Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

UK inflation held steady at 3.8% in September, slightly below expectations and suggesting the current spike may have peaked. Economists predict a gradual decline through spring as last year’s regulated price rises drop out of the index, with inflation potentially nearing the 2% target by late next year. Although still nearly double the Bank of England’s goal, stability in food and energy prices has reduced the risk of inflationary “doom loops” where rising wages and prices fuel each other. The improved outlook has prompted renewed speculation about interest rate cuts — possibly four over the next year, bringing rates down to 3%. Market confidence has lifted, with government borrowing costs falling to their lowest levels in months. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who recently pitched Britain as “the best place to invest,” now has slightly more room to manoeuvre ahead of a challenging Budget. However, analysts warn that new tax measures or global shocks could quickly reverse these gains.

The Metropolitan Police have begun testing an advanced “Drone as First Responder” system, deploying remotely operated aircraft across London to assist officers in real-time emergencies. The drones can reach incident scenes within two minutes, streaming live footage back to control rooms to support decision-making, locate suspects, or find missing people. The pilot scheme, launched in Islington, will extend to the West End and Hyde Park by December. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the technology offers a faster, quieter, and more environmentally friendly alternative to helicopters, providing “a vital new tool to tackle crime in the capital.” The drones are stored in weatherproof rooftop pods, ready to launch automatically when activated by control room staff. Their live imagery helps determine how many officers or resources are needed at the scene and can guide rapid arrests. Similar trials are underway in several UK police forces, with national chiefs calling it a major step forward in precision policing and public safety.

A migrant who was deported to France under the UK’s new “one in, one out” return scheme has crossed the Channel again and re-entered Britain. The Iranian man, removed on 19 September, reportedly fled back four days ago, saying he feared for his life in France after being abused and threatened by smuggling gangs. He told *The Guardian* that he was treated “like a worthless object,” forced to work, and threatened with a gun. Human rights advocates say his case exposes serious flaws in the rushed removals process, claiming some deported individuals received inadequate legal advice and faced mistreatment. The Home Office insists it will not tolerate “abuse of our borders” and that anyone re-entering illegally will again be removed. The UK-France treaty aims to deter Channel crossings by returning migrants whose asylum claims are rejected while accepting others with legitimate protection needs. Despite this, crossings continue to rise, now exceeding 36,800 so far this year.

The government’s grooming gang inquiry has plunged into crisis after Jim Gamble, its expected chair, withdrew, calling it a “toxic political football.” His resignation followed that of four survivor-panel members, who said they would only return if safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned. Victims accused Phillips of lying to MPs and publicly discrediting survivors to “save her own skin.” Fiona Goddard, a grooming gang survivor, produced evidence contradicting Phillips’s claims about the inquiry’s scope. Senior Conservatives and some Labour MPs have joined calls for her resignation, while children’s minister Josh MacAlister defended her record as a “lifelong advocate for victims.” In an attempt to stabilise the process, Sir Keir Starmer appointed Baroness Casey to advise on rebuilding trust and appointing a new chair, insisting the inquiry “will never be watered down.” Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson both withdrew from the process to be appointed as Chair of the inquiry. Gamble said he withdrew because the process had become politically poisoned, overshadowing the voices of victims the inquiry was meant to serve. Survivors now await leadership they can trust. See

Kingdom Bank, a Christian financial institution dedicated to serving churches and believers, has been listed among the UK’s 500 fastest-growing companies. Ranked 380th overall, the bank attributes its success to God’s provision and the faithfulness of Christians who save with them. Their deposits enable the bank to provide mortgages for evangelical churches seeking permanent buildings for worship and community outreach. Chief Executive Paul Houghton said the recognition reflects “the increasing and urgent demand from churches across the UK” and the vital role of faith-based finance in supporting Gospel ministry. Kingdom Bank was also placed 302nd for profit and 193rd for profit margin, with all surpluses reinvested to expand lending capacity to churches, charities, and ministry workers. Looking ahead, the bank’s continued growth depends on more Christians choosing to save with them. “Every pound saved helps more churches secure a permanent home for mission,” said Houghton, reaffirming Kingdom Bank’s vision to strengthen the Church’s long-term witness across the UK.

