Author: BBC

Charlotte EdwardsBusiness reporterGetty ImagesUK government borrowing in August hit the highest level for the month in five years, latest figures show, adding to the pressure on the chancellor ahead of the Budget.Borrowing – the difference between public spending and tax income – was £18bn in August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, which was higher than analysts had expected.Despite tax and National Insurance receipts increasing, they were outstripped by higher spending on public services, benefits and debt interest, the UK statistics body said.One analyst said Rachel Reeves faced “tough choices” in the Budget to meet her tax and spending…

One of the world’s most popular streamers, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, says trolls “berate” him every day because his number of viewers has fallen.Ninja was propelled to stardom in 2018 after he played Fortnite on streaming site Twitch alongside rappers Drake and Travis Scott, and NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster.He now has fewer viewers than at the height of his fame – but still has 67m followers across all platforms, and is the world’s third most popular Twitch streamer.He told the BBC “haters” seem obsessed with the fact he was not quite as popular as he once was. “I think I’m the…

Menopause and CancerMenopause and Cancer is a charity that supports people who are managing menopause following cancer treatmentCampaigners are calling for menopause support to be included into cancer treatment care plans.The majority (90%) of the 1,200 people surveyed by Menopause and Cancer said they were not provided plans to help manage menopause-related health changes brought on by cancer treatment.Its founder and CEO Dani Binnington said the results were “not a surprise”.NHS England has been approached for comment.Ms Binnington said there was currently no direct pathway for menopause treatment support included in cancer care plans.”We call for improved training for healthcare…

Charlotte EdwardsBusiness reporter andMichael RaceBusiness reporterGetty ImagesThe UK government says it has secured £150bn worth of US investment which it hopes will create 7,600 jobs.The announcement, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s state visit, follows a series of big tech firms, including Microsoft and Google, pledging to spend billions of pounds in the UK. It is part of a wider plan by the UK to deepen economic ties with the US. However, some industries, such have steel, have been dealt a blow in recent days with a proposed deal to cut tariffs shelved.Several major pharmaceutical companies, such as Covid-vaccine maker…

Lily JamaliNorth America Technology Correspondent, Menlo Park, CAReutersMeta boss Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the new smart glasses on WednesdayMeta has unveiled a new range of smart glasses powered by its artificial intelligence (AI) tech, as it expands its bet that they will be a must-have accessory for users around the world.At its annual developers conference “Meta Connect,” the social media giant’s boss, Mark Zuckerberg, announced an array of devices in partnership with sunglasses brands Ray-Ban and Oakley.The firm also introduced a so-called neural wristband that pairs with its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses to allow users to carry out tasks like sending…

Jack FenwickPolitical correspondentFamily handoutHilary’s son Ben died from a heroin overdose in 2018, but his death was never included on official opioid death statisticsMore than 13,000 heroin and opioid deaths have been missed off official statistics in England and Wales, raising concerns about the impact on the government’s approach to tackling addiction.Research from King’s College London, shared exclusively with BBC News, found that there were 39,232 opioid-related deaths between 2011 and 2022, more than 50% higher than previously known.The error has been blamed on the government’s official statistics body not having access to correct data and it is understood ministers…

Inflation in the year to August remained at 3.8%, according to official figures, after food costs continued to rise.The pace of price rises matched the inflation rate in July but as some costs such as airfares eased, food was more expensive with cheese, fish and vegetable prices all rising. Food price inflation has risen for five months in a row as economists said supermarkets were passing on government increases in the minimum wage and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) to shoppers through higher prices.Overall inflation remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target and expectations are growing that its rate-setting committee…

Zoe KleinmanTechnology editorGetty ImagesMicrosoft says its new $30bn (£22bn) investment in the UK’s AI sector – its largest outside of the US – should significantly boost Britain’s economy in the next few years.The package forms a major part of a £31bn agreement dubbed the “Tech Prosperity Deal”, signed between the UK government and several US tech giants as part of Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK. The deal will see Google, Nvidia and others invest in British-based infrastructure to support AI tech, largely in the form of data centres. Microsoft will also now be involved in the creation…

Psychologist and gaming expert Nick Ballou has five ways how gaming can boost your mental health and wellbeing.

Pritti MistryBusiness reporter andKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentGetty ImagesPeople drawing their new state pension from April are likely to see a rise of more than £500 a year, latest wages data suggests.Under the “triple lock” policy, the state pension goes up each year by either 2.5%, inflation, or average earnings growth – whichever is the highest figure.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed total pay including bonuses for the three months to July was 4.7%, which is likely to be the figure used for the annual increase. Almost 13 million people currently receive the state pension.The latest wage figures from…