Author: BBC

Lloyds Banking Group is setting aside an additional £800m for car finance compensation claims, bringing the total amount allocated by the bank for redress to nearly £2bn.The company said that the number of eligible claims is expected to be higher than previously thought.Millions of drivers who bought cars on finance with hidden commission payments between 2007 and 2024 may be eligible for redress.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published details of its proposed compensation scheme last week.The FCA said payouts could be due on around 14 million unfair deals, averaging at about £700 each.This could result in lenders paying out a…

The Dutch government said on Sunday that it had taken the “highly exceptional” decision to intervene at Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia over a potential “risk to Dutch and European economic security”.The Netherlands-based firm’s owner Wingtech said on Monday that it will take actions to protect its rights and will seek government support.The development threatens to raise tensions between the European Union and China, which have increased in recent months over trade and Beijing’s relationship with Russia.Nexperia was forced to sell its silicon chip plant in Newport, Wales, after MPs and ministers expressed national security concerns. It currently owns a UK facility…

Women across the West Midlands are being disproportionately affected by gaps in HIV prevention, according to a new report.Data released ahead of a meeting which will explore the issue shows that while women accounted for 42% of new HIV diagnoses in the region, only 3% of women in the West Midlands are using prevention measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP, available as a daily pill or an injection every eight weeks, significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV.As health leaders and advocates gather to discuss what they describe as a “stark” gender gap, calls are growing for urgent action…

Katy AustinTransport correspondent BBCPeople wait to go through departures at Eurostar’s London St Pancras terminusThe next time you travel from the UK to Europe, you might notice some changes.The EU’s much-delayed new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System or EES, is now being gradually introduced.The system is meant to strengthen security and ultimately make travel smoother, but there have been concerns there will be queues when people first register.What is EES and where is it being introduced?EES is a digital system designed to keep track of when non-EU citizens enter and leave the Schengen Area.This covers 29 European countries -…

Imran Rahman-JonesTechnology reporter andLiv McMahonTechnology reporterGetty ImagesMicrosoft is encouraging users to update to Windows 11There is a big change coming for many people who use Windows computers. Microsoft is ending support for its Windows 10 operating system, which means from Wednesday 14 October, these computers may be at risk.This is because security updates will stop, making devices more vulnerable to attack.Microsoft is encouraging people to upgrade for free to Windows 11 – but not all computers will be able to do that. “The end of support for Windows 10 is shaping up to be a disaster for both consumers and…

Sam, a lifelong Everton fan, opens up to Toffees vice-captain James Tarkowski about his mental health struggles – and how Everton in the Community has helped turn his life around.If you have been affected by issues raised in this video, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.

Natalie ShermanBusiness reporterWatch: ‘It was shocking’, Trump says of China’s tightened export rules for rare earthsUS President Donald Trump has said he would impose an additional 100% tariff on imports from China from next month. In a post on social media, Trump said the US would also put export controls on critical software. In an earlier post on Friday, he hit back at Beijing’s move this week to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and trying to hold the world “captive”.He threatened to pull out of a meeting with China’s President Xi…

Suranjana TewariAsia business correspondent, Tokyo andPeter HoskinsBusiness reporterReutersAsahi Super Dry is Japan’s most popular beerOnly four bottles of Asahi Super Dry beer are left on the shelves of Ben Thai, a cosy restaurant in the Tokyo suburb of Sengawacho.Its owner, Sakaolath Sugizaki, expects to get a few more soon, but she says her supplier is keeping the bulk of its stock for bigger customers.That’s because Asahi, the maker of Japan’s best-selling beer, was forced to halt production at most of its 30 factories in the country at the end of last month after being hit by a cyber-attack.While all of…

Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondentWatch: Prince William was visibly moved as he heard first hand about the devastating impact of suicide, having to pause during a conversationThe Prince of Wales was visibly moved as he heard first hand about the devastating impact of suicide, having to pause during a conversation with Rhian Mannings, whose husband took his own life.Rhian has since set up a bereavement charity – and Prince William’s Royal Foundation is contributing £1m to develop a National Suicide Prevention Network.The network, which will operate across the UK, will work to understand more about the root causes of suicide and to…

Hayley ClarkeEducation reporter andEmily DoughtyPA MediaUniversity and College Union (UCU) members at Edinburgh University took industrial action in SeptemberUniversities have collectively announced more than 12,000 job cuts in the last year, new analysis from the University and College Union (UCU) suggests.Additional cost savings announced in the same period are equivalent to a further 3,000 jobs, the union says, but universities have not confirmed whether these savings will be made by cutting staff.UCU members will vote on potential UK-wide strike action later this month over a 1.4% pay offer made over the summer.Employers say that offer “clearly does not reflect the…