Archive

Date

Employer National Insurance contribution to rise to 15 per cent

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the expected increase in employers’ national insurance contributions, but thrown a lifeline to small businesses. Employers will pay an additional 1.2 percent to 15%, from April 2025. The secondary threshold –

Date

What is Carried Interest? Here is everything you need to know

If you've been watching the Autumn Budget, you have heard the term 'Carried Interest' more than a few times. While a great number of terms are well-known to us, many people may not know what 'Carried Interest' is. If you're interested in learning

Date

Price of a pint in the pub to drop as draught duty on alcoholic drinks cut

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that the price of a pint will drop by 1p following a fall in the draught duty. It comes as the Labour government announced their first budget in 15 years with their last in 2010 under Gordon Brown. Taking

Date

Bake Off fans 'gutted' as judges make 'bizarre decision' to send next baker home

Bake Off fans said they are "absolutely gutted" as the sixth baker has left the famous white tent for good. Tuesday night's episode saw the remaining 2024 cast tasked with three seasonal-based challenges including a sweet autumn-inspired pie signature

Date

Miles of queues after another A34 crash

Date

POLL: Should children be given playdough instead of sweets at Halloween?

Halloween is the one day of the year when it’s acceptable for children to spend an entire evening tucking into sweets, or is it? That’s not what the experts have said, as leading dental surgeons think children should be given alternative treats

Date

Martin Lewis responds to Rachel Reeves' budget and 'very big' tax rises

Martin Lewis has responded to Rachel Reeves' autumn budget. In a historic speech, the chancellor said "the country voted for change" on the 4 July general election. Labour was given a mandate "to restore stability to our country and to begin a

Date

Stamp duty changes as second home rate increased and relief scheme to end

Stamp Duty changes for second homes will come into force tomorrow, following Rachel Reeves' announcement in the autumn budget. In England and Northern Ireland the higher rate of stamp duty is equivalent to an extra five percentage points on top

Date

All you need to know from Rachel Reeves' first Budget

Rachel Reeves announced £40 billion a year in extra taxes as she increased Government borrowing and spending to “rebuild Britain”. The Chancellor’s plans will see the tax burden reach an historic high, while borrowing increases by an average £32.3

Date

Halloween warning issued with fewer trains between Oxford and London

A warning has been issued to those travelling between Oxford and London with fewer trains scheduled on Halloween. Between Thursday, October 31 and Friday, November 1 there will not be as many trains on the tracks as usual. Chiltern Railways

Date

Police search for man after woman ‘inappropriately touched’ in supermarket

Police are searching for a man after a woman was 'inappropriately touched' at an Oxfordshire supermarket. The incident occurred at a supermarket on Cogges Hill, Witney at around 10pm on Thursday, September 19.  Officers say that the victim,

Date

Bus fare cap increase provokes fury in Oxfordshire

Green councillors in Oxfordshire have condemned the bus fare cap increase announced as part of the Budget by the government this week. In January, the £2 bus fare cap will be replaced by a new £3 cap until the end of 2025, the government has announced

Date

Crash on A34 causes major delays ahead of rush hour as police attend

6:12pm End of blog Thanks for following our coverage today. UPDATE 6:07PM The incident on the #A34

Date

UK warned as 55 spider species found including never seen before type

The UK has been warned that over 50 species of spider have been found including one never seen before. A survey has revealed that a Suffolk nature reserve in Suffolk currently has as many as 55 different species which have made the site their home

Date

Police report injuries after five-vehicle HGV crash closes road

Police have confirmed there have been injuries following a serious five-vehicle HGV crash in Oxfordshire earlier today.  The incident happened at around 11.45am as a HGV and four other vehicles were involved in a collision in Thame Road. Thames

Date

Covered Market traders show off spooky Halloween decorations

Traders at Oxford's Covered Market have been celebrating Halloween in style.  Lots of shops at the market have decorated their windows with spooky themes with staff encouraging their customers to get in the mood for the celebrations. Picture

Date

Latest update on Banbury Road Roundabout project

A new date has been given for the reopening of a major road in Bicester after it was announced phase three of the Banbury Road Roundabout project would be delayed. The southern side of Banbury Road from the roundabout to Lodge Close in Bicester

