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James Knuckey
@jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
44 followers 32 following 62 posts
Senior news reporter @express.co.uk | Views are my own
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jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: Labour has been accused of creating “uncertainty and distraction” after finally launching a consultation on controversial plans designed to speed up the planning system.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2135...
Fury over Keir Starmer's 'shameful' plans to speed up house building
EXCLUSIVE: It comes as Labour looks to pick up the pace on housebuilding to meet its ambitious 1.5 million new homes pledge.
www.express.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:01 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Farmers assembled their tractors in the middle of a Suffolk village in protest over controversial National Grid plans for a new 114-mile pylon route.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2134...
Furious farmers protestt over 114-mile pylons across countryside
EXCLUSIVE: One aggrieved farmer said the pylons will have a "massive impact" on his farm and blasted the scheme as "absolute nonsense".
www.express.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: Two barbers are being sought after to cut the hair of migrants awaiting deportation at the UK’s newest removal centre.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the positions are "a total waste of taxpayers' money" and an "insult".

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2128...
Fury over job advert for barbers to cut hair of migrants awaiting deportation
EXCLUSIVE: Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the positions are "a total waste of taxpayers' money" and an "insult".
www.express.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: Labour has been told it risks creating "postcodes, not places" with its new towns plans which could cost up to £48 billion.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour warned one key failure could undermine their £48billion new towns plan
EXCLUSIVE: The Government has been told it risks creating "postcodes, not places" with the proposals which have been described as "extremely ambitious".
www.express.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: The commander of one of Ukraine's five elite drone units has told @express.co.uk how UAVs have "no real alternatives" on the modern battlefield.

Interview with Captain Yurii ‘Achilles’ Fedorenko here 👇

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
'I command a Ukrainian regiment - these weapons are our eyes on the frontline'
EXCLUSIVE: In an interview with the Express, the elite commander explained why these weapons have become irreplaceable on the Ukraine battlefield.
www.express.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
An exclusive from me in today’s Sunday Express.

One of the UK’s biggest migrant hotels which has cost the taxpayer millions of pounds has been completely empty for weeks.

@express.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 12:14 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Exclusive: Plans are being drawn up to target more military service leavers to volunteer with the Army Cadet Force as major expansion plans get under way.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2119...
Veterans wanted to volunteer with Army Cadets as £70m expansion drive begins
EXCLUSIVE: The move comes after a report by MPs warned Britain lacks a clear plan to boost the numbers of its cadets.
www.express.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Around 22,000 people have been evacuated from Berlin after two Second World War bombs were discovered in two areas of the German capital.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
Chaos in Berlin as 22,000 evacuated after WW2 bombs discovered
One bomb was found an area popular with tourists, while the other in the west of the city, weighs a whopping 100 kilograms.
www.express.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Strong words at DSEI today from the RAF’s new Chief of the Air Staff: “Our potential adversaries are not standing still — in fact, they are approaching a sprint, their military industrial complex is in full swing.”

My report for @express.co.uk ✍️

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2107...
RAF chief's chilling warning UK faces 'multiplying threats' as 'world's changed'
"Our potential adversaries are not standing still - in fact, they are approaching a sprint - their military industrial complex is in full swing"
www.express.co.uk
September 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
The head of Vauxhall has warned more action is needed for the country to be ready for Labour’s “ambitious” 2030 electric vehicle sales target. ⚡️

www.express.co.uk/life-style/c...
Ed Miliband issued warning over 2030 new petrol and diesel car sales ban
EXCLUSIVE: Labour has been warned that motorists could be put off making the jump to electric cars unless infrastructure is improved.
www.express.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Police are preparing to launch a major drone operation in Windsor for Donald Trump’s historic state visit.

Thames Valley Police will have more than 50 drones at its disposal in what is expected to be one of the force’s largest operations of its kind.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2106...
Major police drone operation for Donald Trump's unprecedented state visit
The US President and First Lady's UK state visit will last three days and police are preparing for their arrival at Windsor Castle.
www.express.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Loved speaking to Viscount Slim about his grandfather, Field Marshal Viscount William Slim, Britain's "greatest general", for #VJ80.

Fantastic stories about an inspirational man and leader who we owe so much.

We will remember them. #VJDay

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2094...
Grandson of Britain’s ‘greatest general’ says WW2 heroes must never be forgotten
Never-seen-before family photos of the commander have been shared with the Express, as the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
www.express.co.uk
August 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Former defence minister Sarah Atherton said when she was in the MoD, she was shocked that defence officials were unaware of who had exactly worked for the UK and was eligible to come to Britain under the ARAP scheme.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Afghan scandal intensifies as civil servants 'didn't know' who worked for UK'
EXCLUSIVE: A former minister said there was no "definitive list" of the Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK, adding she had concerns.
www.express.co.uk
July 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Relatives from all SOE operations in Burma have formally gathered for the very first time, weeks before VJ Day 80.

