Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela

Labour has announced cuts of £5 billion to welfare spending, with a focus on health and disability benefits, including changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit. Around 900,000 PIP claimants and 2.4 million families on Universal Credit are expected to see reductions in their incomes, with new claimants facing a nearly 50% cut in the UC health element rate from April 2026. The impact on affected individuals will be...

Labour announced cuts to disability benefits, affecting millions of disabled individuals, with a focus on raising the threshold for personal independence payments (PIP) to save £5bn by 2030. The changes, criticized as immoral by charities and Labour MPs, aim to address concerns that the bill for disability benefits will reach £70bn by 2030, impacting 4m claimants. While some welcome measures were noted, including not freezing PIP payments and ending regular assessments for severe disabilities, the...

The UN agency announced severe funding cuts impacting vulnerable migrant communities and staff reductions, affecting over 6,000 employees globally. The measures aim to ensure continued delivery of humanitarian assistance, with a focus on cost-saving strategies, coordination with other humanitarian organizations, and maintaining oversight and accountability. Despite the challenges, IOM remains dedicated to supporting migrants and displaced populations worldwide and urges the international community to prioritize migration governance for global security and sustainable development. Full Article

The Justice secretary has activated Operation Safeguard to house prisoners in police cells due to overcrowding in jails, with only 824 places left in the adult male estate. This emergency measure will free up hundreds of cells but could cost the government millions, with previous activation costing £30.2 million between February and July 2023. The Police Federation of England and Wales has expressed concerns about officers being diverted from core duties and facing additional dangers,...

Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, has passed away at the age of 105. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and fought in the Battle of France before becoming part of "The Few" in the Battle of Britain in 1940, as dubbed by Winston Churchill. Tributes from Prince William, Sir Keir Starmer, and other leaders highlight Hemingway's bravery and sacrifice in helping bring...

Storm Laurence will bring heavy rain to Spain until Thursday, with up to 80 liters per square meter in some areas, followed by Storm Martinho. The bad weather is expected to last until Sunday, affecting much of the country with strong winds, snow at high altitudes, and potentially up to 120km/h winds in the north. Spain has experienced a series of storms in a short period, helping to alleviate a four-year drought. Full Article