By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar
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Illegal unregistered schools face prosecution
By Branwen Jeffreys Published 11 December 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Ofsted is to set up a taskforce of inspectors to seek out unregistered schools that are operating outside the law in England. Chief Inspector of Schools Sir Michael Wilshaw says there is a serious and growing threat to the safety of children. Inspectors have found three unregistered schools operating in Birmingham in recent weeks. The government says it is taking robust steps against unregistered schools. Analysis : From BBC education editor Branwen Jeffreys Anywhere that offers more than 20 hours a week of teaching is legally obliged to be registered as a school. The three schools inspected by Ofsted had not met this requirement to register. It is likely the children being sent to some of the centres breaching that threshold are registered as home-educated. The … [Read more...] about Illegal unregistered schools face prosecution
Cost of living: Disability charity says carers are skipping meals
Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A national charity supporting children with disabilities says more than 90% of the families it helps are struggling to pay bills due to rising living costs. Half of carers looking after disabled youngsters have skipped meals in the past 12 months to cut back on spending, a survey by Family Fund suggests. A West Yorkshire family supported by the charity say they are "scared" they won't be able to afford winter heating. The government said it was helping families with disabled children. York-based Family Fund said many families with seriously ill or disabled children faced higher energy bills due to the need to power home medical equipment. Frequent GP or hospital appointments mean regular car journeys for many, including the family of 11-year-old Charlie, from Bingley in West Yorkshire. "We can't go on as … [Read more...] about Cost of living: Disability charity says carers are skipping meals
Yorkshire Dales school with 11 children could close
Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A tiny primary school in the Yorkshire Dales which has only 11 pupils could close next year. Governors at Fountains Earth Church of England Primary School in Lofthouse, Nidderdale, said there was no sign of pupil numbers growing in future. They said they had "with a heavy heart" started the process of applying for a consultation for closure. Chair of governors Abi Broadley said: "Our decision has not been taken lightly." She added: "Despite the best efforts of our headteacher, staff and governors, we cannot overcome the challenges of having such low pupil numbers. "We feel that we have exhausted all options to us to provide the right educational, social and emotional provision." Public meeting School leaders said the wide age range in classes meant delivering a varied, thorough curriculum and the … [Read more...] about Yorkshire Dales school with 11 children could close
Steve Barclay: What will new health secretary tackle first?
By Jim Reed Published 6 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Steve Barclay has been named as the new health secretary following the resignation of Sajid Javid, who stepped down after saying he had lost faith in Boris Johnson's leadership. Mr Barclay had been working as the chief of staff at No 10, a powerful role in which he advised the prime minister and managed the machinery of government. Before that, he was chief secretary to the Treasury, a Brexit minister and served for a short while as a junior health minister in 2018. Delighted to be back at @DHSCgovuk taking up the role of Health & Social Care Secretary. @NHSEngland & social care staff. https://t.co/PaFG8QzmU8 — Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) July 5, 2022 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. View original … [Read more...] about Steve Barclay: What will new health secretary tackle first?
Father and daughter guilty of running illegal school
By Hannah Richardson Published 12 September 2019 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A head teacher and her father have been found guilty of running an unregistered school in a run-down building, in the second prosecution of its kind. Nadia and Arshad Ali were convicted at Westminster Magistrates' Court of running an unregistered private school, Ambassadors High in Streatham. The school charged £4,500 a year per pupil and had 45 children on the roll. By law, any institution which has more than five full-time pupils has to be officially registered and inspected. Mr Ali and the company behind the school were fined, while sentencing of Ms Ali is due to take place on Monday. Warning notice In June 2018, inspectors from Ofsted's unregistered schools taskforce visited the school - which was described as having an Islamic ethos - and warned the head teacher, … [Read more...] about Father and daughter guilty of running illegal school
Sydney floods aftermath: ‘Everybody is traumatised’
By Shaimaa Khalil Published 20 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing In the town of Windsor, north-west of Sydney, some roads have turned into small rivers. And the only way to get around is by boat. Mathew Benson has been rowing up and down one of the streets in a neighbourhood in the suburb of Australia's largest city. "I'm bringing food and water to people over there," he tells me, pointing to the other side. "We're just watching and waiting." While some cars are barely visible, others are completely submerged. Many residents in the area have had to leave their homes and others are stranded as roads have been cut off. Thousands have been left without power. Another local, Sam, points to her house just across the submerged road. "We don't know about the second floor. But the first floor is definitely flooded," she tells me in tears. This is the … [Read more...] about Sydney floods aftermath: ‘Everybody is traumatised’
Australia floods: 50,000 on evacuation alert after deluge hits Sydney
By Tiffanie Turnbull Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing About 50,000 people have been urged to evacuate their homes as floods hit Australia's largest city for the third time this year. Parts of Sydney have received about eight months of rain in four days. Roads have been cut off, some houses are under water and thousands have been left without power. Widespread flooding across Australia - driven by a La Niña weather pattern - has killed more than 20 people this year, many in New South Wales (NSW). More than 100 evacuation orders have been issued across Greater Sydney for the current emergency. People in another 50 areas have been warned to prepare to leave, as several major rivers flood. Severe weather is also hitting the nearby Hunter and Illawarra regions. Some areas of NSW have seen 800mm of rain in four days, says the Bureau of … [Read more...] about Australia floods: 50,000 on evacuation alert after deluge hits Sydney