The VAT on private school fees is disproportionately impacting London families. High property values exclude them from means-tested bursaries, forcing many to consider remortgaging or pulling children out. Discover the financial solutions emerging.
An 11-year-old girl at Smestow Academy made a shocking discovery of a man's body during PE. Police are investigating the unexplained death. Read the full story.
The new Independent Football Regulator will use statutory powers to examine club finances and ownership. Its first 'State of the Game' report, due in 2027, promises the most in-depth review ever. Discover what this means for the English pyramid.
Plan your February 2026 half term in London. Get the official school holiday dates and discover top family activities, from the Young V&A's Aardman exhibition to the Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival.
An independent review is launched after Chelsea fans complain of 'hazardous' policing at Charlton. The Met says safety was the priority. Read the full story.
Beloved Covent Garden bookshop Magma shuts its doors for good after 26 years, citing unsustainable rents. Its King's Cross kiosk remains open. Discover the story behind the closure.
Exclusive Ipsos polling reveals just 32% of UK adults trust football or rugby club owners to run clubs sustainably. 90% demand stronger 'fit and proper' tests. Read the full analysis.
Independent UK breweries like Anspach & Hobday are carving a niche in the booming nitro stout market, offering complex alternatives to the dominant Guinness. Discover the rise of craft dark beers.
As trust in traditional media wanes, independent journalists are finding success with subscriber-funded newsletters and niche reporting, covering stories mainstream outlets avoid. Explore the rise of this new media landscape.
Independent pub group Urban Pubs & Bars has acquired five premium London venues, expanding its estate to 65 sites and reporting over £100m in annual sales. Discover the latest in London's hospitality growth.
Trinity School in Shirley, Croydon, has unveiled major expansion plans to welcome girls for the first time, aiming for 1,400 pupils by 2031. Read the full details.
Three schoolboys suffered potentially serious injuries after falling from a double-decker bus window on Bolton Road. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the scene.
A charming new bookshop and café, Funny Weather, has opened its doors at 31 Grove Terrace, NW5, just before Christmas. Discover its curated selection and cosy reading nooks.
A family endured weeks of trauma after South Yorkshire Police incorrectly identified a crash victim. Read their heartbreaking statement and the police response.
A North London teacher has been banned from teaching for life after using his school's intranet to send sexual messages to a pupil. Read the full details of the case and the school's response.
The family of Joshua Johnson, 18, speak out after police wrongly identified another boy as the victim of a fatal Rotherham car crash. Read their heartbreaking tribute.
South Yorkshire Police referred itself to the IOPC after a tragic mix-up saw Joshua Johnson's family told he survived a Rotherham crash when he had died. Read the full story.
Staff at Woodfield School in Brent announce seven more strike days after rejecting an offer to cut hours. The NEU warns the trust over using agency staff during industrial action.
Award-winning travel writer Ben Aitken champions Newport, Wales, highlighting its independent scene and rich history, despite recent negative rankings. Discover why it's worth a weekend visit.
The death of a 44-year-old Aboriginal woman in a Tennant Creek watch house has led to demands for an independent inquiry, amid concerns over internal police investigations.
Stuck in a cycle of binge-reading and slumps from online recommendations, a self-confessed book nerd turned to real-life booksellers for help. Discover the three transformative novels that broke the drought and sparked unexpected tears.
Discover how Shepherd's Bush's Askew Road shed its tough reputation to become a thriving 'village' hub with independent shops, Victorian homes, and a strong community spirit. Explore its transformation today.
A man was shot dead by armed police in Thetford, Norfolk, following a two-vehicle collision and reports he was carrying a handgun. The incident is under independent investigation.
As Inglewood's school district faces multiple closures under state receivership, lifelong residents and teachers fight to save their community's heart. Discover the battle behind the glitz of LA's 'City of Champions'.
Britain's independent pubs are closing at a record rate, blaming soaring costs and tax policy, while major chains report record sales. Could your local be next?
A growing number of UK schools are replacing traditional nativity plays with inclusive, mixed-faith festive performances. Discover how educators are reflecting 21st-century Britain's diversity.
Donlon Books in London Fields has been selected by Cultured magazine as one of the 11 greatest indie bookshops globally. Discover its unique collection of rare art and counterculture titles.
Independent businesses in Clevedon's Hill Road warn new parking fees proposed by North Somerset Council could drive customers away, threatening the town's vibrant retail scene. Read why they're fighting back.
Gail's Bakery faces local criticism as it opens a new branch in Tooting, South London. Independent café owners fear the chain's strategy threatens their survival. Read the full story.
South Korean MPs have voted to establish an independent parliamentary inquiry into the Jeju Air disaster that killed 179 people, amid accusations of delays and cover-ups by the official investigation body.