Number of UC claimants jumps dramatically
14 Aug 2025
A record eight million people are now claiming Universal Credit (UC), the highest since its 2013 introduction, and a sharp increase from 6.9 million in July 2024. This has largely been driven by a surge in those not expected to work due to long-term illness, caring responsibilities, or being over pension age. This category grew by 39% in a year, now totalling 3.7 million. UC supports both unemployed individuals and low-income workers, with 2.2 million claimants currently in work. London has one of the highest claimant numbers, with over 364,000 people receiving benefits. A new breakdown by immigration status reveals that 83.8% of claimants are British or Irish nationals, 9.6% hold EU settled status, and smaller proportions are refugees or humanitarian arrivals. The Government has pledged welfare reforms, citing an ‘unsustainable benefits bill’. The figures highlight ongoing challenges with health, employment, and cost-of-living pressures affecting millions across the UK.
Students receive A-level, T-level, Btec results
14 Aug 2025
Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have received their A-level, T-level, and BTec National results, with top grades once again rising slightly (28.3%, up from 27.8% in 2024). Despite ongoing recovery from the Covid disruption, a record number of 18-year-olds are predicted to gain entry to their first-choice universities. This year’s cohort faced unique challenges: lower GCSE grades due to efforts to reduce pandemic-era grade inflation, and years of interrupted learning during national lockdowns. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged persistent inequalities, particularly for white working-class students, and pledged continued reforms. The results also mark the fourth year of vocational T-level qualifications, which blend academic study with industry experience. Many students have used these pathways to secure jobs and prepare for future careers. Universities, seeking stability amid uncertain international admissions, may be more flexible in accepting students, with leaders urging recognition of the extraordinary circumstances these young people have overcome.
Epping Forest District Council has applied for an interim High Court injunction to stop asylum seekers being housed at the Bell Hotel. In recent months hundreds of people have demonstrated outside the hotel, protesting against its current use. The council says there is a clear risk of further escalating community tensions. Council leader Chris Whitbread expressed frustration over having to take legal action, while a spokesperson noted that the hotel's location, near schools and a care home, adds to residents’ anxiety. The protests intensified after a hotel resident was arrested and charged with multiple offences, though he denies the allegations. Refugee charity Care4Calais has said that some asylum seekers are now scared to go outside. The Home Office says it has reduced the number of asylum hotels from 400 in summer 2023 down to 210. Meanwhile, the leader of Dudley council has said that housing asylum seekers is a drain on the local economy: see
England: fourth heatwave increases water crisis
14 Aug 2025
England is facing a deepening water crisis, with five regions officially in drought and six more experiencing prolonged dry conditions - the worst since 1976. Despite brief storms in July, river flows and reservoir levels continue to decline, exacerbated by the fourth heatwave of the summer which began on 12 August. An amber heat health alert now covers key regions, including London and the south-east, as temperatures threaten to break this year’s record of 35.8°C. The UK Health Security Agency warns the heat could further strain public water supplies and navigation channels. The National Drought Group, composed of government bodies and industry stakeholders, has called for urgent, coordinated action. While the public has made efforts to reduce water use, concerns persist over damaged crops, reduced farm yields, and long-term food security. Farmers, in particular, face devastating losses. They are calling for improved water infrastructure and a more effective planning system to tackle both drought and flood threats in future climate extremes. Meanwhile, the Met Office has warned that extreme weather is becoming the new normal in the UK: see See also the Europe article on wildfires.
Donald Trump has warned of ‘very severe consequences’ if Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine during their meeting in Alaska on 15 August. While not detailing the measures, Trump has previously suggested economic sanctions and hinted at a follow-up meeting that could include Volodymyr Zelensky. Concerns persist among European leaders and Kyiv that any peace proposal might involve Ukraine surrendering territory - particularly the Donbas region - in exchange for halting further Russian advances. In a high-level virtual call hosted by Germany, Zelensky, Trump, and key European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and continued pressure on Moscow. Zelensky dismissed Putin’s threats as bluffs, insisting that sanctions and united international resolve remain crucial. The Alaska summit is seen as both a diplomatic opportunity and a high-stakes gamble, with Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the broader stability of Europe hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, on 12 August Russian troops tried to make a big advance, possibly to put extra pressure on Kyiv to cede territory: see
Fast-moving wildfires have reached the outskirts of Patras, Greece’s third-largest city, forcing mass evacuations, including a children’s hospital, and destroying thousands of hectares in the surrounding region. Entire villages have been emptied, homes and businesses lost, and hundreds of vehicles incinerated. Strong winds and soaring temperatures, reaching 38°C, have worsened the crisis, while smoke has caused respiratory problems for many residents. Across Greece, over 4,800 firefighters are battling more than 20 blazes, with EU water bombers requested for support. The crisis is part of a broader southern Europe heatwave, with deadly fires in Spain, large outbreaks in Portugal, Albania, and Italy, and record-high temperatures threatening lives and infrastructure. Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change. See also UK article ‘fourth heatwave’.
Emmanuel Macron has publicly acknowledged the violence committed by French forces in Cameroon during and after the country’s independence struggle from 1945 to 1971. A joint report by Cameroonian and French historians has detailed how France’s colonial authorities and army used severe repression, including mass killings, internment camps, and support for brutal militias, leading to tens of thousands of deaths. Macron named four independence leaders killed during French-led military operations and accepted France’s responsibility, but stopped short of offering an apology or addressing calls for reparations. Cameroonian responses have been mixed: some see acknowledgment as a positive step, while others say it is insufficient without concrete acts of justice. The report followed years of pressure for France to confront its colonial history, and Macron has taken similar steps regarding atrocities in Senegal, Rwanda, and Algeria, though often without formal apologies. The admission opens the door for further research and debate about France’s colonial legacy and reconciliation.
In a camp just outside Lagos, female vaccinators like Eucharia and Aishatu are leading the charge against polio. Though Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, the country continues to battle outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio (cVDPV), especially in under-immunised and conflict-affected regions. Women have proved indispensable in this effort, often gaining household access where male health workers cannot due to cultural or security concerns. Despite facing mistrust, misinformation, and physical danger, these women build trust through persistence, community dialogue, and personal sacrifice. Many supplement their modest income through small businesses, unintentionally turning polio campaigns into a platform for female empowerment and entrepreneurship. Their efforts have not only improved vaccination rates but also strengthened public health infrastructure and spurred broader social change. While wild polio is now endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Nigeria’s experience offers vital lessons. Its fight against polio, led by women, supported by community trust, and bolstered by innovative strategies, has reshaped how public health can be delivered in fragile settings.