Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Christian leaders, theologians, and public figures have signed the 2025 Westminster Declaration, calling for the 're-Christianisation' of Britain. The document argues that by ignoring the nation’s Christian heritage, society has endangered human life, weakened families, and lost a unifying vision. It highlights pressing issues such as abortion, assisted dying, sex education, marriage, biological sex, and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, insisting that religious freedom must not be subordinated to political agendas. Fiona Bruce described a 'spiritual battle' in politics, urging more Christians to enter public life to shape debate. Michael Nazir Ali said a new declaration was necessary, given today’s challenges, while journalist Robin Aitken, hosting the launch, said that Christianity provides the best blueprint for human flourishing. Organisers hope to gather over 100,000 signatures to press for renewed recognition of Christian principles in national life. The declaration’s aim is not only to defend freedoms but to actively reassert faith as central to Britain’s moral and cultural renewal. See

Keir Starmer will announce major asylum policy reforms at a European summit in Copenhagen. Refugees granted asylum in the UK will no longer automatically receive settlement or family reunion rights, ending a longstanding route suspended in September. Previously, asylum-seekers could sponsor immediate family without meeting visa, income, or language requirements. Under the new policy, gaining indefinite leave to remain will take longer than the current five years, with a new benchmark of around ten years, though timescales may vary depending on individual contribution to UK society. Starmer insists settlement must be 'earned' and not seen as a 'golden ticket’. Along with these changes, the UK will partner with Denmark, investing £3m to address migration causes in the Western Balkans and encourage local job creation. Starmer argues the reforms will deter small boat crossings while still allowing sanctuary for genuine refugees. Critics fear the changes risk undermining family unity for those fleeing persecution. See

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce changes to the two-child benefit cap in November’s Budget, amid growing pressure to scrap the policy introduced by George Osborne under Conservative austerity measures. The cap currently limits child benefit payments to the first two children in a family, affecting 1.6 million children. Campaigners argue its removal would be the single most effective step in reducing child poverty. She has convened a government taskforce on child poverty and signalled she will act on its recommendations, though she stresses financial constraints must be considered. Options include abolishing the cap outright or introducing a tapered system, potentially limiting payments for larger families or linking them to working parents on universal credit. Keir Starmer has already pledged extended free school meals as part of efforts to end child poverty, saying 'a Britain where no child is hungry' is central to Labour’s vision. Critics warn of significant cost implications, while supporters say families cannot wait for relief.

Hackers who targeted Kido Schools, a nursery chain, by stealing and publishing sensitive images and personal data of around 8,000 children, have backtracked after widespread public outrage. The group, calling themselves Radiant, initially demanded a ransom of £600,000 in bitcoin, threatening to continue releasing profiles. Parents even received direct threatening calls. Following condemnation, the hackers blurred photos, later removed all data, and apologised, claiming it was deleted. Experts remain sceptical, noting cyber-criminals often falsely promise deletion while retaining or selling stolen material. Radiant appears inexperienced and may have underestimated the moral backlash of exploiting children. Much of the stolen content came from Kido’s use of Famly, a popular education platform, though Famly insists its infrastructure was not breached. Kido confirmed the incident is under investigation with external specialists and authorities.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has pledged to permanently ban fracking, calling it dangerous and deeply harmful, as he urged Labour activists in Liverpool to embrace clean energy as the future. He argued that fracking does nothing to lower bills, create sustainable jobs, or meet climate commitments, but damages the environment. Miliband contrasted Labour’s stance with Reform UK, who advocate expanded fossil fuel extraction, accusing them of betraying future generations. He described Reform as 'science-denying, poverty-driving extremists' and urged voters to reject their policies. Fracking, briefly permitted under Liz Truss before being banned again by Rishi Sunak, involves injecting fluid underground to release gas, a method widely criticised by environmental groups. Miliband tied Labour’s green vision to economic renewal, insisting clean energy is Britain’s best opportunity for job creation in decades, as well as the only sustainable solution to high energy bills.

