Over 100 Met Police officers facing abuse claims are still working, new data reveals March 20, 2023 More than 100 Metropolitan Police officers facing probes into domestic or sexual abuse accusations are still working as normal, it has emerged. Of the 548 officers facing investigations over claims of domestic or sexual abuse or both, 144 of these officers are still doing their everyday duties, according to data obtained via a Freedom of [...]
UK hosts crunch talks on Putin ‘war crimes’ investigation March 20, 2023 International justice ministers are meeting in London to discuss support for the investigation into war crimes in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s arrest, accusing him of bearing personal responsibility for the abduction of children. It is the first arrest warrant to be issued against a [...]
Brits now more concerned about state of UK economy than before budget, polling finds March 20, 2023 More than a third of Brits surveyed say the budget last week made them more concerned about the state of the UK’s economy. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his spring statement in the House of Commons last week in light of rosier economic projections and within the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules. He focused on childcare reforms, [...]
Government ‘always willing’ to engage on NHS strikes, minister claims March 20, 2023 The government was “always willing” to engage with unions on strikes and NHS pay, a minister has claimed. Cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden told the BBC there were “initial discussions” with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and that the deal which has been agreed is a “decent deal”. His comments came as the British [...]
Allies fear Boris Johnson walking into a partygate ‘witch hunt’ – with a comeback at risk March 19, 2023 Former prime minister Boris Johnson could face a “witch hunt” before MPs at a grilling over his involvement in the lockdown-busting partygate scandal, a key ally has warned. Lord Greenhalgh, who was a deputy mayor during Johnson’s tenure at City Hall, said he was “concerned it will be a witch hunt” and hoped he would [...]
SNP boss Peter Murrell – Nicola Sturgeon’s husband – quits amid falling membership row March 19, 2023 SNP boss Peter Murrell has quit the party amid a row over declining membership figures, as the race to succeed first minister Nicola Sturgeon enters its final week. Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive Peter Murrell resigned this weekend after reports of a threat of a no confidence vote by the National Executive Committee (NEC). [...]
Brexit: Hospitality sector slams Government’s decision to exclude overseas restaurant and bar workers in shortage occupancy lists March 17, 2023 Hospitality figures have described the government’s decision to not include overseas restaurant and bar workers in its shortage occupation list as “disappointing” as the sector claims that ongoing labour shortages are “crippling” businesses. “Ongoing labour shortages are crippling hospitality businesses, forcing them to reduce their hours and costing the industry billions in lost trade,” Kate [...]
Royal Mail referred to Ofcom after claims boss ‘misled’ MPs over tracking of staff March 17, 2023 MPs have urged regulator Ofcom to launch an enforcement investigation into Royal Mail after claiming they were “misled” by the CEO’s evidence over the tracking of staff in parliament last month. Concerns over digitally tracking productivity, “systemically” failing in its legal duty to deliver letters six days a week and issues of sick pay being [...]
NHS strike action paused as government offers ‘extra £2.5bn’ March 16, 2023 NHS strikes are set to be paused after the government offered up “an extra £2.5bn” to fund a fresh pay deal for healthcare workers. It comes the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faced criticism for failing to announce any measures on public sector pay in his budget, amid widespread industrial unrest. This includes all NHS [...]
Government bans TikTok on official devices over China security fears March 16, 2023 The government has banned the TikTok app on official devices, it has confirmed today. The Chinese-owned social media video app has been at the centre of security and data protection concerns in recent weeks. It follows moves by the European Commission (EC) and the United States to take action over the app’s use on secure [...]