Manchester: 1,300+ evacuated because of flooding
At least 1,300 people were evacuated across Greater Manchester on New Year’s Day following severe flooding caused by heavy rain. A major incident was declared as many areas faced widespread damage. Rivers, including the Mersey and Tame, burst their banks, submerging roads, homes, and businesses. Emergency services coordinated efforts to rescue residents. Boats were deployed to evacuate hundreds, including 500 from a migrant hotel in Didsbury and 400 from an apartment complex in Stockport. Power cuts affecting 2,800 properties were reported. Emergency shelters were set up in affected areas, while videos showed dramatic rescues and submerged vehicles. Despite the chaos, no serious injuries were reported. Chief superintendent Colette Rose praised public cooperation and emergency services for their swift response. The flooding has eased in some areas, but authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide support to displaced residents. See
NHS England: early cancer diagnosis getting better
The proportion of cancer patients diagnosed at early stages has reached a record high in England, with 58.7% of cases identified at stages one and two between September 2023 and August 2024. This marks a 2.7 percentage point rise since before the pandemic, significantly improving survival rates. Public awareness campaigns and innovative screening approaches, such as mobile lung and liver cancer screenings, have been credited for the progress. However, challenges remain. England is still well short of its target to diagnose 75% of cancers at early stages by 2028. Nearly one in three patients faces delays of over 62 days from urgent referrals to starting treatment. NHS England’s national cancer director, Dame Cally Palmer, acknowledged the progress but pointed out the need for further improvement, as the UK lags well behind other European nations. Cancer Research UK also called for a fully-funded national cancer plan to enhance resources and transform care. Early detection saved patients like Paul Nelson, 72, whose cancer was found through routine checks.
Scotland: NHS will struggle to last another year
Scotland’s NHS faces a critical future: the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned it may not survive another year without urgent reforms. It has stressed the need for transformative changes to maintain the NHS’s founding principle of free care at the point of need. BMA chairman Dr Iain Kennedy described the system as 'in constant crisis’, with understaffed facilities leaving doctors physically and mentally exhausted. A recent survey revealed 99% of doctors are deeply concerned about increasing pressures, with many reporting dangerously overcrowded emergency departments and unsustainable workloads. Dr Kennedy called for a comprehensive workforce plan, long-term funding strategies, and integrated approaches to primary, secondary, and social care. Without reform, more people may be forced into private healthcare or left without access to necessary treatment. The Scottish government acknowledged the concerns, proposing record investments in health and social care. See also
Channel migrants: over 36,000 arrivals in 2024
In 2024, 36,816 people crossed the English Channel in small boats, a slight increase from 2023’s 29,437 but fewer than the record 45,774 in 2022. Tragically, 2024 became the deadliest year for crossings, with 77 lives lost. On 29 December, a group of 291 migrants arrived, capping a year of heightened risks and debates over immigration policies. The Government continues to collaborate with French authorities to curb crossings, while critics argue for legal, safer routes for those fleeing war and persecution. Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council emphasised the urgent need for policy changes to prevent future tragedies. Labour scrapped the controversial Rwanda deportation plan after winning the election, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who want tougher deterrents. The Home Office highlighted efforts to target people-smuggling gangs and protect lives but acknowledged new challenges as smugglers adapt their methods. More than 150,000 people have crossed the Channel since 2018.
Archbishop says Church must 'be changed' over abuse
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, called for transformative change in the CofE during his Christmas sermon, amid ongoing criticism over abuse scandals. Justin Welby resigned in November following backlash over his handling of prolific abuser John Smyth. Cottrell, set to assume leadership on 6 January, acknowledged the Church’s failures and emphasised the need for justice, humility, and action. His remarks drew mixed reactions. While he urged the Church to 'kneel in penitence' and focus on supporting vulnerable groups, some survivors criticised his leadership. One victim expressed dismay over his involvement with priest David Tudor, who faced abuse allegations but continued serving for years under Cottrell’s oversight. Local clergy reported frustration among parishioners: Rev Matt Woodcock of St Stephen’s Church, York stressed the need for reassurance at the community level, despite widespread disappointment in national leadership.
Azerbaijan: Putin urged to accept responsibility for air crash
President Ilham Aliyev has urged Russia to accept responsibility for the Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which killed 38 of the 67 onboard. The flight, from Baku to Grozny, was diverted from Chechnya and crashed in Kazakhstan. Vladimir Putin has apologised but stopped short of admitting fault, attributing the tragedy to Russian defences countering Ukrainian drone attacks. Aliyev criticised initial Russian explanations, including claims of a gas cylinder explosion and bird strikes, as ‘foolish and dishonest’. He acknowledged the incident was accidental but demanded that Russia admit guilt, punish those responsible, and provide compensation: he commented, ‘No one would have thought that in a friendly country, our plane would be fired at from the ground’. The crew members were honoured for landing the plane in a way that allowed 29 people to survive, even though it led to their own deaths.