Outrage as just FOUR Welsh Labour politicians turn up for Winter Fuel Payments debate

​Nicola Sturgeon predicts a united Ireland as part of a 'wider shake-up' of the UK

The former first minister appeared to endorse the idea of Irish unification, saying it would be part of "a very healthy realignment of how the nations of the British Isles are governed and cooperate together."

She told the BBC: "I believe that, perhaps as part of a wider shake-up of UK governance, the reunification of Ireland, perhaps, more autonomy in Wales, that I think we will see Scotland become an independent country."

"I’ll certainly campaign and advocate for that for as long as I’ve got breath in my body."

While she declined to say whether a united Ireland would take place before Scottish independence, she said "I do think that will happen.

"I think we will see over the next number of years, I’m not going to sit here and put a figure on that, what I would describe as a very healthy realignment of how the nations of the British Isles are governed and cooperate together."

Teachers to be given legal right to work from home under Labour plans

Teachers may be allowed to work from home in a new move to tackle recruitment shortages. Headteachers will be told they can let their staff do marking and lesson preparation from the comfort of their own home.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson intends to put measures in place to make it more convenient for teachers to work from home during periods for marking homework and planning lessons.

Under the plans, teachers would be given the option to take their free periods in blocks at the end or the beginning of the day, enabling them to work from home while looking after children, or to complete the school run.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Streeting hints budget cuts will affect more than just pensioners

Health secretary Wes Streeting appeared to acknowledge the damage to “public opinion” since Labour came to office with warnings about the need to fill a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.

It comes as some ministers have privately admitted concerns about plans to make the controversial move to make £300 annual winter fuel payment means-tested.

It comes as he said that sticking plasters "won’t cut it" and said the Government was going to make "big changes."

Speaking at an event for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Streeting said he expects “loud opposition” to reform.

But he warned of a “rising tide of pressure” facing the NHS and highlighted a report of the IPPR’s Commission on Health and Prosperity, which concluded that Britain is the “sick man of Europe” when it comes to health.

Swinney accused of presiding over 'lost decade' on referendum anniversary

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of the poll which saw 55 per cent of Scots voting to remain in the UK.

In a set-piece speech earlier today, First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney said Scotland is now closer to independence than it was 10 years ago, while he used a debate in Holyrood later to say the “people of Scotland should have the opportunity to take that decision again."

However, outgoing Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross claimed the three SNP-led governments since the vote have focused more on the constitution, to the detriment of issues facing Scotland.

He said: "As historians look back over the last 10 years, they will see them as Scotland’s lost decade. The years in which we divided our country and fought bitter arguments against ourselves on an issue we had already voted on. Generations of Scots will come to see this as a national act of self-harm."

John Major warns Tory merger with Reform would be 'fatal' - 'Farage wants to destroy us'

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has warned the Conservatives should not merge with Reform UK.

The 81-year-old, who led the Tories from 1990 to 1997, claimed that Nigel Farage would "destroy" the party.

Sir John added the Tories lost far more seats to Labour and the Liberal Democrats than to Reform UK at the most recent General Election.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Reform UK hits back at 'shrivelling' Tories over plan to make Farage’s party 'unnecessary'

Reform UK has hit back at a veteran Conservative’s five-point plan to restore the party and make Nigel Farage’s party “unnecessary”.

In a piece for Conservative Home, Sir John Redwood outlined what steps the next Tory leader should take in order to restore trust in voters.

The former MP for Wokingham and former Secretary of State for Wales suggested the next leader should not be part of the last failed Government, should do better at exposing Labour errors, should oppose from a principled position, and better utilise what talent remains in the party.

However, he also suggested that the next leader “not attack Reform or try to slag off Nigel Farage”.

Hitting back at the piece, Reform UK MP, Rupert Lowe, told GB News: “Given the only way that Tory leadership candidates can get any media at all is by attacking Reform and Farage, Sir John's comments are blowing in the wind.

“Reform UK is increasingly being seen as the legitimate voice of conservative thinking in the UK, and by showing our professional growth and acting as the only real opposition to this Government, our appeal will only grow as the Tories will only shrivel. Sir John is decent, but he is only one voice in the Tory wilderness.”

