Living in London 'about survival, not opportunity' as 800,000 young people could leave city by 2030

A new report from the London Heritage Quarter suggests 18 to 30-year-olds are experiencing a sharp decline in their quality of life, with some young Londoners suggesting life in the capital was now a matter of "survival", rather than opportunity.more

It has become cheaper to rent a home in Britain than to buy, following a sharp rise in mortgage rates since the war in Iran, new figures show. The cost of a typical new mortgage payment has overtaken the average rent for the first time since June last year, according to analysis by Rightmove.more

Three million UK households are being forced to skip meals and cut family visits amid cost-of-living pressures and collapsing consumer confidence, according to a survey. Which?’s latest Consumer Insight Tracker found consumer confidence fell to minus 62 this month – its lowest level since the height of the cost-of-living crisis in 2022.more

Street artist Banksy has confirmed a large statue that appeared in central London is his work. The sculpture - which bears his signature - depicts a suited man walking forward off a plinth while carrying a flag that covers his face.more

Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, new laws giving tenants more rights start on Friday 1 May. The Renters' Rights Act aims to give more stability and security to the 11 million people who rent from private landlords. The new rules also mean big changes for landlords, with some warning that there could be delays evicting bad tenants from their propertiesmore

London’s homes are still highly exposed to potential floods if extreme weather hits the city despite warnings years ago that more needs to be done to protect them, new research suggests.more

A home for Polish veterans who served alongside British forces during World War Two could close in 2028, says a report by the Ministry of Defence. The Ilford Park Polish Home at Stover, near Newton Abbot, Devon, was set up under the Polish Resettlement Act in 1947 as part of the Winston Churchill Promise that Britain would never forget its debt to Poland.more

The terror threat level in the UK was raised today from "significant" to "serious," Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced. The decision comes a day after a knife attack on two Jewish men in London.more

Keir Starmer has said the “tide could be turning” on shoplifting, pointing to a 17% rise in people charged for what has become a hot political issue. CCTV footage that could be shared immediately with the police should be used more widely, the prime minister said, adding that “the hope of technology” could make a difference.more

From 29 April patients in England can view hospital referrals and appointments in the NHS App, now linked to every acute NHS trust; the update aims to reduce paper letters and missed appointments.more

Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris is presented as a UK counterpart to Grace Bay; staycation experts listed several comparable UK beaches.more

From May 1 tenants in England may formally request permission to keep pets; blanket 'no pets' clauses will no longer be valid.more

The Bank of England has kept its main interest rate at 3.75 per cent, the bank announced in a statement issued today following the conclusion of its meeting.more

The Polish Consulate in London issues over 40,000 passports annually – the highest number of any Polish consular office in the world. This number is comparable to that of some provincial offices in Poland (e.g., Opole, Świętokrzyskie, and Lubusz).more

The UK Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, announced today that the government will allocate an additional £25 million to protect the Jewish community after two Jewish men were attacked by a knife-wielding assailant in London yesterday, Reuters reported.more

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in the House of Commons on whether to launch an inquiry into allegations that he misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. Labour, which holds a majority, voted against the inquiry.more

OnePoll survey for In Kind Direct finds 30% cut basic hygiene, affecting mental health and social participation.more

Time Out survey names Edinburgh Europe’s most walkable city in 2026; the city scored 93% rated as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’.more

With the world’s food supply chain under pressure from the war in Iran, experts are warning shoppers that they may soon see shortages and higher prices at British supermarkets. more

Deaths are expected to outnumber births in the UK every year from 2026, according to projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The UK population is now expected to grow at a slower rate than previously thought, reaching 71 million by 2034, owing to a sharp fall in migration.more

The number of iconic black cabs on London’s streets is declining, and industry experts warn the trade could disappear entirely without support. As well as a lack of help from Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL), the current manufacturer of the black cab, London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), is reportedly ceasing production of the vehicle.more

A freedom of information response shows 'nature' was the most suggested theme for new Bank of England notes; proposals included David Attenborough and England’s 1966 World Cup win.more

Officers from the counter-terrorism unit are investigating an attempted arson attack on a memorial wall in north London, in a neighbourhood with a large Jewish community, the Metropolitan Police announced yesterday.more

Money Saving Expert says Mondays and Tuesdays offer the best chance of cheap fares; Skyscanner explains pricing triggers.more

Parkland Walk is the longest linear nature reserve in London, following a former railway line between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. The route is about 4 km and open to walkers, cyclists and families.more

Showers across parts of the UK on Monday, followed by sunnier, warmer conditions up to about 24°C, with a return to more unsettled weather by the bank holiday weekend.more

The UK Government has issued an update on jet fuel supplies as many Britons prepare to go on holiday. There have been concerns about possible disruption following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. But ministers say there is no current shortage of jet fuel in the UK.more

A social media influencer has died six days after a car hit her and other pedestrians outside a nightclub in central London. Klaudia Zakrzewska, from Essex, was involved in the incident on Argyll Street in Soho at 04:30 BST on 19 April. She was taken to hospital but died on Saturday.more

All Claire's standalone stores in the UK and Ireland have stopped trading after the accessories chain's financial woes saw it fall into administration twice in a year.more