Latest UK news

Former parliamentary speaker honoured with statue
A bronze sculpture of Betty Boothroyd, former speaker of the House of Commons, is to be unveiled at the Open University tonight. It will form part of a collection entitled "Women who have made a difference". Baroness Boothroyd has been chancellor of the Open University since 1994.

Scottish graduate presses for debt-deferment policy
A Scottish graduate is to submit a public petition to the Scottish Parliament urging that it build on debt legislation to embrace a debt-deferment policy for student loans. Alexander Neilson, who graduated in 1992, claims that graduates risk being “hounded” by debt collectors even if their income is below the repayment threshold.

Heart disease linked to weight gain in babies
Men are more likely to develop heart disease if they are born thin and gain weight rapidly after the age of one, according to new research. Scientists from Southampton University and the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki think the amount of fat in the body compared to muscle might explain the increased risk.