Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father Kenneth were found dead in their Skegness flat, a tragedy that has deeply distressed the community. Bronson, who craved love and attention, died of starvation and dehydration days after his 60-year-old father succumbed to a suspected heart attack. Their bodies were discovered on 9 January, following efforts by social services to contact them. Neighbours reported Kenneth struggling to cope as a single parent and his attempts to seek help from social services. Amanda Tovey, who lived above them, described Bronson as a child longing for affection and Kenneth as often frustrated and shouting at the boy. Despite Kenneth's efforts, Amanda believed he was overwhelmed, particularly in handling Bronson's tantrums. The social worker and the landlord found the bodies after gaining access to the flat. Lincolnshire Police stated the deaths were not suspicious, and the matter was passed to the coroner's office. A police investigation is now under way. The landlady of the building expressed her shock and sorrow over the deaths.

Published in British Isles
Thursday, 18 January 2024 21:52

Surprise increase in inflation

Inflation in the UK has unexpectedly risen to 4% in the year to December, surpassing economists' predictions of a decrease to 3.8%. This increase from November's 3.9% was primarily driven by higher tobacco and alcohol costs, following a government hike in smoking duties. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) do not yet reflect the full impact of increased shipping costs due to Red Sea diversions, triggered by Houthi attacks on commercial ships and subsequent UK and US airstrikes. These disruptions are expected to significantly raise goods prices into Europe, according to DP World's chief financial officer Yuvraj Narayan.Retail chains have responded by offering more sales.The Bank of England, striving to control inflation, has maintained a base interest rate of 5.25% since August. Core inflation, excluding volatile items like food and energy, remains at 5.1%, with food inflation dropping from 9.2% to 8%.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt acknowledges the uneven path of inflation reduction, emphasising the need for economic stability. Labour's Rachel Reeves and the Liberal Democrats' Sarah Olney highlighted the ongoing strain on families due to rising living costs.

Published in British Isles

Health experts have issued a stark warning as measles cases surge in England, largely due to a rise in unvaccinated children. In 2023, there were 1,603 suspected measles cases in England and Wales, a significant increase from the previous two years. The West Midlands is currently experiencing the most severe outbreak, with 198 confirmed and 104 probable cases, primarily among unvaccinated school-age children in Birmingham. Its Children’s Hospital reports treating over fifty children for measles in the past month, the highest number in decades. Measles, a highly contagious disease, requires 95% vaccine coverage to achieve herd immunity. However, vaccination rates have dropped below 90%, increasing the risk of severe infections, brain damage, and even death. Professor Sir Andrew Pollard stresses the urgent need for more vaccinations to prevent hospital admissions and fatalities. The UK, which has lost its measles-free status due to declining MMR vaccinations, faces potential outbreaks if vaccination rates do not improve. The NHS is urging parents to ensure their children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to curb the spread of this serious disease.

Published in British Isles
Thursday, 18 January 2024 21:47

Covid jab skipped by 44%, study finds

A study published in the Lancet, focused on the summer of 2022, highlights that over 7,000 hospital admissions related to Covid-19 could have been prevented if the population had been fully vaccinated as recommended. The study analysed health records of the entire UK population over five years old. It found significant under-vaccination rates across the UK, with the highest in Northern Ireland (49.8%) and the lowest in Wales (32.8%). Different groups were recommended varying numbers of vaccine doses based on age and health conditions. The study also noted a correlation between under-vaccination and increased rates of severe illness, hospitalisation, and deaths from Covid. The research aims to inform public health campaigns and identify groups with lower vaccination rates, such as younger people, men, and those in poorer areas or from ethnic minorities. The potential of using large-scale NHS data for broader medical research was also emphasised. For more details, see the full article at the ‘More’ link below.

Published in British Isles

Emergency laws will very soon be enacted to exonerate and compensate hundreds wrongfully convicted in the Post Office scandal. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake called their suffering a 'brutal and arbitrary exercise of power' and allocated £1 billion for compensation. Among over 900 convictions spanning 16 years, only 93 have been overturned so far. The scandal stemmed from errors in the Horizon computer system, leading to false accusations against sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses. While former sub-postmaster Alan Bates, who inspired the ITV drama 'Mr. Bates vs the Post Office’, cautiously welcomed the new law, he awaited further details. Rishi Sunak confirmed that those previously convicted in England and Wales would be cleared and compensated under this law. Similar plans are in place for convictions in Scotland, managed under its separate legal system. The Government aims to complete the process of overturning convictions by the end of 2024. However, concerns have been raised regarding the decision to use an act of parliament to overturn convictions, as it raises questions about the independence of the courts.

