British Isles
Parents in England urged to sign up for free childcare in 2024
In England, working parents are being encouraged to apply for 15 hours of free childcare per week for their toddlers starting in the new year. This initiative is part of a broader reform…
New strain of swine flu detected
A new strain of swine flu, influenza A(H1N2)v, has been detected in a human in the UK for the first time. The patient, who had not worked with pigs, visited their GP in…
Don’t bother with a funeral, say most poll respondents
A poll commissioned by Theos and conducted by YouGov reveals that less than half (47%) of the 2,569 respondents desire a funeral. The report highlights a significant shift in British grieving practices and…
UK / Greece: ongoing row over Elgin Marbles
The ‘Elgin Marbles’ are ancient Greek sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Athens and currently housed in the British Museum. The British government argues that the marbles are a part of world heritage,…
Give thanks for the life and ministry of David Pytches
On 21 November David Pytches, co-founder of New Wine, died after a sustained period of illness. David and his wife Mary started New Wine in 1989, seeking to help churches experience renewal in…
Autumn Statement: NI cut but tax burden still rises
In his Autumn Statement on 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a significant cut in National Insurance from January, from 12% to 10%. However, due to previous tax changes, many workers might not…
Chancellor announces back to work plan for disabled people
On 22 November Jeremy Hunt unveiled a new Back to Work Plan, focusing on helping disabled individuals, those with long-term health conditions, and the long-term unemployed. The plan enhances four different support programmes,…
£5 million to fight threat of drug-resistant infections
The Government has allocated £5 million in seed funding to the Fleming Centre, a new initiative led by Imperial College London, to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This funding forms part of a broader…
Grieving community turns to church for solace after death of four teens
In Shrewsbury, the community is mourning the loss of four teenagers (all pupils at the same school) who tragically died during a camping trip in north Wales. They were found in a car…
Ofsted: 'contract' between parents and teachers is broken
England's education watchdog, Ofsted, has warned of a significant deterioration in the 'social contract' between families and schools, a situation where parents ensure their children attend school regularly and respect school policies. In…
