News Archive

Labour Gets Started - Criminals And Immigration Offenders Removed On Charter Flight

46 foreign criminals and immigration offenders have been returned to Vietnam and Timor-Leste on a ground-breaking charter flight.   The operation is the UK's first-ever charter returns flight to Timor-Leste, and the first to Vietnam since 2022.  

320,000 People Pushed Into Poverty Because Of Mortgage Interest Rate Rises

"Poverty statistics that hide the real scale of increases risk policymakers missing what is truly happening to poverty." Many households remortgaging or taking out new mortgages since 2022 have experienced sharp falls in their disposable income as higher interest rates have pushed up housing costs, and by December 2023 this is set to have pushed 320,000 such people into poverty.  But official data do not measure mortgage interest payments properly, so official poverty statistics will only capture about two-thirds of this effect (230,000 people).  

Clinical Trials For Chronic Kidney Disease

Clinical trials to accelerate research into treating chronic kidney disease will be strengthened as a result of a new partnership between the Scottish Government, academia and industry.   NHS Scotland, AstraZeneca and the Universities of Dundee and Glasgow will work together on new medicines to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, reducing the risk that patients might need dialysis or kidney transplantation.  

New Great British Energy Partnership Launched To Turbocharge Energy Independence

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announce first major partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate to unleash billions of investment in clean power.   Prime Minister and Energy Secretary announce first major partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate to unleash billions of investment in clean power.  

Supporting Scotland's Most Disadvantaged Communities - £1 Million To Help Tackle Health Inequalities

A programme improving the quality of general practice care in disadvantaged areas of Greater Glasgow and Clyde will continue for a second year through £1 million of Scottish Government funding.   The Inclusion Health and General Practice (IHAGP) programme looks to provide patients with targeted, early interventions and an evaluation of the scheme showed it had enhanced patient care, bolstered staff training and strengthened community links.  

Labour Will Fail In Government If It Does Not Reduce Inequality, Says New MP

Torsten Bell's comments come as party leadership has become embroiled in a row over the two-child benefit cap.   One of Labour's rising stars has said the party will have failed in government if it does not reduce inequality, even as the prime minister faces a bitter internal battle over a key poverty-reduction measure.  

Growth And Cutting Inequality Must Go Hand In Hand For Labour

"Labour's manifesto may barely mention it, but consideration of inequality must nevertheless be at the heart of its agenda." Paul Johnson in the FT.   "Growth" got 49 mentions in the 130-page Labour manifesto, leaving no doubt about where the party aims to find answers to the many problems it's inherited.  

Potential Victims Of Travel Agency Shut Down By Courts Are Urged To Come Forward

Company failed to pay accommodation bills and displayed ABTA and ATOL logos despite having no affiliation with either organisation.   Zulu Travel Services Ltd was wound up at the High Court of Justice in Manchester following an investigation into its trading practices, and the official receiver appointed as liquidator.   Company director Dr Darren Anderson had changed his name three times and was already  banned from running a company for 15 years under his previous name.  

Highland Cows - Online Sale Scam - Trading Standards Warning

Falkirk Trading Standards have warned that scammers have set up a webpage claiming to sell Highland cows and other livestock from Muiravonside Country Park.   The address of the scam website is www.newparksfarms.co.uk - it uses the park's genuine address and postcode in an attempt to appear legitimate.  

New Order Of Missiles Secures Future Supply For Uk Armed Forces

The order is worth £176 million and will equip current and future short-range air defence capabilities for the British Army, such as Stormer combat vehicles, and be fired by the Royal Navy's Martlet maritime anti-surface missile system deployed from Wildcat helicopters.   Weighing only 13kg each, LMM provides a precision solution against threats such as drones, helicopters, other aircraft, and small, fast maritime targets.