British Isles
Government accused of ‘washing its hands’ of Birmingham bin strike problem
Tensions are rising in Birmingham as an all-out bin strike continues, leaving rubbish uncollected and sparking health concerns, including reports of large rats and one resident allegedly being bitten. With the city council…
Parents of SEND children fight private school VAT hike
Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are challenging the Government in the High Court over the imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees. The Education Not Taxation campaign…
NHS billions wasted as bipolar patients left 'forgotten and failed'
Experts warn the UK is wasting billions annually by failing to diagnose and care for people with bipolar disorder. An estimated one million people live with the condition, yet many are misdiagnosed, undertreated,…
Non-Christian students read Bible weekly, says new survey
A new report from Fusion, based on a survey across 186 universities, found that 12% of non-Christian students engage with the Bible weekly - often through social media. Among Christian students, the number…
Spring Statement: Reeves extends welfare cuts, OBR halves growth forecast
Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement revealed the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has halved the UK's 2025 growth forecast from 2% to 1%. In response, Reeves announced deeper welfare cuts, including freezing the health…
Assisted dying rollout could be delayed until at least 2029
Assisted dying may not be available in England and Wales until at least 2029 after MPs approved extending the rollout period from two to four years. The delay was proposed by Kim Leadbeater,…
Post-Covid education: continued impact on classrooms
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact UK education, with schools managing increased special educational needs (SEN), exclusions, absenteeism, and a widening attainment gap. One primary school teacher reports a notable rise in speech,…
Taxpayer-funded cars removed from 11,000 benefits claimants
The Motability scheme, which provides cars to disabled people in exchange for disability benefits, has removed over 11,000 vehicles since 2022 due to misuse. Cases of abuse, including sub-leasing cars, running taxis, or…
Foreign aid cuts ‘will leave an extra 369,000 children to starve’
Cuts to foreign aid by Western governments could result in 369,000 additional child deaths from severe malnutrition annually, according to a study in Nature. The reduction in overseas development budgets by the UK,…
Faith leaders unite against 'unjust' child poverty
Senior faith leaders from the UK’s six major religions have united to urge the Government to adopt a bold child poverty strategy. In an open letter to Bridget Philipson and Liz Kendall, 35…
