Northern Ireland
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Listen John, taking Andy Burnham's olive branch may actually grant you indyref2
A Labour government in Westminster should always have been a problem for the SNP, especially a deflated, too-long-in-government SNP which had failed to deliver on many of the left-wing policies it had promised. But Keir Starmer was so deeply unpopular north of the border he failed to lay a blow
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SNP says campaign for next referendum on independence ‘has already begun’
John Swinney tells party conference SNP will use ‘six-figure war chest’ to renew argument for leaving UK
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Why hasn't the UK had any named storms yet?
So far this autumn wet and windy weather patterns have been steered away from the UK. When could we see that change?
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'I'm a homeless ex-soldier and it feels like having a target on my back'
Leeds beggar Graham spoke of the horrid abuse he's subjected to on the streets
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Swinney says the 'stars are aligning' for independence but polls show Scots split
John Swinney will tell SNP conference the stars are aligning for independence but three polls published this week show Scots are split on the constitution and rank it well below the cost of living in their list of priorities.
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Swinney insists 'stars are aligning' for Scottish independence
The first minister will tell delegates at the SNP conference in Aberdeen that 2026 has been a turning point in Scotland's "journey to nationhood".
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Two-week half terms - the school holiday no-one can agree on
Parents are divided, with some struggling to arrange childcare while others eye cheaper holidays.
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Police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife
Downing Street says Sarah Helm, the wife of Jonathan Powell, "does not represent the government in any capacity".
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The Independent: 40 years in 40 front pages
As The Independent celebrates its 40th anniversary, we take a look back at four decades of free thinking front pages
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Weekend weather forecast: Where heavy rain will hit UK with temperatures to plummet
Temperatures across the UK are expected to drop after a spell of unseasonably warm weather
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UK temperatures to drop for weekend as stormy weather may return next week
A sunnier but chillier weekend is on the way, ahead of some potentially stormy weather next week.
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What mounting pressures are pushing Scotland's car sales forecourts to collapse
A motor industry chief has highlighted mounting pressures after we revealed the collapse of two Scottish car sales firms in the space of a week
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All the new driving licence rules introduced in October
The changes come after the government announced in January that learner drivers in England and Wales could face a wait of six months between sitting their theory and practical tests
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Met needs to move away from criminalising sex workers, officers say after Levy failings
The force is piloting a two-officer female team in north London to engage with street sex workers, in a bid to improve trust.
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Burnham invites Swinney to work together on 'deeper Scottish devolution'
On his first substantive trip to Scotland since becoming PM, he says politicians should focus on solutions "right now" and move beyond the issue of Scottish independence.
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Andy Burnham to offer John Swinney deal to 'hand more power to Scotland's regions'
Andy Burnham is set to offer John Swinney a deal to empower Scotland’s regions, shifting power from Westminster and Holyrood to boost jobs and growth.
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Police Scotland officer found guilty of raping teenage girl and woman
Carmichael John Williamson attacked both women on the Shetland Islands
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Heating oil market to be better regulated under plans to help households
The Competition and Markets Authority launched a study into the sector after the Middle East conflict sent the cost of heating oil soaring.
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All the new driving licence rules introduced in October
The changes come after the government announced in January that learner drivers in England and Wales could face a wait of six months between sitting their theory and practical tests
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UK weather: Temperatures to rise to 23C before autumn chill sets in
Warm air will bring unseasonable warmth to the south and east of the UK on Thursday but chillier conditions are set to spread to all areas by the weekend.
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Ex-leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party sentenced to 15 years for sex abuse
The former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party has been on Thursday to 15 years in prison for the rape and sex abuse of two girls decades ago
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Wes Streeting in US for Hegseth meeting as Ukraine tensions escalate – UK politics live
Defence secretary’s meeting comes after Burnham said he would help facilitate reconciliation between Zelenskyy and Trump
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Yorkshire Christmas Tree Growers Win National Awards Ahead of Festive Season
Yorkshire Christmas tree growers have won national recognition, with York Christmas Trees crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2026 and a North
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Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for child sexual abuse – latest updates
Ex-leader deserves ‘every day of lengthy sentence,’ says DUP
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Scottish car dealer placed into compulsory liquidation after HMRC court action
A Scottish city car sales company has been placed into liquidation.