Gas and electricity bills for millions across England, Scotland, and Wales rose 2% this week under Ofgem’s new price cap, bringing the typical annual bill to £1,755. With household debt to suppliers at a record £4.4bn, campaigners warn vulnerable families face another harsh winter. Energy UK says current support, such as emergency vouchers and debt write-offs, varies widely and is insufficient. They urge the Government to establish a long-term targeted scheme, potentially funded by taxation, to close the 'fuel poverty gap’. The Government points to measures including the Warm Home Discount, offering £150 off for one in five households, and promises a major home upgrade programme to improve energy efficiency in five million homes. Pensioners on lower incomes will also receive restored winter fuel payments after a U-turn. Ofgem is considering a debt relief support scheme to address unpayable arrears.

CAFOD and Church of England bishops have welcomed the Government’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, calling it a long-overdue step towards peace. CAFOD’s Middle East representative said the move, alongside similar actions by France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, affirms Palestinians’ right to a viable, independent state amid the devastation of Gaza and rising settlement violence in the West Bank. Bishop Christopher Chessun and fellow bishops stressed the recognition offers parity of esteem, countering extremism and strengthening moderates, though it will not immediately end the suffering in Gaza or West Bank abuses. They see it as a moral and political signal that occupation is unjust and must end through negotiation. Families of Israeli hostages have condemned the decision as rewarding Hamas; by contrast, Hamas has celebrated the recognition as a victory. UK church leaders have also warned that Israel’s ongoing military assault will only deepen human misery. Despite bleak realities, Christian leaders urged perseverance in seeking a just peace that upholds dignity for all communities. See

Residents of Bootle and Litherland, Merseyside, have voiced anger and fear after racist graffiti, including swastikas and slogans such as 'send them home’, appeared across canal bridges and public spaces. The offensive markings, condemned as 'sickening’, prompted disgust from locals who described how every bridge had been daubed with hate-filled messages. Merseyside police confirmed they are treating the incidents as hate crimes and are conducting enquiries to identify the perpetrators. Sefton Council has begun removing the graffiti. Dedicated hate crime police officers are investigating and have appealed for public help, urging residents to check CCTV, doorbell, and dashcam footage for evidence. Authorities pledged to take the strongest possible action against offenders, stressing that racist graffiti and intimidation will not be tolerated. Community leaders and police are seeking to restore trust, ensuring residents know that efforts are being made to protect and uphold respect, safety, and unity in the area.

Doctors have reported a groundbreaking success in treating Huntington’s disease, a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that combines symptoms of dementia, Parkinson’s, and motor neurone disease. A gene therapy trial at University College London slowed disease progression by an average of 75%. This means that a decline expected in one year would now take four, offering patients decades of improved quality of life. The therapy, delivered in a single dose through 12–18 hours of intricate brain surgery, permanently reduces production of the toxic huntingtin protein that kills brain cells. Early treatment may even prevent symptoms from developing. Among 29 trial participants, markers of brain cell death decreased instead of rising, and some patients regained independence: one returned to work after medical retirement. For families like Jack May-Davis’s, who lost his father to Huntington’s and carries the faulty gene himself, the breakthrough brings unprecedented hope. While the treatment will likely be costly, researchers call the results ‘spectacular’ and potentially life-changing.

The long-delayed trial of 'Soldier F’, the only veteran to face charges over the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972, will proceed after a Belfast judge ruled key statements from fellow soldiers admissible as evidence. Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, and attempting to murder four others during the civil rights march in Londonderry. Judge Patrick Lynch confirmed that contemporaneous statements to the Royal Military Police and the Widgery Tribunal could be used, despite defence claims they were inadmissible. Prosecutors admitted these statements are the only evidence linking Soldier F directly to the shootings. Relatives of the victims welcomed the ruling with relief, while veterans’ groups expressed disappointment, fearing unfair treatment compared to IRA members who escaped prosecution under the Good Friday Agreement. Bloody Sunday saw 13 protesters killed, a defining moment in Northern Ireland’s Troubles, later deemed 'unjustified and unjustifiable' by the Saville Inquiry. Soldier F, who denies the charges, listened from behind a screen as proceedings continued.