Image caption Energy firm Cuadrilla applied to frack at Roseacre Wood The government has refused planning permission for fracking at a second site in Lancashire. Energy firm Cuadrilla’s application for Roseacre Wood was refused by the local council and was the subject of a public inquiry. The company, already drilling at nearby Preston New Road, …
Taxi and private hire drivers in England and Wales could have to pass enhanced criminal record checks before being granted a licence, under new proposals. One woman shares her story of being assaulted by her taxi driver in the back of his car. She agreed to speak to the BBC but did not want to …
Image copyright SWA Exports of Scotch whisky hit a record high last year, according to new figures. Analysis of HMRC data by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) found exports grew 7.8% by value to £4.7bn. The number of bottles exported also reached record levels, growing by 3.6% to 1.28 billion. Blended Scotch achieved global exports …
Image copyright Reuters Image caption The Channel Tunnel – or Eurotunnel – connects Calais in France with Folkestone in the UK Trains will be permitted to use the Channel Tunnel for three months if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, under a proposed European Commission law. The planned legislation, published on Tuesday, will …
Image copyright Haynes Image caption John Haynes started the firm which went on to sell 200 million manuals The founder of the Haynes motor manuals – known for their distinctive “exploding” diagrams – has died aged 80. John Haynes started the firm after helping fix an Austin Healey Sprite and realising the official manual was …
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionMark Carney says no-deal Brexit would be economic shock Bank of England governor Mark Carney has urged MPs to solve the Brexit impasse in a speech warning of growing threats to the global economy. He said a no-deal Brexit would create an “economic shock” at a time …
Image copyright Getty Images Fraudster families are spearheading attempts to steal pension savings totalling millions of pounds, investigators have said. Married couples and their adult children have been identified as leading crime groups involved in the fraud by those tackling the scams. They try to steal life savings or persuade people to invest in high-risk …
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Esther Kiobel has waged a long campaign for justice The widow of a Nigerian activist suing oil giant Shell over the execution of her husband says his death left her “traumatised” and “poverty-stricken”. Esther Kiobel is testifying in court in The Hague, demanding compensation from the Netherlands-based firm. She …
Image copyright Getty Images Customers have been struggling to top up their pay-as-you-go energy meters owing to a fault at British Gas. Those on prepayment meters have been unable to pay via the supplier’s website and app. The company – the largest supplier in the UK – has apologised and is encouraging those affected to …
Image copyright EPA Image caption The sea of muddy sludge swept over roads and destroyed buildings The owner of a mining dam that collapsed in Brazil last month, killing 165, knew it was at a heightened risk of failure, Reuters claims in a report. According to an internal report seen by the news agency, Vale …