International News

The North Yorkshire spa town - which is home to more than 75,000 residents - has ranked above all towns and cities across the nation, according to a list of benefits compiled by the comparison website Uswitch. Harrogate ranked highly also due to its clean air, good access to the countryside and low crime rates. Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said it was no surprise that the town was rated as a top performer. He said: "Sometimes we don't realise what ...

AN EIGHT bedroom house in Reading is up for sale with a guide price of more than £5.5 million. The grade-II listed house in Hare Hatch, Reading, is situated in 35 acres of well-maintained grounds and gardens, and is on sale for approximately £5,950,000. Included with the property is a large cottage with garage which extends over 1,462 square feet, which is on the edge of the estate and is available for separation, redevelopment and relocation. Less than two miles from Tw...

Increase in production at plant will result in 1,650 new jobs and support thousands more in UK supply chain. Nissan has set out plans for a £1bn electric vehicle hub in Sunderland which the Japanese firm says will create 6,000 new jobs at the firm and among its suppliers, safeguarding the future of Britain’s largest car factory as motoring moves away from petrol and diesel. The plans, which are being underpinned by an estimated £100m in taxpayer funding, include an ele...

A string of initiatives aimed at tackling climate change have led to Oxfordshire County Council being shortlisted for a national award. The council’s climate action programme project is one of six finalists in the Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency category of the Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2021. Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s director of environment and place, said: “We are delighted that this programme has been shortlisted for an MJ Aw...

Plans for the first power station in the UK with net zero emissions have been announced. The natural gas plant at Wilton International on Teesside will capture and store carbon emissions offshore. Middlesbrough's Sembcorp Energy UK and US clean energy firm 8 Rivers Capital, who are behind the project, said it could create up to 2,000 jobs during construction and 200 during operation. Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said it was a "real game-changer". It was a "significant ...

Circle Line stations have the highest priced homes in London with the average property on the market for £852,000 - while buyers in the capital face a typical premium of nearly £50,000 to live closer to Tube or rail stops, a study has found. Nationwide Building Society published the findings today after comparing house prices within 500 metres (0.3 miles) of the nearest metro or railway station with similar properties 1.5km (0.9 miles) away. It found that people in London pay...

Schools and workplaces have been told they will be allowed to open later than usual on Monday, the morning after England’s Euro 2020 clash with Italy. Boris Johnson confirmed the decision with fans across the country expected to be nursing hangovers. It comes as the Prime Minister faces increasing pressure to declare an emergency bank holiday of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions can pull off a historic victory. The spokesperson for Boris Johnson said: “We would want bu...

A bid is being drawn up to secure city status for Reading as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year. Reading Borough Council said the town's "economic and culture strength" and "historic links to royalty" put it in a strong position. As part of a jubilee competition for the first time in 10 years, towns will be able to compete for city status. The authority said the change would boost Reading's tourism industry and economic recovery. Council leader Jason Bro...