National News

Here are the latest stories from the team at Radio News Hub. The links will open in a new page and take you to their website.

• Household energy bills to jump by 332 a year in July latest forecasts show

  Household energy bills could jump by £332 a year in July as recent sharp increases in wholesale prices are set to feed through into Ofgem’s price cap, according to the latest forecasts.

• Meningitis Family describe immeasurable loss as cases rise to 29

  The family of a teenager who died from meningitis in the Kent outbreak have described their “immeasurable loss” as the number of cases jumped to 29.

• NHS coped during Covid but only just inquiry chairwoman

  The NHS “coped, but only just” during the Covid-19 pandemic, the inquiry into the crisis has concluded.

• Health Secretary promises more meningitis vaccines as number of cases rise to 27

  Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said more people affected by a meningitis outbreak in Kent will get vaccines as the number of cases rose to 27.

• Bank holds UK interest rates at 375 and stands ready to act over Iran war

  The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% as policymakers hiked forecasts for UK inflation due to war in the Middle East pushing up energy prices.

• Rain and oil prices could be a problem for people with lung conditions

  Wet weather in the UK, teamed with the “spectre” of higher energy bills sparked by the conflict in the Middle East, could place millions of people with lung conditions at risk of health problems, a charity has warned.

• Covid 19 pandemic probe to set out impact on NHS and patients

  The harrowing impact of the coronavirus pandemic on patients and NHS staff is to be laid bare in a new report.

• Senegal stripped of AFCON title and Morocco declared winners after CAF ruling

  The Senegalese Football Federation has announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the country was stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

• MSPs vote down assisted dying Bill at Holyrood

  Controversial legislation that would have made Scotland the first nation in the UK to back assisted dying has been defeated at Holyrood.

• Meningitis Cases rise to 20 as health officials deal with explosive outbreak

  Five new cases of meningitis have been reported in Kent, taking the total number being investigated by health officials to 20

• Charity calls for legislation to allow shared e scooter schemes

  A charity is urging Scotland’s political parties to commit to passing legislation that would give people access to shared e-scooter schemes for the first time.

• Bank warns about cruel friendship fraudsters targeting older people

  Older and vulnerable people are being targeted by online scammers in a “cruel” spate of friendship fraud, a bank is warning.

• Starmer tells Zelensky we cant lose focus on Ukraine despite Iran crisis

  Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to benefit from the Iran war, the Prime Minister told Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to the UK.

• Crowds in cities and towns across island of Ireland enjoy St Patricks Day

  Families and tourists thronged the streets in cities and towns across the island of Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, while reflecting on what it means to be Irish.

• King to host first state visit by Muslim leader during Ramadan for a century

  The King is preparing to host the first incoming state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in what is believed to be nearly 100 years.

• Rachel Reeves sets out plan for UK to align with more rules set in Brussels

  The UK should follow more of the European Union’s rules to boost trade and cut prices, Rachel Reeves has claimed.

• Meningitis outbreak Students in university halls in Kent to be offered vaccine

  Students in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine, Wes Streeting has said, as officials work to stem the spread of infection in an “unprecedented” outbreak.

• Meningitis B confirmed as strain behind outbreak that has left two dead

  Some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B, health officials have said, as hundreds of people are being urged to get antibiotics to stem the spread of infection.

• New checks for train passengers who buy tickets with railcard discounts

  Train passengers who buy tickets with railcard discounts will be required to pass additional checks as part of a Government crackdown on fare dodging.

• Black music makes up 80 of UK recorded music revenue over past three decades

  Black music has made up 80% of the UK’s recorded music revenue over the past three decades, new figures show.

• Cost of fixing all potholes on national disgrace roads estimated at 186bn

  The estimated cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has risen to a record £18.6 billion, according to a new report, which branded the situation “a national disgrace”.

• Meningitis outbreak Tribute paid to student who died as hundreds seek treatment

  Three schools have confirmed cases of meningitis after an outbreak killed two students and others were admitted to hospital

• Nursery worker jailed for raping and abusing young children

  A nursery worker who raped and abused young children in his care has been jailed for 24 years.

• Starmer says UK working with allies on viable plan to open Strait of Hormuz

  Sir Keir Starmer says he is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

• School pupil among two dead in meningitis outbreak

  A school pupil is the second person to have died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent