UK

New immigration rules could prevent universities from hiring the best international talent and send a message that the UK is “closing ranks”, higher education leaders have warned. Academics and University bodies have told Sky News an increase in the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa effectively prices out early career academics and researchers vital

The UK is braced for more winds and rain this weekend, with gusts of up to 70mph expected to hit the country. Weather warnings have been issued across the UK for the next few days, with downpours and strong gusts expected all weekend. Areas along the Irish Sea coast should prepare for the potential of

Scotland’s highest civil court has ruled that the UK government acted lawfully in blocking Holyrood’s controversial gender reform bill. Legislation making it easier for people to change their legally-recognised sex was passed by MSPs last December. It then became a constitutional dispute in January when the UK government took the unprecedented step of using a

Britain’s critical infrastructure will be more at risk from extreme weather if the world waivers on its commitment to net zero targets, according to exclusive analysis for Sky News. Power stations, transport networks and airports are all more likely to be damaged or disrupted as global average temperatures climb higher, data from risk assessors Climate

Benjamin Zephaniah, the British poet and writer, has died aged 65. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight weeks ago, a post on his Instagram page said, describing him as a “true pioneer and innovator” who “gave the world so much”. “Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he

Homes have been evacuated as a bomb disposal squad investigates a “suspicious item” found in a house in north-west England. Cumbria Police declared a “major incident” after they discovered the item on Wednesday afternoon following concerns for the welfare of an individual in Steel Street, Ulverston. A 46-year-old man was arrested and is being held

Boris Johnson was interrupted as he apologised for the “suffering” caused by the COVID pandemic. Four people were subsequently removed from the hearing, where they had been in the public gallery holding up pictures. Mr Johnson had told the inquiry: “I am deeply sorry for the pain and loss and suffering.” One protester held up

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a heavily pregnant woman was stabbed in Aberfan, South Wales. The 29-year-old woman has been taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Local schools and childcare facilities were placed into lockdown as a precaution. Aberfan stabbing – follow live In

Emergency services are responding to reports of a serious assault in Aberfan, South Wales Police have said. Armed officers are in the area, police said, and residents have been urged to avoid the area. The incident took place on Moy Road just before 9.10am this morning. Paramedics say a person has been taken to hospital.

A new five-point plan to reduce immigration has been announced by the government, which includes banning care workers from bringing over their families and increasing the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa. Home Secretary James Cleverly has come under pressure since taking office three weeks ago to show he is taking a hardline on

Around 1,500 homes and businesses are still without power after heavy snow caused major power cuts in Cumbria. It came as much of the country was hit by cold and wet conditions over the weekend, including a low of -12.5C recorded in northern Scotland overnight. Freezing conditions are forecast to continue on Monday and the

A British soldier shot dead on a motorcycle trip in Kenya was killed just three days before he was due to finish his deployment. Major Kevin McCool, 32, was off-duty when he was attacked on 29 November. His father Joseph said he was on a bike trip away from base, preparing for the end of

A fresh amber snow warning is in place for parts of the North West region of England as the UK’s frosty start to December continues. The warning covers the coastal area of west Cumbria, and central and western parts of the Lake District and falls within a wider area already covered by a yellow warning

Weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across swathes of the UK as temperatures plummeted below freezing overnight. Forecasters have warned the wintry conditions could affect some road and rail journeys with icy surfaces posing the risk of injury from slips and falls. Glasgow Airport has suspended flights due to heavy snow, with

Charlotte, not her real name, wanders back and forth with her empty coffee cup held out towards the tide of commuters coming through the barriers. Rush hour at Whitechapel underground station is the best time of day for the small, frail, 23-year-old to earn enough change to pay for her next hit. She’s agitated, but

Sarah* was a “smug married” woman with a “middle-class, middle-everything life”, before a knock on the door brought her world crashing down. Early one morning, the day before her son’s birthday, she awoke to find police officers in her bedroom. Her husband was standing there with the police – their “really average” life would never

Parts of the UK could see up to 5cm of snow today, with temperatures set to fall as low as -10C (14F) in some areas. Three yellow weather warnings are currently in place, with Met Office forecasters warning that colder conditions will persist into the weekend. The whole eastern coast of the UK, stretching from

Buckingham Palace is considering whether it should take action after the King and Princess of Wales were named in the Dutch version of a new book as senior royals who questioned what skin colour Prince Archie would have. When the unsubstantiated allegation first surfaced two years ago, the palace described it as fiction. And there

Musician and singer Shane MacGowan, best known as the frontman of The Pogues, has died at the age of 65. His wife Victoria Mary Clarke said in a post on Instagram: “Shane will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life.” The

A 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to two years in custody at a young offenders’ institution for causing the death of a grandmother by dangerous driving. Marcia Grant was run over with her own car in Greenhill, Sheffield, on 5 April. The offender, who was 12 at the time and cannot be named for legal