Latest news with #Blighty
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
UK car production falls to its lowest level in 73 years (if you don't count lockdown)
Business SMMT figures show historical low for making cars in Blighty Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading How's business? Last month spelled some pretty rubbish news for UK vehicle production, with April's numbers flagging by a chunky 15.8 per cent. That's the lowest level since 1952, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures – at least if you don't count lockdown. And why would you? That first pandemic measure pretty much entirely halted production. These – believe it or not – are more usual times, and yet 59,203 units (down from 70,319 in 2024) does not a pretty penny make. Advertisement - Page continues below You might like SMMT boss Mike Hawes said: 'With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness. 'Government has recognised automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month. Advertisement - Page continues below 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK." Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The Montecito model of the Royal family is vital for Harry's rehabilitation... as I'm told HE wears the trousers, not Meghan: CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS, who revealed Harry's new court
It was eight months ago that I first got a call from a trusted contact telling me something I never thought I'd hear – Prince Harry had finally realised the error of his ways. Having grown dissatisfied with bad advice from US-based image experts, he was instead starting to consult with people 'from his old life' as a working royal, belatedly realising that what he had back in Blighty worked for him.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
We went on A New Life In The Sun – our house STILL isn't finished one year on rage devastated couple
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE couple from A New Life In The Sun wanted to build a dream house for one of their parents, but it still did not go to plan. On the Channel 4 show, singers Ellie and Gary from Nottingham bought a huge guesthouse. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Ellie and Gary from Nottingham left Blighty for a new life in Bulgaria Credit: Channel 4 7 They wanted to build a bungalow next door to their huge guest house for Ellie's mum Linda Credit: Channel 4 7 She was forced to live with the couple for a year whilst they got things in order Credit: Channel 4 The 10-bedroom property in Central Bulgaria cost them just £13,000, and it even came with a swimming pool. After work dried up, the couple moved lock stock and barrel to Europe with their daughter Millie. Initially, things on A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?, went well for the couple. The pair managed to get their huge home up to scratch ready to welcome guests for a bed and breakfast escape. However, they bought the empty plot of land next door as they planned to build a state-of-the-art bungalow for Ellie's mum Linda. Although work started on the new home, it soon came to a standstill as the couple engaged in a battle with the local authorities. They were left frustrated by all the bureaucracy as they didn't get the correct planning permission on the A Place In The Sun spin-off. Ellie said: "We've been focusing on the planning for mum's house, which it finally came through." While Gary admitted: "Yep, it didn't go according to plan like we knew it would and it was all paperwork." They thought the job would only take a few months, but they were wrangling with the system for over a year. A Place In The Sun's Laura Hamilton on her surprising secret to losing a stone and why she laughs off people thinking she has fake boobs Linda was then forced to live with the couple for over a year as they built the second dream home. The duo were left fuming about the progress of the home as they showed the camera their bulging file of documents. Ellie explained: "That's the building visa that says we could build. But then you've got documents. "First we had to get documents from the electric company saying they'll supply electric, then we had to get another document saying they'll do the work, and then another one when it's signed off." A Place in the Sun presenters - past and present CURRENT PRESENTERS Ben Hillman Craig Rowe Jasmine Harman Jean Johansson Laura Hamilton Leah Charles-King Lee Juggurnauth Lucy Alexander Sara Damergi PAST PRESENTERS Adrian Simpson Danni Menzies Jonnie Irwin Luke Doonan Scarlette Douglas Gary was clearly even more frustrated having to live with his mother-in-law as he remarked: "It's crackers". Glaring down at the pages of documents in front of him, he added: "Look at it! Everything gets stamped [and] signed. "There must be 50 different things!" When progress resumed, Linda wasn't ready to move into the house for another few months. When she eventually moved out of the guesthouse, nothing was straightforward in the bungalow as it had no running water. In order to fill up the kettle to make tea, Linda would have had to improvise by using the exterior hosepipe. 7 The pair were left raging over their bulging file of repetitive paperwork Credit: Channel 4 7 For eight months, work reached a standstill as they didn't get the correct planning permissions Credit: Channel 4 7 Even when the house was built there was still a lack of basic features Credit: Channel 4
Top Gear
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
'Self-driving cars don't exist in the UK,' says university boffin
Tech ... and they won't before 2028 at least. Uber's 'driverless' cabs will have to hold their, er, sensors Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Is Uber ready to put driverless taxis onto Blighty's roads? Commercially, sure. Technologically? Maybe. Legally? Definitely not. The government has pushed that expectation out to the latter half of 2027. But even that date sounds ambitious to Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at the University of Warwick. He explained to at the FT's Future of the Car summit: 'There's a phase between having regulation... and understanding how you will use it. Self-driving cars don't exist in the UK. They will, but right now, no.' Advertisement - Page continues below The good scientist reckons autonomously driven (AD) cars won't be on UK roads much before 2028, and wants us to mind our self-driving language. 'Tesla [cars are] not autonomous. [The tech] is assistance.' This is why the can has been routinely walloped down the road. Currently, there are two systems in Europe and the UK officially capable of AD: the BMW Personal Pilot, found in the 7 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz DrivePilot, featured in both the S-Class and EQS. Yup, these are the only two systems legitimately able to take over from the driver. You might like Before you grab your Kindle and recline the seat, here's the kicker - neither system is legal to use in the UK. Even in Germany, where these features are authorised for Joe Public, the car has to hand back control in the rain. Khastgir grins: 'Imagine a product like that in the UK – it would keep handing control back!' Uber might be impatient to get its self-driving taxis deployed here in the UK, but the whole thing gets murkier when you compare regulatory styles. In the US, manufacturers 'self-certify' – as in, 'trust me, we've done the homework'. If things go pear-shaped, it's up to the courts to clean everything up. Europe and the UK on the other hand require third-party certification from independent government bodies. Advertisement - Page continues below And that 'Full Self-Driving' badge you've seen Stateside? The carmaker might have added '(Supervised)' but that won't be sufficient over here. Khastgir says: 'It is a criminal offence in the UK for a carmaker to use 'self-driving' terminology to make it sound like the car can legally drive itself when it actually cannot.' The Secretary of State for Transport has a list of cars authorised for 'self-driving', and in 2025... there's nothing on it. Khastgir says we're getting used to assisted -driving features reacting in ways we don't expect – think autonomous emergency braking for an obstacle that isn't there. That's bad enough when you've got your hands on the wheel, but for autonomous driving? Nope, that just won't cut it. So, back to the drawing board then? Not quite: the UK is pushing hard to become a world leader in autonomous tech. But with strict rules and soggy skies, the road to self-driving will be a hands-on journey. Ironic, huh? Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
James Argent was set to quit the UK to start new life overseas with girlfriend Nicolline just months before arrest
JAMES Argent was set to quit the UK to start a new life overseas with his girlfriend just months before he was arrested. The Sun revealed how the former Towie star, 37, has been convicted of pushing girlfriend Nicoline Artursson, 32, down some stairs on holiday. 5 5 Before his arrest, Towie star Arg was planning to leave chilly Blighty and head for the warmer climes. In happier times, James talked about getting engaged to Nicolline, and even moving abroad with her. In an unearthed interview with Ok! Magazine from last November, Arg revealed: "Next year they have big plans in mind. "A possible move to Marbella and their first home together. 'We do love Marbella so we're potentially going to be settling there,' he added. James was also asked about the possibility of marriage and kids. "You never know,' he said. 'If we were to get engaged or start a family then we may do something. There's always a possibility. 'We'd both love to have a family one day, absolutely. Arg added: 'We're both at the right stage in our lives. Watch the moment Arg returns to Towie for first time in six years - and boasts about dating stunning Miss Sweden girlfriend "We've both lived a life, we've both had experiences with previous partners, but now it's a really good time to be sure of who you are with.' HAUNTING POST It comes as it was revealed earlier how the star talked of how his life would "change" in a chilling post from last week. Arg shared a series of pictures of himself looking happy and healthy on Instagram. The photos were taken in a restaurant in Buckhurst Hill, in his native Essex. 5 James looked sharp in his white trousers and beige top, and could be seen smiling. Arg wrote next to the slew of snaps: "My life is about to change." Sweetly his former Towie co-star, and best mate Mark Wright 's sister, Jess Wright replied: "So proud of you Arg." The post is chilling, as his life has now changed following his conviction. However, it has not changed for the better as the intention of his post appeared to suggest. TOWIE STAR'S CONVICTION James was arrested for pushing his girlfriend down some stairs. The incident happened on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5) in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol. The reality star spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court the same day. After being convicted of the charge, James was given a six-month suspended sentence. He was also given a two-year restraining order to stop him seeing or even contacting Nicoline, who he had been dating for 11 months. An insider told The Sun: 'James and Nicoline had a row that turned nasty and he pushed her over. He was arrested and taken to a station where he was put in the cells for a few hours. 'James complied with the police and the matter was resolved in the court on the same day. 5 'Their relationship is over and they can no longer speak or contact one another.' It is understood Nicoline has since remained in Spain following her ordeal while James has returned home to Essex. Sources close to the telly star insist he is 'extremely sorry' for what has happened and insists he never meant to harm Nicoline. A friend explained: 'James has been at home in Essex since this happened. 'He said he had a row with Nicoline and that he tried to end the argument. "James said he pushed Nicoline and that she fell. He is remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm. 'He's extremely sorry for it. 'James said he was honest when he spoke to the police and told them everything that had happened.' The Sun has contacted Argent. Nicoline declined to comment. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