Date

Why there is a huge crane in Botley Road this week

A large crane has appeared as Thames Water work continues at a bridge on Botley Road in Oxford. Network Rail is in charge of a £161m scheme to improve Oxford rail station, which has closed the road to traffic at the railway bridge. The closure

Date

Controversial plans for children's home in city suburb approved

Controversial plans for a home in an Oxford suburb for children with "emotional and behavioural difficulties" have been approved.  Applicant Aryas Properties sought permission from Oxford City Council to turn two neighbouring houses in Windmill

Date

Budget highlights from pensions and fuel duty to inheritance and price of a pint

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out a Budget which will increase taxes by £40 billion as she promised to “fix the foundations” of the economy and repair the public finances. In the first Labour Budget since 2010 – and the first ever delivered by a

Date

First UK case of potentially deadly strain mpox detected in London

The first UK case of a potentially deadly strain of the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, has been detected in London. Having said this, the risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox strain “remains low”, the UK Health Security Agency

Date

Jeremy Clarkson brands government ‘hopeless’ after new budget

Jeremy Clarkson has labelled the UK government “hopeless” after the new budget was announced. The former Top Gear host has moved on from cars, owning both a farm as well as a pub at two different spots in West Oxfordshire. Mr Clarkson famously

Date

Police ‘concerned’ as urgent search for missing red-haired man launched

Police are “concerned” for the wellbeing of a missing man in Oxfordshire. An urgent search has been launched by Thames Valley Police in order to locate Mark, whose surname was not provided by the force. The missing person is male and has dyed

Date

Defending champion back at home tournament this weekend

DEFENDING quad singles champion Oliver Cox is looking forward to returning to his home tournament off the back of a successful 2024. The 17-year-old, from Watchfield, joins Paris 2024 Paralympians Abbie Breakwell and Dahnon Ward as the leading

Date

Tech CEO studying at Oxford University outlines ambitious future plans

An Afghan tech entrepreneur from Canada studying at Oxford University has outlined her ambitious future plans. Sara Wahedi was born in Kabul but emigrated from Afghanistan with her family to North America in 2005. She co-founded the civic technology

Date

Chancellor reveals Inheritance Tax changes in Budget - how will you be affected?

Rachel Reeves has announced a number of changes to the Inheritance Tax system during her first Budget as Chancellor. Announcing Labour's first Budget for 14 years, Ms Reeves, the country's first female Chancellor, confirmed changes to inheritance

Date

Universal Credit claimants receive £420 boost in Budget as benefit increase confirmed

More than a million households in receipt of Universal Credit will benefit from changes to the system announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today. Ms Reeves, giving her first budget as Chancellor, announced that Labour will be lowering the cap

Date

Businesses considering lay-offs in response to National Minimum Wage hike

Businesses fear that increases to the National Minimum Wage and an increase in employer National Insurance contributions may be the final nails in the coffin for struggling firms. "The UK’s minimum wage is up 37 per cent since 21/22," says Rachel

Date

DWP to get direct access to bank accounts under new powers, Chancellor reveals

The Chancellor has announced new measures to tackle benefit fraud in her Budget, including giving the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) direct access to bank accounts. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she will crack down on fraud in the UK’s

Date

Chancellor reveals billions in compensation for blood and Post Office scandal victims

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced billions of pounds of compensation will be set aside for victims of the infected blood and Post Office Horizon scandals. The announcement was made as part of the 2024 Autumn Budget, which is the first of Keir

Date

Police and firefighters attend as FIVE-VEHICLE CRASH closes key road

6:03pm End of blog Thanks for following our coverage today. We will bring you further updates on this incident

Date

Oxfordshire sports ground closes at weekends 'until further notice'

A popular sports ground in Bicester has closed at weekends 'until further notice' due to 'unfortunate and unavoidable' circumstances. Bicester Town Council announced that Whiteland's Farm Sports Ground would be closed on Saturday and Sunday 'until

Date

University access gap for free school meal pupils hits all-time high

The gap between the proportion of free school meal pupils in Oxfordshire and their peers going to university hit an all-time high last year, new figures show. New Department for Education figures show 20 per cent of year 11 pupils in the 2022-23

