UK retail sales volumes rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, driven by record hot weather boosting sales of fans and paddling pools, alongside strong online purchases and promotions. Supermarkets saw a slight decline.
UK retail sales volume rose 1.2% in May, exceeding analyst forecasts, due to record hot weather boosting sales of fans and pools, strong online performance, and promotions. Supermarkets were the only sector to decline.
A national passenger survey reveals less than half of Great Britain's rail commuters believe their train fare offers value for money. CrossCountry passengers reported the lowest satisfaction, particularly regarding delay management, despite overall journey numbers reaching a record high.
The UK government is continuing its nationalisation of major rail operators, with Govia Thameslink becoming the eleventh to return to public ownership. This move aims to make railways more reliable and affordable, ending a privatised system criticized for fragmentation and profit focus. A new state-controlled company, Great British Railways, is set to manage infrastructure and services.
French riot police, deployed under a UK-France deal, are authorised to use water cannon, CS gas, and batons against asylum seekers in northern France. The £660m deal aims to prevent small boat launches, but refugee charities condemn the potential use of water cannon as "sickening" and inhumane.
Police in Northern Ireland have fired plastic bullets and received reinforcements from Great Britain to quell race riots. The violence, targeting minority ethnic people, has led to injuries and arrests, with officials condemning the racist thuggery.
GLP-1 weight-loss drug users in Great Britain are saving an average of £418 annually on groceries, with household use nearly tripling in two years to 1.9 million adults. The drugs are impacting food consumption and forcing retailers to adapt.
The UK's National Energy System Operator (Neso) has offered grid connections to over 700 clean energy projects, clearing a two-year backlog and enabling nearly 60% of schemes needed for 2030 targets. Reforms prioritize "shovel-ready" projects, boosting investor certainty and aiming to lower energy bills.
Ovo Energy will pay over £10m after Ofgem found inadequate monitoring of vulnerable customers with prepayment meters posed a risk of harm. The settlement includes £7m to Ofgem's redress fund and £3.4m in credit/debt relief for customers, plus £1.1m for rural Scottish customers.
Jonas Vingegaard has achieved a cycling Grand Slam by winning the Giro d'Italia, joining an elite group of champions. The Dane overcame life-threatening injuries from a 2024 crash to secure his fourth Grand Tour victory.
Great Britain's Max Burgin won the 800m at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco, in 1:42.98. Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya was second, while Algeria's Slimane Moula finished third. Other notable results included Matthew Hudson-Smith second in the 400m and Soufiane El Bakkali winning the 3,000m steeplechase.
The UK's energy price cap will increase by 13% to £1,862/year from July to September, driven by soaring global energy prices amid the war in Iran, affecting average households with a £221 annual rise.
Great Britain's Katie Boulter secured a tough 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over American wildcard Akasha Urhobo in the first round of the French Open. Boulter, who has historically struggled on clay, advanced to the second round at Roland Garros for the second time in her career.
Millions in Great Britain face rising energy bills as costs are forecast to increase by nearly 13% from summer. Ministers are urged to provide targeted support, with campaigners expressing disappointment over the lack of immediate action on domestic energy costs.
Great Britain has been relegated from the top division of the World Championship after a decisive 6-0 defeat against Latvia in Zurich. Despite a strong start, GB failed to convert chances, while Latvia secured their win with goals from Dzierkals, Smirnovs, Balcers, Tralmaks, Egle, and Krastenbergs.
UK retail sales volume fell 1.3% in April, the steepest monthly decline in a year, as motorists cut fuel purchases by over 10% after stocking up in March due to the Iran war. Excluding fuel, sales dropped 0.4%.
Household energy bills in Great Britain are forecast to rise by over £200 annually from July, reaching nearly £1,900, due to increased wholesale energy prices linked to the Iran war disrupting Gulf supplies. Experts warn of continued high costs and urge a shift to renewables.
UK households face an estimated £200 annual increase in energy bills, reaching nearly £1,900 from July, due to rising wholesale prices linked to geopolitical events. Experts suggest targeted support and a shift to renewables for long-term stability.
Matt Bush secured European Para-taekwondo gold for Great Britain in Munich, overcoming challenges from parental duties following the birth of his second child. He won the K44 men's +80kg final against Croatia's Ivan Mikulic.
Great Britain lost their opening game of the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship 5-2 to Austria in Switzerland. Despite a comeback attempt, Austria secured the win with Peter Schneider scoring twice.
British Gas will pay up to £112m in compensation and debt write-offs for forcibly installing prepayment meters in thousands of homes during the 2022 energy crisis, following an Ofgem investigation.
British Gas will pay up to £112m in compensation and debt write-offs after Ofgem found it forced prepayment meters on vulnerable customers during the Russian gas crisis.
Sir Keir Starmer's fight for survival after a dismal set of elections last week is receiving coverage across the globe.
Great Britain's Katie Archibald wins a dominant gold medal in the women's omnium at the 2021 Track Cycling World Championships after earlier narrowly avoiding being taken out by a "nasty looking crash" in the elimination race.
