Jo Hamilton, a former sub-postmaster caught up in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, has settled with the government for an undisclosed sum. Her conviction was overturned in 2021 when it was discovered that more than 700 sub-postmasters and postmistresses had been prosecuted due to a faulty accounting system. Ms. Hamilton said the settlement would… Continue reading Post Office scandal victim feels 'survivor's guilt' after compensation
Category: UK News
Toxic culture of fear in swimming systemic – review
After a review, it has been discovered that a toxic environment enabled the existence of abusive training practices and bullying in swimming clubs in England for years. The review found that extreme competitiveness created a culture of fear throughout all levels of aquatic sports. Many athletes, volunteers, and parents feared being victimised if they spoke… Continue reading Toxic culture of fear in swimming systemic – review
Unions back improved NHS senior doctor pay offer
The newly proposed pay increase for senior doctors in England has been approved by unions, but the decision will now be in the hands of consultant members of the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association. The pay offer includes an additional £3,000 for consultants a few years into their careers.… Continue reading Unions back improved NHS senior doctor pay offer
Budget: Cut consultants and diversity schemes to save cash, Hunt to tell councils
UK councils will be advised to reduce their spending on consultants and diversity schemes in the upcoming Budget, according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Local councils have been warning that they are struggling to balance the books as financial pressures continue to mount, leading to cuts to services in cities such as Nottingham and Birmingham. However,… Continue reading Budget: Cut consultants and diversity schemes to save cash, Hunt to tell councils
Sunderland miners thank Bruce Springsteen for strike donation
Bruce Springsteen, the iconic rock star, has been recognised for his support of striking miners 40 years after the dispute occurred. In 1985, Springsteen performed a gig in Newcastle where he surprised two miners’ wives with a cheque for $20,000. Juliana Heron, now 76, who led a miners’ support group at Eppleton near Sunderland, said… Continue reading Sunderland miners thank Bruce Springsteen for strike donation
Birmingham Council to vote on wave of budget cuts after effective bankruptcy
Birmingham City Council is facing a vote on a series of cutbacks to local services, as well as a 21% increase in council tax rates. The council had been allowed by ministers to raise council tax by 10% a year over the next two years, which is usually only permitted following a local referendum. This… Continue reading Birmingham Council to vote on wave of budget cuts after effective bankruptcy
Kerr pleads not guilty to racially aggravated offence
Sam Kerr, Chelsea striker and captain of the Australian national team, has been charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer and is set to face trial. Kerr pleaded not guilty at a court hearing on Monday and is scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 1 February 2025. The charge refers… Continue reading Kerr pleads not guilty to racially aggravated offence
Medical leaders back rise in number of physician associates
In the wake of two cases where physician associates (PAs) were involved in patients’ deaths, medical leaders have expressed support for a planned increase in their prevalence throughout the NHS. PAs are healthcare professionals who assist medical teams and cannot prescribe medication nor request imaging scans. AAs are similar professionals but are specifically trained to… Continue reading Medical leaders back rise in number of physician associates
Teen girl restrained and stripped by male prison staff, inspectors say
Inspectors visiting Wetherby Young Offender Institution (YOI) found that an all-male team of prison officers had removed the clothes of a vulnerable girl twice. The inmate had been stripped in order to stop her from harming herself using her clothes. The report also said that among the inmates, self-harm was “extremely high,” particularly in the… Continue reading Teen girl restrained and stripped by male prison staff, inspectors say
Newspaper headlines: NHS budget warning and Hunt 'to keep fuel tax cut'
On Tuesday, there were various headlines leading the papers. The i disclosed there were tensions between Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Jeremy Hunt, adding that the Treasury is still “struggling to find the money to pay for major tax cuts”. Hunt is expected to extend a fuel duty cut of 5p a litre… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: NHS budget warning and Hunt 'to keep fuel tax cut'