UK unemployment rate falls to lowest level since July last year
The UK's unemployment rate has fallen to 4.7%, in a set of official figures that will support the case for a Bank of England interest rate hike next month.
Sky News UK
United Kingdom · RSS · up to 100 stored headlines · Visit site
Text size100%
Esther Rantzen's farewell message shared by her family
The family of Dame Esther Rantzen have revealed details of a farewell message written before she died, in which the 86-year-old said she felt "deprived of any choice over my own death".
Apollo among suitors for €7bn spreads giant Flora
A pack of buyout firms will this week submit initial offers for Flora Food Group, the spreads giant behind brands including I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.
Second man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman stabbed to death
A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was killed in a stabbing in Manchester.
Actor and boxer among mourners of ex-gangster whose life was made into film
Family and friends paid their respects at the funeral of former Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris.
Man admits Huntingdon train stabbings - but still faces trial on attempted murder charges
A man has admitted stabbing 10 people on a London-bound LNER train - but still faces trial on more serious attempted murder charges.
Two men and two women arrested after police officer shot
Two men and two women have been arrested after a police officer was shot and injured in Nottingham city centre at the weekend.
Police investigating threatening 'hoax' emails sent to schools
Police in Northern Ireland and Scotland are investigating after threatening emails, deemed to be a hoax, were sent to hundreds of schools.
Revealed: Face of man who lived in Roman Scotland almost 2,000 years ago
The face of a man who died on the Roman frontier in Scotland almost 2,000 years ago has been reconstructed from skeletal remains ahead of a major exhibition.
NHS leader: Maternity units delivering fewer than 2,000 babies may have to close
Smaller maternity units, typically those delivering fewer than 2,000 babies a year, may need to close to protect patient safety, an NHS leader has warned.
Wargame with a difference as Russia faces dilemma
Mutiny erupts in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad in an uncomfortable test for the Kremlin.
Young people close to a third of anxiety disorder PIP claimants, data suggests
Teens and young adults make up almost one-third of people claiming disability benefits for anxiety disorders, according to new research.
Playing music out loud on the bus? You could soon be fined £100
Fines up to £100 can now be issued to people who play music or videos out loud on buses - part of a series of new powers tackling antisocial behaviour.
Two teenagers dead after car crash in Suffolk village
Two teenagers have died after a car crash in a Suffolk village, police have said.
Bodies of four family members killed in Ireland house fire arrive at church before funeral
The bodies of four family members killed in an arson attack in Waterford have arrived at a church ahead of their funeral.
Driver arrested after teenage boy killed in crash
A 19-year-old man has been arrested after a 16-year-old boy died in a crash in Birmingham.
Chelsea star gives update from hospital bed after horror clash
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone successful surgery on a fractured jaw following a clash of heads during a 2-0 win at Everton.
Gun pictured at scene after police officer shot - as suspects hunted
A police officer has been shot in Nottingham city centre.
NHS faces 'more challenging' winter after summer of heatwaves, minister warns
The NHS faces a "more challenging" winter than normal after this summer's record-breaking heat, the health secretary has warned.
More NHS staff sacked after accessing medical records of Nottingham attack victims
A total of 15 NHS staff have now been sacked after accessing medical records belonging to the victims of the 2023 Nottingham attack.
Dubois retains WBO title with crushing win over British rival
Daniel Dubois has retained his WBO world title after beating Fabio Wardley in their rematch at the O2 Arena.
Man charged with murder after fatal assault at caravan park
A man has been charged with murder following a fatal assault at a caravan park in Clacton-on-Sea.
Water bills face £40 hike if sector is downgraded, industry chief warns
Water customers face having to pay an extra £40 a year to suppliers if the industry is hit by a fresh ratings downgrade, the head of the industry's main lobbying group has warned.
UK advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia
The UK has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia after attacks by Yemen's Houthis in the region.
Heathrow expansion would boost growth, chancellor says
Chancellor John Healey has shown support for expanding Heathrow Airport after Prime Minister Andy Burnham refused to back plans for a third runway.
Two dead after light aircraft crash
An 80-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have died after a light aircraft crashed in Scotland, police have said.
