The North East is in line for a 16 per cent hit in GDP in the eventuality of a Brexit no deal, government analysis has revealed in a new leak. These figures have just come out and were contained in the secret Government-commissioned EU Exit Analysis - Cross Whitehall Briefing, some of which was controversially leaked last week. The analysis shows the impact of leaving the EU over 15 years compared to what would happen to the UK economy if...

By Garry Lemon, Head of External Affairs at Trussell Trust In the House of Commons on the 18th October last year, MPs were debating the biggest change to the British welfare system in a generation – a radical transformation that will eventually affect millions of UK households. On that day, MPs were locked in debate around Universal Credit, which aims to simplify the current system of benefits by rolling several benefits and tax credits into one package, while making it easier for...

GMB, the union for NHS staff, has praised North Bristol NHS Trust’s decision to keep non clinical services in house. The trust decided not to establish a subsidiary company to run non-clinical services at NBT, after prolonged challenge from union. The move means that all facilities services will remain within the Trust and will not be under a pseudo-private company. In June 2017 North Bristol Trust commissioned a feasibility study on the possibility of setting up a subsidiary company to...

New Manchester United signing Alexis Sanchez has been handed a 16-month suspended sentence for tax evasion by a Spanish court. The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward was found guilty of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of £900,000 during his spell at the Nou Camp. But under Spanish law, the 29-year-old will not go to prison as the sentence is less than two years and it is his first offence. Instead Sanchez, the highest played Premier League player must pay a...

By Dan Betts The London Football Awards are back for 2018, and they’re bigger than ever. In its fourth year, the London Football Awards showcase the finest that the London-based clubs have to offer, in both men’s and ladies football. The likes of Ainslie Maitland-Niles, Wilfried Zaha and Mauricio Pochettino have been nominated from the men’s game, while Lionesses Jordan Nobbs, Fran Kirby and Danielle Carter are in the running for the prestigious Women’s Player of the Year award. Last...

A paedophile and his girlfriend have been jailed for 17 years after she helped him rape a schoolgirl twice. A court heard Stephen Arnopp, 34, and Gemma Hill, 33, were arrested after officers found their victim's underwear at his home. The pair exchanged texts discussing in graphic detail how he would rape the schoolgirl and plans to rape a second girl aged nine. Arnopp was jailed for 11 years for abusing and twice raping a girl under 13-years-old in Welwyn...

Britain's worst sex offender made his victims eat dog food naked, put clothes pegs on their nipples and write "I am a slut" in lipstick on their bodies, a court heard. Depraved university academic Dr Matthew Falder, 29, blackmailed vulnerable teenage girls before sharing twisted "hurt core" abuse images on the dark web. He is due to be sentenced this week at Birmingham Crown Court as one of the most prolific sex offenders in British legal history. The Cambridge University...

These adorable images show the very first steps taken by a five-month-old gorilla called Makari as he larks about with his playful troop of endangered primates. Tiny Makari can be seen by visitors to Blackpool Zoo sitting up and moving around under the watchful eye of his mum Miliki and dad Bukavu. Makari The Western Lowland baby gorilla - whose name was handpicked by zoo staff over a Facebook poll - was born in September last year. He joins up...

A stone’s throw from Smithfield Market, two of London’s most outstanding Michelin starred restaurants (St. JOHN and Club Gascon) exist and thrive within this often overlooked part of Central London: especially so far as eating out is concerned. I’ve recently reported on the boredom that can - and often does – accompany fine dining. Yes, the statement is one of those infuriating #firstworldproblems; but that not the point. The problem lies with all high-end restaurants (particularly the 60 restaurants in...