The murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif has ignited calls for stronger safeguards for children, particularly those being home-schooled. Sara’s father and stepmother, convicted of her murder, had subjected her to two years of horrific abuse, prompting scrutiny of existing child protection measures. The government plans to introduce a Children's Wellbeing Bill, proposing safeguards like mandatory local authority consent for home-schooling children under protection plans, a child identifier system, and multi-agency safeguarding teams. Surrey County Council, which had been alerted to Sara’s welfare concerns before her death, is launching an independent review of its actions. Critics argue that current laws allowing at-risk children to be removed from school are inadequate. Keir Starmer emphasised the need for answers and better safeguards to prevent such tragedies. Proposals also include establishing a register for home-educated children and improving data-sharing between services to identify risks more effectively.
Small British businesses are halting shipments to Northern Ireland and the EU due to new EU customs rules and product safety regulations. These regulations require complex compliance steps, including detailed paperwork, batch numbering, and the designation of an EU or Northern Ireland-based 'authorised representative’. Many small firms, lacking resources to navigate these requirements, have chosen to cease trade rather than risk penalties. Entrepreneurs are expressing frustration over the lack of timely government communication and support. Business owners learned about the changes through social media rather than official channels, exacerbating the challenge during the busy Christmas season. While the Government claims to prioritise small businesses, the lack of tailored guidance leaves many struggling. Small businesses fear these changes favour larger corporations, potentially widening economic disparities.
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has affirmed the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes over five years, a scale unseen since World War 2. This requires constructing 370,000 homes annually, a significant increase from the 220,000 built last year. Despite this bold target, Rayner refrains from committing to a specific number of social housing units, emphasising site-dependent affordability and viability. The plan prioritises 'brownfield first’, encouraging redevelopment of previously used land. Councils must outline housing targets within twelve weeks, reassess green belt boundaries, and identify suitable 'grey belt' areas. Developers using green belt land must adhere to strict 'golden rules,' ensuring infrastructure like nurseries, healthcare facilities, and transport alongside affordable housing. With 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists and record homelessness, the housing crisis is critical. To accelerate progress, the government has allocated £100 million and 300 new planning officers to streamline decision-making. The plan aims to balance local input, housing demand, and economic growth while addressing infrastructure needs.
The NHS is grappling with a 'tidal wave' of flu cases, with hospital admissions rising by 70% in a week, contributing to severe pressure on emergency services. In one week, hospitals in England averaged 1,861 flu patients daily, including 66 in critical care - up from 1,099 and 39 in the previous week. Combined with increasing cases of Covid, RSV, and norovirus, this 'quad-demic' is straining A&E departments and ambulance services. Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated to prevent severe illness and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. Of the 30 million eligible for NHS flu jabs, so far only half have come forward. With 95% of hospital beds occupied and lengthy waits for emergency care, NHS leaders are prioritising treating the sickest patients over meeting waiting time targets. This winter is expected to be one of the most challenging yet for the NHS, despite efforts to manage rising demand. See
Energy bills shake-up announced
12 Dec 2024
Ofgem has announced plans to offer 'no standing charge' energy tariffs and provide debt relief for struggling households. The standing charge, a fixed daily fee averaging 92p, has risen significantly in recent years and disproportionately impacts low-energy users and prepayment meter customers. The new tariffs will eliminate these charges, though higher unit rates for gas and electricity may offset savings for higher energy users. Additionally, Ofgem is proposing debt relief measures, including partial or full debt write-offs and debt-matching schemes, where suppliers match customers' repayments to reduce arrears. With energy debt exceeding £3.8 billion and average arrears rising 37% in the past year, these changes aim to alleviate financial strain on vulnerable households. Funding for the initiatives will be spread across network charges and energy suppliers, with plans to implement zero-standing charge tariffs by next winter. Ofgem also encourages households to register for support programs like the Priority Services Register and contact suppliers early if facing energy debt.
Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, has urged smartphone-free schools to promote healthier lifestyles for young people. Speaking in the House of Lords, he highlighted efforts by his diocese, which oversees 285 church schools, to educate students on the risks associated with smartphone use. He noted that in a school in his diocese, banning smartphones led to improved behavior, reduced bullying, increased concentration, and better academic performance. He argued that these changes foster healthier communities and higher levels of learning. His comments follow similar initiatives, including a top CofE school adopting 'brick phone only’ policies to encourage a balanced relationship with technology. While there is broad consensus on the benefits of smartphone-free schools, Dr Croft acknowledged the need for further discussions on implementing such measures across the board. The debate reflects growing concerns about the impact of smart devices on young people's well-being and development.
US intelligence suggests Russia may launch its experimental Oreshnik hypersonic missile against Ukraine within days. First used in an attack on Dnipro in November, the missile displayed astonishing speed and precision, striking a military facility with devastating fireballs. Despite its limited number and smaller warhead compared to other missiles, its deployment is seen as an intimidation tactic rather than a battlefield game-changer. Vladimir Putin boasted about its capabilities on national television, warning NATO allies that supporting Ukraine with longer-range weapons could provoke similar strikes on their territories. This statement followed Putin's signing of a revised nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use, allowing for retaliation even against conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers. Meanwhile, tensions rise as the USA loosens restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to counter Russian aggression.
French-Cameroonian author Charles Onana has been found guilty of downplaying the Rwandan genocide, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people in 1994. He was fined €8,400, and his publisher was fined €5,000. The two must also pay €11,000 in compensation to human rights organisations which filed the lawsuit. A Paris court ruled that Onana’s book, published in 2019, trivialised and contested the genocide in an ‘outrageous manner’, violating France's laws against genocide denial and incitement to hatred. The book suggested that the narrative of a planned genocide by the Hutu government was a ‘scam’, a claim criticised for distorting historical facts. Rwanda's foreign minister has welcomed the court’s decision as a victory. This is the first time in Europe that those denying the genocide have been punished under French law.