Date

BBC show DIY SOS on lookout for new projects across Oxfordshire

Renovation show DIY SOS is looking for new projects across Oxfordshire. The hit BBC programme helps people in need by decorating their homes with the help of volunteers and tradespeople. Presenter Nick Knowles and his team of Purple Shirts,

Date

University access gap for poorest Oxfordshire pupils reaches all-time high

The gap between the proportion of the most and least disadvantaged pupils in Oxfordshire going to university hit an all-time high last year, new figures show. It comes as the proportion of the most disadvantaged pupils going on to higher education

Date

Inside serene waterside Cotswolds hotel ‘cut off from the world’

There is no doubt that Oxfordshire is home to several wonderful hotels from historic buildings to modern conversions Last time out I was lucky enough to review one of the oldest hotels in Oxford, The Randolph, but this time we have moved from the

Date

Gum removed from Oxford's streets in £26k clean-up project

Chewing gum has been removed from Oxford's city centre streets following the award of a £26,500 grant. The clean-up was carried out by ODS on behalf of Oxford City Council with funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force. Having begun in the summer

Date

Oxfordshire runner places ninth overall in marathon

An Oxfordshire runner came ninth place in a marathon last week. Mark Burrows, a member for Bicester Triathlon Club, ran the muddy swamp fest Blackpool Zoo to Beacon Fell marathon on Sunday (October 26) in four hours 45 minutes 28 seconds. Starting

Date

By-election to be held after cabinet member resigns

Voters will go to the polls in a by-election to replace a West Oxfordshire district councillor. Labour councillor Rizvana Poole, who was executive member for stronger, healthy communities, stepped down in September. A by-election will be held

Date

Lane obstructed on M40 causing delays

12:27pm 🚨Unlock unlimited local news subscribe today and save 30 per cent off an annual subscription 🚨

Date

Conservatives deliver Winter Fuel Payments petition to Oxfordshire MP ahead of Budget

Oxfordshire Conservatives have delivered an open letter to Banbury’s Labour MP after the Conservatives launched a Winter Fuel Payments petition. The petition calls for Winter Fuel Payments to be restored to pensioners after the Labour government

Date

Police issue statement as emergency services race to city incident

Emergency services responded to a "fear for welfare" related incident in Oxford this morning (October 30), police have confirmed. Police cars and fire engines were seen on Hollow Way, Cowley, just before 8am.  Cars were stopped from going through

Date

A Rambunctious Riverside Walk in Wallingford

Many people enjoy taking a mellow meander down the Thames Path in Wallingford due to its serene, scenic aura.   This illustrious path, well-known for its close proximity to the now decrepit Wallingford Norman castle, proved to be a perfect

Date

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms Fuel Duty won't rise next year

Fuel Duty will not rise next year, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced she would maintain the freeze on the tax. Fuel Duty is tax that affects anyone looking to purchase fuel for their car as well as people wanting to heat their home.

Date

ITS GOTHMAS! Christmas Alternative Market in Reading

Reading Biscuit Factory, next to Broad Street Mall, will be hosting a loosely Christmas themed alternative market that caters to all ages on November 30th.   Louise Turner, who has experience in event planning, having coordinated a special

Date

Budget 2024: What to expect and what this could mean for Oxfordshire

People across Oxfordshire are waiting to hear how the 2024 Budget will affect them. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the first Budget of the new Labour government today (Wednesday, October 30).  She is expected to introduce many tax rises

Date

Police receive reports about illegal poaching and hare coursing

Officers at Thames Valley Police have received reports of illegal poaching activities across the region. On Tuesday, October 29, teams from the rural crime taskforce set off to complete proactive patrols in the woodlands across Thames Valley.

