Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

The north of England faces a crisis in child welfare, with one in 52 children in Blackpool in care, highlighting the urgent need to address poverty-driven disparities. A report has revealed that nine in every thousand children in the north are in care, compared to six in the rest of England. The figures indicate that £25bn could have been saved if care entry rates had been equal across regions from 2019 to 2023. Child poverty emerges as the primary driver of these discrepancies. Dr Davara Bennett, lead author of the report, has stressed the necessity for policymakers to confront systemic inequalities and prioritise preventative measures over reactive spending. Emma Lewell-Buck, co-chair of the Child of the North all-party parliamentary group, has pointed to the detrimental impact of underinvestment in social services, advocating for improved support systems for vulnerable families. The call to action urges the Government to address these issues promptly to ensure a brighter future for children and families across the region.

The headteacher of Britain's 'strictest school', questioning the £150,000 legal aid received by a Muslim pupil to fight a prayer ban case, is concerned about potential further legal action. The High Court dismissed the student's claim against Michaela Community School's prayer policy, ruling it didn't infringe on her religious freedom. Katharine Birbalsingh has emphasised the school's values and highlighted parental choice in attending the school. The pupil, supported by her mother, expressed disappointment but affirmed her decision to challenge the ban. Government officials and secular campaigners welcomed the ruling, stressing the autonomy of schools in balancing diverse interests. The judgement also prompted calls for national guidance on religious practices in schools. The legal battle has taken a toll on the school, but its commitment to maintaining a stable learning environment remains steadfast.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have reported that nearly half of UK businesses plan to raise prices soon, despite overall inflation pressures easing. Their survey, covering 4,800 firms, found 46% expecting to increase prices, 51% planning to maintain current prices, and only 3% foreseeing a reduction. This pricing trend is linked to economic challenges affecting business investment, which remains sluggish. A significant factor is the higher labour costs, particularly in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors; 77% and 76% of firms respectively cite it as a major influence on pricing decisions. Additionally, the survey indicates a stagnant landscape for business investment. Most firms reported no change in their investments in new equipment and machinery this quarter: only 24% have increased their investment, while 16% noted a decrease.

Atogepant, an oral medication for preventing chronic and episodic migraines, may soon be accessible via the NHS in England. This treatment, poised to benefit up to 170,000 people, is especially for those unresponsive to other medications or unable to take injections. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends it for patients who have tried and found no relief with three different medications. Clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in some adults. Migraines, often marked by severe pain, dizziness, and light sensitivity, can last several days. Atogepant is meant for daily use to prevent both chronic (over 15 times a month) and episodic (4-15 times a month) migraines. Initially, it will be prescribed by specialists in secondary care. The Migraine Trust has welcomed this development but stressed the need for swift access, citing past difficulties in accessing new treatments due to limited awareness among doctors and long specialist waiting lists.

Downing Street is considering plans to allow faith schools in England to select all pupils based on religion, repealing a 2010 cap. This cap requires faith-based free schools and academies to allocate half their places without considering applicants' faith, mainly in oversubscribed areas. The proposal to lift it, popular among many Conservative MPs, faces opposition from secular groups and educationalists. High-level discussions involve key figures like Will Tanner and James Nation, indicating the move could feature in the Conservative Party’s next manifesto or be enacted before the next general election. Education secretary Gillian Keegan supports the repeal, which particularly impacts Catholic schools. The policy was originally a compromise with the Liberal Democrats to support the free schools programme and prevent the rise of hardline religious schools. Conservative proponents argue that the cap has limited the growth of faith schools, especially Catholic ones.

Alid Ahmed, a Moroccan asylum seeker in England, is accused of murdering 70-year-old Terence Carney and attempting to murder his housemate Javed Nouri, a Christian convert, citing ‘revenge’ for Israeli actions in Gaza as his motive. Ahmed, who attacked both victims with knives, also assaulted two female police officers during his arrest. He initially targeted Nouri for being a Muslim convert to Christianity, then killed Carney, mistakenly believing both victims were dead. The attacks occurred soon after the Hamas attacks in Gaza, with Ahmed claiming his actions were to ‘free Palestine from the Zionists’. Despite Ahmed's claims of religious and political motivations, including his desire for martyrdom and references to the conflict in Gaza and Israel's actions, the trial is focussing on determining his intentions during the attacks. The prosecution claims his actions were driven by a combination of personal grievances and his perceived religious and political motivations. The case is ongoing.

Matt and Beth Redman, Grammy-winning worship leaders, have publicly discussed the abuse they endured from Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi. Matt Redman revealed that Pilavachi, whom he met at 13, engaged in inappropriate physical contact under the guise of discussing Redman's past sexual abuse as a child, often in secluded spaces. The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team found Pilavachi guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour, including wrestling youths and massaging young male interns. In their documentary ‘Let There Be Light’, the Redmans describe psychological and emotional abuse at Soul Survivor church, with Pilavachi alternating between inclusion and exclusion over minor issues. Matt emphasised the need for accountability over mere forgiveness, seeing these revelations as part of Jesus' cleansing of the Church. Beth expressed hope for healing from past wounds and a safer future for the Church. Further details on the allegations against Soul Survivor and Pilavachi are available in Premier's ‘Soul Survivors’ podcast. See

March marked the busiest month on record for A&E departments in England, with 2.35 million attendances. This surpasses the previous high, in December 2022. The total for the year up to March was also a record at 26.2 million. While there were slight improvements in waiting times, cancer response, and ambulance response times, these often fell short of NHS targets. Only 74.2% of patients were seen within four hours, missing the interim target of 76%. The number of patients waiting over 12 hours decreased from February, but remains high. For urgent cancer referrals, 75% of cases were diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days, yet the wait for first treatment after a cancer referral increased. Healthcare professionals are overstretched, highlighting the need for a comprehensive cancer strategy. Ambulance response times improved slightly but still exceeded the target times. The data coincide with a period of strikes and increased scrutiny of NHS performance. Research revealed that nearly half of NHS staff are considering work outside the health service; stress and workload are key factors.

Following a theft at St Matthew's Church, Burnley, Fr Alex Frost has appealed to those in financial distress to seek help rather than resorting to crime. On 15 March, during a choir rehearsal, a thief entered the unlocked church and stole around £1,000-worth of items, including a watch and charity donations. The incident prompted the church to issue a statement urging visitors to protect their belongings and warning that criminal acts will lead to prosecution. Fr Frost emphasised the church's willingness to assist those in need and discouraged speculation about the thief's identity. Saddened by the event, especially as the suspect might have been a previous aid recipient of the church, Fr Frost spoke of the desperation behind such actions and encouraged anyone struggling to reach out for support, promising guidance and assistance. In a compassionate note to the thief, he also expressed hope for their rehabilitation.

A letter signed by over 600 legal experts, including three ex-Supreme Court justices, says that the UK is potentially violating international law by supplying arms to Israel, The pressure on Rishi Sunak to halt arms exports is growing, The government has been facing growing calls to suspend arms exports to Israel after the killing of three British aid workers and four others in an Israeli airstrike. The letter calls for immediate action towards a ceasefire and sanctions against those inciting violence against Palestinians. It also advocates restoring funding to UNRWA, which had been cut amid allegations of staff involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel. The letter’s signatories emphasised the UK's legal responsibilities under international law, including the Genocide Convention. Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, has demanded that the Government disclose legal advice about Israel’s adherence to international law. See also