Telegraph style book: Bb
baby boomers: People born 1945–1964. Boomers only in features/comment articles
back benches, backbenchers, back-bench (adj)
bacteria: Plural form of bacterium
Badenoch: Kemi is Mrs Badenoch at second mention, not Ms
Bafta: never BAFTA
bale/bail: Bale is something made of hay; bail is on a set of cricket stumps or a surety. Bail out is the verbal form. Bailout acceptable when referring to finance
balls: Unless a ball has an adjective before it (May ball, hunt ball etc), the plural is 'dances'
BAME: Avoid unless in quotes or in direct reference to reports. Always spell out (black, Asian and minority ethnic)
banister
Bangalore: Do not use except in historical contexts. It is now called Bengaluru
Bank of England: The Bank at second mention
bank holiday: Lower case
Bannister, Sir Roger
barbecue: Not barbeque or BBQ
Barclays Bank
Barnardo's: Note the apostrophe
baronets: Sir John Smith, Bt, when necessary to distinguish from a knight. Baronets are not knights
battles: Specific ones are capped – Battle of Hastings, Battle of Britain
battleships: Use only in historical context. Use warships otherwise
baulk: Not balk
BBC style: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra; but BBC 6 Music and 1Xtra, CBeebies
BC: Follows dates
Beckham, Sir David: His wife is Lady Beckham in news copy; Victoria Beckham in fashion/professional contexts
Beck's beer
begging the question: A specific logical fallacy involving founding a conclusion on a basis that itself needs to be proved. It does not mean avoiding a question or inviting a question
Belarus, Belarusian
benefited: One T
Beretta: The gun – not to be confused with biretta
Berwick-upon-Tweed
between: for when things are shared between two people 'He divided the money between his two children' see among
Beverly Hills / Beverley (East Yorks) / Beverley Knight
Bible: Cap unless figurative ('his bible'). Biblical is lower case
Biblical references: e.g. Genesis 1:1, Matthew 3:2
bi- (prefix): Use bimonthly, biweekly, biannual with caution; the meanings are often unclear
bid: Use only in context of auctions, finance, football transfers, Olympic bids, bridge
biennial: Once every two years
biannual: Twice a year
big tech, big five etc: lower case
billion: A thousand million. Abbreviate to bn for money (£10bn) but not for other things (10 billion people)
bin Laden, Osama
Birds Eye: Frozen food brand (no apostrophe)
biretta: A priest's headgear. Not to be confused with Beretta the gunmaker
Biro: A trademark
Bitcoin: Capitalised
black: Preferred term for African-Caribbean ethnicity. Capitalise only in organisation names
Blanchett, Cate
blizzard: Use only when wind speed is at least 35mph
bloc: Lower case, as in 'Eastern bloc'; from French. Also bloc vote
blond/blonde: Blond for men, blonde for women
Blumenthal, Heston
Blu-Tack
BMJ: Abbreviation of British Medical Journal. Full name no longer used
Boudicca: Not Boadicea
Bonhams: Auctioneers
Bonham Carter, Helena: And others – no hyphen
bon viveur: Incorrect French; use bon vivant. A woman is a bonne vivante
border: Between Scotland and England is lc
born of: Not born out of
Botox: Botulinum toxin
bottle bank
Bournville: No middle e
bouquet: Adding 'of flowers' is tautological
Boy's Own Paper
Brands Hatch: No apostrophe
brave: Use for courageous acts, not for illness
Brexit: Capped, as are Leave and Remain. Withdrawal agreement lower case unless referring to the Bill
brilliant: Use carefully. Describes dazzling objects or intellectual distinction, not just anything good
British/UK: Avoid unnecessary repetition. Assumed in most stories
Bros: Only in company names. No full point. Tech bros only in features
brussels sprouts
BSE: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (lc)
BTec
bubbly: Hackneyed as description of a lively woman; vulgar as drink name
Buck's fizz: The drink – apostrophe included. No apostrophe for the pop group
Budget: Capped when referring to the Chancellor's statement. Lower case for company/local authority budgets
budget airline: Avoid. Use low-cost airline
bumf: NOT bumph. (Derived from bum-fodder)
bungee jumping
bureaus: Not bureaux
Burka: Not burqa
Burns Night: No apostrophe
bussed, bussing: Try to avoid. Prefer taken by bus
bus stop
Bush, George W / George HW / George Bush Sr
Butlins: No apostrophe
buyout: Noun
buy out: Verb
buzzwords
by-election: Hyphenated
