Your Local Information Microportal
Enter your postcode for the Who, Where, What, Why and When in your area. Local news, events and the best services at your fingertips. Advertise locally, regionally or nationally!
But the chancellor says he wants "to be honest" with the public about the shock suffered by the economy.
The health secretary says it is "a magnificent achievement" and "the vaccine is our route out".
The actor, who played Mike Baldwin in the soap, died after a long illness, his family said.
At least 18 people are killed as police try to disperse huge anti-coup rallies in several cities.
Online abuse sent to reporter Sonja McLaughlan after the live broadcast of Wales' Six Nations win over England is strongly condemned by the BBC.
Police said the 2,200lb (1,000kg) device blast left a crater the size of a double-decker bus.
Schoolchildren's household and bubble members will be offered Covid tests to take at home twice a week.
The pro-democracy figures are accused of "subversion" under the controversial security legislation.
Lower commuting costs, cancelled holidays and fewer meals out boost some bank accounts, a report says.
Health Minister reflects on the pandemic response, a year on from the first reported case in Wales.
Richard Harrington was "thankful to go on my bike every day" as work stopped during the pandemic.
A selection of striking images from our readers on this week's theme.
"Pawstep Portraits" captures dogs with their owners, who then donate to the NHS or Lanta Animal Welfare.
Toni and Stewart Mathieson lost all three of their children to the same condition.
The BBC looks at the state of the UK economy ahead of the spring Budget.
Sam Ryder on TikTok, Britney, Justin Bieber and his new solo career.
Lucy's dream of working in the Middle East turned into a nightmare of abuse. She's not the only one.
Twenty years on, the Selby rail crash remains the UK's worst rail disaster of the 21st Century.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler return to host the year's first major film and TV awards ceremony on Sunday.
Influencers can have a bad reputation but for some people they have proved to be a business lifeline.
President Xi says China has achieved his poverty reduction pledge - but has it?
Neither Gus Kenworthy nor his then-boyfriend knew the cameras were rolling when they shared a seminal kiss at Pyeongchang 2018.
Former intelligence officers describe a precarious existence in which your career could end at any moment.
Could the cryptocurrency's huge electricity consumption also sink it?
What's it like and what can you eat inside the UK's quarantine hotels?
There is growing speculation that a certificate scheme could be built into the main NHS app.
Irish freight is being shipped directly to Europe to avoid Brexit bureaucracy.
Several waves of Pokémania have swept the globe, keeping this lucrative franchise relevant for 25 years.
The enviable political duo who ran Scotland together is now long gone. So, what went wrong?
The release of the US intelligence probe into the Khashoggi murder deepens diplomatic difficulties.
Covid-related attacks directed at Asian Americans have escalated in the US - here's what's happening.
More than 20 years on, how has military culture changed after allowing the LGBT community to serve?
After Lady Gaga's bulldogs were stolen, victims in the UK share their stories with BBC Radio 5 Live.
Protected land reserved for Brazil's indigenous communities is being traded on the social network.
Ms Begum travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State group in 2015.
The high cost of fertility treatment leads some to find donors on social media, even though it's risky and could be illegal.
Newsbeat hears from young women about their experiences working for multi-level marketing companies.
A benefits top-up to help the poor survive lockdown is due to end - unless it is extended at the Budget.
The North East indie-pop band say music can both "celebrate life" and ask "difficult questions".
Why do people like to use ancient personal organisers and music players?
While Western sanctions may not help, China and South East Asia's influence may hold some sway.
Gay life in London was vibrant as the 1980s began, but a mysterious illness was soon to change that.
Leicester's forlorn-looking pursuit of leaders Manchester City suffers a big blow as Arsenal come from behind to win at the King Power Stadium.
England will not make an official complaint to World Rugby over the refereeing in Saturday's 40-24 defeat against Wales.
Watch highlights of Crystal Palace's goalless draw against Fulham in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.
Wales secure the Triple Crown and keep their Grand Slam hopes alive with a thrilling and controversial 40-24 win over England at the Principality Stadium.
The prime minister has announced a plan for how the lockdown will be lifted in England.
Two approved Covid vaccines are being rolled out across the UK. So when might you get one?
The logistics of vaccinating millions of people across the country, as more than 19 million people receive at least one dose.
