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.

• Coronation Street to air special flashforward episode

  Coronation Street is to air a special “flashforward” episode which will offer viewers a glimpse into the drama that is set to unfold in 2026.

• Tens of thousands without power as Storm Goretti wreaks havoc across UK

  Storm Goretti continues to batter the UK with tens of thousands of Britons across the country facing widespread power cuts, travel disruption and school closures.

• Disability benefit claimants at risk of debt and poverty amid poor DWP service

  Some people are waiting more than a year to have their disability benefit claims processed amid “unacceptably poor service levels”, the Commons spending watchdog has found.

• Recruitment drive launched for jobs in prisons and probation service

  The Government is launching a recruitment drive for jobs in the prison and probation service.

• Thousands of homes without power as Storm Goretti brings 99mph winds

  Thousands of homes are without power as Storm Goretti hits the UK with a rare red warning issued for “dangerous, stormy” winds.

• Rare red warning for wind issued for parts of South West as Storm Goretti nears

  A rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” winds has been issued by the Met Office for south-west England, with Storm Goretti set to bring 100mph gusts.

• Ministers to U turn on pub business rates rise within days

  Ministers are to U-turn on increasing business rates for pubs in the face of mounting pressure from landlords and backbench MPs, the Press Association understands.

• Kate makes surprise appearance with William in show of support for NHS staff

  The Princess of Wales has made a surprise appearance the day before her birthday by joining the Prince of Wales on a visit to show support for NHS staff in London.

• Festive gatherings may have led to bounce back in winter viruses

  Christmas and new year gatherings may have caused a “bounce back” in winter viruses, with the number of people in hospital with flu up slightly, according to NHS England.

• David Coote spared jail after schoolboy video found on laptop

  Former Premier League referee David Coote has been spared jail after he was found to have a sexual video of a 15-year-old boy in school uniform on his laptop.

• Tate Modern attacker jailed for 16 weeks after assaulting Broadmoor staff

  A man who threw a six-year-old boy off the Tate Modern’s 10th-storey balcony has been jailed for 16 weeks after attacking two nurses at Broadmoor hospital.

• Leeds great Terry Yorath dies at the age of 75

  Former Leeds and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness, his family have said in a statement.

• Corridor care best worse option as hospitals adapt temporary spaces

  Some NHS hospitals are adapting corridors and other spaces to provide care by installing plug sockets and emergency call bells in a bid to minimise patient safety risks, an investigation has found.

• Average UK house price fell to six month low in December says Halifax

  The average UK house price dipped to its lowest level in six months in December, according to an index.

• Exercise may be just as good at treating depression as psychological therapies

  Exercise may be just as good at treating depression as psychological therapies and possibly even antidepressants, a study suggests.

• Queens urgent mission over reading rates as book club charity marks milestone

  The Queen has described her charity’s mission to get people reading as “more urgent than ever”, saying “books do make life better” as she marked the fifth anniversary of her Reading Room book club.

• US thanks Britain for unwavering support in oil tanker seizure

  The US military has thanked the UK for its “unwavering support” in the seizing of a Russian-flagged oil tanker.

• Martin Clunes to star as disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards in new drama

  Doc Martin star Martin Clunes will portray disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards in a new drama.

• Former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan diagnosed with cancer

  Former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer.

• UK braces for heavy snow from Storm Goretti as amber warnings issued

  The UK is braced for heavy snowfall and strong winds from Storm Goretti with amber weather warnings issued across the country.

• British armed forces were involved in US seizure of oil tanker

  British armed forces provided support to the US’s seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

• 14 years in jail for man who assisted suicide

  A man who assisted suicide by selling a substance online for £100 to vulnerable people has been jailed for 14 years after what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.

• Two school buses crash on icy roads as UK prepares for Storm Goretti

  Two buses full of school children have crashed on icy roads as a deep freeze continues to grip the UK ahead of more heavy snowfall expected from Storm Goretti.

• US seizes Venezuela linked oil tanker off British waters

  The US has seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker which is travelling off British waters, an official has said.

• Most adults not aware of scale of primary school reading gap

  Many adults are not aware of the scale of the UK’s primary school reading gap, a survey has found.