Published in British Isles

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has identified 'global shocks' as a significant threat to the UK economy. During a treasury committee session, he expressed concerns about the situation in the Red Sea, especially regarding oil supplies. Recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on cargo ships in the Suez Canal have prompted some vessels to reroute for safety reasons. Oil giant BP even temporarily halted all oil shipments through the Red Sea due to the threat. Bailey said that these disruptions could impact shipping prices and costs, which would have implications in the monetary policy realm. However, he noted that there has not yet been a prolonged spike in oil prices. Deputy governor Sarah Breeden also highlighted the threat of uncertainty, encompassing macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical tensions, credit risks, and unemployment. Regarding the UK housing market and interest rates, Bailey observed that market interest rates have recently decreased, resulting in lower mortgage costs.

Published in British Isles
Thursday, 11 January 2024 21:39

Family hubs now open in 75 areas

Family hubs have been established in all 75 local authorities across England to provide support and services for parents and children. These hubs offer a centralised location for a wide range of services, including early language development, mental health support for parents and caregivers, and programmes to enhance children's home development. The initiative is part of the Government's effort to invest around £300 million in expanding family hubs and improving Start for Life services for families with children aged 0-19 (or 0-25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities). The launch of the Start for Life Little Moments Together campaign coincides with this development, aiming to provide resources and guidance to help parents enhance their child's development during everyday activities. These efforts aim to offer universal support to parents and families at various stages of life, emphasising the importance of early childhood development. The Government is actively supporting families through initiatives like the Supporting Families programme and transforming children's social care to provide early support and intervention when needed, ultimately enhancing the well-being of families across England.

Published in British Isles
Thursday, 11 January 2024 21:35

Biggest expansion of UK nuclear power for 70 years

The Government has revealed plans for the largest expansion of nuclear power in 70 years, aiming to reduce electricity costs, create jobs, and enhance energy security. By 2050 the UK will quadruple its nuclear generation capacity to 24 gigawatts (GW), equivalent to a quarter of the country's electricity needs. This includes exploring the construction of a GW-scale power plant and investing £300 million in advanced nuclear fuel production, reducing reliance on Russian sources. There are plans to secure 3-7GW of investment decisions every five years from 2030 to 2044 for new nuclear projects. Small modular reactors (SMRs) will play a crucial role in this expansion. The Government also seeks to streamline the development of new power stations and introduce smarter regulations to accelerate nuclear projects while maintaining safety standards. The nuclear sector could provide direct heat for industry, energy for green hydrogen production, and medical isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The expansion is expected to create around 80,000 skilled jobs in the civil and defence nuclear workforces.

Published in British Isles

The junior doctors’ strike, the longest-ever in  NHS history, resulted in the postponement of over 113,000 patient operations and appointments - bringing the total since December 2022 to  1,333,221. Patients are bearing the brunt of this action, facing multiple cancellations, eroding confidence in healthcare. NHS leaders warn that the strike's impact could linger for months. As colder weather increases the demand for hospital treatment, the strain on staff remains considerable. Experts suggest that the number of cancellations could be twice as high as reported, as hospitals refrained from booking pre-planned operations during strikes. The British Medical Association has called for a 35% pay raise for junior doctors, citing a 26.1% real terms pay cut between 2008 and 2022. When the Government offered an 8.8% pay rise and an additional 3%, the doctors rejected it. NHS consultants recently took strike action and negotiated a 4.95% pay increase to add to the Government's 6% offer. The strike's aftermath will continue to affect healthcare services, prompting calls to end such actions.

Published in British Isles

The Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) has faced backlash for endorsing conservative views on same-sex relationships in a statement on its website. The statement, which endorsed the Evangelical Alliance's affirmations on human sexuality, received criticism from liberal Anglicans on social media. In response to the negative reactions, the link to the statement on CPAS's website was deactivated and now reads 'Page Not Found.' CPAS, which supports local churches in mission and evangelism, has been accused of endorsing homophobia and suppressing LGBTQI+ desire. The Church of England has been divided over same-sex relationships, with some churches threatening to leave and others seeking alternative pastoral support. Critics argue that CPAS's stance contradicts an affirmation of human sexuality and promotes discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals.

Published in British Isles
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