Author: BBC

Osmond ChiaBusiness reporterGetty ImagesHinkley Point C in Somerset is under constructionThe UK has become the “most expensive place in the world” to build nuclear power plants, according to a government review which criticises “overly complex” bureaucracy around the sector.The report, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calls for a “one-stop shop” for nuclear decisions. A “radical reset” of the rules around nuclear power could save Britain “tens of billions” in costs and reverse the industry’s “decline” in recent years, the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce said.It comes as the UK government looks to build a new generation of nuclear…

Getty ImagesTwitch is the latest platform to be included in Australia’s teen social media banTwitch, a streaming platform popular with gamers, has been added to Australia’s teen social media ban that starts next month.It joins other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat that must ensure under-16s cannot open accounts and that existing ones are closed from 10 December.Australia’s internet regulator overseeing the ban said Twitch – owned by Amazon -had been included as its main purpose was “online social interaction” where users were encouraged to chat to each other about posted content.A Twitch spokesperson said Australians under 16…

Sarah McCubbinSarah McCubbin said taking part in the singing sessions was “a game-changer”A woman says a singing class was a life-saver in improving her breathing and has boosted her overall wellbeing. Sarah McCubbin, 53, from Amesbury in Wiltshire, has asthma and suffered a type 2 respiratory failure, which causes dangerously low blood oxygen levels, three years ago.She is one of hundreds of people who have found joining a singing session has improved her lung health and overall wellbeing, a report has revealed.Ms McCubbin said after a few months she noticed she could say whole sentences without having to take a…

Rail fares in England next year are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced.The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns.The most recent fare rise, in March 2025, was 4.6%. Rail fares traditionally have gone up in January, based on the July rate of the retail price index (RPI) + 1% – although this formula has not always been followed.The announcement comes days before the chancellor sets out the government’s financial plans in the Budget on Wednesday, with Rachel Reeves indicating that cutting the…

Two teenagers accused of being involved in hacking Transport for London’s computers have both pleaded not guilty to computer hacking charges during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court.Thalha Jubair 19, from East London, and Owen Flowers, 18, from Walsall in the West Midlands spoke only to confirm their names and enter pleas at the brief hearing.They are both charged with conspiring to commit unauthorised acts against Transport for London (TfL) under the Computer Misuse Act.In addition, Mr Flowers is accused of attempting to hack computer systems belonging to California-based Sutter Health and another US company, SSM Healthcare Corporation.Mr Jubair has…

Philippa Roxby,Health reporter and Alison Holt,Social affairs editorGetty ImagesDetails of a new UK clinical trial to assess the risks and benefits of puberty-blocking drugs in children who question their gender have been announced.It follows the banning of the drugs for gender treatment last year after a major review raised concerns about the lack of clinical evidence over their safety for under-18s.Researchers from King’s College London say the trial will involve around 220 children under the age of 16 who are going through puberty, and will examine the impact of the drugs on their physical, social and emotional wellbeing.Some clinicians and…

A recycle and reuse event that aims to reduce costs to families and save items from being thrown away, has expanded to another town.The Forest Exchange project in Coleford, Gloucestershire, allows people to donate items they no longer need so others can make use of them.The items on offer at the “face-to-face freecycle” event include things such as books, clothes and household items.Volunteer Louise Penny said the project, which started as a community scheme in nearby Lydney, has been going from “strength to strength” over the last three years.”We wanted to widen it further into the Forest [of Dean] which…

Nick MarshBusiness reporter, SingaporeWatch: ‘It is a different set of people we are hiring now’The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) may eventually lead to fewer entry-level graduates being hired, the boss of accountancy giant PwC has told the BBC.However, global chairman Mohamed Kande said AI was not behind recent job cuts at the firm, adding that the company actually needed to hire hundreds of new AI engineers but was struggling to find them.But some observers say the technology itself threatens thousands of junior jobs across the professional services industry.Speaking on the sidelines of a business summit in Singapore, Mr Kande…

Fergus WalshMedical EditorGettyA major prostate cancer screening trial aimed at finding the best way to detect the disease has been launched in the UK. The first letters have been sent out from GPs inviting men to join the study, the biggest of its kind in decades.The £42 million Transform trial is funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.Hashim Ahmed, trial chief investigator, said: “Transform is truly game-changing… the start of recruitment today marks a pivotal step towards getting the results men urgently need to make prostate cancer diagnosis safe and more effective so…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentGetty ImagesMillions of households will see a slight rise in energy prices at the height of winter, after regulator Ofgem outlined its next price cap.The 0.2% increase from the current cap will take effect at the start of January, and affect those on variable tariffs in England, Wales and Scotland.The rise was a surprise after forecasters suggested the cap may fall at the start of the year. Government policy is primarily behind the shift.Gas and electricity bills remain relatively high, and the sudden drop in temperature has brought the costs to the forefront of people’s minds.”While…