uk news

Premier Inn brand growing market share in UK, Germany

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting

April was the sunniest on record for the UK, with unusually warm temperatures and dry weather setting the stage for a scorching start to May. Provisional Met Office figures show the country recorded its brightest April since records began in 1910, with England seeing its sunniest ever, and the other home nations their second sunniest.

A warning has been issued after increased sightings of the UK’s only venomous snake. Hiker Lorraine Flower captured this footage of a large adder while out walking on the Blorenge mountain, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, on Wednesday morning. The sighting comes two days after South Wales Police issued a warning following increased sightings of adders in

On Thursday 1 May 2025,  elections are being held for 23 councils and six mayors in England. Here’s how to follow the results and analysis with BBC News: Thursday 1 May A BBC One special from 11.10pm to 4am (Friday 2 May)  with Laura Kuenssberg will follow the latest developments, with guests and expert analysis from

Britain’s factories suffered a slump in export orders last month as Donald Trump’s globally unsettling tariff regime sent overseas demand for UK goods tumbling at the fastest pace in five years. Manufacturers reported rising economic and trade uncertainties in April as some tariffs took effect and other threatened border taxes loomed, forcing them to lay