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Wales has a school standards crisis. Will plans to fix it actually work?
Wales scores poorly on international test results but it is not clear a new curriculum will help.
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HRT: Warning to women amid shortages of some products
Two brands of HRT patches, including Estradot transdermal and FemSeven Conti patches, have been affected.
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The small print of a free spin: what ‘no deposit’ actually means
You’ve signed up to an online casino, received 50 free spins and won £2.30. But for that money to actually end up in your account, you’ll first have to place bets totalling £23 to meet the 10x wagering requirements.
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One stolen every four minutes - inside the police battle against vehicle thieves
Officers tell the BBC they are overstretched and struggling to keep up with sophisticated criminals.
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All the new driving licence rules introduced in October
Learners must now spend at least six months getting driving experience before they can take a practical test
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Barack Obama awarded honorary degree from Queens University Belfast
Receiving his doctorate, the 44th US president praised Northern Ireland's progress and challenged the next generation to continue building a peaceful and inclusive future.
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Gales and heavy rain forecast for UK as Met Office wind warning issued
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind in north-west Scotland on Wednesday with 70mph gusts possible, as Ben Rich explains.
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Winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Striking images including an urban coyote and an elephant carrying a dead calf are among this year's winners.
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British and Irish governments ‘should negotiate paramilitary disbandment in Northern Ireland’
Report finds ‘window of opportunity’ for formal process involving loyalist and republican groups
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Heating oil market to be better regulated under plans to help households
The Competition and Markets Authority launched a study into the sector after the Middle East conflict sent the cost of heating oil soaring.
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MI5 chief Ken McCallum confirms Russia did interfere in Brexit referendum but says it had little impact – as it happened
He argued there was no evidence to suggest the result of the Brexit vote had been swayed as a result of the effort
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Tuesday briefing: Could Burnham take Britain back towards the EU?
In today’s newsletter: The prime minister is calling for closer ties with the EU, but what could this actually amount to?
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Ex-Conservative minister takes on new role at Harrogate AI firm
Former Conservative MP Steve Baker has joined civic AI startup Suffrago as a strategic adviser.
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Ex-Conservative minister takes on new role at Harrogate AI firm
Former Conservative MP Steve Baker has joined civic AI startup Suffrago as a strategic adviser.
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Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
Heating oil customers facing soaring bills are promised better regulation of the sector by the government.
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Drumcree: Garvaghy Road residents fail in bid to challenge Parades Commission decision
Judges said their decision was confined to the lawfulness of the decision, not in deciding whether or not the march should occur.
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Northern Lights visible in North East this week - 3 great places to see them
The Met Office says there will be "glancing coronal mass ejections" this week, meaning the Aurora Borealis may be visible.
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Andy Burnham to push for new post-Brexit deals at EU summit
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the prime minister was "unpicking" the deal the UK signed with the EU.
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Push for independence has 'turned a corner', Swinney claims
The push for Scottish independence has “turned a corner”, John Swinney has claimed.
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Former minister Steve Baker joins Harrogate-founded AI startup
Former government minister Steve Baker has joined Suffrago, a civic technology startup founded in Harrogate, as a strategic adviser.
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Majority of Scots say country is heading in the wrong direction, poll finds
Ipsos polling finds 51 of Scots think Scotland is heading in the wrong direction, challenging John Swinney as support for Holyrood-Westminster ties rises.
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All the new driving licence rules introduced in October
Learners must now spend at least six months getting driving experience before they can take a practical test
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The undercover female agents working in the shadows of The Troubles
The objective of female covert surveillance officers was to disappear into the background. Liz* tells Sam Kiley how that required obsessive attention to detail: no Army-issue watch, no perfume, no brightly coloured clothes - and no false steps
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Sinn Féin ministers facing no-confidence vote after Drumcree dispute
The motion against Michelle O'Neill and three other Sinn Féin ministers will be debated after receiving the backing of unionist parties last week.
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The six best Christmas markets in Europe to visit this winter
It’s hard to avoid overly commercialised markets full of generic imported tat, but these six festive villages are recommended for their Christmassy atmosphere