Prisons across England and Wales now 98.9% full

Prisons across England and Wales now 98.9% full

Prisons across England and Wales are at their highest capacity for months, with fewer cells available than at any time this year.There are fewer than 1,000 spare prison cells across England and Wales, a record low for this year.Only 961 spaces are now available, meaning prisons are now almost 98.9% full, according to new government figures.It means the prison estate is now under more strain than it has been for months, including when the government was forced to release around […]

15/04/2025 1

UK

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Nottinghamshire house explosion

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal gas explosion at a house in Nottinghamshire.Emergency services were called to John Street at 7.39pm on Saturday 12 April following the blast in Worksop.A major incident was declared and a 53-year-old man named David Howard was pronounced dead at the scene.His next-of-kin are continuing to be supported by specially-trained officers.Nottinghamshire Police said: "A 43-year-old man was arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder. He has since been bailed […]

15/04/2025 1

UK

Man who helped scammers swindle at least £100m from victims jailed

A man has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after enabling cybercriminals to defraud around one million victims in 91 countries.Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, heard that Zak Coyne, 24, from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, helped more than 2,000 scammers steal at least £100m by running a subscription-based service via his website called LabHost.Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth described LabHost as enabling fraud "on an industrial scale".During sentencing on Monday, she told the defendant: "It was one of the most professional and […]

15/04/2025 1

UK

‘I paid a builder £500 and they ghosted me’

Every Tuesday we ask an expert to answer your financial problems or consumer disputes. Today, we are tackling this issue sent to us by Sue, who writes:I got a quote from a builder to do some work in my house. They quoted £2,000 and asked for £500 upfront to buy the materials. Six months later he has never come to do the job or return my money. What can I do?Consumer rights expert Scott Dixon, AKA the Complaints Resolver, answers... […]

15/04/2025

UK

Sue the government, Sir Alan Bates tells fellow Post Office victims

Victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal have been urged to take legal action against the government over compensation delays. In an email to victims seen by Sky News, Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates suggested it would be November 2027 before all the claims are finished based on the current rate of progress.He told them going to court was "probably the quickest way to ensure fairness for all".Money: The UK areas where houses take just 19 days to sellHundreds […]

15/04/2025 6

UK

‘There is no off switch’: Why the government stepped in to keep British Steel furnaces burning

The future of Britain's last major steelmaking plant is uncertain.The British Steel plant in Scunthorpe had been on course to close down by May, but urgent government intervention will keep it open - for now.Emergency legislation was passed on 12 April to bring the steelworks under effective government control.Politics latest: Follow live updatesHowever, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned this does not mean the plant is guaranteed to survive.Here is everything you need to know about British Steel and why […]

15/04/2025 1

UK

Police ‘intervene in fights’ and seize crossbow after being called to disturbance

Police 'intervene in fights' and seize crossbow after being called to disturbance in Salford | UK News | Sky News Police say they "intervened in fights" and "prevented what could have been a dangerous incident from occurring" after being called on Monday evening, with a 24-hour dispersal order issued for a number of streets.Tuesday 15 April 2025 09:46, UK Image: Romney Street in Salford Why you can trust Sky NewsSeven people have been arrested and a crossbow recovered following reports […]

15/04/2025 2

UK

‘Likely’ British Steel will be nationalised, says business secretary

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said it is "likely" that British Steel will be nationalised.It comes after he appeared to row back on his claim that he would not bring a Chinese company into the steel sector again after the government had to urgently step in to save the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.Mr Reynolds, speaking to reporters in the Lincolnshire town, said that nationalisation was the "likely option at this stage".He added: "What we are now going to do, […]

15/04/2025

UK

Business secretary appears to row back on Chinese firms in steel sector claim

The government is "not ruling out" another Chinese partner for British Steel, the industry minister has said, putting her at odds with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.Sarah Jones told Sky News breakfast with Anna Jones that for any investment there are "stringent tests that have to be met" and they would apply "to a Chinese company as they would to any other company".Politics latest: US 'working very hard' on negotiating 'great' UK trade dealIt comes after ministers rushed through an emergency […]

15/04/2025 1

UK