted by Bayes Business School in London, Reeves argued the UK should deepen its economic links with Europe to shore up growth and stability.Her call has prompted sharp criticism from opponents who say seeking tighter...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her Budget in the House of Commons around 12:30 GMT, facing pressure to find extra revenue while promising investment to cut NHS waiting lists and tackle the cost of living.She has flagged that tough but fair decisions are needed to reduce national debt and drive growth, with an immediate response from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch expected after the...

The government has announced a rise in the national minimum pay that will take effect from April, with adults aged over 21 set to receive an extra 50p an hour, lifting the rate to £12.71.Chancellor Rachel Reeves said around 2.7 million workers will benefit from the increases.Younger workers will also see larger percentage gains. Pay for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase by 85p to £10.85 an...

Motability has removed high-end brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Alfa Romeo and Lexus from its vehicle list with immediate effect as it refocuses the scheme on British-built models.The move comes as the charity sets a target for UK-manufactured cars to make up 25% of its fleet by 2030 and half by 2035, up from around 7% today.Motability says the change will prioritise vehicles that are safe,...

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Budget, ordinary Britons are voicing clear and varied priorities.From housing taxes to care for disabled people, voters across incomes have specific asks they want reflected in government plans.Wesley Thorne, 52, and his wife Toni run a sweets business near Bristol and say moving into a larger home is out of reach because stamp duty could tack...