Troubled housebuilder Vistry lays foundations with former Crown Estate boss
Vistry Group, the troubled London-listed housebuilder, is turning to a former executive at The Crown Estate to help repair its battered finances.
No police action against wife of PM's adviser over Palestine Action post
Police have said no further action will be taken against Sarah Helm, author and wife of Andy Burnham's national security adviser, after she was accused of supporting the banned protest group Palestine Action.
Man convicted of arson attacks against Keir Starmer deported from UK
A man convicted of arson attacks targeting Sir Keir Starmer has been deported, the Home Office said.
Ex-soap star who conned would-be models in £13m scam jailed after fleeing UK
A former soap opera star has been jailed for nine years after fleeing the UK for Spain to avoid facing trial for allegedly conning would-be models out of more than £13m.
Tiger victim's medical records may have been improperly accessed
NHS staff may have improperly accessed information about a man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Madeleine McCann prime suspect could face new rape trial
The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case could face a new rape trial after German prosecutors launched a legal bid to overturn his acquittal on a string of sex charges, unrelated to the missing British girl.
Army chief says politicians to start 'frank conversation' with public to prepare for war
The head of the army says the UK's political leaders are about to start a "frank conversation" with the public about the need to prepare for war.
Pipe bomb 'pushed through letterbox' of home with mother and children inside
A pipe bomb exploded after being put through the letterbox of a Belfast home while a mother and her children were inside, police have said.
Police sergeant who raped two women jailed
A police sergeant who carried out a number of rapes and sexual attacks against two women has been jailed for 12 years.
Man arrested after fatal assault at Parkdean caravan park
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal assault at a Parkdean caravan park in Clacton-on-Sea.
British man fined for causing death of his two-year-old son in Cyprus
A British father has been fined €3,000 (£2,500) for causing the death of his two-year-old son who fell from the fourth floor of a hotel in Cyprus.
Woman killed in suspected stabbing identified by police
A woman killed in a suspected stabbing has been identified by police after a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Bank shares fall as tax on lenders expected in budget
Major UK banks have seen their share prices fall after reports the chancellor is set to raise tax on lenders in the budget.
'Fantasist' who murdered woman at Airbnb to exact 'brutal and fatal revenge' is jailed
A "fantasist" who murdered a woman at an Airbnb to exact "brutal and fatal revenge" after she rejected him has been jailed for at least 28 years.
UK to ban three types of extreme pornography next month
A ban on pornography depicting strangulation and incestuous relationships - as well as someone pretending to be a child under 16 - will come into effect next month.
'Fantasist' guilty of Airbnb murder to exact 'brutal and fatal revenge' after rejection
An "fantasist" has been found guilty of murdering a woman who rejected him at an Airbnb to exact “brutal and fatal revenge".
Trans patients to be placed on wards according to their birth sex in England
Transgender patients should be placed on hospital wards according to their birth sex rather than their gender identity, according to new guidance.
Mother of Henry Nowak's killer will be freed early from prison, Sky News understands
The mother of Henry Nowak's killer will be freed early from prison, Sky News understands.
Wildlife park to reopen after man fatally attacked by tiger
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which was closed after a man was killed by a tiger, is to reopen on Friday.
Man admits raping woman drugged by her husband for over 20 years
A pensioner has admitted raping a woman who was drugged by her husband for more than 20 years.
Woman in her 20s stabbed to death
A murder investigation has been launched after a woman in her 20s died in a suspected stabbing in Manchester.
Norwegian teenage hitman who flew to UK to commit murder jailed
A Norwegian teenager who flew to the UK to carry out murder for an Iran-backed gang has been jailed for 20 years.
Nandy 'minded to intervene' in Sky-ITV deal
The culture secretary has warned she is "minded" to intervene in Sky's £1.6bn deal to buy ITV's broadcast and streaming operations.
Police officer found guilty of raping teenage girl and woman
A police officer has been found guilty of raping a teenage girl and a woman.
Government to publish Telegraph probes amid Burnham Abu Dhabi row
The government is to publish the long-delayed results of probes into Abu Dhabi's failed attempt to buy The Daily Telegraph - a move which risks stoking tensions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid a row over Andy Burnham's links to the owners of Manchester City.
