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.

• Consumer confidence sees six point Burnham bounce

  Consumer confidence has seen a significant six-point “Burnham bounce” – the largest increase since November 2023.

• Persistent money troubles could make the brain age faster study

  Persistent money troubles have been linked to faster brain ageing in a new study.

• Andy Burnham pauses plan for early release of prisoners

  Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will “put a pause” on the plan for the early release of prisoners.

• Teenage girl and woman die after group gets into difficulty at beach

  A teenage girl died trying to save her seven-year-old cousin who “got into trouble” as the tide came in on West Mersea beach, according to a family friend.

• Friend of Manchester synagogue attacker jailed for life over MoD terror plan

  A man who planned a terror attack with his friend who went on a fatal knife rampage at a Manchester synagogue less than two months later has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

• Business rates to be cut by 20 for pubs clubs and music venues across England

  Business rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year, Downing Street has announced.

• Online bullying over social media could be linked to school absence study finds

  Online bullying over social media could be linked to declining school attendance rates, according to a study.

• Weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy linked to hair loss

  Weight loss and diabetes drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy are linked to an increased risk of hair loss, researchers say.

• Three in four UK airports hike drop off fees in past year

  More than three quarters of UK airports raised or introduced drop-off fees for drivers in the past year, according to new research.

• Santander vows not to shut more branches before 2028

  Santander UK has pledged not to shut any more branches across its network and those of recently-acquired rival TSB before 2028, despite plans to cut costs further over the rest of the year.

• Black Sabbath star Tony Iommi honours dear friend Ozzy on anniversary of death

  Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has paid tribute to his “dear friend” Ozzy Osbourne on the first anniversary of his death, adding: “I still can’t believe that he’s not with us.”

• Ex Southern Water boss charged with conspiracy to defraud over water tests

  The former chief executive of Southern Water has been charged with conspiracy to defraud authorities over allegations he was involved in a plan to manipulate water quality tests to avoid millions of pounds in penalties

• Widow of Pc Harper says it is deplorable that two killers could be freed early

  The widow of police officer Andrew Harper has said it is “deplorable” that two of his killers are being considered for early release.

• Southampton boss Tonda Eckert charged by FA over Spygate scandal

  Southampton’s head coach Tonda Eckert has been charged by the Football Association over the ‘Spygate’ scandal.

• Jeff Bezos in talks over joining consortium eyeing Liverpool stake reports

  Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has held talks over potentially joining a consortium which has expressed an interest in buying a minority stake in Liverpool, according to reports.

• Midfielder Phil Foden signs new four year contract at Manchester City

  Phil Foden has committed his future to boyhood club Manchester City with a new four-year deal that includes an option for a further 12 months.

• Burnham to review early release policy amid concerns from family of PC Harper

  Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will review the early prisoner release policy amid concerns from the family of police officer Andrew Harper.

• UK inflation eases to 15 month low in June after food and fuel prices fall

  UK inflation fell to the lowest rate in 15 months in June as food and fuel prices dropped in an early boost to the cost-of-living-focused Andy Burnham.

• Burnham reintroduces 2 bus fare cap reversing Starmer increase

  The £2 bus fare cap has been reinstated by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, reversing a decision to increase it made by his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.

• Young obese women driving rise in type 2 diabetes study suggests

  Young obese women are driving a rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes across England, research suggests.

• Burnham leading a country that most Britons feel is going in wrong direction

  Andy Burnham’s premiership begins at a time when four-fifths of Britons feel the country is going in the wrong direction, only half are satisfied with their living standards and confidence in the quality of the NHS has plummeted, according to polling.

• Record number of households unable to afford essentials cost of living poll

  The number of households unable to afford basic essentials such as food and heating is at a record high, according to new research which suggests the rise has been driven mainly by those traditionally less likely to be struggling.

• Kaydens murder has devastated our family forever father says

  The father of a 16-year-old who was murdered on a North Ayrshire beach has said losing him has “devastated our family forever”.

• New Prime Minister Andy Burnham promises to lead cost of living government

  Andy Burnham told ministers he will lead a “cost-of-living Government” after announcing an £850 million tax cut on electricity bills.

• Man in court over murder of Ann Widdecombe

  A man has appeared in court charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe.