Tyne Nurdle Spill: Just 28% Recovered, Impact Unclear
Months after about a billion plastic pellets entered the River Tyne, scientists and charities say key questions about their spread and effects remain open.
Liverpool Unipress
Salon Owners Ask Chancellor to Halve VAT on Hair and Beauty
More than 2,000 salon owners have signed a letter urging a VAT cut to 10% in this week's Budget, saying rising costs make it harder to hire and train staff.
Legally Blonde Turns 25, and Lawyers Credit Elle Woods
Solicitors in Liverpool and Greater Manchester say the 2001 film shaped how they see themselves, while the Law Society says many women still feel they do not belong.
Council Detectives Sift Fly-Tips for Clues Near Grimsby
Enforcement officers in North East Lincolnshire dig through a motorway-side dump for names and addresses, while Hull crews say fly-tipping is rising.
Doctors Say 'Ferritin Face' Trend Cannot Diagnose Low Iron
Videos claim low ferritin leaves visible marks on the face, but doctors say looks cannot show iron levels and only a blood test can.
Grange Hospital Bosses Insist It Is Safe Despite Online Criticism
Senior staff at the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran say its survival rates compare well, even as A&E runs over capacity and the health board stays under close oversight.
Warrington Farm Puts Storm Boelo Bill at £50,000
Sisters running Bates Farm in Risley say the storm wrecked a marquee and gazebos and cancelled a pumpkin-picking day. They are racing to reopen on Monday.
Isak Scores Again as Liverpool Beat Brighton at Anfield
Liverpool took their first home Premier League win of the season, 2-0 against Brighton, ending the visitors' run of four straight league wins.
North Wales Health Board Still Funds Bangor Research Centre
Betsi Cadwaladr health board is due to pay Bangor University £110,686 this year, months after an internal report questioned the value for patients.
Government Weighs Cutting UK's 2030 Electric Car Target
A consultation on the zero emissions vehicle mandate has closed, and the 2030 goal of 80% zero-emission new cars could fall to 70% or even 50%, analysis for the Guardian suggests.
City Economists Doubt Markets' Bank Rate Forecast
Markets price in four or five Bank of England rises. Several City economists say that is too steep, with a smaller climb to 4.25% more likely.
Government Opens £285m Good Growth Fund for Regional Mayors
Ministers have announced £285 million of Good Growth funding for local leaders in England, with mayors including Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region backing the plan.
Storm Boelo Fells Trees and Cuts Power Across North West
Fallen trees, power cuts and cancelled events were reported from Lancashire to Merseyside as the storm crossed the region.
Pre-Pack Buy-Backs by Old Owners Fail Again More Often
A study of 2019 administrations in England and Wales finds that insolvent firms bought back by connected parties collapse again more often and repay creditors far less.
Welsh Trains and Ferries Disrupted After Back-to-Back Storms
Flooding and poor weather led to rail replacement buses and cancelled Irish Sea sailings in Wales on Sunday.