What You Need To Know

Packed boats, a perilous journey and dreams of a fresh start. The gangs responsible promise a new life. But for many, it’s one they’ll never see. The Rwanda Bill's dominated headlines, yet the small boat crossings show little sign of letting up. One side treats them like cattle, the other - a criminal, but how far would you go to protect your family?  Sangeeta Kandola is joined by ITV News' Peter...

It was a medical disaster that saw 30,000 victims infected with HIV and hepatitis C by contaminated blood transfusions. The infected blood inquiry confirmed that the disaster was no accident, and one that unfolded on a horrifying scale. It was a scandal that could have been avoided, but for the actions of frontline medical staff, civil servants and successive governments, as institutions put savin...

Alastair Hamilton was 47 when he secretly arranged to end his life. His family retraced his last steps to Switzerland, where they spoke to the clinic that helped Alastair to die without their knowledge. Now, with so much debate around assisted dying in the UK, what can we learn from Alastair’s story? And what’s to stop anyone else doing the same? ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand and producer Nathan L...

Can you spot the difference between what’s real and what’s fake? The rise of artificial intelligence has opened the door to a world of technological possibilities. But with it comes a more sinister side. Deceptively realistic deepfakes – created by AI technology – are cropping up more and more online. So what are they? What happens when you're a victim of one? And, in an election year, how worried...

The Post Office, infected blood, Hillsborough, Waspi women, Grenfell. All national scandals that seem, on the face of it, to be completely different. But do they have more in common than we might think?  And how fit for purpose are our systems for writing the wrongs of the past? After years campaigning for justice, Jo Hamilton, Jackie Britton and Shelagh Simmons tell ITV Meridian's Christine Alsfo...

Have you ever wondered if you could do your job from the beach?  Well, with the flexibility of remote working, for some - it’s a reality. With just a laptop and a Wi-fi signal, ‘digital Nomads’, are embracing a new form of work-life balance. Is this a worker’s revolution? And what does this mean for the workplace here in the UK?  ITV News' Chloe Keedy tells Cari Davies what you need to know.

It’s a crime that can happen anywhere in the UK, inside any home, in any bedroom, to any child. Online child exploitation is increasing year on year, with few realising the true extent of these appalling acts and the devastation they cause. New technology has changed the way these crimes are committed, exposing many more children to online harm. What’s going so badly wrong? And who’s working to ca...

The number of new and expectant mothers across England receiving special treatment for their mental health has almost doubled in the last three years. ITV News can reveal that more than 57,000 women relied on treatment over the past year.   And whilst nothing can prepare you for motherhood, why are more mums reaching crisis point? And what can be done to help?  ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecc...

The festival of Passover is a time where Jewish families around the world come together to celebrate one of the most unique stories in the Jewish calendar.   And this year, this biblical story of freedom and survival has taken on extra resonance.   So why is this Passover more important than ever before? And how does each family celebrate the tradition? ITV News Reporter Sam Holder tells Mary Nigh...

Could it become too expensive to spend a penny in the UK? Well, as part of new budget cuts, councils across England are closing public toilets. And with hundreds of less loos across the country, locals and those with medical conditions are becoming increasingly concerned. So, can anything be done to save our toilets? ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi and Consumer Producer Hannah Kings tell Yasmi...

Donald Trump’s hush money trial is a historical first.  It’s the first time a former US president has faced serious criminal charges. As his wide web of lies becomes untangled, it’s been revealed that he tried to cover up a conspiracy to influence the 2016 election. So, what really happened? And how will this impact his current bid for presidency? ITV News US Correspondent Dan Rivers tells Rageh O...

For many of us Ethiopia is seared into the memory from the 1980s famine which shocked the world, prompting the era defining Live Aid concerts.     But now, alarm bells are ringing again as it battles mass starvation, prompted by the twin evils of war and climate change.    Now, charities are warning of famine whilst the UK and US are pledging up to $630 million in aid.    But in a world full of cr...

In 2018, medical cannabis was legalised in the UK.    And yet, six years on, families are going bankrupt as they struggle to get hold of the drug and pay for their prescriptions. That’s because current NHS regulation means barely anyone can access free treatment, forcing many to turn to private prescriptions. So, why is it so restrictive? And how can things be changed? ITV News Reporter Sam Holder...

Murray Dowey was just 16 years old when he took his own life.  After enjoying Christmas with his family, Murray found out he had been blackmailed by a scammer and was a victim of 'sextortion.' Just a few hours later, Murray was gone. Now, his family are calling on social media platforms to up safeguarding policies for teens, like Murray. So, what exactly is 'sextortion?' Why is it on the rise? And...

In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi tells Charlie Frost what you need to know... As the country continues to battle with the cost-of-living crisis, new figures reveal that there could be some relief for us, as billions of pounds are going unclaimed. People across Britain, including you, could be owed money from a lost pension, forgotten bank account or even in...

In its first direct attack on Israeli soil, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones to the country overnight on Saturday.    And whilst the unprecedented attack has been called an ‘almost total failure’ by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, world leaders are urging Israel to restrain.    Now, the fate of the Middle East hangs in the balance as Israel vows to exact a price from Tehran. So, what...

When you go down the fruit and veg isle at the supermarket, do you ever think how safe the produce is? Well, you might need to – as a recent study found that common fruit and veg is linked to diseases like cancer. That’s because they may have been sprayed with pesticides which take thousands of years to break down. And it’s no wonder campaigners are now calling for the government to condemn what t...

As another day dawns on the English Channel, another dingy makes its way across the waters. Full to the brim with migrants, determined to make a new life for themselves. And yet, despite the British government’s recent social media campaign to deter illegal immigration, boats still come, packed and in plenty. So, why is the campaign not working? And can anything stop the dangerous journeys? ITV Ne...

Ramadan - it's the holiest month of the year for Muslims. It's a time of sacrifice, self-discipline, and reflection. And a time where more than two billion people - four million of which live in Britain - fast from dawn to sunset. But what does this month actually mean to British Muslims? Ahead of the ITV1 documentary 'Ramadan: A Journey Across Britain' on Wednesday at 10.45pm, ITV News Political...

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The Post Office scandal is a story which has gripped the nation. At the heart of it was Paula Vennells, the Post Office’s CEO. For years, many wondered what she knew and when. Now, ITV News can reveal that the former post office boss knew full well about the issues with the Horizon IT system.   And yet despite warnings, she continued to cover it up. So, why did she ignore the warnings? And will sh...

From poison-resistant rodents to bedbugs and cockroaches, there’s a spike in infestations across the UK. More than 800 pest control callouts are made on average every day as lives are upturned by these most unwelcome of guests. So is Britain’s pest problem spiralling out of control? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent tells Cari Davies what you need to know...

Rich Rotella was 5'5" when he decided to change his life. The budding actor had a procedure in Florida to add three inches to his height - before a year long recovery. The limb lengthening surgery Rich underwent is happening all over the world. But is it worth it - all for a couple of inches? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar tells Cari Davies what you need to...

Having a baby should be a moment of pure elation but for too many families it’s becoming a time of grief and despair.    That’s because the number of neonatal and infant deaths in hospitals are rising, with London having the highest rate in the country. So, why is this worrying trend increasing? And how much does poor maternity care play a role in this? In the latest quick-briefing episode, ITV Ne...

For the past 10 years, a young British woman has been locked up in hospital. Whilst she was born with a learning disability, there was no medical reason for her to be detained in hospital and her parents continue to fight every day for her release.     And she's not alone, as more than 2000 people with learning disabilities or autism remain stuck in hospitals across England, with little chance of...