Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a warning following recent cyber attacks targeting major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. Criminal hackers have reportedly impersonated IT help desks to infiltrate company systems, a tactic known as social engineering. The NCSC urges organisations to review their password reset procedures and authentication processes, especially for senior staff with high-level access. Cybersecurity experts advise using multi-layered verification methods, including codewords, to prevent breaches. Although an anonymous group claiming responsibility, calling themselves DragonForce, denies links to the notorious Scattered Spider hacking collective, the methods used are strikingly similar. These hackers have previously carried out high-profile attacks, including on Las Vegas casinos. The NCSC emphasises vigilance against risky logins and unusual account activity. Law enforcement is investigating, with ongoing efforts to confirm links between recent attacks. The Co-op has admitted customer data was compromised, while M\&S’s breach is under investigation. Businesses are reminded to bolster security, as this wave of attacks highlights the evolving threat landscape in today’s digital world.

The Church of Scotland is set to become the first major UK denomination to adopt a neutral stance on assisted dying, marking a significant shift from its historic opposition. This move comes ahead of a crucial Scottish Parliament vote on a private member’s bill seeking to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill individuals with mental capacity. While the bill has strict safeguards - requiring approval from two doctors - critics warn of potential future loosening of eligibility criteria. Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, a Church of Scotland member, has voiced concerns and is expected to vote against the bill. Proponents argue the change reflects broad public support, with polls indicating that two-thirds of Scots back assisted dying. Humanist and faith-based campaigners alike see the church’s neutral stance as bridging divides between secular and religious perspectives. In contrast, other UK faith groups remain firmly opposed, citing fears of abuse and coercion. As debate intensifies, the Church’s position is seen as pivotal in shaping future discussions on compassionate end-of-life choices in Scotland.

The 1 May local elections in England are set to reflect deep public disillusionment with the traditional two-party system, according to a recent poll for Channel 4. Of those surveyed, 41% said ‘none of the above’ when asked who they trusted most to govern effectively: Nigel Farage scored 23%, and Keir Starmer only 19%. With over 1,600 council seats across 23 councils up for grabs, experts predict that a record number of councils may end up with no single party in control. Support is highly fragmented: Reform leads with 26%, followed closely by the Conservatives at 25%, Labour at 18%, the Liberal Democrats at 17%, Greens at 8%, and others at 6%. Reform’s surge reflects voter priorities such as immigration, while traditional parties are seen as out of touch. Voters are driven by national concerns - cost of living, healthcare, and governance - more than local issues. Both Labour and the Conservatives must urgently reconnect with a public tired of political stagnation and broken promises.

A scathing new report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns that government efforts to protect people and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change are dangerously inadequate. The report found that of 46 key adaptation measures, none are rated ‘good’, and progress has been glacial or even regressive. Despite climate threats already affecting homes, farmland, railways, schools, and hospitals, adaptation remains a low priority. Forecasts show that by 2050, over half of England’s best farmland and critical infrastructure will be at flood risk, while heat-related deaths could exceed 10,000 annually. Businesses, farmers, and scientists are calling for urgent action, stressing that ignoring adaptation now will bring national security risks and economic costs. The Government may claim that it is prioritising climate resilience, but budget cuts - including to flood defences - cast doubt. Experts, pointing to successful models abroad, are urging clearer targets, better planning, and private sector engagement to prevent worsening climate disasters.

Britain and the EU are set to formalise a new strategic partnership to strengthen trade ties and present a united front against Donald Trump's global tariff agenda. A leaked draft declaration, dated 25 April, affirms a mutual commitment to ‘free and open trade’ and to maintaining global economic stability. The agreement will be signed at a UK-EU summit on 19 May, marking a key moment in post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, the Government is engaged in separate negotiations with the USA, aiming to soften the impact of existing tariffs - currently 10% on UK goods and 20% on EU exports. US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that talks are ‘moving in a very positive way’. Rachel Reeves met with US treasury secretary Scott Besent last week, emphasising that both UK-EU and UK-US trade relationships are vital. Despite Trump reportedly viewing the 10% UK tariff as a minimum, British officials remain optimistic about securing a mutually beneficial deal.

