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.

• Wes Streeting says bitingly cold snap puts extra pressure on NHS hospitals

  The “bitingly cold snap” will put extra pressure on NHS hospitals, the Health Secretary has said, as temperatures plummet across the UK.

• Number of mortgaged first time buyers up by nearly a fifth in 2025

  The number of people who got on the property ladder with a mortgage across the UK last year is estimated by a building society to be up by nearly a fifth compared with 2024.

• Tax hike for online minicab firms hailed a landmark step for black cabbies

  Online minicab firms will pay more tax in a move hailed as a “landmark step” for black cab drivers.

• Chickenpox vaccine to be rolled out on NHS for first time

  A vaccine which protects against chickenpox is to be rolled out across the NHS for the first time.

• Snow and ice expected to bring travel disruption ahead of amber weather warning

  Snow and ice is forecast across the UK on Friday with warnings of likely travel disruption.

• Anthony Joshua released from hospital in Nigeria after car crash

  Boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital in Nigeria after the crash in which two of his friends died, authorities have said.

• Mayor of London says capitals New Year celebrations greatest in the world

  Sir Sadiq Khan has hailed London’s New Year celebrations as the “greatest in the world” after 100,000 people lined the banks of the River Thames to welcome 2026 with the capital’s largest fireworks display.

• Snowfall expected across much of UK with new warnings issued

  Snowfall is expected across much of the UK in a chilly start to the new year, forecasters have said.

• One pub a day shut for good in 2025 as cost pressures bite

  One pub shut its doors for good each day in 2025 as cost pressures continued to weigh on the sector, according to new figures.

• Passengers warned of more delays as Eurostar services resume

  Eurostar passengers have been warned that continued delays and cancellations are possible, despite the resumption of services after a power outage in the Channel Tunnel.

• Household energy bills to rise as snow and gales forecast

  Many households’ energy bills are to rise on Thursday, just as a swathe of cold health alerts have been issued for large areas of the UK.

• Eurostar services to resume as passengers advised to postpone their journey

  Eurostar services are expected to resume later on Tuesday after an earlier power failure saw the Channel Tunnel closed.

• Former X Factor contestant Chico pleads not guilty to drink driving

  Former X Factor contestant Chico has appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to drink-driving.

• All Eurostar services to and from London St Pancras on Tuesday have been cancelled the rail operator has told passengers

  Eurostar has told passengers not to travel because of disruption in the Channel Tunnel.

• Eurostar passengers told not to travel amid Channel Tunnel disruption

  Eurostar has told passengers not to travel because of disruption in the Channel Tunnel.

• Warm weather hit sees Octopus slump to annual loss

  Octopus Energy Group has swung to a hefty annual loss as it revealed a hit of more than £100 million from lower energy demand due to warmer weather.

• Crystal Palace agree 35million fee with Tottenham for Brennan Johnson

  Crystal Palace have reached an agreement with Tottenham over a £35million fee to sign Brennan Johnson, but the Wales international is yet to make his mind up over the move.

• Beyonce becomes latest music star to become a billionaire says Forbes

  Beyonce has been declared a billionaire by Forbes, and has become the fifth musician to join its list of the world’s wealthiest people.

• Trumps tariffs and soaring wage costs ensure rocky year for UK economy

  Households and businesses have endured a bumpy ride over 2025 as the impact of tax hikes and US President Donald Trump’s trade war weighed on the economy, but another slew of interest rate cuts helped cushion the blow.

• Police bid to trace two men after pedestrian killed in car crash

  Police are attempting to trace two men in connection with a fatal collision between a car and a pedestrian.

• To MBE to you Honour a wonderful shock for Chuckle Brother Paul Elliott

  Paul Elliott, known as one half of the Chuckle Brothers, has said finding out he is being made an MBE in the New Year Honours list is “probably the best shock” of his life.

• Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean become dame and knight in New Year Honours

  Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have been awarded a damehood and a knighthood in the New Year Honours.

• Claudia Winkleman over the moon as new BBC chat show announced

  Former Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman will front her own chat show next year, the BBC has announced.

• Anthony Joshuas promoters awaiting information after reports of car crash

  British boxer Anthony Joshua has reportedly been involved in a car crash in Nigeria.

• Remaining hotspots extinguished at scene of house fire that killed child

  A house blaze that claimed the life of a child has been extinguished by firefighters, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said.