They want to ensure the remarkable contribution of the SOE heroes in the ‘Forgotten War’ is always remembered.

My piece for the @express.co.uk 👇

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...
Britain's hero WW2 secret agents who fought in 'forgotten war' remembered
EXCLUSIVE: The Express attended the landmark gathering which comes weeks before the UK prepares to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
www.express.co.uk
July 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
NEW: The Army has relaxed its rules around tattoos.

Applicants with tattoos on the front and sides of the neck will now be able to progress through the recruiting pipeline.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...
UK Army in key rule change as efforts continue to get more recruits to join
The Army's move will enable more people to sign up, at a time when the UK military is experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis.
www.express.co.uk
July 12, 2025 at 5:51 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Britain is failing to get the most out of its F-35B amid availability issues largely caused by shortages, a new report has warned.

The NAO found in 2024, the fleet was only able to perform all its required missions at a rate of about 1/3 the MoD target.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...
Shortages causing UK's elite £88m jets struggling to perform all tasks
Delays, lower-than-expected availability, infrastructure gaps and personnel shortages are undermining the jet's warfighting capability, a report has warned.
www.express.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Some holidaymakers endured a nightmare start to their time away this morning.

An issue at Luton Airport's bag drop — which has now been resolved — saw some travellers miss their flights.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2078...
Tourists fume as they miss flight after 'total mess' at major UK airport
EXCLUSIVE: One unlucky traveller described issues at the bag drop as a "mess", adding people were "pushing and shoving" in the hope of getting their bags on their flight.
www.express.co.uk
July 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
A team of 14 British aircraft engineers have arrived in India to repair the stranded UK F-35B that has been stuck at an airport in the south of the country for more than three weeks. 🇬🇧 🇮🇳

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
UK sends team to finally repair stranded jet after snag prompts India mockery
The stuck jet has caused a stir on social media and was even mocked by the local tourist board to promote the region.
www.express.co.uk
July 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
My second story from Skegness where local hotel owners have been sharing their recent struggles and anger with the Labour government.

A sign in the window of one hotel reads: “Keir Starmer is barred.”

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2074...
'Starmer's barred' - Fury in seaside town where hotels are struggling to survive
EXCLUSIVE: Hotel owners in a popular coastal resort have shared how trade has fallen, with one claiming Sir Keir Starmer is 'killing us all off'.
www.express.co.uk
July 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Exclusive: New build military homes are expected to be self-sufficient which will mean "really low energy costs" for troops and their families.

The Government's Defence Housing Strategy is set to be published after Parliament's summer recess.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2071...
UK's new military housing to go green as part of ‘once in a generation’ upgrade
EXCLUSIVE: A minister has revealed new details of Labour's plans to rejuvenate military homes to help resolve the retention crisis that has engulfed the forces.
www.express.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
My report from my visit to Fantasy Island where the theme park shared the impact of Rachel Reeves’ NI hike and soaring energy prices.

Reform UK’s Richard Tice warned the Chancellor’s policies could lead to a “terrifying double whammy to the national accounts”.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2071...
Heartbreak in famous UK seaside town as theme park closes 2 days a week
EXCLUSIVE: The theme park has been hit by surging labour and energy costs, plus reduced spending by customers who are 'fearful' of potential tax increases.
www.express.co.uk
June 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Expert says the latest flare-up between Israel and Iran is “much more dangerous” than previous escalations, warning a larger conflict cannot be ruled out.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
Israel's Iran strike is 'most dangerous yet' – why that's humiliating for Trump
EXCLUSIVE: Israel claimed to have struck more than 100 targets across Iran after launching a series of strikes in the early hours of Friday morning.
www.express.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
Linden Groves from The Gardens Trust told @express.co.uk: “It would be the equivalent of someone clearing out all of Shakespeare’s manuscripts and burning them because they were taking up space.”
May 18, 2025 at 10:48 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners warn that proposed changes by Labour — ostensibly to make new developments easier to approve — threaten the future of cherished green sites.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2056...
UK's historic gardens and parks 'under threat' from 'shameful' Labour proposals
EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners warn that proposed changes by Labour, ostensibly to make new developments easier to approve, threaten the future of cherished green sites.
www.express.co.uk
May 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
jamesaknuckey.bsky.social
A new Frankenstein weapon built by Britain has played a critical role in defending Ukraine from Russian drones and cruise missiles.

I was one of a handful of reporters to get up close with the Raven air defence system as it was formally unveiled.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
British Frankenstein missile system in Ukraine ‘protecting Zelensky' | World | News | Express.co.uk
The UK has unveiled the air defence system for the first time which is proving vital in protecting Ukrainian civil infrastructure.
www.express.co.uk
May 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM