Councillors demand better protection from abuse and death threats

Association of council leaders was already gathering evidence before the fatal attack on David Amess Council leaders have demanded urgent measures to tackle what they say is a tide of abuse against councillors, potentially including a specific law against intimidating public officials and a greater willingness to prosecute those who make threats.A meeting...

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Cancer patients face ‘perfect storm’ as Covid piles pressure on NHS

Macmillan analysis of NHS England data finds overstretched hospitals struggling to cope with backlogCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageProgress in clearing the NHS cancer treatment backlog in England has gone into reverse amid high Covid cases and staff shortages, analysis suggests.With rising coronavirus hospitalisations also...

1h

Tackling inequalities often not a main priority in healthcare, says CQC

Care regulator for England says Covid has exposed inequalities but strategies in response not yet well establishedTackling inequalities was “often not a main priority” for local health and care systems over the past year, the care regulator for England has said.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the pandemic had exposed and exacerbated inequalities,...

7h

Anti-obesity scheme to offer voucher rewards for healthy living

Government to launch pilot in England in January, aimed at motivating people to lose weight Ministers will offer rewards such as clothes vouchers and discounted theme park tickets in return for exercising and eating healthily, under plans to tackle Britain’s obesity crisis.The anti-obesity scheme, which uses an app to help people make changes to their...

7h

England and Wales court backlog crisis ‘to go on for several years’

Report says MoJ and and HM Courts and Tribunals Service ‘not yet working towards shared objectives’The backlog of cases in criminal courts in England and Wales is likely to be a pervasive issue for several years, severely affecting victims, witnesses and defendants, the National Audit Office has said.In a report published on Friday, the NAO says the...

7h

Covid booster jabs could be brought forward as UK daily cases hit 52,000

MPs voice frustration to new vaccines minister about ‘stalling’ programme in EnglandCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMillions of people could have their booster jab brought forward as ministers consider cutting the six-month gap between doses as part of a scramble to shore up the faltering vaccine programme and avoid imposing...

7h

Oil refinery woes raise concern in Westminster over financial backers

Petrol crisis puts spotlight on little-known foreign supporters of Stanlow and Prax Lindsey plantsThe panic-buying of petrol and diesel that gripped Britain in September served as an unwelcome reminder of how disruption to supplies can rapidly escalate into crisis. But while the long queues on forecourts have gradually receded, concerns persist about...

7h

‘School-to-prison pipeline’: youth justice services failing black boys

Probation inspectorate finds lack of curiosity behind inaction on youth offending disparities across EnglandThe government has been urged to act over the “school to prison pipeline” after a report found black and mixed heritage boys in England received poor support from youth offending services.HM Inspectorate of Probation found “significant deficits”...

10h

UK agrees to end tax on US tech giants when global deal takes effect

Deal means US will not retaliate against UK for imposing digital services tax, Treasury saysThe UK has agreed to phase out its tax on US tech giants such as Google and Facebook, averting the threat of retaliatory tariffs from the United States.A deal between the two countries will keep the digital services tax in place until 2023, when it will make...

10h

Mother charged with murder of five-year-old Logan Mwangi

Angharad Williamson is third person charged with murder after her son was found in a river in Bridgend in JulyThe mother of a five-year-old boy who was found dead in a river has been charged with his murder.Angharad Williamson, 30, from Sarn, Bridgend, is the third person to be charged with the murder of her son Logan Mwangi, also known as Logan Williamson....

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