Author: Fatimah Idera

Labour MPs are urging ministers and London’s mayor to abandon controversial proposals that would reduce affordable housing quotas in the capital in a bid to revive stalled housebuilding. Housing secretary, Steve Reed and mayor Sadiq Khan are considering changes that would allow developers to secure fast-track planning approval by committing to deliver just 20% affordable housing, down from the current 35% minimum. The plan is being developed amid a dramatic fall in construction across London, but MPs want the policy dropped before its expected announcement in the coming weeks. Florence Eshalomi, Labour chair of the housing select committee, warned that…

The son of former England football star Stuart Pearce has died following a tractor crash in Gloucestershire, police have confirmed. Harley Pearce, 21, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, was killed in the incident on the A417 at Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe, near Gloucester. In a tribute, his family said they were “truly shocked and utterly heartbroken by the loss of their cherished son and devoted brother”. They described Harley as “a golden boy with an infectious smile” who “left an unforgettable imprint on all who knew him”. “This shocking tragedy will leave a huge hole in the hearts of those…

The United Kingdom has formally reduced the length of stay permitted for international students after graduation, cutting the post-study work period for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders. The change, announced by the Home Office on October 15, follows the government’s plan to tighten migration rules and curb what it sees as misuse of the Graduate Route visa. Under the new legislation laid before Parliament on October 14, bachelor’s and master’s graduates will no longer enjoy the two-year post-study stay previously allowed. PhD graduates, however, will continue to receive up to three years on the route, in line with existing policy.…

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for an immediate suspension of penalties and repayment demands imposed on thousands of unpaid carers caught up in broken and discredited allowance system. Investigation by the Guardian revealed that carers across the UK had been saddled with large debts and in some cases prosecuted for fraud after unknowingly breaching strict earnings rules linked to the £82.30-a-week benefit. Despite a government pledge last year to fix the system, hundreds of carers are still being hit with fresh overpayment demands every week. “Itcannot be right that the government is still hounding carers for repayments long…

The UK government has unveiled a national jobs and skills plan aimed at creating 400,000 positions in the green energy sector within five years, with plumbers, electricians and welders expected to be in especially high demand. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the initiative would double the current clean energy workforce by 2030 and prioritise training for school leavers, unemployed people, veterans, ex-offenders, and workers transitioning from fossil fuel industries. He added that companies awarded public contracts in the clean energy transition would be required to create good, secure jobs and support trade union recognition and collective bargaining. The plan identifies…

A major UK mussel exporter has suffered losses o around £150,000 after French customs rejected three recent shipments. While raising fears of renewed post-Brexit trade tensions. Industry figures suspect the move may be politically driven, coming months after the UK’s reset trade deal with the EU aimed at easing border friction. Offshore Shellfish, a family-run business based in Devon, said three of its four latest lorryloads of mussels were rejected at Boulogne-sur-Mer port in northern France, the main entry point for British seafood exports. Each consignment had to be destroyed at the company’s expense. “We’ve sent hundreds of loads since…

Tensions between the UK and China have deepened after Beijing issued a warning to London over continued delays to the approval of its proposed mega embassy near the Tower of London. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it expressed grave concern and strong dissatisfaction after Housing Secretary Steve Reed postponed a final decision on the embassy project until December 10. The proposed site, bought for £255 million in 2018, would become the largest Chinese embassy in Europe if approved. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused the UK of “acting in bad faith and without integrity, warning that Britain must honour…

British lawmakers have warned that the government’s failure to address online misinformation could lead to a repeat of the violent 2024 summer riots, which were fuelled by viral falsehoods following the Southport murders. The Commons Science and Technology Committee, chaired by Chi Onwurah, criticised ministers for being complacent about the risks of misinformation spreading on social media. It said the government’s refusal to strengthen regulation under the Online Safety Act (OSA) leaves the public vulnerable to future unrest. “The government urgently needs to plug gaps in the OSA, but instead seems complacent about harms from the viral spread of legal…

Your Party the emerging left-wing movement led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana has unveiled draft constitutional plans that would transform it into a formal political organisation, complete with internal elections and a leadership contest set for early 2026. According to documents the proposals outline a leadership election by March 2026 under a one-member-one-vote system and the creation of a 21-member Central Executive Committee (CEC). Sixteen members would be directly elected, while two seats would go to MPs , who would be barred from chairing. The leadership term would last 21 months, keeping the founding team in place until late…

The guidance states that “many families like to celebrate their child’s birthday by bringing in a cake or sweets to share…”