Russian ambassador summoned following 'public campaign of aggression'

The Government has confirmed it has summoned the Russian ambassador following "Russia's public campaign of aggression against the UK.

Andrey Kelin, who has been incumbent since November 2019, has been summoned by the Government.

It comes after President Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern during a meeting last week about Iran and North Korea providing lethal weapons to Russia amid its ongoing war with Ukraine, according to a White House readout.

John Major slams Tories' Rwanda plan as 'un-Conservative and un-British'

Sir John Major has slammed the previous Government’s Rwanda plan as an unsuitable policy for the 21st century and branded it “un-Conservative and un-British”.

The former Prime Minister said he dislikes “intensely the way society has come to regard immigration as an ill”.

Sir John said: “I thought it was un-Conservative, un-British, if one dare say in a secular society, un-Christian, and unconscionable and I thought that this is really not the way to treat people.”

He continued to tell the BBC: “We used to transport people, nearly 300 years ago, from our country. Felons, who at least have had a trial, and been found guilty of something, albeit that the trial might have been cursory.

“I don’t think transportation, for that is what it is, is a policy suitable for the 21st century.”

John Swinney slams Starmer as he claims early release of prisoners has not solved jail overcrowding

The release of almost 500 prisoners in Scotland “has not solved the situation” of overcrowding, John Swinney has said.

The decision was announced earlier this year to let a select group of prisoners out in order to avoid the collapse of a prison system which has been severely overcrowded in recent years.

In four tranches during the summer, 477 inmates were allowed to leave prisons, providing they were in the last six months of their sentence and had not been jailed for more than four years or convicted of domestic violence, sexual of terrorism offences.

Speaking before the Holyrood Conveners Group at Parliament on Wednesday, the First Minister said issues with overcrowding in prisons is a “very, very serious situation”.

He added: “We still face a serious situation and I fully expect the Justice Secretary to have to come back to Parliament to brief Parliament about the current situation.

“Because although the release of 477 prisoners during June and July as part of the early release scheme has helped, it has not solved the situation.

“I suspect that will come back to Parliament in due course and we are considering the options that are available there.”

Wes Streeting vows to reform health of the nation

Wes Streeting has vowed to take on the left and the right to reform the health of the nation as he warned the nation’s economic prosperity is at risk without change.

The Health Secretary insisted that he would make changes “with people” and not “to people” when asked about nanny state concerns.

He said that sticking plasters “won’t cut it” and said the Government was going to make “big changes”.

Speaking at an event for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), he said: “If we don’t act now, ever-increasing demands for healthcare threaten to overwhelm and bankrupt the NHS.

“Our sick society is also holding back our economy.”

He highlighted how a drop in productivity due to ill health “has cost our economy £25billion since 2018” and how 900,000 more people are off work than would have been on pre-pandemic trends.

“That’s more people than Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda employ put together,” Streeting said.

“Fail to act and by the end of this parliament, 4.3 million people could be off work sick. Millions of people left behind, the welfare bill will balloon, and growth will be hampered.

“To build a healthy economy, we need a healthier society.

“To achieve that, we need reform of the health service and public health reform, too.”

Nigel Farage fires warning shot to Keir Starmer over ‘two-tier’ Britain

Nigel Farage has warned that Britain is a "two-tier country" and it will soon "come back to bite" Sir Keir Starmer, as concerns grow over the decisions of the Labour Government.

The Reform UK leader spoke at length with GB News in an interview about the state of Britain under Starmer, following criticisms of a "two-tier" system being used in policing and the judiciary.

Hitting out at the UK's justice system, Farage told GBN America reporter Steven Edginton that under Labour, Britons are receiving larger prison sentences for "posting on Facebook" compared to "serious offences".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Tom Tugendhat backs strengthening Union on anniversary of Scottish independence vote

10 years ago, Scotland rejected the break up of our union.

And ever since the SNP have only been interested in their independence obsession.

