British Isles
Migrants ‘unjustly maligned’: church leaders speak out as Rwanda bill passed
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, along with other church leaders, have voiced strong concerns regarding the recently passed Safety of Rwanda Bill. This legislation, aimed at deporting some asylum seekers to Rwanda,…
Sunak vows to boost defence spending to 2.5% by 2030
Rishi Sunak has committed to increasing UK military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, to address threats from what he calls 'an axis of authoritarian states’. During a visit to Poland, he…
Banks raise mortgage rates as interest rate cut delayed
Homeowners face rising mortgage rates as a Bank of England interest rate cut is delayed. Several banks have raised some mortgage rates, responding to uncertain economic forecasts. Inflation remained higher than expected at…
Police to meet Jewish leaders over concerns about safety
London police are set to meet with Jewish leaders following concerns raised by the Jewish community over their safety. The discussions are a response to tensions from pro-Palestinian marches, with reports of some…
Three-year-olds being 'manipulated into sexual abuse online'
In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reported a 27% increase in 'self-generated' child sexual abuse images and videos, marking a disturbing trend involving very young children, including those as young as three…
Labour pledges to renationalise railways
Labour has announced plans to renationalise the railways within five years if elected, aiming for the 'biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation’. According to shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh, the transition…
100+ new local congregations in the past five years
Despite a decline in UK church attendance, the Church of England's recent report reveals signs of growth, particularly in Blackburn, where innovative initiatives are drawing in more children and young people. At St…
Rwanda bill: Government suffers fresh defeats in Lords
The Government's Rwanda bill faced fresh setbacks in the House of Lords, with Labour-backed amendments passing despite previous reversals in the Commons. These amendments include exceptions for children and adherence to international law.…
Unemployment rate jumps as jobs market cools
The UK's unemployment rate surged unexpectedly to 4.2% in the three months to February, up from 3.9% in January, the highest level in nearly six months. This increase, alongside a slowdown in earnings…
Protect children from smacking, say doctors
Children's doctors have called for the prohibition of smacking children in England and Northern Ireland, decrying current laws as 'unjust and dangerously vague’. They argue that physical punishment inflicts lasting mental and physical…