Date

Emergency services respond to incident on busy city road

11:38am Thames Valley Police has confirmed this was a fear for welfare incident involving a man in his 50s. The force

Date

Police operations gathers 'useful' intelligence from lorry drivers on criminal gangs

An on-going police operation has gathered "useful" intelligence from lorry drivers into organised criminal gangs, police say. PCSOs from the Bicester and Kidlington Neighbourhood team were assisting colleagues from Modern Slavery and Organised

Date

Man given Pubwatch ban after 'several incidents in licensed premises'

A man has been given a Pubwatch ban after 'several incidents in licensed premises'. PCSOs Morley and Blood from the Thames Valley Neighbourhood Police Team issued the ban while on night time foot patrol in Abingdon. The PCSOs also attended

Date

Major plans lodged for new primary school for 600 children near town

Major plans for a new school for more than 600 children have been submitted as part of the Valley Park scheme just outside Didcot.  Developers Taylor Wimpey (Southern Counties) and Persimmon Homes (Wessex) have proposed a primary school with a

Date

The best photos from the Didcot Railway Centre steam day

Hundreds of children, parents and grandparents visited Didcot Railway Centre for the first weekend of the half-term holiday to enjoy riding in vintage steam and diesel trains with the backdrop of the autumn hues of the trees. Passengers joined

Date

The best photos from Alfred Fest in Oxfordshire town

An Oxfordshire town came together over the weekend to dress up, listen to music and celebrate.  Alfred Fest was held on Saturday, October 26 in the West End of the Market Place in Wantage.  The day started with performances by the popular Wantage

Date

Classical singer Nadia Eide bringing Christmas tour to Dorchester Abbey

A classical singer from Oxfordshire who has previously appeared on ITV's The Voice is set to be joined by local choirs as she embarks on her Christmas tour. Nadia Eide, who shot to fame after appearing on the programme in 2021, will perform at

Date

Headless horseman returns to Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace has transformed its grounds for Halloween, with a trail running for the rest of the week. The trail, open until Sunday, November 3, offers a "blend of eerie enchantment and fun for the entire family". Blenheim said it is "inviting

Date

County council hoarding over £280m meant for vital infrastructure, say housebuilders

Oxfordshire County Council is hoarding over £280m of builder contributions meant for vital infrastructure, says a housebuilding body. As many as 208 local authorities responded to a freedom of information request by the Home Builders Federation

Date

U’s boss says side must make better use of striker following return

OXFORD United will have to adjust their approach better when making use of Will Goodwin up front, says head coach Des Buckingham. The 22-year-old striker has endured an injury-hit time with the U’s since joining from Cheltenham Town in January,

Date

Oxfordshire MPs urge chancellor to prioritise local government ahead of budget

A group of Oxfordshire MPs are calling on the chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise local government funding ahead of the budget today (October 30). The letter was sent last week by all the Liberal Democrat MPs across Oxfordshire - Olly Glover

Date

No injured players to return until after international break

OXFORD United will not be welcoming any players back from injury before the November international break. The U’s host Swansea City this weekend, and then Hull City on Tuesday night, before a trip to Watford on November 8. The November international

Date

Oxford residents sending postcards to twin cities

Oxford residents are being invited to connect with people around the world by sending postcards. The 'My City, Your City: Postcards from Home' project invites people to send a postcard to one of Oxford's seven twin cities. The project is part

Date

Dentist says products bought by millions are 'nonsense' and total waste of money

A dentist has warned that products bought by millions of people across the UK are "nonsense" and a complete waste of money. Specialist orthodontist Dr Hames Davies, who owns Quayside Orthodontics in Carmarthen, explained that off-the-shelf whitening

Date

National Minimum Wage set to increase by 6.7 per cent in autumn budget

The national minimum wage is expected to go up by 6.7 per cent next year, according to reports. Younger workers will receive an even bigger increase in a bid to see 18-20 year olds paid the same as those over 21, a step towards making the same

Date

'Check your change' - Coin expert highlights two 'gem' 50p coins worth a fortune

Coin experts have highlighted two Royal Mint 50p coins described as ‘gems’ with ‘sky rocketing’ values. The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas

Date

Motorists 'avoiding road closure' by 'pavement driving'

People living in a residential street on the edge of Oxford say motorists are ignoring a road closure by "driving on pavements" to get past instead.  North Hinksey Lane has a closure in place this week as Thames Water works are carried out in the

Date

Concerns over new ‘invasive’ floodlights at rugby club as plans lodged

Local residents are concerned that an Oxfordshire rugby club’s new floodlights could be “invasive”. Wallingford Rugby Club at Wallingford Sports Park and Social Club on Hithercroft Road is aiming to erect two 15m high floodlighting columns and

