Sunday, 15 March 2026
Clement Cuthbertson, a DUP councillor in Dungannon, sparked controversy by stating that the Irish tricolour should not be used to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, advocating instead for the use of St Patrick's Cross. His Facebook post, which he described as 'an annual reminder,' received significant attention, amassing 1,400 comments and over 215 shares, with many users challenging his stance.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans for a new energy subsidy package aimed at providing greater support for poorer households in the UK, particularly those reliant on heating oil not covered by the energy price cap. This initiative comes amid rising oil supply concerns following an attack on Kharg island, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, and could lead to significant increases in energy bills if the conflict escalates. Reeves indicated that the government has identified funding for this targeted support, which is expected to be detailed next week.
The UK Labour government is set to introduce a £3,000 subsidy scheme for businesses that hire young people currently receiving benefits, aiming to address the rising number of under-25s not in education, employment, or training (NEET). As of October to December 2025, 957,000 individuals aged 16 to 24 were classified as NEET, representing 12.8% of that age group, with the unemployment rate for young people at 15.9%, up from 14.4% the previous year.
A 43-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of an 18-day-old baby girl who fell from a property on Horseferry Road in Westminster, London. The Metropolitan Police reported that officers were called to the scene on Saturday morning, where the infant was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, leading the investigation, stated that the incident is believed to have occurred within a domestic context.
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