Unemployment rate jumps as jobs market cools
18 Apr 2024
The UK's unemployment rate surged unexpectedly to 4.2% in the three months to February, up from 3.9% in January, the highest level in nearly six months. This increase, alongside a slowdown in earnings growth, reflects economic uncertainty affecting the job market. Real wages rose by 2.1% due to falling inflation. Economists suggest these weaker-than-expected employment figures may prompt the Bank of England to consider interest rate cuts as early as June. HMRC data revealed a significant decline in workers on payrolls by 67,000 in March, the largest drop since November 2020. Vacancies also decreased for the 21st consecutive period. While recent output data suggests potential economic growth in the first quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) advises caution in interpreting unemployment rate data due to low survey response rates. There are also concerns over industrial action and increasing inactivity rates. Acting shadow work and pensions secretary Alison McGovern said: 'Tory failure is laid bare by the reality that we are now the only country in the G7 with an employment rate stuck below pre-pandemic levels’. See also
Protect children from smacking, say doctors
18 Apr 2024
Children's doctors have called for the prohibition of smacking children in England and Northern Ireland, decrying current laws as 'unjust and dangerously vague’. They argue that physical punishment inflicts lasting mental and physical harm on children. While Scotland and Wales have already banned corporal punishment, England and Northern Ireland still allow parents to justify smacking as 'reasonable punishment’. Professor Andrew Rowland says, 'Changing the laws in England and Northern Ireland will give us absolute clarity and ensure there are no instances where it is acceptable or lawful to smack a child’. Challenging the Government’s reluctance, Joanna Barrett has said, 'All children deserve the same protection from assault as adults’.
The north of England faces a crisis in child welfare, with one in 52 children in Blackpool in care, highlighting the urgent need to address poverty-driven disparities. A report has revealed that nine in every thousand children in the north are in care, compared to six in the rest of England. The figures indicate that £25bn could have been saved if care entry rates had been equal across regions from 2019 to 2023. Child poverty emerges as the primary driver of these discrepancies. Dr Davara Bennett, lead author of the report, has stressed the necessity for policymakers to confront systemic inequalities and prioritise preventative measures over reactive spending. Emma Lewell-Buck, co-chair of the Child of the North all-party parliamentary group, has pointed to the detrimental impact of underinvestment in social services, advocating for improved support systems for vulnerable families. The call to action urges the Government to address these issues promptly to ensure a brighter future for children and families across the region.
The headteacher of Britain's 'strictest school', questioning the £150,000 legal aid received by a Muslim pupil to fight a prayer ban case, is concerned about potential further legal action. The High Court dismissed the student's claim against Michaela Community School's prayer policy, ruling it didn't infringe on her religious freedom. Katharine Birbalsingh has emphasised the school's values and highlighted parental choice in attending the school. The pupil, supported by her mother, expressed disappointment but affirmed her decision to challenge the ban. Government officials and secular campaigners welcomed the ruling, stressing the autonomy of schools in balancing diverse interests. The judgement also prompted calls for national guidance on religious practices in schools. The legal battle has taken a toll on the school, but its commitment to maintaining a stable learning environment remains steadfast.
Germany / China: Scholz’s balancing act
18 Apr 2024
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has tried to strike a delicate balance on a trip to China. He wanted to promote business ties but also to raise concerns over China's export surge to Europe and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Meeting with top leaders including Xi Jinping, he adopted a conciliatory tone in his discussions, emphasising partnership while acknowledging China as a competitor and systemic rival. This marked his first visit since Germany categorised China as such and called for reduced dependency on Chinese goods. Germany faces economic challenges, exacerbated by rising energy prices due to the Ukraine war. Scholz also urged Jinping to press Russia to end its ‘senseless’ war with Ukraine: see
Two alleged spies, dual German-Russian nationals, have been arrested in Bavaria for suspected espionage related to sabotaging German military aid for Ukraine. The main suspect, Dieter S, is accused of various offences, including maintaining contact with Russian intelligence, and fighting for a Russian proxy force in eastern Ukraine. Allegedly, he was planning sabotage operations such as explosive and arson attacks on military and industrial infrastructure, including US military facilities. Germany is the second-largest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the USA. The arrests mark another blow against Russian espionage efforts in Germany. Meanwhile, in what is being called Austria’s biggest espionage scandal in decades, Egisto Ott has been arrested on suspicion of spying. He is believed to have been recruited, along with other officials, by Jan Marsalek, who fled to Moscow in 2020. See
This year’s Easter celebrations in the Middle East were subdued. In Gaza City, Christians who have found refuge in the Holy Family Church brought palm branches to the Palm Sunday service. One of their priests said the congregation has been ‘enduring relentless Calvary for months’. SAT-7 broadcast Easter services live from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. The church’s pastor said, ‘In Palestine our Good Friday has lasted way too long, but Easter reminds us that the final word belongs to God… Our belief in the God of the Resurrection means that ultimately goodness, righteousness, and justice will prevail’. There were few foreign pilgrims in Jerusalem and most West Bank Christians were denied access under tightened security rules. SAT-7’s Turkish channel broadcast a service from a church in Istanbul which had been attacked by two gunmen during a Sunday service on 28 January; one man was killed in the incident. SAT-7 wanted to show solidarity with the congregation after such a traumatic event. SAT-7’s Easter programming is especially important for those in countries where people cannot celebrate openly because of persecution and restrictions on religious freedom.
Australia: two stabbings in Sydney
18 Apr 2024
Sydney is reeling after two knife attacks within three days. At Bondi Junction, Joel Cauchi, who had a history of mental illness, killed six people and injured others. At a church in Wakeley, a teenager injured a bishop and several others, but there were no fatalities. Despite both incidents causing fear, they have been treated differently by authorities. The Wakeley stabbing was declared a terror incident, while the Bondi Junction attack was not. This has caused puzzlement: the local Islamic Council ‘found it bewildering’, and said, ‘The signal this sends to the Australian community is that terrorism is solely reserved for Muslims.’ The investigation into the Bondi Junction attack continues, focusing on the perpetrator's motives and actions. One of the men who confronted Cauchi has been promised a renewal of his temporary visa: see