Body of missing fisherman identified as hunt continue for crew and boat
Police have identified the body of a man recovered during searches for a missing fishing boat and its crew off the Western Isles.
Met Police ordered to reinvestigate arrest complaint from Father Ted co-creator
The Metropolitan Police have been ordered to reinvestigate a complaint over the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan after a watchdog found failings in the force's handling of the case.
Family of man killed by tiger raise concerns about contact with mental health services, inquest hears
The family of William Chapman, who died after he was attacked by a tiger, have expressed concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death, an inquest heard.
Family of man killed by tiger raise concerns about his contact with mental health services, inquest hears
The family of William Chapman, who died after he was attacked by a tiger, have expressed concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death, an inquest has heard.
Surprise GDP growth as UK economy stronger than first thought
The UK economy has grown, confounding predictions it would shrink, official figures show.
Inquest into death of man killed by tiger at wildlife park to open
An inquest into the death of a man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at a wildlife park is set to open later today.
Inquest into death of man killed by tiger at wildlife park to open
An inquest into the death of a man who was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at a wildlife park is set to open later today.
Half of adults would not go to war for the UK, poll suggests
Half of the UK population say there are no circumstances in which they would go to war for Britain, a poll suggests.
Hospitality companies to create 100,000 new roles for NEETs
The UK's leading hospitality businesses have committed to hiring 100,000 young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), it has been announced.
Severe drought declared in parts of England
Severe drought has been declared in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, the government has said.
Sally Rooney books withdrawn from UK over Palestine Action support
Author Sally Rooney has said she can no longer sell her books in the UK because of her support for the banned protest group Palestine Action.
Government pilots online pornography monitor to tackle violent content
The government has commissioned the body that age rates films in the UK to test the feasibility of monitoring online pornography for violent and abusive content.
Growing number of children - mostly British boys - are potential slavery victims, report says
More than 7,000 children were identified as potential victims of trafficking and modern slavery last year, a rise of 17%, the UK's anti-slavery commissioner has said.
Safeguarding police visited mother before she and 4 children killed in firebombing, inquest hears
A mother who was murdered along with four of her children in a petrol-bomb attack was visited by police from a safeguarding unit before the fatal incident, an inquest heard.
British soldier who had 'homemade cannon' and promoted extreme right-wing views is jailed
A British soldier who made explosives and a "homemade cannon" while promoting extreme right-wing views and talking of raising a militia has been jailed.
Tech giant Palantir and Sadiq Khan settle legal battle over police contract
Palantir and London Mayor Sadiq Khan's office have settled Palantir's lawsuit over a decision to block a £50m ($66m) contract with the Metropolitan Police.
Premier League star 'froze' after alleged racial abuse, court hears
Footballer Antoine Semenyo "froze" after he was allegedly racially abused by a fan during a Premier League match last year, a court has heard.
Former supply teacher jailed after taking upskirt photos of children
A former supply teacher has been jailed for six years after admitting taking upskirting photos of pupils.
'Heartbroken' family 'in complete shock' after man charged with murder of grandmother
The family of a grandmother found fatally injured near Bristol say they "remain in complete shock" after a man was charged with her murder.
Former DUP leader jailed for 15 years for child sex offences
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 18 historical child sex offences.
Bookies in last-ditch plea to Healey to avert budget tax bombshell
Britain's biggest bookmakers are stepping up their efforts to avert a budget tax bombshell in a last-ditch letter warning that half of the betting shops in the prime minister's constituency would be at risk from a further raid.
One dead and two missing after fishing boat disappears off Scotland
A man's body has been recovered and two more are unaccounted for after a fishing boat went missing off the Outer Hebrides.
Winds up to 70mph predicted as weather warning comes into force
A windy weather warning has taken effect in Scotland, with gusts of up to 70mph expected.
New dinosaur species discovered in UK after fossil left in drawer for 100 years
A new species of dinosaur has been discovered because of a fossil found on the Isle of Wight that has been "sitting in a drawer" for more than a century.
PM pledges 'rock-solid' support ahead of Zelenskyy visit after Trump's diesel deal with Russia
Andy Burnham will welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street today in a show of support days after Donald Trump's controversial diesel deal with Russia.