Should parents of under-fives worry about Covid restrictions harming their child's development?
The UK is stepping up testing to find and stop cases from spreading in the community.
A BBC Panorama investigation finds licensed firms involved in the dumping of rubbish.
Those working in festivals tell Newsbeat they are "cautiously optimistic" after Reading and Leeds announcement.
Freya Heddington, 14, had a new type of transplant where "non-beating donor hearts" are revived.
What will the lifting restrictions on weddings mean to couples and those in the industry?
Jonathan Gullis was barred from speaking in the House of Commons until he had put on a jacket.
Schoolchildren's household and bubble members will be offered Covid tests to take at home twice a week.
The racing driver, who had both legs amputated in 2017, has walked, cycled and kayaked 140 miles.
A coroner says the roads - where hard shoulders become lanes at busy times - create a death "risk".
The M23 near Gatwick was closed for about 10 hours after a fatal crash between a lorry and a van.
A sharp-eared doctor noticed Lord Coe's voice was "gravelly" during a Today programme interview.
The PM calls it an "extraordinary feat", reached just over two months after the first vaccine was delivered.
Eviction notices, which were set to resume on 22 February, cannot now be served for another six weeks.
The story of one day inside a Covid vaccination hub in Surrey, treating 700 to 900 people a day.
Music in a pandemic: Guerrilla gigs, song-writing compulsions and learning an Elizabethan guitar.
Infection rates are declining overall, but some regions are seeing a rise in cases.
The government is reviewing whether venues can ask for proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Explore the data on coronavirus in the UK and find out how many cases there are in your area.
A year ago, the UK was yet to record a Covid case. Then a family rang NHS 111 from a hotel in York.
Play-off chasing Exeter suffer first defeat in five games as Tom Nichols' penalty and late Ashley Nadesan goal give Crawley victory.
Joe Adams bundles home the winner 10 minutes from time as Grimsby Town edge Crawley to move off the bottom of League Two.
Sutton remain second in the National League after a Harry Beautyman double leads them to a 2-1 victory over Dagenham.
A Josh Rees hat-trick sees Aldershot Town claim a 4-2 win over National League rivals Maidenhead United.
The first match of The Hundred will be a women's fixture between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals on 21 July live on BBC TV.
|
1. How to get more done. One of the drawbacks of working from home is the amount of distractions at your fingertips, whether it be a full pantry of food or living distractions like family members and pets. The temptation to relax and doing chores are the top two biggest work-from-home distractions. Time-management skills are key to helping with these distractions. READ MORE 2. Latest data shows vaccine reduces transmission. There is "early data" showing a reduction in transmission in people who have had a coronavirus vaccine, the health secretary has said. The Health Secretary said hospital admissions were falling "much more sharply" than they were in the pandemic's first wave. The government aims to offer a first jab to all adults in the UK by the end of July, with one in three adults already vaccinated. Boris Johnson will unveil his plan for ending England's lockdown by close of business today. BBC 3. WTO appoints first woman chief. Former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO), becoming the first woman and first African to hold the director-general role. It comes after US president Joe Biden overturned Donald Trump’s block on her appointment. Okonjo-Iweala, who spent 25 years at the World Bank, will take over the Geneva-based institution at a make-or-break time for the global trading system, as governments seek to navigate the economic and health consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The Independent 4. House prices reach record high. House prices rose by 8.5% in 2020, the highest annual growth rate since October 2014. The average price for a property reached a record high of £252,000 in December, with the most growth recorded in the northwest: 11.2%. London prices rose by 3.5%. UK house prices soared in the second half of the year, but mortgage offers and online asking prices suggest that prices will fall back this year by around 2%. Office for National Statistics 5. Companies focus on wellbeing. Workplace wellbeing has become a more significant consideration for employers, research suggests. During the pandemic, several major companies, such as insurer Aviva, have offered staff days off for wellbeing. In the UK, research from insurer Westfield Health shows the cost of mental health absenteeism increased in 2020, but also that the majority of employers plan to spend more on employee wellbeing in coming years. Long-term flexibility and mental health programs at work were both cited as popular options by employees in the study. Wellbeing is one of 10 tutorials on 10/10, our government supported leadership development and mentoring programme. LEARN MORE |
|