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Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
My 52p recipe is the perfect dupe for viral M&S Chunked N' Loaded cookies – I reckon they taste even better
THEY'RE chunky, gooey, and wildly popular, but at £2 a pop, M&S's viral Chunked N' Loaded Cookies don't come cheap. To help fans recreate the indulgent flavours at home for a fraction of the price, Ann Cooper, who owns a family-run bakery called Wonderberrys has recreated the viral favourite She created three affordable, bakery-style cookie recipes for QRFY, in Raspberry Cheesecake, Pistachio, and Chocolate & Hazelnut, that can be made at home for as little as 52p per cookie. She says: 'In order to successfully make this type of stuffed cookie, the filling needs to be frozen and then added to the cookie mix just before going into the oven. 'This process maintains the stability of the centre and stops it from melting into the cookie dough. Obviously, people could just add it to the dough, but it won't maintain a soft centre after cooking.' She adds that making them yourself can make them taste all the better. Ann adds: "Many people like to enjoy a sweet treat now and again and baking your own cookies can provide a sense of satisfaction and achievement." Scroll down for the recipes, the method is the same for all three cookies and can be found after the ingredients. Pistachio Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g pistachio cream 100g white chocolate chips Chopped pistachios (small handful) Chocolate & Hazelnut Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 1 tbsp cocoa powder (approx. 15g) 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g Nutella 100g milk chocolate chips Chopped hazelnuts (small handful) The simple chocolate cake recipe using only TWO ingredients - it's sweet and you won't even need to put it in the oven Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 30g cream cheese 30g raspberry jam 100g white chocolate chips Method for all three cookies Freeze the filling (cheesecake mix, pistachio cream, or Nutella) in 10g blobs until solid (about 1 hour). Cream butter and sugar, then add the egg. Mix in dry ingredients. Combine by hand. Divide into 6 balls. Press a hole in the centre, insert the frozen filling, and seal the dough completely. Bake at 180°C (fan) on a preheated tray for 11–14 minutes, removing just before browning for a gooey centre. Let cool on the tray and enjoy - why not try adding some tasty toppings too?
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Camden Council resists calls to extend ban on Waterlow Park BBQs
Camden Council has resisted campaigners' calls to permanently outlaw charcoal barbecues in Waterlow Park, after it imposed a temporary ban in temporary ban came after complaints of crowds of revellers with barbeques, fights, piles of rubbish and people defecating in bushes. The Highgate Village Green Preservation Society (HVGPS) said "scorched earth, mounting rubbish, ash bins smoking like chimneys and a huge increase in road traffic" were hurting the local community, environment and Harrison, from the north London council, said the park was originally created in 1889 as a "garden for the gardenless" and should remain accommodating. The council has, however, left the current temporary BBQ ban in place due to the increased risk of wildfires in dry, hot weather. According to the council's reports, the borough has the third-highest number of residents in the country without access to a private outdoor the council has resisted a permanent ban, Mr Harrison said the current policies around barbeques were "constantly under review". An online petition to end the smoky cookouts permanently was launched by HVGPS, and has about 1,500 supporters. Volunteers for the Waterlow Park Trust have also joined calls for total Wilkinson, chair of the trust's Barbecue Working Group, said: "What happened this year shows how Waterlow – the only public open space in London where people can use barbecues of any size – has become a victim of its own success." However, although the group recognises there is a problem, it says it does not want to see a permanent ban on barbeques. Council officers said the online petition, with they said had a "relatively low number of signatories versus residents", did not provide a full picture of the wider community's view.
