British Isles
'Up to 13,000' slaves in Britain
12 Dec 2014
A new report, the first scientific estimate of the scale of modern slavery in the UK, has shown that the number is four times what was previously thought. Victim levels are estimated to be between 10,000…
The former Bishop of Oxford has suggested there should be ‘reasonable accommodation’ for religious belief in law, during a House of Lords debate. Lord Harries initiated the debate on the role of belief in public life,…
Family breakdown 'damages exam results'
12 Dec 2014
A survey was carried out by the family lawyers’ association, Resolution. Its chair, Jo Edwards commented on the scale of the problem, saying: ‘Each year around 100,000 children under 16 see their parents divorce. Almost half…
A threat to kidnap and murder a serving West Midlands police officer led to a security alert being issued to staff, the BBC understands. The force has confirmed counter-terror officers are investigating an ‘anonymous but credible’…
Champagne wars in the Lords
12 Dec 2014
On the same day that a parliamentary report on hunger revealed that the number of people using food banks has risen to unprecedented levels, the House of Lords refused to share catering expenses with the Commons…
Christian rape survivor: Give jury more guidance
12 Dec 2014
A Christian rape survivor is calling for jurors in sexual assault trials to be given more guidance about what constitutes rape. Jill Saward, who was attacked in 1986 at Ealing Vicarage, has started a petition urging…