6. Stop the guilt of pandemic laziness. You're sitting at home, scrolling through Netflix recommendations when you're suddenly hit with pangs of guilt for being lazy. Been there? Same. One social psychologist tells us to stop this nonsense, explaining we feel this way because "we use external cues as an 'anchor' to help us gauge whether we are spending our time well enough." Not every moment we're home needs to be spent working. In fact, they encourage "cyberloafing," or a mindless scroll through the internet or social feeds, as research shows we often come back “more productive and focused” after such an activity. CNBC 7. What’s the future of work. Once the world gets past the pandemic, what will stick around in our professional lives, and what will go away? McKinsey Global Initiative research involving the US, UK and other countries found that more than 100 million workers will likely need to transition to new jobs by 2030, which is up to 25% more than pre-COVID estimates in advanced economies. The research also shows that working from home and virtual meetings will stick around, though "less intensely," and the adoption of automation and artificial intelligence will speed up, especially for work that involves physical proximity. The Times 8. How to raise the subject of salary. When's the right time to ask about compensation in a job interview? Should a candidate inquire about pay right off the bat, or wait until later on in the job search process when they've solidified that they’re a strong fit for the role? Among our top tips: [1] Wait until the end of the first interview or call to broach the topic. [2] Be honest, informed, and realistic about your expectations. [3] Consider delaying the question if you're meeting with a hiring manager or future employer, as opposed to a recruiter. Editor 9. What happens when you work from bed? After almost a year working from home, many have realised that working from bed isn't as comfy as it sounds. Though many have tried it during the pandemic, according to research by Buba, a majority of home workers in the UK have reported aches and pains due to their lack of proper desk. And working from bed isn't just bad ergonomically, with experts advising that it can be bad for productivity and sleep, due to the brain associating bed with work. BBC 10. The bottom line. Just under 60% of the 50,888 people who died with Covid in England between January and November last year were disabled, though disabled people only make up 17.2% of the population. Office for National Statistics |
The Chancellor says he wants to level with people about the economic challenges ahead.
Labour's Anneliese Dodds tells the BBC's Andrew Marr there should be no immediate tax rise on businesses.
Kaci says it was her birthday wish to raise money for a charity that supports disabled children.
A controlled detonation has been carried out on an unexploded World War Two bomb found in Exeter.
"Pawstep Portraits" captures dogs with their owners, who then donate to the NHS or Lanta Animal Welfare.
Four young performers pay tribute to the 100-year-old veteran, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities.
After phase one is complete by mid-April, here's the order in which all other adults will get the jab.
Outdoor sport for people with disabilities is allowed in lockdown and is a lifeline for families.
BBC editors Faisal Islam and Simon Jack tell us what Chancellor Rishi Sunak might have in store.
Fishing community leaders say Greenpeace's action is dangerous and illegal.
The landscape has been recreated to help young people understand how to run a national park.
A nurse who died with Covid-19 inspired nearly her entire family to join the NHS.
Nearly 200,000 extremely clinically vulnerable young people have been offered their vaccine.
There has been an increase in private tuition during the pandemic but concerns remain about the checks in place.
Lord Chris Smith is calling for more diversity in Government.
Calls to a major domestic violence charity increased by more than 50 per cent during the pandemic in 2020.
Planned UK first hopes to be looking for extraterrestrial life within five years.
Lizzi Gee and her eight-year-old son Rufus say tap routines are one positive to come out of lockdown.
Twins Verity and Lucy were taken to court after speaking out on social media, naming their alleged abuser.
The problem with being a journalist is they end up "abusing people, attacking people" says the PM on his former career.
Speaking to Joanna Gosling, the Dragon's Den entrepreneur explains why companies have to get used to a new normal.
The final stage of easing restrictions could happen by 21 June at the earliest.
Professor Chris Whitty explains the spacing between each stage of reopening.
Working from home could also be expected to continue until next winter, says Sir Patrick Vallance.
BBC's Health reporter Laura Foster explains what we know currently about how children are affected by the virus.
A London vicar says he was "called by God" to create the virtual 'Church of Chat'.
The prime minister says it's safe for schools and further education settings to re-open from 8 March
A BBC Panorama investigation finds licensed rubbish collectors are involved in illegal dumping.
Lifting the lid on common misconceptions, a mother and former Facebook moderator share their experience with post traumatic stress disorder.
