MI5 ‘is to be given tough powers to make UK a harder environment for Kremlin spies to operate in’

MI5 are to be granted tough new powers to make the UK a harsher environment for Kremlin spies to operate in after a damning report by MPs said the Government ‘took its eye off the ball.’   In a devastating and long-awaited report, intelligence and security committee said the UK ‘badly underestimated’ the Russian threat as … Read more

MI5 ‘is to be given tough powers to make UK a harder environment for Kremlin spies to operate in’

MI5 are to be granted tough new powers to make the UK a harsher environment for Kremlin spies to operate in after a damning report by MPs said the Government ‘took its eye off the ball.’   In a devastating and long-awaited report, intelligence and security committee said the UK ‘badly underestimated’ the Russian threat as … Read more

Britain could have been hit harder by Covid-19 because it has avoided bad flu seasons

Britain could have been hit harder by Covid-19 than other European nations because the past two winter flu outbreaks have only been mild, according to a study. Researchers say influenza kills the same groups of people as the coronavirus, with both illnesses posing the greatest danger to the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Data … Read more

Why it’s never been harder to get a first foot on the property ladder

First-time buyers’ dreams of home ownership are hanging by a thread after a clampdown by banks and building societies. A rapidly rising number of lenders have ended mortgage offers for borrowers with 5 per cent and 10 per cent deposits.  The move has left many young buyers ‘effectively barred’ from the housing market, with some … Read more

Loneliness makes it harder to quit smoking, study finds

Long periods of loneliness, such as those experienced during the current coronavirus lockdown, makes smoking habits worse, according to a new study. Being alone increases both the likelihood of starting smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, while decreasing the likelihood of successfully quitting, UK researchers say. The team at the University of … Read more

Coronavirus: UK economy hit harder than European counterparts

Britain appears to be faring worse than its European counterparts as coronavirus lockdowns crush their economies. The UK reported a record-breaking 20.4 per cent fall in GDP in April on Friday, the first full month after people were ordered into their homes. While most other countries do not report monthly GDP figures, some countries do … Read more

Ruth Davidson reveals ‘keeping her head above water’ becomes ‘harder’ the longer lockdown goes on 

Ruth Davidson, 40, admits ‘keeping her head above water’ gets ‘harder’ the longer she is in lockdown – and is exercising, avoiding alcohol and eating well to protect her mental health Ruth Davidson, 40, has spoken out about mental health struggles in lockdown Former Scottish Tory leader revealed she is trying to ‘keep head above … Read more

Ruth Davidson reveals ‘keeping her head above water’ becomes ‘harder’ the longer lockdown goes on 

Ruth Davidson, 40, admits ‘keeping her head above water’ gets ‘harder’ the longer she is in lockdown – and is exercising, avoiding alcohol and eating well to protect her mental health Ruth Davidson, 40, has spoken out about mental health struggles in lockdown Former Scottish Tory leader revealed she is trying to ‘keep head above … Read more

Prince Harry will be a ‘lost soul in LA’ and will find it harder than Meghan Markle in the UK

Prince Harry will find it harder adjusting to life in LA than Meghan Markle did when she came to the UK, royal author Tom Quinn has claimed. Speaking on Channel 5’s Harry & Meghan: Two Troubled Years, which aired last night, Tom, who released Extracted from Kensington Palace: An Intimate Memoir From Queen Mary To Meghan … Read more

Can the High Street hold out? Every day of lockdown makes survival harder 

Southwold on the Suffolk coast is usually thronging on a sunny May weekend, not just with tourists but locals from surrounding villages, coming to enjoy the town’s thriving High Street with its independent retailers.  It is home to fashion stores, restaurants, a bakery, art galleries, a newsagent, a couple of hairdressers, an ironmonger, a book … Read more