It is time to strengthen, serve and celebrate our union rather than focus on division. pic.twitter.com/HCiKpkJMBA

— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) September 18, 2024

Trade minister urges UK to take advantage of partnership with £382 BILLION economy

The UK “can and should be capitalising on” growth in one of Asia's largest economies worth £382billion, according to a trade policy minister.

Thailand, which is ranked around the 26th largest economy in the world and around the 9th largest in Asia, could be a major asset to the UK.

Trade policy minister, Douglas Alexander, signed an “enhanced trade partnership” with Bangkok’s commerce minister Pichai Naripthaphan during a visit to the city on Wednesday.

He said: “Thailand’s growth is something the UK can and should be capitalising on.

“This partnership will bring our two countries closer together and help British businesses sell to Thailand, supporting jobs and growth around the country.”

According to the UK Government, trade between the UK and Thailand is worth £5.9billion a year.

The pact, which is not legally binding, demands both countries collaborate in a series of sectors and areas, including that they “deepen collaboration on international standards through a deepening partnership between the British Standards Institute (BSI) and Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI)”, and that they “will further bilateral co-operation on investment to support existing and future investment flow through a sustainable and responsible investment environment”.

Rupert Lowe issues statement over cuts to Winter Fuel Payment 

I have discovered that a shocking 19,300 Great Yarmouth pensioners will lose their Winter Fuel Payment thanks to the Labour Government.

I was disappointed to hear from Cllr Wainwright that the local Labour Party supports the cruel cut.

My full statement. pic.twitter.com/2fpQM3vVXk

— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) September 18, 2024

Sir Keir Starmer's popularity is in "freefall" as new polling has revealed the Prime Minister has set a record not seen for at least 40 years.

Data compiled by PollBasePro found the Prime Minister's Labour fell under the 30 per cent mark after just 70 days in office.

According to Guido, the benchmark has not been reached for at least 40 years and is around 11 times faster than the average of 765 days.

By comparison, it took Starmer's Labour predecessors Blair and Brown, more than 1,000 days to reach the same level.

For the Conservatives, Margret Thatcher took 676 days, Boris Johnson took 762 days, and John Major took 397 days.

Commenting on the analysis, former aide to Margret Thatcher, Nile Gardiner, wrote on X: "Starmer’s popularity is in freefall"

Train drivers vote to accept multiyear pay offer and end two-year dispute

Train drivers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a multiyear pay offer, ending a two-year dispute at 16 rail companies.

Aslef said its members voted by 96 per cent in favour of a deal the union said was worth 15 per cent over three years. The turnout was 84 per cent.

The offer was made by the new Labour Government within weeks of the party winning the general election.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the end of the longest train drivers’ strike in history.

“The strength and resilience and determination shown by train drivers to protect their hard-won and paid-for terms and conditions against the political piracy of an inept and destructive Tory Government has prevailed.

“It was not a fight we sought, or wanted. All we sought after five years without a pay rise, working for private companies who, throughout that period, declared millions of pounds in profits and dividends to shareholders, was a dent in the cost of living.

“We are grateful that Louise Haigh, the Secretary of State for Transport, and the adults entered the room and sought an equitable way forward so that trains will perform and run in the interest of the passenger, of the taxpayer and of those who work in and are dedicated to this industry.

“Those who have been lying about this pay offer, and conflating the deal offered to train drivers with decisions on the winter fuel allowance, should be ashamed.

“Although it seems to be the work of those who would not accurately report anything about train drivers over the past two years.

“Now we will get back to our day job of seeking a green, well-invested, vertically-integrated and safe public railway.”

Wes Streeting says he does not want to be the 'fun police' and ban cake in offices

Wes Streeting has told GB News that he does not want to be the “fun police” and ban cake in offices.

However, the Health Secretary said he wants to work with Britons to make healthier lifestyle choices.

In his speech to the IPPR he said that by making us healthier taxes will need to go up.

Streeting said: “The Right will have to accept higher costs of healthcare will lead to higher taxes.”

