Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to suspend any Labour member who was present at a meeting of activists where antisemitic comments were allegedly made. Mike Katz, the national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM), criticised those who were present at the meeting but failed to 'call out' comments about Israel. At the meeting, which is understood to have taken place in Hyndburn last year, Labour's original candidate for the Rochdale by-election claimed Israel deliberately allowed the Hamas atrocity of 7 October to take place in order to give it the 'green light' to invade Gaza. The Labour Party initially stood by Mr Ali, but later withdrew support for his candidacy after 'further comments' came to light. Another one of the party's election candidates, the former Labour MP Graham Jones, had also been present at the meeting, and made comments resulting in his suspension. Mr Katz said there was a real problem that nobody raised concerns. He said: 'Well, they're identifiable. They all ought to be suspended pending investigation’. A third Labour MP was spoken to about his attendance at the Hyndburn meeting. See

HMS Prince of Wales, Britain's largest warship, has embarked for Norway to spearhead a significant NATO exercise, the largest since the Cold War. The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier, replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth due to a technical issue, was made ready in just a week, showcasing the Royal Navy's quick response capabilities and the strategic advantage of having two aircraft carriers. The carrier will lead a strike group of eight ships, including British, American, Spanish, and Danish vessels. The exercise will demonstrate NATO's unity and strength, involving over 20,000 UK personnel and focusing on defending Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The carrier, equipped with F-35B Lightning fighters and various helicopters, will first undergo a week's training in the North Sea. 600 vehicles are being shipped from the UK to Germany to join the exercise, which will Involve 90,000 NATO troops. See

The Body Shop, acquired by the German restructuring firm Aurelius, faces uncertainty as employees fear job losses and store closures. Aurelius, known for breaking up companies like Lloyds Pharmacy, also has a history of retaining some businesses, such as Footasylum. While Aurelius's intentions remain unclear, its track record suggests possible restructuring rather than total dissolution. The Body Shop's situation is precarious, with the closure of its home-selling arm and refusal to pay long-term bonuses to employees. The company's loss-making European business was recently separated and sold to Alma24, linked to Aurelius. This move, along with the UK arm's administration, is seen as a cost-cutting strategy, potentially leading to the closure of up to half of its 200 UK stores. Administration allows handling redundancy payments and lease obligations without burdening Aurelius. Despite the potential downsizing, the UK business is considered crucial for supporting the Body Shop's international network, indicating a likely survival in a restructured form.

The Met has reported that two bodies have been found in the River Thames, less than a mile apart. A spokesperson stated that investigations are under way to identify the dead men and inform their relatives. The police confirmed that these findings are not related to Abdul Ezedi, a suspect in a Clapham acid attack, who is believed to have jumped into the river on 31 January. The Port of London Authority says that an average of 31 people die in the Thames each year, 90% as a result of suicide. See

Shoplifting in England and Wales has reached its highest level in two decades, with over 400,000 incidents reported for the first time since 2002. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a sharp increase from 304,459 cases in the previous year to 402,000 in the year up to September 2023. The rise coincides with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by escalating prices and post-Christmas financial strain. A survey indicated that 84% of people expected January to be financially challenging due to increased costs and holiday spending. There was a 4.3% inflation rate in December 2023, despite a slight decrease in food inflation from 7.7% in November. Rising food prices continue to affect millions. Major retailers, including Co-op, reported substantial losses due to shoplifting. In response, the Government has launched an action plan to address the issue, with ongoing efforts to combat the crime.

Labour has halved its commitment to green investments, reducing its annual pledge from £28bn to less than £15bn. This decision, a significant shift under Keir Starmer's leadership, has caused unrest among environmentalists, unions, and some in the energy sector. Only one-third of the revised budget, announced by Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, represents new funding. The reduction aims to mitigate Conservative criticism about excessive borrowing, yet it has angered environmental groups who argue it increases long-term costs and hinders achieving green objectives. The Unite union criticised Labour for aligning too closely with Conservative policies, while the energy sector expressed concern over diminished ambitions for UK energy. Starmer justified the decision by citing changed economic circumstances since the initial announcement in 2021, including high interest rates and government debt concerns. The revised plan includes £4.7bn yearly on green projects, complementing existing government commitments. Labour MPs have expressed relief at the change, despite the reduced financial commitment. Environmental campaigners, however, are disappointed, pointing out the challenge of meeting energy targets with less funding.

Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles, aged 75, has been diagnosed with cancer. The cancer (the type has not been disclosed) was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate. As a result, the King has started 'regular treatments' and has put his public duties on hold, though he remains optimistic about his recovery and eager to resume full duties as soon as possible. The King personally informed his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, about his diagnosis. Despite stepping back from public engagements, he will continue his constitutional duties, including weekly telephone meetings with Rishi Sunak. Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward will cover some of his duties. The King has been vocal about his condition to raise awareness and encourage cancer screenings.

The Home Secretary is reviewing whether tighter scrutiny is needed for asylum seekers claiming conversion to Christianity. This follows the case of Abdul Ezedi, a 35-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and convicted sex offender, who converted to Christianity and is suspected of a chemical attack in South London. James Cleverly will receive a detailed report on Ezedi, highlighting concerns about the authenticity of conversions among refugees. Tim Loughton MP emphasised the need for rigorous examination of such claims to assess the risk of returning these individuals to their home countries. Former home secretary Suella Braverman accused the Church of enabling widespread false asylum claims. David Rees, a church elder, said that forty asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge are Christian converts; some had converted before they had arrived in the UK. He outlined the church's process for verifying conversions, including public testimonies in the converts' native languages. The Home Office stated it has procedures to prevent fraudulent asylum claims based on religious beliefs.

The Government has announced a comprehensive Disability Action Plan to make the country the world's most accessible for disabled individuals. This initiative outlines 32 specific measures, including ensuring disabled children have access to local playgrounds and improving access for guide dog users. Over 1,300 disabled individuals, their families, and stakeholders contributed insights to the plan. They highlighted the necessity for enhanced emergency protection for disabled people, suggesting mandatory protocols like visual fire alarms and tactile signage.The plan also focuses on making public spaces, including toilets, playgrounds, and transportation, more inclusive. A new working group will advise on supporting guide and assistance dog users. The Government has also revised its approach towards a proposed Disability Enabled Badge, opting first to better understand disabled people's needs. Mims Davies, minister for disabled people, said that the plan aimed to create an equal and accessible living environment for all.

The Metropolitan Police has apologised for an incident where volunteer officer Maya Hadzhipetkova confronted gospel singer Harmonie London, 20, telling her she could not perform Christian songs on Oxford Street. Claiming that Harmonie needed church authorisation to sing such songs outside church premises, she threatened to confiscate her keyboard and equipment. The encounter, which lasted over forty minutes, ended with Harmonie feeling compelled to leave. A video of the incident, viewed over 950,000 times, sparked criticism for appearing to limit religious freedom. Harmonie described the experience as humiliating and intimidating, feeling belittled and that her rights were disregarded. A police spokesperson apologised, admitting the officer's error and acknowledging the need to learn from this mistake. The incident is under investigation by Scotland Yard. Despite the ordeal, Harmonie has resumed singing gospel music on Oxford Street. The Christian Institute is offering guidance and free training for street evangelists, who can contact them for more information.