Pegida UK is an anti-Islam organisation that holds protests against what it describes as ‘mass immigration and Islamisation of the West’ and is led by Tommy Robinson, formerly of the English Defence League. The Bishop of Birmingham is among those urging people who oppose this group to share a cup of tea with someone from another ethnic, cultural or religious background. The ‘Hope not Hate’ pledge is being organised to counter a march due to take place in Birmingham on 6 February at midday. Birmingham has a long and proud tradition as a diverse and harmonious city, known historically as the ‘city of a thousand trades’. People have always come from around the world to work in Birmingham, and still do to this day. Unfortunately despite its roots and proud history, the city has been 'chosen' by Pegida as the target for the British leg of a European 'day of action' targeting Muslim communities. When the English Defence League marched in Birmingham in 2013, over fifty people were jailed, thousands of pounds’ worth of damage was done, and thirty police officers were injured.

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has harshly criticised David Cameron’s refugee policy and accused the British Government of ignoring the plight of refugee orphans who wash up on Europe's shores. Mr Farron sent a letter to the Prime Minister demanding that he accept 3,000 unaccompanied orphans from the Middle East in addition to the 20,000 Syrian refugees the UK is already pledged to take over the next five years. ‘The British and French governments are guilty of turning their backs on hundreds of unaccompanied children in Calais and Dunkirk, with increasing evidence that children are subject to trafficking by criminal gangs involved in prostitution and drugs.’ The 3,000 number was originally developed by Save the Children, following reports that 4,000 children have gone under the radar since arriving in Italy in 2014; authorities fear that they have been taken by people-traffickers and forced into drugs or prostitution.

Alistair Barton, the director of Pray for Scotland, writes, ‘For many the year opens up like a new dawn - full of potential and promise. We may have fresh excitement about what God may do in us, with us, through us, and in our nation. But as the pressures of the world flood in on every side, it can often be difficult to maintain our sense of excitement, anticipation and hope that God will break through the seemingly ever-increasing darkness. Nevertheless, we continue to believe that prayer changes things, and that persistent, faithful prayer can change the destiny of families, communities and nations.’ “Trypraying” is launching a new forty-day prayer guide for Lent entitled ‘Catching the Wave’. Pray for Scotland and Parliamentary Prayer Scotland are jointly promoting a forty-day prayer call from Easter Sunday to the Holyrood elections on 5 May, called ‘As One! - Prayer Shield 2016’.

A 22-year-old man in Maidenhead was arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act by the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command. Police said the arrest was in relation to the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism. The man is being held in custody in a central London police station, while officers search a residential and business address in Berkshire. The local police area commander for Windsor and Maidenhead stated that he understands that the local community may be concerned following today's operation. He said, ‘I would like to reassure everyone that today's activity is as a result of an ongoing investigation which was intelligence-led. There is no evidence to suggest the community was at risk.’