Rishi Sunak’s plan to save public money by moving asylum seekers out of hotels is in tatters after Whitehall’s spending watchdog disclosed that the government’s alternative sites will cost millions of pounds more. The National Audit Office said attempts to place people seeking refuge in a barge, two former RAF bases and former student accommodation will cost £1.2bn.more
In a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in London yesterday, China called on the UK to stop making "unfounded accusations" over Hong Kong's adoption of a new security law. This is Beijing's response to David Cameron's statement that the bill would further erode freedom of speech, assembly and the media.more
A 39-year-old man yesterday became the first person convicted in England and Wales of cyberflashing, the sending of sexual images unwanted by the recipient via instant messaging.more
On Monday evening, the British House of Commons rejected all 10 amendments to the bill to allow the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda proposed by the House of Lords, which means that the bill will return to the upper house.more
Major flaws in a huge Home Office immigration database have resulted in more than 76,000 people being listed with incorrect names, photographs or immigration status.more
It's supposed to be about 20,000 fewer prisoners, they will be released earlier - announced Deputy Minister of Justice Maria Ejchart in an interview for today's "Rzeczpospolita". Prisons are overcrowded, she said, adding that the first early releases have already taken place.more
A family has won £20,000 from a South London council after it blamed their “lifestyle” for a years-long damp problem that caused mould to grow on a baby’s cot. more
A rogue landlord who illegally converted a home into six flats has been ordered to pay more than £220,000.
Pathfield Estates Ltd is required to pay £163,258 to reflect its financial benefit from breaching the enforcement notice at the property in Bounds Green.more
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to force Chinese owner TikTok to sell the platform in the US or block its operations. Donald Trump lobbied against the bill, while President Joe Biden announced he would sign it.more
Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna has announced that prescriptions for free medicines for people 65+ and children and young people up to the age of 18 will soon be able to be issued by doctors without contracts with the National Health Fund.more
Ministers have unveiled a new extremism definition under which certain groups will be blocked from government funding and meeting officials. It will apply to, but not criminalise, groups that promote an ideology based on "violence, hatred or intolerance".more
Foreign governments will not be allowed to own British newspapers and magazines, the British government announced yesterday, effectively closing the subject of the takeover of the 'Daily Telegraph', 'Sunday Telegraph' and 'The Spectator' by a consortium involving a company linked to the ruling family from the United Arab Emirates.more
Yesterday the European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted proposals to reduce food and textile waste across the EU. MEPs adopted their position on the proposed waste changes with 514 votes in favour, 20 against and 91 abstentions.more
The UK government tabled a bill in parliament yesterday that would automatically erase convictions and award compensation to hundreds of postal workers wrongly convicted of financial embezzlement resulting from faulty computer software in postal facilities.more
Roman Polanski has been summoned to appear in court in California over allegations that he raped a minor in 1973. The director rejects the accusations "in the strongest possible terms" - informed the filmmaker's lawyer Delphine Meillet yesterday.more
The Home Office is dysfunctional and in urgent need of reform, the recently sacked independent borders inspector has told the BBC. David Neal said immigration failures went to the top of the department.more
Failed asylum seekers are to be offered up to £3,000 to move to Rwanda under a new voluntary scheme.
The plan, first reported by The Times, is understood to be a variation of an existing voluntary returns scheme, where failed asylum seekers receive cash to return to their home country.more
The UK competition regulator is preparing to launch a formal investigation into the veterinary market after identifying “multiple concerns” in an initial review, including that pet owners may be overpaying for treatments and medicines.more
Led by Prof Rachel Aldred of Westminster University, the study also suggested the positive benefits of LTNs tend to continue growing over time, writes Standard.co.uk.more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government yesterday announced rules to implement the controversial Citizenship Bill 2019, which excludes Muslims. The decision came just weeks before an election in which the Hindu nationalist leader will seek a third term.more
TfL is bringing in experts to work on replacing the ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion Charge with one fee to drive in London. The Mayor of London added that simplifying the current system comprised of many fees, with two others being added in the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels next year, is an 'attractive prize'.more
Voters in the Republic of Ireland have overwhelmingly voted against amending the Irish Constitution. Proposals to alter wording in the constitution to include families which are not based on marriage were defeated with 67.7% voting 'no'.more
Fewer than one in three “mutual-recognition” driver disqualifications from Britain and Northern Ireland were affirmed by Irish courts over the last four years.
Road-safety campaigners have urged the Government to urgently review the operation of legislation aimed at ensuring drivers who are disqualified in the UK are not able to continue driving here with impunity.more
The people of Ireland are voting today in a referendum to amend two articles of the constitution that talk about the role of the family and women's domestic responsibilities. According to the government, their content is "sexist" and "outdated," so they should be amended.more
Young motorists who can only drive automatic cars are paying £900 more a year for their insurance as record numbers abandon manuals. Insurance premiums for drivers aged 25 and under have risen £644 a year on average in the last year to surpass £2,000.more