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.

• UK mortgage approvals increase after interest rates held at 525

  The number of mortgages approved for home buyers picked up last month after interest rates were held steady and mortgage increases eased.

• History and justice on side of Greek claim to Elgin Marbles says minister

  Greece’s foreign minister has pushed for Athens to take back the Elgin Marbles as he attended a summit with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.

• UK set for slower growth next year as economy lags behind G7 peers OECD

  The UK economy is set for the second-slowest growth of the world’s G7 advanced economies, according to new forecasts.

• Halfords cautions over weaker big ticket sales as customers feel pinch

  Halfords has cautioned over a slowdown in sales growth as demand for big-ticket products weakened in recent months.

• Phil Foden inspires Manchester City fightback in win over RB Leipzig

  Phil Foden created two and scored another as holders Manchester City came from 2-0 down to preserve their unbeaten Champions League run with a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig.

• More hostages and prisoners freed on fifth day of temporary Israel Hamas truce

  Hamas released 12 hostages and Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, the fifth day of a fragile ceasefire that has enabled humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and that mediators hope to extend even as Israel pledges to resume the war.

• Social media sites failing to stop the spread of suicide content charity says

  Social media platforms suffer from significant, fundamental system failings in handling self-harm and suicide content, according to a new report.

• UK cities lag behind European counterparts in public transport commuting study

  Public transport commuting levels in Britain’s large cities outside London lag well behind European counterparts, new research shows.

• Majority back plans to crack down on smoking

  The majority of English adults back Government plans to phase out smoking, a new poll suggests.

• Michael Gove apologises for Governments errors during pandemic

  Michael Gove has apologised to victims and bereaved families for Government “errors” during the pandemic as he listed what he believed were the failings, including locking down too late.

• Newcastle denied Champions League win after controversial Kylian Mbappe penalty

  Kylian Mbappe snatched a famous Champions League victory from Newcastle’s grasp with a controversial penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage-time to earn Paris St Germain a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes.

• Governments mixed messages risk stalling financial sector on net zero MPs

  The Government’s mixed messages on climate action risks stalling the financial sector’s net zero progress, MPs warned.

• GP appointments over the phone or online can put patients at risk

  GP appointments over the phone or online can miss serious illnesses and put patients at risk, according to a new study.

• Labour vows to protect small firms from late payments and anti social behaviour

  Labour will set out measures aimed at protecting small businesses from late payments and anti-social behaviour on the high street as it continues to pitch itself as the party of law and order.

• UK and Greece in diplomatic row after Sunaks Elgin Marbles snub to Mitsotakis

  It is a “matter of regret” that a diplomatic row has erupted over the Elgin Marbles, a Cabinet minister said, after Rishi Sunak snubbed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

• EasyJet swings to annual profit but sees hit from Gaza conflict

  Budget airline easyJet has revealed it swung to an annual profit after a record summer, but warned over a hit from the conflict in Gaza.

• Bruno Fernandes excited for amazing atmosphere at Galatasaray

  Bruno Fernandes is relishing the hostile atmosphere at Galatasaray as Manchester United look to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

• Watchdog urges advertisers to clarify green household waste claims

  The advertising watchdog has called for clarity around household waste terms such as “recyclable”, “biodegradable” and “compostable” after finding they were confusing and potentially misleading.

• Sheffield United agree to external probe into Maddy Cusacks death say family

  The family of Maddy Cusack say a “thorough external investigation” has been launched into the death of the Sheffield United midfielder after claiming her spirit “was allowed to be broken” by football.

• Shop price inflation eases for sixth consecutive month

  Shop price inflation has eased for the sixth month in a row as retailers compete fiercely for customers ahead of Christmas, figures show.

• NatWest launches board game to help educate people about scams

  NatWest customers will be given opportunities to play a family-friendly board game in branches, which could help educate people about scams and break taboos around family finances.

• 18000 typically shaved off asking prices to achieve house sales Zoopla

  House sellers are accepting discounts of £18,000 on average in order to agree a deal with buyers, according to a property website.

• More hostages released as Israel Hamas truce extended

  Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their ceasefire for two more days past Monday, raising the prospect of further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war.

• No smoking gun linking mental health harm and the internet study

  The internet and mobile phones may not have a “blanket negative effect” on wellbeing and mental health, researchers say.

• Young people the biggest users of generative AI Ofcom study shows

  Teenagers and children are far more likely than adults to have used generative AI, according to Ofcom’s latest research into the UK’s online habits.