Raye says Royal Albert Hall gig sign-up was 'overwhelmed' by ticket touts using AI bots
Singer Raye has said the sign-up list for her one-off gig at the Royal Albert Hall later this month will be checked "manually" after ticket touts using artificial intelligence bots "overwhelmed" the process.
Brexit result 'not in dispute' despite PM's Russia meddling claim, MI5 chief says
The head of MI5 has said the result of the Brexit referendum "is not in dispute" after the prime minister said Russia had interfered in the 2016 vote.
Civil servant 'fraudulently juggled five government jobs using remote work and sick notes'
A civil servant "exploited" remote working culture and used sick notes to fraudulently work five Government jobs at the same time, a court has heard.
Tech firms promise to take down AI platforms if British secret services show they are unsafe
OpenAI and Anthropic have promised to take down their AIs if the British secret services show them they are unsafe - activating what some describe as a "kill switch".
Jamie Carragher will not be made bankrupt after settling tax bill with HMRC
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has avoided bankruptcy after settling an unpaid tax bill with HMRC.
Ex-Met police officer accused of raping sleeping woman, court told
A former police officer accused of raping a sleeping woman had been trained in how to deal with victims of sex offences, a court has heard.
Trump posts video of UK tiger attack - as victim's family say online content causing 'severe distress'
The family of a man killed by a tiger have said "deeply offensive content is causing them severe distress".
AI 'supercharging' security threats to UK, MI5 warns
Artificial intelligence (AI) is "supercharging" security threats to the UK, including the potential development by terrorists and states of new killer bioweapons, the head of MI5 has warned.
Midwives awarded 'landmark' payout after exposure to nitrous oxide
More than 120 midwives and maternity staff in Essex have been awarded almost £750,000 in compensation after being exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide.
Grocery inflation ticks up again - as energy costs weigh on shoppers
A closely-watched measure of grocery inflation has ticked up for a second consecutive month amid fears of an energy-led surge ahead.
'Yes cuzzie': Prisoners celebrate as hundreds freed in second swathe of early releases
Prisoners rejoiced as they left jail early during the second stage of a government scheme to ease overcrowding that will see hundreds released.
UK economy to grow more than expected - but households face sharper rise in inflation, IMF says
The UK economy is set to grow faster than expected this year, though households are expected to face higher rates of inflation, according to forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
D-Day veteran remembered as 'great character with cheeky smile' after death aged 100
A Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Navy as part of the D-Day landings has died at the age of 100.
Saudi national charged with allegedly installing a hidden recording device at OpenAI
A Saudi national has been charged with allegedly installing a hidden recording device at OpenAI.
Man denies racist murder of scientist as trial date set
A man has denied the racially-aggravated murder of a scientist in Dundee.
Inquiry to be held into death of paedophile ex-football coach who was extradited from Vietnam
A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a former football coach and teacher who was jailed for abusing boys after being extradited from Vietnam.
BBC defends decision to remove trans rights slogan from Strictly episode
The BBC has defended its decision to remove a trans rights slogan from an episode of Strictly Come Dancing, saying the move was "in line with our editorial guidelines".
Man fatally attacked by tiger at UK wildlife park was visiting alone, police say
The victim of the tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park was visiting alone, police have said.
UK wildlife park to remain closed after man's death in tiger enclosure
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has said it will remain closed as investigations continue after a man was fatally mauled by a tiger.
UK wildlife park to remain closed after man's death in tiger enclosure
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is expected to open today after a man was fatally mauled by a tiger.
'Frankly shocking' risk-taking by motorists uncovered by AI-powered cameras
Motorists have been caught driving with children on their lap and both hands on their phone rather than the wheel in a trial of AI-powered cameras.
Man dies after stabbing outside 'birthday bash' pub event
A man in his 20s has died after he was stabbed outside a birthday event in Birmingham.
Numbers up for Buzz Bingo as owner explores sale
The owner of one of Britain's biggest bingo chains is exploring a sale even as its boss warns that a further budget tax raid could threaten the future of the industry.
UK floods taskforce told to start looking at drought
If you've ever felt baffled by the way Britain can find itself in drought just months after heavy flooding, this announcement might interest you.