Date

Town council to revitalise valued community hall

Chipping Norton Town Council has agreed to take over the lease and revitalise a valued community hall. Glyme Hall offers a large main hall, social area, meeting rooms, classroom and a fully fitted kitchen which can be booked for children's birthday

Date

Lloyds updates how customers transfer money to friends and family

Lloyds Bank has issued a crucial update to bank customers and account holders who use its app.  Lloyds customers can now request money from friends and family, quickly and easily, using the new Link Pay feature in the mobile banking app. They

Date

Banbury man earns judo black belt after 15 years

A 30-year-old from Banbury has reached the "pinnacle of my judo experience" after earning his black belt. Banbury Judo Club's Nathan Britton-Copping started his judo journey more than 15 years ago. He said: "Having been a judoka since age 14

Date

Grand Designs marks 25th anniversary with revisit to first ever build from 1999

The UK's favourite architectural show - Grand Designs is officially back on TV screens as Kevin McCloud travels around the UK meeting new ambitious individuals building their dream homes. The show, on Channel 4, recently marked its 25th anniversary

Date

Motorist asks DVLA to ban grandma from driving and prevent 'killing someone'

Last week, the AA said banning young drivers from having passengers of the same age as them in the car would reduce "needless deaths". To aid police enforcement a “G” plate should be displayed on young drivers’ cars, to highlight that they are

Date

Aldi selling 'cheapest' Celebrations tubs for a limited time this week

Aldi is selling Celebrations tubs (550g) for the "cheapest" price amongst all supermarkets for a limited time this week. Mars Wrigley is responsible for a range of popular chocolates including M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles and of course Mars bars

Date

Child benefit changes and free nursery hours: What can families expect in the budget?

Families across the country will be hoping for a helping hand as Labour announces its first budget in almost 15 years. Parents, particularly those on lower incomes, have felt the pinch of the cost of living crisis over the past few years, with

Date

'Things will get worse, much worse': Dismay as A40 dual carriageway cancelled

Witney's MP said the situation on the heavily congested A40  will 'get worse, much worse' after a proposed dual carriageway was cancelled. The government has approved £126million of funding for Oxfordshire County Council's A40 improvement programme

Date

Oxford Mail readers can subscribe for just £2 for 2 months in this flash sale

Readers who want to subscribe to our news site can enjoy an exclusive offer of £2 for 2 months or more than 30 per cent off an annual subscription during our limited-time promotion.  A digital subscription is the best way to read the Oxford Mail

Date

City businesses fear huge trade loss as removal of parking spaces planned

City businesses are fearing a major loss of customers as proposals to remove dozens of on-street parking spaces have been proposed. Oxfordshire County Council has put forward plans to remove 41 on-street parking spaces in Hollow Way as part of

Date

New service for young patients with brain tumours launched

A new clinical psychology service for young patients facing a brain tumour diagnosis has been launched in Oxford. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has collaborated with charity Tom's Trust to establish the service. Tom's

Date

'Parasites in fish and spiders in storeroom' at luxury Italian restaurant

A fish parasite threat and spiders were discovered during a damning hygiene inspection at a luxury Italian riverside restaurant nestled in an Oxfordshire village. Don Giovanni at The Leatherne Bottel on Bridle Way in Goring, south of Wallingford

Date

How close are U’s players to picking up a ban for yellow cards?

OXFORD United’s players have seven more games to avoid picking up the requisite number of yellow cards which would lead to a one-match ban. Right back Peter Kioso is currently the most at-risk United player, having accumulated four bookings already

Date

First electric-bus route launched for key Oxford locations

A bus operator has launched its very first electric bus route in Oxford. Stagecoach West announced the first route to benefit from the upcoming rollout of its 55 new electric vehicles yesterday (October 28). Service 10, which runs from Oxford

Date

Stunning photo of rainbow above historic windmill captured

A stunning new photo shows a rainbow above an historic windmill near Bicester. The photo of Brill Windmill, which is just over the Oxfordshire border, in Buckinghamshire, was taken on Friday, October 25. The windmill, owned by Brill Parish

Date

Government urged to 'think again' over Winter Fuel Payment cuts ahead of Budget

MPs have called on the Government to “think again” about means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment in a move that could see as many as 10 million pensioners lose the support. Tory MPs gathered in Westminster on Tuesday morning, ahead of handing in