Wes Streeting paid for his own suit, GB News confirms

NEW
Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirms to @GBNEWS that he paid for his own suit. pic.twitter.com/x2Ey8sdGF4

— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) September 18, 2024

James Cleverly takes fight to Lib Dems with plan to target 60 seats taken by Ed Davey

It’s clear from the Lib Dem conference, they have no plans to oppose Labour's dreadful policies.

We must win back the 60 seats that we lost to them at the election.

We don't need to chase Lib Dem or Reform policies, we need to prove to their voters we can deliver for Britain. pic.twitter.com/QRV31u9l0r

— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) September 18, 2024

Boris Johnson set to be unleashed on GB News on October 6

Boris Johnson is set for a no-holds-barred, hour-long interview as part of a special GB News show on October 6.

Ahead of the release of his new memoir, Unleashed, the former Prime Minister will be sitting down with Camilla Tominey on the People's Channel to discuss his time in office and his views on the current state of UK and global politics.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

'Reform UK voters are our people,' claims Kemi Badenoch

Reform UK voters are "our people", Kemi Badenoch has said, insisting Nigel Farage is not a Conservative.

Badenoch said she would bring back the winter fuel allowance axed by Labour but ensure that "millionaires" would no longer be allowed to claim it.

Badenoch also argued it was not racist to be worried about immigration, but would not disclose a cap on legal net migration into the UK.

In a wide-ranging interview with GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope on Chopper's Political Podcast, Badenoch said she would aim to win back Tory voters lost to Reform at the July 4 General Election.

READ CHRISTOPHER HOPE'S FULL STORY HERE

Nigel Farage admits mass deportations aren’t his ‘ambition’ as he offers ‘dead simple’ solution

Nigel Farage says it is a "political impossibility" to mass deport illegal migrants from Britain, offering a "dead simple" alternative to tackle the growing crisis.

The Clacton MP and leader of Reform UK sat down with GB News to discuss the state of the UK's asylum system, after new figures showed that 10,000 migrants have now crossed into the UK since Labour took power in July.

In an interview with Steve Edginton, Farage spoke at length about the "exploding" numbers of migrants crossing the Channel into Britain and admitted that his "ambition" is not to mass deport them.

WATCH THE VIDEO AND READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Majority of people in England and Wales want Scotland to remain in Union - POLL

10 years after the Scottish independence referendum, 68% of adults in England and 56% in Wales say they want Scotland to stay in the Union

Adults in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Should stay: 68%
Should go: 15%

Adults in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Should stay: 56%
Should go: 27%https://t.co/jew3kdl6Rh pic.twitter.com/hz0rPEHou4

— YouGov (@YouGov) September 18, 2024

Nottinghamshire council to introduce fines for catcalling

Ashfield District Council in Nottinghamshire has approved a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) with the aim of introducing fines for catcalling.

The three-year plan, which will tackle a range of anti-social behaviours including alcohol use, dangerous dogs and public urination, will allow the council's officers to issue fines and take repeat offenders to court.

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith said: "It was unanimously agreed to add this into our PSPO.

"It's another layer giving the council powers to deal with it. We all know the police are really busy.

"It makes people feel unsafe, it's embarrassing for people.

"I want people to feel free to wear what they want and be safe and happy walking along the streets of Ashfield."

Emily Thornberry warns of repercussions in Middle East after deadly pager explosions

Emily Thornberry has warned of repercussions in the Middle East after what appeared to be an Israeli-linked attack in Lebanon and Syria killed nine people, including members of the militant group Hezbollah, and injured nearly 3,000 others.

The Labour MP, recently elected as chairwoman of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said she expected Israel’s allies to be asking the country “What on earth are you doing?” after hundreds of pagers exploded on Tuesday afternoon.

“We are really concerned about what is happening now in Lebanon,” Thornberry told Sky News.

“I think the big question is: why? Why is this happening now? And what will the result of that be?

“It seems to be yet another escalation of the conflict which is happening in the Middle East, which will affect all of us. And it is very worrying indeed, of course it is, and what the response will be? And is this the first step, and what will Israel do next? Is it part of a larger plan?

“It is very worrying and I would certainly be expecting Israel’s friends to be speaking very seriously to them, and saying: ