Taxi drivers across England are set to face "rigorous vetting" under new licensing reforms, a minister has confirmed, as the government moves to address concerns over passenger safety and exploitation.more

New research has revealed the UK’s top high streets for independent shops, with multiple London locations on the list. American Express and GlobalData considered factors such as the quantity of independent shops, the street’s vibrancy, and its overall aesthetic appeal. The findings were revealed ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday, which takes place on December 6.more

Only about five per cent of Londoners on the waiting list for a council home have any chance of being rehoused, a City Hall inquiry has been told.more

Thousands of Tube station ticket barriers are getting a new look – with passengers being offered up to £180 a year “cash back” on their fares. Transport for London has signed a new sponsorship deal with the online bank Chase, and its blue and white logo will feature on about 5,000 “contactless” barriers on the London Underground.more

When Surrey is mentioned to those outside its boundaries, the word "posh" inevitably springs to mind. The county has earned a prestigious reputation as one of England's wealthiest regions, renowned for its beautiful countryside, high property prices, and excellent transport links to the capital.more

Rachel Reeves is delivering a speech in the House of Commons setting out details of her second Budget since becoming chancellor. A number of measures from the yearly tax and spending plan had already been announced in the days leading up to the statement. Other measures have been revealed by accident after the UK's budgetary watchdog mistakenly published its official forecast early.more

The Met Office said a single snowflake has to be observed falling on Christmas Day anywhere in the UK for it to be called a ‘white Christmas’.more

Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty to all 31 charges after ploughing his car into a dense crowd of supporters at the Liverpool FC victory parade. The 54-year-old admitted dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.more

Food-delivering robots could be coming to a front door near you in just a few weeks. Uber Eats has promised to start rolling out the autonomous delivery bots in two major UK cities “before the end of the year”. The food brand has partnered with robots company Starship Technologies, which will begin deploying the bots this year, before expanding into Europe in 2026 and the US in 2027.more

Fears have emerged that London commuters face being “singled out” for fare hikes while the rest of the country enjoys a freeze in the cost of rail travel. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced that “regulated” rail fares will be frozen from March 2026, saving commuters up to £350 a year.more

Pre-packaged milkshakes and coffees that are high in sugar will be hit with an extra tax from 2028, after the health secretary announced he was extending the tax on fizzy drinks to include milk-based products.more

Ministers have backed plans from Heathrow Airport’s owners that would see the M25 moved to make way for a third runway. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejected a rival proposal from Arora Group, saying Heathrow’s own plans were “the most credible and deliverable option”.more

The list of the most expensive shopping streets in the world has been released, and a renowned shopping destination in London’s West End has come out on top. The “Main Streets Across the World” list is published every year by real estate company Cushman & Wakefield, with 2025 marking its 35th year running.more

The UK media represents Polish migrants in a more negative light compared to how it treats German migrants – according to a new study, which sets out recommendations for editors and journalists on how to improve balance in their coverage. Research from the University of Birmingham has been published in a report titled Representing Central and East European migrants in the media.more

Shoppers holding out for a Black Friday bargain on 28 November may not get the best prices, according to Which? research that found none of the offers on the day were at their lowest level over a 12-month stretch.more

A “next generation” immunotherapy treatment that has the potential to cure leukaemia has been given NHS approval. The treatment, known as Obe-cel, is a type of cell therapy developed in the UK and works by genetically modifying cells to enable the body’s own immune system to recognise and attack cancer.more

BBC Board Chairman Samir Shah admitted yesterday before the parliamentary culture committee that the response to misleading material about US President Donald Trump was delayed. Shah also rejected the claim that the broadcaster's impartiality is being undermined by its management.more

Elderly residents in England will have to wait an additional year to receive their free bus pass, as confirmed by the Department for Transport. This change is set to take effect from April next year.more

The government has announced a new national day "to honour and remember" victims and survivors of terrorism in the UK. The event will take place on 21 August in a different location across the country each year, with the first held in 2026, the Home Office has said.more

The mayor of London has cautiously welcomed reports that he is to impose a tourist levy on visitors staying overnight in the capital. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sir Sadiq Khan and other civic chiefs the authority to do so through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.more

Londoners are set to be faced with more bad weather after a recent drop in temperatures has left us feeling frozen. Right after London and other parts of the UK felt the wrath of Storm Claudia, the elements aren’t going to improve any time soon.more

Rachel Reeves will launch a fresh crackdown on benefit fraud at the same time as lifting the two-child limit for universal credit at a cost of £3bn, as ministers seek to head off criticism over rising welfare spending in the budget.more

Changes to the driving test come into place on Monday (24 November), including requiring candidates to spend longer on faster roads. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it is making the change to better represent the conditions many motorists experience after passing their test, such as driving on rural roads.more

Two Russian warships were intercepted in the English Channel by the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. In the latest incident involving Russia's ships entering waters around the UK, HMS Severn headed off the RFN Stoikiy, a corvette and Yelnya, a tanker, as they sailed west through the Dover Strait into the English Channel in the past fortnight. more

Rail fares in England are to be frozen next year for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced. The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns.more