Displaying items by tag: Government

For ‘security reasons’, the Government has refused to publish a full report on the funding of UK Islamist extremist groups. Instead, the home secretary has issued a two-page summary which states that most such groups are funded via small, anonymous British-based donations. Opposition parties claimed that the internal review was suppressed to protect Saudi Arabia from being accused of funding extremism in the UK. The Home Office has been under pressure for months to publish its investigation into the nature, scale and origin of the funding, but because of sensitive information it cannot be made public. Some MPs will view it in private but not be allowed to reveal its contents. In future, charities will have to declare any overseas funding to the Charity Commission. Overseas support for institutions that teach deeply conservative forms of Islam and provide conservative literature and preachers will also be banned.

Last summer saw terrorist attacks. Do we still pray during holiday periods? We need recreation, but the enemy doesn’t take holidays - let’s stay alert, continuing to intercede during holidays. Recent events show how quickly alliances between nations can become uncertain. Nations often enter into alliances for economic reasons. Every agreement and negotiation with another nation comes with spiritual consequences. Much wisdom is required for alliances with Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and Africa. Israel must be continually ‘watched over’ in prayer. Pray for Germany’s foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel as he settles into his new office.

Neither Theresa May nor Nicola Sturgeon nor Arlene Foster is superhuman. They have weaknesses, faults and failings, and don't have all the answers. As God's representatives here on earth, we have a responsibility to pray regularly for those who govern us, whether we like their politics or not, if we want to 'live peaceful and quiet lives'. A key prayer is to ask God for His wisdom to guide them in their discussions, debates and decisions. If we want a government that listens, takes good advice and makes wise decisions - pray! If we want a fair and just government - pray! If we want a government that enables the country to prosper - pray! If we want a Government (and a society) that really cares for the poor, the disadvantaged, those genuinely needing the state-provided 'safety-net' - pray! If we want our nations to be safe and secure - pray!

The G20 results will influence the world. It is the first time that leaders like Trump and Putin will unite and attempt to create a major shift to nationalism and individualism with regards to hunger, climate, war, terror, and refugees. All kings and powers are installed by God and we, the body of Christ, have the responsibility to intercede for our leaders. Will you join us to pray while our political leaders meet together? The presidents of China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia will be there. Danger is also coming from international protest movements. Anti-fascism, anti-capitalists, militant socialist, Marxists, communist, militant Kurds and people against President Trump are preparing to block the summit and bring violence and chaos to the streets and infrastructure. Nearly all of Hamburg's denominations and prayer movements will be praying in churches and on the streets. We also need your prayers for peace.

'An attempt to overturn November's election and forcibly remove a duly elected president'

http://www.wnd.com/2017/06/new-warning-resistance-turning-into-american-coup/

Please pray that the human and spiritual forces of division and hate will be bound and overthrown in the USA and that the institutions of government and the media will serve the American people honestly and fairly.

The Government’s austerity policy descended into chaos on 28 June as it first seemed to suggest it would abandon its one per cent cap on public sector pay rises, then denied it. Three Cabinet ministers appeared to have been briefed that the pay cap was coming to an end as they openly talked about lifting it, and Sir Oliver Letwin, the influential backbench MP, even went into detail about how taxes would have to be increased to fund it. However, only hours later Downing Street insisted that the cap would remain in place until 2020. This reversal was blamed on the ongoing ‘war’ between Theresa May and Philip Hammond, with the Treasury reportedly demanding a retraction of the announcement. It led to speculation that the Chancellor had intended to claim credit for the policy change at his next budget. Tim Farron, the outgoing Liberal Democrat leader, said: ‘The Tories are in utter chaos. They have U-turned on their own U-turn within the space of a few hours.’

Amanda Spielman, who in January became head of schools’ regulator Ofsted, has vowed to continue promoting ‘British values’. Citing the recent terror attacks as evidence that a greater crackdown on different forms of extremism is needed, she said that the promotion of British values will be determined by individual inspectors, adding, ‘There isn’t a prescribed translation of it, so schools will have to work it out’. John Denning of the Christian Institute, which has consistently questioned the vague and subjective nature of ‘British values’, said Spielman’s assertions would be particularly concerning for head teachers of faith schools. He said: ‘This might encourage Ofsted inspectors to pressurise or even fail schools, based on their own subjective opinions of what British values are. Schools will remain vulnerable to inspectors’ personal biases.’ Since the Government introduced the requirement to ‘actively promote’ British values in schools in 2014, Ofsted inspectors have caused widespread problems for religious liberty in England, with aggressive questioning of teachers and pupils over their beliefs on same-sex marriage and transsexualism.

Activists descended on Westminster for a ‘Day of Rage’ protest on 21 June, as Theresa May set out her legislative programme for the next two years in the Queen’s Speech. The demonstration, organised by Movement for Justice by Any Means Necessary (MFJ), saw protesters marching to Downing Street, with the aim of ‘bringing down the Government’. Mrs May became the first prime minister in decades to lay out a legislative programme without a guaranteed House of Commons majority, as the Conservatives have yet to reach a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party. The MFJ said the protest was in reaction to ‘brutal austerity, cuts and anti-immigrant attacks’, and last week’s Grenfell Tower tragedy in which at least 79 died. Some condemned the protest for politicising the anger, or thought it was inappropriate. A different approach was taken by London City Mission and the Message Trust, who organised a day of prayer and fasting in Kensington.

The Government, setting out its plans in the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday, has not announced any legislation for education. This means dropping their most high-profile proposed reform - the expansion of selective education in England. The controversial plan to stop free lunches for all infants is also absent. This takes away the biggest source of extra funding promised for schools in the Conservative manifesto. The re-written plans now call for ‘every child to go to a good or outstanding school’ - but with the recognition that any changes will depend upon being able to command a majority. Four teachers’ unions expressed disappointment about the lack of new funding, saying that schools were ‘sending out begging letters to parents’. One head teacher said, ‘The government said that it had heard the message from the electorate. It's high time they acted to put things right and fund schools in a way that every child deserves.’

Plans for a counter-extremism commission were announced in the Queen’s Speech, but campaigners urged the Government to pause its plans and consult widely. The speech did not mention any plans for an equality oath, or Ofsted entering Sunday schools and youth clubs, but the Government continues to advocate both these strands of its counter-extremism strategy. Defend Free Speech, which includes the Christian Institute, the National Secular Society, and Index on Censorship, cautioned that the new commission will simply be a scapegoat for ‘when things go wrong’. Its statement said, ‘The Government has yet again said it will bring forward unnecessary and intrusive legislation to counter so-called non-violent extremism. Not only will civil liberties be damaged, but we will all be less safe. For years, government lawyers have tried to come up with a watertight legal definition of who is and is not an extremist. The chances of finding one that does not criminalise those with traditional or challenging views such as people of faith, outspoken academics or anti-fracking campaigners seems highly remote.’