British Isles
NHS: waiting for surgery
The Covid surge hit key NHS services including cancer and routine surgery. Less than half the expected number of operations or scans were done, pushing the waiting list to a record high of…
Archbishop and royal 'marriage' claim
Archbishop Justin Welby has declined to comment on the claim that he officiated over Harry and Meghan's vows three days before their royal wedding at Windsor Castle. According to the Duchess of Sussex,…
Iran: Nazanin’s future still unclear
On 10 March Boris Johnson phoned Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, to tell him the British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe must be allowed to return home to be with her family as she finished…
Outreach to those in financial distress
There is refreshing news of Covid infections decreasing, and talk of a financial recovery as affluent households are ready to spend again. However, families on the very lowest incomes have been more impacted…
Prince Philip’s successful heart procedure
Prince Philip, 99, had already spent 16 nights in hospital, being treated for an infection. He was then moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for tests and observation on a heart condition. On 3…
Budget plans for the year ahead
Rishi Sunak has set out tax and spending plans to help business and people through the pandemic and support long-term economic recovery. Although the economy shrank by 10% in 2020, it is forecast…
Christian MPs’ response to budget
Christian MPs have shared their views on the Chancellor's economic plan. Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, ‘What are we going to do to help 16-24 yr olds who have not…
Gang and knife crimes
The Office of National Statistics reported overall crime rates have declined in 12 months, but there was a sharp rise in drug offences and anti-social behaviour. Knife crime is at its highest recorded…
Lawlessness and disorder
Around half of police stations in the UK have been closed over the past decade. At least 667 stations with front counters allowing the public to speak with officers have been shut since…
Hope for the Countryside: seeds of prayer
In recent weeks we have heard of declining mental health and increasing suicide among many, including young people and those working in farming. Pressures on the latter have been immense over the last…