Groundbreaking research has revealed that the diabetes and weight-loss drug semaglutide—sold as Ozempic and Wegovy—can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even for patients who do not lose much weight. The global trial, involving over 17,000 participants across 41 countries, found that semaglutide cut major cardiovascular events by around 14–20%. Researchers discovered that shrinking waist size accounted for about one-third of the benefit, but two-thirds remained unexplained, suggesting the drug directly protects heart health rather than simply improving it through weight loss. Professor John Deanfield of University College London said the results “reframe what we think this medication is doing,” calling it a “disease-modifying therapy for ageing.” Experts describe the findings as “profound,” urging that the drug’s use not be limited to severely obese patients. However, they also cautioned that side effects must be carefully monitored as its use expands. The breakthrough could mark the most significant advance in cardiovascular medicine since statins.

The decision to remove bursaries for trainee Religious Education (RE) teachers has sparked alarm among church and education leaders, who warn it will deepen an already severe recruitment crisis. The Government’s new funding guidance for 2026–27 excludes RE, English, music, and art and design from bursary eligibility. Last year, RE trainees received £10,000 in financial support - a measure credited with boosting applications by 40%. The RE Policy Unit, representing national teaching bodies, called the cut ‘devastating’, noting that current recruitment stands at just 54% of target. The CofE’s chief education officer, Rev Nigel Genders, said the decision threatens efforts to build ‘religious literacy’ and mutual understanding in an increasingly polarised society. RE is compulsory in all state schools, yet many lessons are taught by non-specialists due to shortages. Advocates argue that restoring bursaries is essential not only for education quality but also for social cohesion and informed citizenship.

The IMF has forecast that the UK will be the second-fastest-growing economy among the G7 nations this year - behind only the USA - despite ongoing global trade tensions. The IMF projects UK growth at a modest 1.3% in both 2025 and 2026, signaling resilience but also stagnation compared with past performance. Per capita growth, at less than 0.5%, remains the weakest in the G7. Inflation, however, continues to cloud the outlook: the UK is expected to record the highest price rises among advanced economies, driven by elevated energy and utility costs. The IMF anticipates inflation will ease to 2% by late next year, yet households still face financial strain. Rachel Reeves, attending the IMF’s Washington meetings, pledged to tackle what she called a ‘stuck’ economy, while the Bank of England urged caution on rate cuts. Amid geopolitical uncertainty and trade disruptions, Britain’s challenge is how to sustain growth without deepening inequality. Reeves has recently hinted that she may raise some taxes in the November budget: see

Scientists are pioneering a revolutionary cell therapy that could make the current treatments of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis obsolete: Led by Professor Ye Htun Oo at the University of Birmingham, the project uses a patient’s own regulatory T cells to retrain the immune system, combating harmful autoimmune responses which lead to organ failure. This innovative approach may soon replace traditional treatments which often cause serious side effects such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer risk. With more than 8,000 people currently awaiting transplants in the UK, and each procedure costing up to £100,000, the potential savings to the NHS are immense. The therapy, expected to be available within a decade, could transform the treatment of autoimmune liver disease and related conditions, offering hope for longer, healthier lives without dependency on harsh medications. While further trials are needed, experts describe this research as a ‘game-changer’ for modern medicine.

The full environmental impact of the proposed Rosebank oil field, the UK’s largest undeveloped fossil fuel site some eighty miles north-west of Shetland, has now been revealed - and it is vast. The developers, Equinor and Ithaca Energy, have admitted that burning Rosebank’s oil and gas could release nearly 250 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years, equivalent to two-thirds of the UK’s current annual emissions. The figure, which dwarfs earlier estimates, follows a court ruling requiring a full assessment of the climate impact not just of extraction, but of using the fuels themselves. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Uplift, call the figures a stark warning that Rosebank is incompatible with Britain’s 2050 net-zero goal. The Government’s final decision, due after public consultation closes in November, will test its climate credibility. While the developers claim the emissions are ‘not significant’, critics insist that approving Rosebank would lock the UK into decades of pollution and contradict its clean energy ambitions.