Miliband set to approve Jackdaw gas field drilling
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to approve drilling in the Jackdaw gas field, located 250 miles east of Aberdeen, to address fuel supply chain issues and rising energy costs. The project, which could supply gas to over a million homes this winter, was previously approved under the Conservative government but was halted due to a court ruling requiring a new environmental assessment. Despite Labour's 2024 manifesto pledging not to issue new oil and gas licenses, the government argues that the prior consent for Jackdaw allows for its approval.
14-Year-Old Shot Dead in Woolwich, Three Arrested
Eghosa Ogbebor, a 14-year-old boy, was shot dead in Woolwich, southeast London, on Thursday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police have arrested three individuals—a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old man—on suspicion of murder, and they remain in custody as the investigation continues. Police received reports of the shooting on Lord Warwick Street at approximately 15:40 BST, and Eghosa was pronounced dead at the scene.
Scotland braces for Storm Dave and severe weather
Scotland is preparing for severe weather as Storm Dave approaches, with the Met Office issuing multiple yellow wind warnings across the country. Power firm SSEN forecasts wind gusts could reach approximately 80mph in parts of the Western Isles and Skye, while snow is expected in the west Highlands, Argyll, and the Western Isles over the Easter weekend. Public transport and road travel are likely to be impacted, prompting authorities to advise travelers to plan ahead.
UK Mansion Tax to Impact 165000 Homeowners in 2024
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has projected that the UK's mansion tax will affect 165,000 homeowners in its first year, surpassing previous estimates by 45,000 properties. The tax, which will impose a surcharge on homes valued over £2 million, is expected to generate £400 million in revenue by 2028-29, with around 20% of those affected likely to appeal their property revaluations.
Government targets online knife sales by children
Policing minister Sarah Jones announced that children as young as 12 are engaging in the online sale of knives, likening the activity to running a 'tuck shop.' Commander Stephen Clayman, head of the newly established National Knife Crime Centre, highlighted that approximately 50,000 knife crimes were reported in England and Wales in the year ending September 2025, with a quarter of victims under 18. The government aims to halve knife crime within a decade and is implementing new legislation to strengthen age verification for online sales.
