UK among worst nations for family breakdown
07 Jan 2013The UK has one of the highest levels of family breakdown in the developed world, a new league table shows. Family campaigners called it an “epidemic” and said it is high time “timid politicians” took action to back marriage and stop playing politics. Only Belgium, Estonia and Latvia have a higher level of broken families than the UK, according to a survey of 30 developed nations. The survey was carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Just 68.9 per cent of children live with both parents in the UK, compared to an average of 84 per cent in the 30 nations surveyed by OECD. Christian Guy, of the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Timid politicians are becoming numb to Britain’s sky-high family breakdown rates. “Yet, as these OECD figures show, broken families are not some inevitable feature of modern society or social progress.
Pray: for greater support to encourage stability in family life in the UK. (1Tim.5:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/uk-among-worst-nations-for-family-breakdown/
The UK must do more to stop online fraud and deter state-sponsored cyber-espionage or risk losing the fight against e-crime, MPs have warned. The Home Affairs Select Committee said much low-level internet-based financial crime was falling into a ‘black hole’ and was not reported to the police. The MPs said more officers should be trained in digital crime detection and e-crime experts protected from cuts. The Home Office said the authorities must ‘keep pace’ with criminals. Publishing its first report on the subject, the cross-party committee said e-crime took various forms, did not recognise national borders and could be committed ‘at almost any time or in any place’. It called for a dedicated cyber-espionage team to respond to attacks, many of which are believed to be backed by foreign governments because they are so sophisticated. A quarter of the gangs, many of which are based in eastern Europe and Russia, use the internet as their principal means of deception.
Pray: that the authorities will find successful ways of fighting cyber crime. (Ps.118:25)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23495121
UK 'fares badly in European health league table'
07 Mar 2013The UK is lagging behind progress by similar countries on many indicators for ill-health, research suggests. Health data over 20 years was compared with figures from 18 other countries in the research published in the Lancet. Although average life expectancy has risen by four years since 1990, it says the UK needs to increase its strategies for tackling preventable problems such as heart disease and stroke. The UK had a high burden of smoking-related illnesses, and greater priority should be given to reducing lung disease. There was also a large rise in the number of recorded deaths related to Alzheimer's Disease. (See also Prayer Alert 08-2013) Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he has a plan to address the lag. Many deaths happen because the NHS is not good enough at preventing people getting sick or because treatment does not rival that seen elsewhere in Europe, says Mr Hunt who is responsible for health policy in England.
Pray: for our health care authorities that they would be granted wisdom and skills to meet the needs of their patients. (Ez.34:2b)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21654536
U-turn on ban of religious items at elderly home
14 Jul 2011Elderly residents living in a sheltered housing complex in Preston were left shocked when they were told to remove their religious items to promote ‘diversity’. But the housing company that manages the properties, Places for People, issued a swift apology today and lifted the ban. Residents in the 40 flats at St Paul’s Court were sent a letter warning them that religious items had to be removed from communal places, including letter boxes and number plates on doors. Some residents were left upset by the letter, which also called for volunteers to become ‘equality and diversity’ champions. The move was criticised by local religious leaders with one warning: ‘Political correctness is getting silly.’ But a statement from
Places for People, issued today, said: ‘We apologise for any insensitivity and concern this may have caused. It was a local decision not reflecting on the group’s national policy.’
Pray: that local ‘officials’ are not misled into imposing senseless and discriminatory rules in the name of political correctness. (Pr.3:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/diversity-bans-elderly-from-displaying-religious-items/
Two registrars at Lambeth Council are under investigation because they swapped shifts in order to accommodate their religious beliefs over homosexual civil partnerships. The informal arrangement came to light when it was praised as an example of good practice during a diversity training seminar. But a homosexual colleague complained, and the pair are now being formerly investigated by council bosses. Other councils have chosen to accommodate the religious beliefs of registrar staff by not forcing them to conduct civil partnership registrations against their will. But some, such as Islington Council, have chosen to discipline registrars who don’t fall in line. The complaint against the Lambeth registrars was taken up by Brian Palmer, a homosexual Liberal Democrat councillor, who described their actions as ‘grossly offensive’ and ‘wholly unacceptable’. Steve Reed, the Labour leader of the Council, responded by saying that the Council ‘does not tolerate bigotry for any reason’. Pray: for the council to avoid bigotry themselves and accept this arrangement as ‘good practice’. (1Pe.3:15)
Having wrestled with the best way to choose a new leader, the Church of England has decided to use the social networking site Twitter. It will also seek the views of people of all faiths and none, from the Chief Rabbi to Professor Richard Dawkins. For the first time in history, the long and usually private process will begin with a widespread public consultation, to be finished by the end of May. The Crown Nominations Commission, which must present the Prime Minister with two possible successors to Dr Rowan Williams, will also ask for contributions from ‘senior figures in other faiths, the secular world and the life of the nation’. A spokesman for the Church of England said the invitation would be made through the Church press but also through other media including the social networking site Twitter, where the CofE already posts news in nuggets of 140 characters or less. (See Praise story above)
Pray: for our nation to engage and respond to the debate in the early phase of finding a new Archbishop of Canterbury. (Lk.24:15)
Christian Aid has teamed up with tweeting bishops to encourage Christians to pray, act and give this Lent. The Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Rev Nick Baines and the Bishop of Huntingdon the Rt Rev David Thomson will launch Count Your Blessings in Twitter on March 9. For the 45 days of Lent they will use the social networking site to share daily reflections and actions. Bishop Baines said: ‘The great thing about Twitter is that it allows immediate interaction. Anyone across the world can join in and tweet what they are doing in Lent, so I am encouraging people to follow us, get tweeting and learn through Lent.’ The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, encouraging people to get involved in Count Your Blessings said: ‘We should all count our blessings for what God has given us and I hope that everyone will consider taking action to help those in need this Easter.’
Pray: that this idea will reach and encourage a very wide audience. (Ac.9:31)
TV watchdog slammed Britain's Got Talent
26 Jul 2012Britain's Got Talent stunned parents by failing to censure ITV for outrageous performances by Rihanna and Christina Aguilera on The X Factor. Now Ofcom has done it again – this time clearing Britain's Got Talent despite parents complaining about the broadcast of a burlesque performance before the watershed. In one routine Beatrix Von Bourbon – real name Stephanie Brooks – gave a performance in front of judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon which saw the burlesque dancer remove jacket, skirt and bra to reveal nipple tassels, corset and stockings. Almost 100 people made formal complaints and scores more took to social networks to complain for the fact the performance took place before the watershed and questioned whether it was suitable for children. The regulator is facing accusations of being 'permissive' and 'toothless' after it found the reality show did not breach guidelines.
Pray: that Ofcom will take seriously the complaints of the public and use its authority to control the media.