Author: SKYNEWS

The window is closing to tackle public transport, bills and pollution in order to boost growth, improve lives and tackle climate change, the government’s official infrastructure adviser has warned.With much of British infrastructure ageing, decisions in the next five years will be critical in shaping the cheaper, greener and more secure future the public wants, the National Infrastructure Commission said in its annual review. It recognised progress in some areas, but criticised “significant deficiencies” in the UK’s infrastructure, including a failure to build reservoirs, too many homes being at risk of flooding, and under-investment in regional transport.It said people’s quality…

People as young as 18 will be able to get behind the controls of a train as part of a government proposal aimed at boosting staff. The plans were announced on Thursday as thousands of train passengers up and down the country have been facing delays and cancellations due to repeated strike action in recent months. The current age to be able to apply to become a train driver is 20.The government said “thousands of opportunities could open up for younger people as early as this summer”, if the proposal is approved.Read more:Train strikes: ‘Half a decade without a pay increase’Labour…

A former Post Office executive has said she was forced to block ex-boss Paula Vennells’ phone number after the ex-CEO called multiple times asking for help to avoid an independent inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.Lesley Sewell, previously the company’s head of IT, told the Post Office inquiry on Thursday that former CEO Ms Vennells had reached out to her four times between 2020 and 2021. Ms Sewell said that she blocked Ms Vennells’ number due to discomfort with the contact.In her witness statement to the probe, Ms Sewell said that one of Ms Vennells’ emails referenced the need to…

The new British boss of Wefox, one of Europe’s biggest insurance technology companies, has warned investors that it could face collapse within months as it contends with a slew of regulatory and financial challenges.Sky News has learnt that Wefox believes it could become insolvent by the summer unless it can secure the sale of a number of its loss-making operations. The parlous state of the company, which was valued at $4.5bn (£3.6bn) in a funding round less than two years ago and whose lenders include Barclays and JP Morgan, makes it the latest giant of Europe’s tech scene to face…

Australia’s richest woman is reported to have made a demand that her portrait be removed from an exhibition.The portrait is currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia alongside a collection of other works by the award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira. Complete with double chin, it portrays mining billionaire Gina Rinehart in what some may say is an unflattering light.Responding to the reports, Mr Namatjira has said he “paints the world as he sees it”.Ms Rinehart has not publicly commented on the painting, Australian media is reporting. However, a spokesperson for the National Gallery said it “welcomes the public having…

A pilot scheme scrapping peak ScotRail fares has been extended for an additional three months, Scotland’s first minister has announced.The trial was initially introduced in October 2023 and was extended to run until the end of June. It will now remain in place until the end of September.The price cut sees rush-hour commutes between Glasgow and Edinburgh slashed by almost half, from £28.90 to £14.90.First Minister John Swinney made the announcement on Thursday during a visit to a Fife Expo at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, part of the Levenmouth rail link opening celebrations. He said: “We know new rail investment can…

An American developer of woundcare technology is preparing to push the button on a London stock market flotation next month in a further signal of the City’s tentative recovery as a multinational listing venue.Sky News has learnt that AOTI – or Advanced Oxygen Therapy Inc – is drawing up plans to raise roughly $50m (£39.5m) from an initial public offering in London. City sources said the company expected to announce its plans in the first half of June.If successful, the flotation on the junior AIM market is likely to value AOTI at around £160m, the sources added.Based in California, AOTI…

Tom Brady has promised to be “a better parent” after a Netflix comedy special poked fun at his divorce.The seven-time Super Bowl champion appeared on The Roast Of Tom Brady, where comedians like Kevin Hart tore into his split from Gisele Bundchen in 2022 after 13 years. While the 46-year-old said he “loved when the jokes were about me,” Brady told The Pivot Podcast that he “didn’t like the way it affected my kids”.”It’s the hardest part about, like the bittersweet aspect of when you do something that you think is one way and then all of a sudden you…

London City Airport will on Thursday name its first permanent female chief executive as it targets approval of an expansion plan that would create nearly 1,500 jobs.Sky News understands that the Docklands airport has told staff that Alison FitzGerald, who has been co-CEO since January alongside finance chief Wilma Allen, has landed the role. Ms FitzGerald has worked at City Airport – the capital’s fourth-busiest – for more than a decade, becoming chief information officer and then chief operating officer. Image: A woman wearing a face mask walks by London City Airport, which suspended its operations during the pandemic. She…

This year’s Cannes Film Festival is getting under way with, as always, a French movie opening proceedings and celebrities lining the red carpet.Lea Seydoux is among the stars in The Second Act, which tells the story of actors working on a doomed movie production – a delightfully wicked way to kick off the world’s most famous film festival. Away from opening night, here are five more films playing at Cannes that are worth keeping an eye on.Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Image: Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Pic: Warner Bros/ Domain Pictures A post-apocalyptic action…