Author: Fatimah Idera

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been criticised over delays in approving assisted dying legislation passed by the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man’s parliament, Tynwald, became the first in the British Isles to pass an assisted dying law in March 2025. However, the legislation has yet to receive royal assent, which is required before it can come into force.  For crown dependency laws, the Lord Chancellor must recommend royal assent. Campaigners and politicians on the island say the delay, now lasting about nine months, is unusual. Dr Alex Allinson, the GP and House of Keys member who introduced the…

A Labour council leader could lose his position after seeking to delay local elections. Christopher Watkins, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, is set to face a vote of no confidence on Wednesday after writing to the Government to request a postponement of elections due in May.  He argued that holding the vote would not be a good use of resources, as the council is preparing for local government reorganisation. Watkins leads a council with no overall control and holds 18 of the 38 seats. He said his Labour group had agreed to ask for a delay so the…

Five people have been charged with murder following the death of a man at a petrol station in Seaham, County Durham, police have confirmed. Daniel Ambler, 23, died at the scene after a collision at the Asda Express service station on Thursday 15 January. Durham Constabulary launched a murder investigation shortly after the incident. Police said Barry Anderson, 51, Ashton Anderson, 19, and Barry Logan Anderson, 18, have each been charged with murder and violent disorder. In addition, two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have also been charged with murder and violent disorder. All five defendants…

Wakefield Council has confirmed that its local elections will go ahead as planned in 2026, despite a growing number of councils across England seeking to delay their own polls. In a statement issued by the local authority, the council said voters across the district will head to the polls on May 7, as originally scheduled. The election will be an “all-out” contest, meaning every council seat will be up for election. The confirmation comes amid widespread changes to local government structures being proposed by the UK government. As a result, 28 local authorities have so far requested permission to postpone…

The new leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Lord Malcolm Offord, has said any future referendum on Scottish independence should be postponed for at least 10 years to allow the country to focus on economic recovery and public services. Speaking to the media on Scotland Sunday Show, Lord Offord said the issue of independence has dominated Scottish politics for too long, creating what he described as a damaging doom loop. He argued that Scotland needs two full terms of the Scottish Parliament to concentrate on the day job, including boosting economic growth and improving public finances, before revisiting the constitutional…

UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Britain and other European countries unless a deal is reached for the purchase of Greenland, describing the move as completely wrong. President Trump has announced plans to introduce a 10% tariff on goods exported to the United States from the UK, Denmark and several EU countries from 1st of February, with the rate expected to rise to 25% by June. He said the measures would remain in place until an agreement is reached for the “complete and total purchase of Greenland”. Responding…

Homeless families living in temporary accommodation have accused Lambeth Council in south London of carrying out intimidating, unannounced home visits that have left many fearing eviction. Housing campaign group Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) said several families reported unexpected visits from council housing officers, while others received sudden emails warning they could be moved far outside London.  The group said these actions have created confusion and distress for vulnerable households as the unannounced visits made them feel frightened and forced out. The council recently announced that most homeless families may need to be rehoused outside the borough, and in…

Thousands of taxpayers are facing long delays in receiving tax refunds from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with some waiting more than a year to get back money they overpaid. Reports revealed that refunds which once took only a few weeks are now taking up to 10 months or longer. The delays affect a wide range of people, including the self-employed, pensioners and workers with multiple jobs. Tax experts say the problem is due to a growing backlog within HMRC. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales warned that older refund claims are being pushed aside while newer…

The fear of arrest and deportation is pushing some undocumented African migrants in the United Kingdom into extreme living conditions, with reports of people sleeping on the streets and even inside waste bins to avoid detection. This follows the UK government’s 2025 immigration reforms, known as the “Plan for Change,” which focus on tighter border controls, faster deportations and stricter enforcement against people without legal status.  Since the policy came into effect, many migrants whose asylum claims were rejected or whose visas expired have been living in constant fear. The Home Office recently confirmed the deportation of 43 people to…

A Romanian lorry driver has been sentenced to prison after trying to smuggle 10 people out of the UK in the back of his truck. Dragos-Gabriel Geangalau, 55, was stopped by immigration officers at the Port of Dover on November 21, as he attempted to board a ferry to France. A search of his heavy goods vehicle revealed 10 people hidden inside the trailer. The group included nationals from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. During questioning, the individuals told authorities they had each paid between £1,000 and £1,500 to be smuggled across the Channel. Geangalau initially denied any knowledge of the…