Over ten thousand asylum-seekers have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far in 2025 - an increase of 40% compared to the same period in 2024. The rise has intensified political debate over border security and asylum reform. Labour, now in government, has pledged to dismantle people-smuggling networks, treating smugglers like terrorists under a new proposed bill. Measures include a new criminal offence of endangering the lives of others at sea, and imposing travel bans and communication restrictions on suspects. The Home Office says 5,400 migrant attempts have been thwarted this year, and over 24,000 individuals without legal status were removed between July 2024 and March 2025. Opposition parties blame both Labour and the previous Conservative government for policy failures. Reform UK calls for strict deportations, while the Green Party wants to see legal safe routes for asylum-seekers. As the crisis escalates, public frustration grows, with leaders divided over whether deterrence or compassion should define immigration policy.

Reform UK’s Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has publicly distanced herself from comments made by party leader Nigel Farage regarding special educational needs (SEND). Farage recently claimed that many childhood SEND and mental health diagnoses are being made too readily, often via virtual consultations, suggesting an overdiagnosis trend. In contrast, Dame Andrea, who has ADHD and whose son also has the condition, highlighted her personal experience and highlighted the long delays many families face in obtaining assessments and support, often resulting in children falling far behind in school. She stressed that not all party members must agree on every issue, and described pulling her son out of mainstream education because he was two years behind. Her remarks underscore ongoing national debates around SEND provision, access to diagnoses, and support for neurodiverse children. In related news, spending on disability benefits for anxiety and depression has doubled since the pandemic: see

Counter-terrorist police are investigating videos of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, recorded at gigs in 2023 and 2024. The videos appear to show band members encouraging violence against British MPs and expressing support for proscribed terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has denied inciting violence, saying the clips were taken out of context, and offered apologies to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. The controversy, which follows backlash from the band’s Gaza-related statements at a concert in the USA, has led to sponsorship and booking losses. Major artists have signed a statement supporting Kneecap, opposing what they call political censorship and suppression of artistic freedom. Kneecap, known for provocative lyrics and nationalist themes, rose to prominence in Ireland and were the subject of a Bafta-winning film featuring Michael Fassbender.

The Government borrowed £151.9 billion in the year to March, up £20.7 billion from the previous year, raising concerns about the nation’s financial stability. The figures, revealed as Rachel Reeves visits Washington to negotiate a trade deal with the USA, come amid mounting pressure to cut public spending or increase taxes in order to meet her strict borrowing rules. Reeves has insisted that borrowing will not fund daily spending, but economists warn that sluggish growth, rising interest rates, and looming US tariffs could force her hand. Economists predict tax hikes may be necessary, especially if a trade agreement with the USA cannot be reached. Meanwhile, the IMF downgraded the UK’s 2025 growth forecast from 1.6% to 1.1%, citing inflation, borrowing costs, and trade disruptions. Despite higher tax revenues, debt interest rose to £4.3 billion in March, the highest since the 1960s. Both political and economic leaders are scrutinising every area of government spending, while critics blame the borrowing spike on poor fiscal management and short-sighted policies.

A resolution to Birmingham’s ongoing bin strike may be near, as the conciliation service Acas is set to join negotiations for the first time. The dispute, led by over 350 members of the Unite union, began on 11 March over pay concerns and threats of job and salary cuts, resulting in thousands of tonnes of uncollected rubbish and public health warnings across the city. Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham stated that while a deal is 'in touching distance’, the city council has been inconsistent in its public versus private positions. The union has tabled workable proposals, but insists the council must now act decisively. Earlier this month, workers overwhelmingly rejected a revised offer, saying it failed to prevent potential pay cuts for 200 drivers. Meanwhile, the Government deployed military planners and additional support to clear an estimated 26,000 tonnes of waste. Communities minister Jim McMahon confirmed levels are now 'approaching normal’. Talks continue, with both sides under pressure to resolve the dispute swiftly to restore services and public confidence in the city’s leadership.