NS&I has come under renewed scrutiny following claims that its digital transformation programme cost up to £3bn of taxpayer-backed funds. The government-backed savings institution insists the overhaul modernised outdated systems and safeguarded millions of customer accounts. NS&I, the state-owned savings provider best known for Premium Bonds, faces criticism after reports highlighted the scale of expenditure tied to its long-running digital revamp. The programme, designed to replace legacy IT infrastructure and improve online services, has drawn attention over its cost and value for money. As a government agency operating under HM Treasury, NS&I raises funds for the state by offering savings…
Author: Ben Waine
Ben Waine
Ben Waine is a reporter at BritishWire, covering sport, business and technology. His reporting focuses on clear, fact-based journalism, with an emphasis on verified information, data and context relevant to UK readers.
Scotland v England rugby produced another gripping Calcutta Cup contest as the Six Nations campaign intensified in Edinburgh. Individual performances shaped the outcome in a match that may yet prove decisive in the championship standings. The latest instalment of Scotland v England rugby carried familiar weight: history, rivalry and significant Six Nations implications. Played at Murrayfield Stadium on 14 February 2026, the fixture once again underlined why the Calcutta Cup remains one of the defining contests in northern hemisphere rugby. Both the Scotland national rugby union team and the England national rugby union team entered the match with championship ambitions…
Shares in NatWest Group have fallen again this week, fuelling debate among investors about whether the pullback presents a buying opportunity or signals deeper challenges for the UK’s fourth-largest bank. On Thursday, NatWest’s stock underperformed the wider market, closing around £5.95, down by more than 2% on the day and significantly below its recent 52-week high. The recent downturn follows a period of strong performance, including a substantial jump in profitability in 2025, but investors have been cautious in response to strategic shifts and sector-wide pressures. This report breaks down the latest share price movements, the forces behind them and…
Phishing is now one of the most pervasive cyber-security threats facing individuals, businesses and public services. Once dismissed as crude scam emails, phishing attacks have evolved into sophisticated social-engineering instruments that harvest passwords, payment details and corporate credentials on an industrial scale. As digital dependency grows, so does the ingenuity of attackers and even major technology companies such as Microsoft can find themselves caught in the cross-fire between threat detection and legitimate email delivery. Defining Phishing: The Modern Digital Scam At its core, phishing is a form of cyber-attack that uses fraudulent messages usually via email, but also increasingly through…
Shein has brought its online fashion platform to one of Britain’s busiest shopping destinations, unveiling a temporary pop-up store on Oxford Street in London. The short-term retail activation, hosted at the Future Stores space on the famous West End thoroughfare, offers shoppers a rare opportunity to browse the brand’s collections in person. Running for a limited period, the pop-up marks Shein’s latest attempt to translate its digital-first success into a physical retail environment. Known primarily as an e-commerce giant, the company has built its global following through app-based shopping, influencer marketing and rapid product turnover. The Oxford Street store signals…
The Range has opened a new-format superstore in Ruislip, marking the rollout of what the retailer describes as an evolved store concept designed to broaden its offer and modernise the in-store experience. The launch represents the latest step in the company’s national expansion strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence across Greater London and the South East. The Ruislip site introduces an updated layout and a wider product mix, combining homeware, DIY, garden and seasonal ranges under one roof. The retailer says the concept aims to create a more intuitive shopping journey while responding to shifting consumer expectations around…
In a compelling climax to the mixed doubles curling event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italian stars Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner delivered a memorable performance on home soil to secure the bronze medal. The result, announced on Tuesday at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, brought cheers from partisan crowds and added to Italy’s burgeoning winter sports success at the Games. Italy’s curling duo, who had entered the competition as one of the favourites based on past achievements, overcame a narrow semi-final defeat to the United States before reclaiming momentum to beat Great Britain 5-3 in the bronze…
The Seattle Seahawks secured the Super Bowl title with a commanding 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots, capping a season defined by resilience and defensive authority. Played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the contest delivered a decisive result, but it was the personal journey of one player, once given just a one per cent chance of survival at birth that gave the night its enduring emotional weight. The Super Bowl result confirmed Seattle’s return to the summit of the NFL. It marked the franchise’s second championship and underlined the balance they maintained throughout the season between disciplined defence…
Shares in Hims & Hers Health Inc have entered 2026 under renewed pressure, extending a period of volatility that began in the final quarter of last year. The US-based telehealth group, best known for its direct-to-consumer health subscriptions, has faced mounting investor caution linked to regulatory changes, legal tension within the pharmaceutical sector and intensifying competition in the lucrative weight-loss market. For UK investors tracking global healthcare equities, the recent movement in Hims stock reflects a broader recalibration across digital health platforms that expanded rapidly during the pandemic but now operate in a more tightly scrutinised environment. Recent Share Price…
Officials advising Ed Miliband have forecast that wholesale gas prices could continue to fall for much of the next decade, according to internal projections reported this week. The assessment, prepared within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, suggests global supply growth may keep prices lower for longer than previously expected. The forecast arrives at a politically sensitive moment. Energy costs remain a dominant issue for households and businesses across the UK, and Labour’s long-term energy strategy has centred on reducing reliance on fossil fuels to protect consumers from volatility. If gas prices decline steadily, the policy debate over…