Sick pay rule changes to benefit up to 9.6m UK workers, TUC says pred 8 urami in 46 minutami Union says new entitlements, part of Employment Rights Act 2025, will help lower-income householdsUp to 9.6 million UK workers are to benefit from the changes to sick pay rules, according to unions. They say the policy has widespread support from voters despite pushback from some businesses.From Monday, about 8.4 million workers who rely on statutory sick pay – the minimum amount employers must pay – will be paid from the first day of becoming ill rather than from day four, according to an analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Tehran warns Trump over strait of Hormuz threat; Netanyahu suggests Israel helped US rescue airman pred 8 urami in 51 minutami Iran’s parliamentary speaker decries US president’s ‘reckless moves’ after expletive-ridden threat; Israeli PM says Trump ‘expressed his appreciation for Israel’s help’Trump warns Iran to reopen strait of Hormuz by Tuesday or face ‘hell’‘Unhinged madman’: US politicians react to Trump Iran threatIran’s central military command has warned of “much more devastating” retaliation if the US hits civilian targets.If attacks on civilian targets are repeated, the next stages of our offensive and retaliatory operations will be much more devastating and widespread.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
When Suzuki met Suzuki: why a Tokyo dating agency is matching couples with the same name pred 12 urami in 28 minutami Japan’s ban on married couples having different surnames has prompted an event to highlight people’s reluctance to change their nameAt the very least, the three men and three women calming their nerves on a Friday evening at a venue in Tokyo know they have one thing in common.Spaced out across booths, they will soon be placed in pairs and given 15 minutes to get to know one another. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS urges patients not to put off care as doctors in England prepare for strike pred 13 urami in 44 minutami People encouraged to ‘come forward as normal’ when BMA members begin industrial action over pay on TuesdayThe NHS is urging patients not to put off seeking the care they need when resident doctors press ahead with strike action from Tuesday, a stoppage that the health secretary has called “disappointing”.Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are to stage a six-day strike after the government took a key part of its offer off the table. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Blue badge permits now held by 1 in 15 adults in England pred 13 urami in 44 minutami Councils urged to crack down on misuse of parking permits that help people with disabilities and health conditionsCouncils in England have been urged to crack down on the misuse of blue badge parking permits – legitimate and counterfeit – as the proportion of people holding them has reached one in 15.The AA called for more to be done to detect offences such as people using fake or stolen badges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New UK farm inheritance tax rule will cause ‘significant challenges’, say accountants pred 13 urami in 45 minutami Levy on inherited farms and family businesses worth £2.5m or more comes into force 6 AprilA new inheritance tax regime for UK farms and family businesses comes into force on Monday and will present “significant challenges” for those affected, according to accountants.In October 2024 the government announced plans to levy inheritance tax on farms – prompting an outcry in many quarters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hubs to help young people away from crime and into work to open in England pred 13 urami in 45 minutami Announcement of eight young futures hubs made as concerns grow over the number of knives on the streetsEight young futures youth hubs aimed at giving young people support towards work and away from street crime are to open across England, ministers have announced.The youth centres are supposed to help people aged up to 18 with employment advice, health and wellbeing, and are also aimed at preventing them from falling into a life of crime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
