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The latest local and national UK and International news.
Free NHS prescriptions could be axed from April amid price and tax hikes
The blow for the over-60s comes amid increases in National Insurance, energy bill costs, income tax, rail fares and council tax.
Omicron outbreak leaves entire fire station without firefighters
Stations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight declared their fire engines unavailable last week due to Covid outbreaks.
Johnson breaks Brexit vow to slash VAT again as energy bills set to rise
Despite not seeming keen to cut VAT as per the Leave campaign promise, he took the opportunity to say this week that leaving the EU means the UK can now set its own VAT rates.
‘Disastrous’ if Andrew uses loophole to avoid charges
"Andrew is seeking to use a legal loophole, a technicality, to avoid scrutiny over claims of sexual abuse. That is totally unacceptable."
It’s already too late for new Covid curbs, expert says
There's evidence Omicron is turning a corner in London, Dr Mike Tildesley said.
Nonplussed reactions to Downing Street briefing that could have been a text message
"PM has responded to concerns a 250% increase in Covid hospitalisations is leaving the NHS at risk of collapse by not doing a thing about it."
Watch: UK supermarket boss calls for Covid sufferers to be allowed to return to work
He said an "exponential" rise in staff absence is crippling the company, with 3,300 workers currently off sick
Macron says he ‘really wants to piss off’ the unvaccinated
The French president suggested an unvaccinated person is "irresponsible" and "not a citizen".
‘Patriotic’ Starmer vows to ‘make Brexit work’ if he wins the next general election
“Making Brexit work is painstaking work, and slogans won't cut it," the Labour leader said.