The fiscal squeeze facing new Chancellor John Healey ahead of his inaugural Budget has been laid bare as official figures showed government borrowing unexpectedly rose to £1.8 billion last month..

The world’s oldest person is celebrating her 117th birthday after a year of “many firsts”, including meeting the King and holding his hand..

The UK is set to experience more storms and rain over the upcoming autumn and winter seasons caused by an “unprecedented” El Nino event, forecasters have warned..

Fly-tippers will be forced to pay for the clean-up when they dump waste illegally, Andy Burnham has said..