Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

More than fifty cases of cryptosporidium have been confirmed in Brixham, Devon; around 17,000 households were instructed to boil their water. The Health Security Agency reported 57 cases, up by eleven since last Friday, with more expected. Pennon Group, South West Water's parent company, announced £3.5m in compensation for affected customers while reporting £166.3m in profits. The boil water notice has been lifted for 14,500 homes but remains for 2,500. The outbreak, probably caused by animal faeces entering a damaged pipe, has led to increased health measures and support for local businesses.

Twenty passengers, including six Britons, remain in intensive care after a Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow encountered severe turbulence. Singapore's prime minister has promised a thorough investigation following the death of 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, who suffered a suspected heart attack. A total of 79 passengers and six crew members were injured. The turbulence occurred over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, causing the plane to drop 6,000 feet. The airline’s CEO apologised for the traumatic experience.

Michael Gove has addressed the rise in antisemitism in Britain, warning it signals broader societal dangers. In his speech, Gove likened the situation to historical instances where countries becoming unsafe for Jews indicated a descent into darkness, referencing Nazi Germany and others. He criticised the display of anti-Jewish symbols at pro-Palestine marches and called for stricter measures against such displays of hatred. Gove urged the House of Lords to pass a bill preventing public bodies from boycotting Israeli-linked businesses. His comments follow a record 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023.

UK Cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, are visiting Saudi Arabia to strengthen trade ties amid reports of Riyadh authorising lethal force to clear land for a new desert city. Dowden is leading a 450-strong delegation of British businesses at the two-day summit aimed at promoting economic ties. Downing Street defended the visit after the BBC reported claims of Saudi forces using deadly force to evict villagers for The Line, a 105-mile-long metropolis in Neom. See Rishi Sunak’s spokesman emphasised the importance of the UK-Saudi relationship and confirmed ministers would address human rights concerns. Campaigners criticised the visit, urging an independent investigation into the reported killings. Amnesty International highlighted the need for businesses to assess risks in Saudi Arabia. Dowden announced a new joint task force for higher education cooperation and projected a £3 billion investment from Saudi Arabia to sustain 2,000 UK jobs.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to outline six pledges as part of his pre-election pitch. These commitments include establishing a border security command to tackle criminal gangs behind small boat crossings and also the recruitment of 6,500 teachers. At an event in Essex, Starmer will say these pledges mark 'a decade of national renewal’. The six steps are: 1) sticking to tough spending rules for economic stability; 2) cutting NHS waiting lists with 40,000 more weekly appointments funded by tackling tax avoidance; 3) launching a border security command; 4) establishing Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean energy company; 5) increasing neighbourhood police officers to reduce antisocial behaviour; and 6) recruiting 6,500 teachers by ending tax breaks for private schools. These steps will form a key part of Labour's election campaign. The Conservatives criticised the plans, arguing their current policies are effectively strengthening the economy and immigration system. Labour's pledges aim to prove the party's reliability with public money and defence.

The graduate visa route, which allows overseas students to stay in the UK for up to three years post-graduation, should remain, according to a Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report. This follows concerns from Home Secretary James Cleverly about potential abuse for immigration purposes. Despite calls from former immigration minister Robert Jenrick to abolish the visa, the report found no evidence of widespread abuse and highlighted its importance for funding British universities and supporting the government's international educational strategy. It emphasised the visa's role in helping universities expand course offerings and cover financial losses from domestic students and research. In 2023, 114,000 graduate route visas were granted, primarily to students from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan. The MAC recommended maintaining the route and implementing a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents to prevent exploitation. The British Chambers of Commerce supported the findings, citing the need for skilled workers. Despite some initial low-wage employment, many graduate visa holders transition to skilled roles, enhancing their job prospects and wages over time.

Hundreds of court hearings have been postponed due to a worsening prison crisis. The Government has triggered emergency measures under Operation Early Dawn, causing defendants to remain in police custody instead of being transferred to magistrates' courts for bail hearings. This contingency allows defendants to be held in police cells until prison beds are available, leading to last-minute delays and adjournments. Justice officials have not confirmed the number of affected cases but emphasised the measures aim to limit disruption. Labour criticised the government for 'stalling justice' and leaving victims in limbo. Legal bodies expressed concern about the real-life consequences of these delays. The government blamed prison capacity issues on backlogs from the pandemic and the 2022 barrister’s strike. However, prisons watchdog Charlie Taylor called the situation 'entirely predictable,' and legal representatives described the scenario as 'administrative carnage.' The Magistrates’ Association and other legal experts have urged the government to provide more resources in the justice system to prevent further delays and inefficiencies. The emergency measures are expected to last a week.

A 31-year-old man from Bedfordshire has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after police discovered 'suspicious substances' at his home. Initially arrested on 6 May for causing explosions likely to endanger life and possessing Class A drugs, the man was found with several suspicious items. Bedfordshire Police conducted a small controlled explosion last week and informed the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism officers. The man was bailed while investigations continued but was re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of possessing articles for terrorist purposes. The police reported finding numerous items and substances at his address, which are being safely removed by specialist officers. They assured the public that there is no risk to local residents or the wider community. Locals described the man as living with his parents, with his mother stating he collected chemicals. She maintained it was unrelated to terrorism and that police were being over-cautious.

Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to welcome Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour has stirred mixed reactions among Labour MPs. Elphicke, previously a Conservative representative for Dover, made the unexpected switch, causing some Labour members to express confusion and dismay, despite leadership viewing it as a significant coup. Critics within the party, including Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, find Elphicke’s switch puzzling, given her past criticisms of Labour’s policies and her controversial defence of her ex-husband, Charlie Elphicke, following his sexual assault conviction. The defection, happening just before Prime Minister's Questions, has complicated matters for Labour, already has candidates in Elphicke's constituency. (In practice, Mrs Elphicke will not contest the Dover election, as she plans to leave the Commons). Despite the internal discord and criticism from the Conservative side, labelling Elphicke as opportunistic, Sir Keir emphasises the broader strategic advantage of attracting former Conservative voters to Labour. This move, however, remains contentious among both Labour and Conservative members.

John Swinney, newly sworn in as First Minister of Scotland, has appointed Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister, sparking criticism for creating a "continuity Cabinet." Forbes, previously Finance Secretary, replaces Shona Robison and will also oversee the economy and Gaelic. Critics label the Cabinet reshuffle as uninspired, fearing it prioritises party interests and independence over pressing national issues. Despite maintaining many previous Cabinet members, Swinney asserts the mix of experience and energy will focus on eradicating child poverty, economic growth, and meeting climate commitments. Scottish Greens and other opposition parties express concerns about Forbes's conservative views potentially affecting government direction, particularly in social equality and climate action. Scottish Conservative and Labour leaders criticise the leadership's consistency, foreseeing continued national challenges. Forbes expresses honour in her new role, committed to improving Scotland alongside her colleagues.