Author: Fatimah Idera

The UK Government is preparing to announce major changes to the criminal justice system that would significantly scale back the right to jury trials in England and Wales, as ministers scramble to address record-breaking court delays. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy, is expected to outline the proposals in Parliament today. Although he has repeatedly stressed that juries will remain a “fundamental part of the criminal justice system,” it remains unclear whether the full package has been signed off by the cabinet, after details were leaked last week. According to leaked documents seen by the BBC and other…

Keir Starmer says Labour’s economic strategy will take several years to fully deliver, as he moves to regain control of the political narrative following criticism of last week’s budget. Recent report revealed the prime minister backed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision to introduce £26bn in tax rises, arguing that the government must be judged at the end of the parliament, not after a single budget. He said Labour is focused on long-term reforms rather than quick fixes, insisting this is the only way to rebuild Britain’s economy and public services. Starmer criticised both left- and right-wing opponents, saying their ideas would…

The number of refugees allowed to settle in the UK through UN-backed resettlement schemes has fallen sharply, dropping 26% in one year, according to new Home Office data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, only 7,271 people were granted protection, compared with 9,872 the previous year. About half of those resettled were Afghans whose lives were put at risk after a UK defence official accidentally leaked the personal details of nearly 19,000 applicants. Of the total, 3,686 arrived under the Afghanistan Response Route, while others came through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. Meanwhile,…

The Prince of Wales, William, has visited several severely ill children from Gaza who are currently receiving specialist treatment under an NHS-led humanitarian programme, Kensington Palace has confirmed. The UK began admitting critically ill Gazan children in September as part of a government medical evacuation initiative. As of 21 November, 50 children are being treated in NHS facilities, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. A Palace spokesperson said Prince William was “moved by the courage shown by the children and their families” during his visit. The identities of the evacuees have not been disclosed, but officials say…

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will endorse Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget in a speech on Monday, insisting it will ease cost-of-living pressures, stabilise the economy, and strengthen growth. Starmer is expected to argue that although the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded growth forecasts from next year, the UK’s current economic performance is beating forecasts, and the government must now go “further and faster” on pro-growth reforms. His remarks come as the Treasury faces scrutiny over whether it presented an overly bleak picture of the economy ahead of the Budget. The Conservatives have accused Reeves of misleading the public…

Reeves had repeatedly warned that the UK’s productivity forecast had been downgraded, suggesting there was less money available.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that pensioners whose only source of income is the state pension will not be required to pay income tax until at least 2030. The assurance comes as the value of the state pension is expected to rise above the frozen income tax threshold in April 2027, which would ordinarily result in some pensioners becoming taxable. Next year, those receiving the post-2016 flat-rate state pension will get £12,547.60 just below the current £12,570 tax threshold. With thresholds frozen and state pension payments continuing to grow, the pension is likely to exceed the tax limit within two…

The UK Government has announced that asylum seekers will no longer be allowed to use taxis for medical appointments starting in February, following concerns over excessive transport costs. The decision comes after reports revealed that some asylum seekers were being taken on long-distance taxi journeys costing hundreds of pounds, with the Home Office spending an average of £15.8m a year on transport. Earlier, asylum seekers were given one weekly bus pass, while taxis were used for additional medical travel. Drivers told the media that some firms exploited the system by inflating mileage or dispatching cars from distant towns for short…

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