British Isles
Poor maternity care becoming 'normalised', watchdog warns
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned that poor maternity care in NHS hospitals could become 'normalised' without urgent action. A report based on 131 inspections between August 2022 and December 2023 found…
Pharmacists balloted over 'work-to-rule' action amid funding row
Pharmacists in England are being balloted for potential 'work-to-rule' action due to a growing funding dispute. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called for a £1.3 billion increase in funding, warning that pharmacies…
Man 'pretended to be white' to stir up hatred during UK riots
Ehsan Hussain, a 25-year-old from Birmingham, has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison for inciting racial hatred during the UK riots. Posing as a far-right extremist, he used a…
Axing winter fuel payments will hurt everybody, warns pensioner
Millions of pensioners in the UK are facing a challenging winter after the Government voted to cut automatic winter fuel payments to pensioners. The decision, supported by nearly 400 Labour MPs, addresses a…
Bishop blocks retired priest’s 'permission to officiate' after climate protest arrest
The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, has declined to grant Permission to Officiate (PTO) to retired priest Revd Sue Parfitt, who is facing trial for criminal damage after a climate protest.…
Government axes universal winter fuel payments
Millions of pensioners will lose winter fuel payments after the Government won a Commons vote to end the universal benefit. Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the measure as part of an effort to address…
Government announces tougher measures to protect tenants
The Renters' Rights Bill, appearing in Parliament on 12 September, aims to provide the most significant shift in tenant-landlord relations since 1988. It will ban ‘no-fault’ evictions, a leading cause of homelessness, replacing…
Princess’ personal video message about completing chemotherapy
The Princess of Wales has shared her relief at completing her chemotherapy in a heartfelt and very personal video message - a markedly different approach from the usual formal bulletins from Kensington Palace.…
Starmer responds to damning report on NHS
A major report by Lord Darzi, a widely respected surgeon and former health minister, has highlighted serious issues facing the NHS. The rapid review, completed in nine weeks, reveals that the nation's health…
Conservative leadership contest: Mel Stride eliminated
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch have emerged as the frontrunners in the Conservative Party leadership race following the second round of MP voting. Jenrick led with 33 votes, followed by Badenoch with 28.…
