Overflowing prisons trigger emergency measure to house inmates in police cells

A recent analysis by Action for Children has revealed that scrapping the two-child benefit cap could lift 600,000 children out of poverty in the next five years, at a cost of £3.9bn per year. The charity argues that this move is the most cost-effective policy option to improve the lives of children, compared to other measures to increase parents' income. Labour is currently working on a child poverty strategy led by Liz Kendall and Bridget...

Former prime minister Theresa May rebuked new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch for claiming that achieving net zero by 2050 was "impossible." Badenoch faced backlash from business leaders and former Tory ministers for her comments, with May asserting that the goal is challenging but feasible, supported by the scientific community and necessary to combat climate change. May emphasized the importance of taking action now to prevent further climate-related risks and costs in the future. Full Article

The UN Security Council convened in New York to address the escalating Middle East crisis, as Israeli airstrikes shattered the fragile Gaza ceasefire and hostages deal. The airstrikes followed a two-week aid blockade that strained critical supplies, leading to over 400 Palestinian casualties. The meeting aimed to address the renewed conflict and seek solutions to the escalating violence in the region. Full Article

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...

A planned road between Slipe and Middelkerke, including a bridge, is facing opposition from the group "No Job Through Our Polders," who claim political pressure, though N-VA denies it. The vote on the road project is scheduled for next week, with concerns about balancing economic growth and environmental protection. Despite protests and a study showing no traffic problem, the road is likely to be built, prompting the group to consider legal action if approved. Full...

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...