Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

The Government has been forced to bring forward its proposed changes to gambling machine betting limits. Philip Hammond had announced in his Budget speech that the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) would be cut from £100 to just £2 by October 2019, five months later than had been expected. After considerable protest, including the resignation of sports minister Tracey Crouch (see https://www.prayer-alert.net/british-isles-ireland-pa-site/item/11140-minister-resigns-over-delayed-crackdown-on-betting-machines), this change will now be put into effect by April 2019. James Mildred, for Christian charity CARE, said it was a 'stunning victory' against FOBTs, which are seen as highly addictive and damaging to families and mental health. However, he added: ‘This is only the first step. The damaging effects of gambling are becoming more visible across society, and the Government must introduce legislation to tackle this. Unless change is forthcoming, it is going to be children who are losing out.'

A couple have been recognised for giving more than a hundred years of service to the Church of Scotland between them. Don and Alice Barrie have played key roles at a church in South Lanarkshire for 51 and 60 years respectively. On 4 November their church presented them with long service awards from the moderator of the CoS general assembly, at a special surprise party. Alice’s father had insisted that she take music lessons from an early age; she took over as church organist at the age of 13 and has never looked back! Don became a church elder in 1967, and served as treasurer. As well as their church duties, the couple successfully ran a farm and raised five children.Their minister, Mike Fucella, said: ‘Church in a rural situation like ours can at times be frustrating, with very few people to do a great deal of work. Don and Alice deserve a big thank you. They have served with cheerfulness, often willing to try new things - open to the future God has in store for us. Without their partnership in the Gospel, I would find things very difficult indeed.’

On 15 November, the day after Theresa May persuaded her cabinet to endorse the draft EU agreement, two cabinet ministers (including Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary) and three junior ministers resigned in protest, and Mrs May had to defend her actions against a chorus of criticism by MPs. At the time of writing her survival was far from certain. However, she resolutely defended the deal, saying, ‘The course I have set out is the right one for our country and all our people. Am I going to see this through? Yes.’ Meanwhile, Michel Barnier and his colleagues also have to ask the 27 EU members to approve the draft agreement, which might raise further difficulties. On 25 November, the draft deal will go to an EU summit, and in December it will need to be approved by Parliament.  Given the degree of turmoil, your prayers are needed more than ever. To help you in this, you might want to use the declaration issued by Passion for the Nation, entitled ‘The Mother of Parliaments’. See http://passionforthenation.uk/

The younger brother of the Manchester bomber Salman Abedi will be extradited to Britain before the end of the year, according to Fayez al-Sarraj, the Libyan prime minister. Hashem Abedi, 20, was arrested in Libya shortly after his older brother blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert in the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017, killing 22 people. In an interview, Mr Fayez said that Libya was working with British authorities. He added: ‘I think from here to the end of this year we will finish all the legal procedure. We are fully cooperating because we understand the suffering of the families of the victims of this terrorist attack.’ Greater Manchester police said that counter-terrorism officers had been granted a warrant for Hashem’s arrest, and that the Libyan authorities were asked earlier this year to consider extraditing him to the UK. They believe they have enough evidence to charge him with the murder of 22 people, the attempted murder of others who were injured, and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Lambeth Palace was transformed on 13 November when the front of the building was lit up with giant stars. This was part of the Church of England's new campaign, #FollowTheStar, which aims to encourage people to attend churches over Christmas. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who led the event, said: ‘Christmas, for some, is a wonderful time - family, noise, friends and fun. For others it is isolated, or there are arguments; it just varies widely. #FollowTheStar is celebrating the fact that at the centre of Christmas it is Jesus who brings joy, healing hope and love, whatever situation you are in, and inviting others to share in that love. If you are a Christian, you might think about inviting someone to come to church with you. Church and a meal would be even better!’ Thousands of services and events will be taking place in churches all over the country in the run-up to Christmas.

In the House of Lords on 14 November, Archbishop Justin Welby congratulated Prince Charles on his 70th birthday and praised his ‘lifelong dedication’ to serving his country and his ongoing concern for young people, especially through the Prince’s Trust. He added: ‘There has been talk of meddling. In the Church we politely say “being prophetic”. He has shown his prophetic instincts, not least in his welcome advocacy of the critical need to protect the environment. His Royal Highness has also been a leader in speaking out on the plight of persecuted Christians around the world, something for which I am most grateful. His deep confidence in his own personal faith has been a basis for, as he has put it, “building bridges across chasms”. As the whole nation has seen, it is matched by his clear love for this country. We have united this year to celebrate his family’s joys, and I am delighted to express the same joy on this occasion.’

Research published on 14 November shows that London’s low-emission traffic zone has modestly reduced residents’ exposure to diesel engine pollution, but the better air quality has not brought improved lung health among children. The results suggest that while air pollution levels may be reduced by low emission zones, extra measures are needed to deliver air clean enough to improve health. WHO says that in addition to the pollution problems caused by diesel vehicles, nitrogen oxide - which has been linked to asthma and impaired lung development in children - has become a major problem. Professor Chris Griffiths, who co-led the research, said, ‘In many areas of London, air pollution still remains a major issue’.

A giant mosaic (20 metres high), made up of thousands of photos of ‘inspiring’ women, has been unveiled. Depicting Hilda Burkitt, a militant suffragette, it is now on show at Birmingham New Street station, where she threw a stone at the prime minister's train in 1909. Named Face of Suffrage, the artwork includes 3,724 photos from the public, who had responded to an appeal by artist Helen Marshall. Ms Marshall said: ‘The photo is the face of a smiling Edwardian lady, but her story is far from what we might expect.’ Jailed for breaking a window of Herbert Asquith's train, Burkitt went on hunger strike and was force-fed 292 times while at Birmingham's Winson Green prison. Ms Marshall said she chose Burkitt as the subject of her piece after people she spoke to ‘really seemed to connect’ with the picture the mosaic is based on. It will be on display until 14 December, marking 100 years since some British women were allowed to vote in a general election for the first time.

On Saturday 1 December the Salvation Army’s Fair Christmas Fayre, now in its eleventh year, will return to London’s Oxford Street. It will feature over 25 unique stalls selling eco-friendly, fairtrade, upcycled, recycled and charity gifts and fashion. The fayre, which will give shoppers a chance to enjoy the sparkle of Christmas in a way that is fair for the world’s poorest people and the planet, will be at Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street - just a few metres from Oxford Circus. ​​Organiser Hayley Still said: ‘We are delighted once again to bring together a rich variety of ethical traders. The fayre offers shoppers the opportunity to buy high quality Christmas gifts, whilst also making a difference to the lives of others.’

Sixty-five religious leaders have written a letter to the Times supporting the real Living Wage. They include twenty Catholic and Anglican bishops, a Roman Catholic archbishop, thirty Jewish rabbis, the president and vice-president of the Methodist Church, and the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain. The letter cites concern at low pay and in-work poverty 'which is damaging family life and robbing future generations of a secure and stable home'. It comes as celebrations are planned with 4,700 employers accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, which oversees the real Living Wage (currently £8.75) and the London Living Wage (currently £10.20) - set to rise in line with the real cost of living. Research has found that one in five workers is paid less than a real Living Wage, meaning millions are struggling to stay afloat financially as their wages don't meet the real cost of living.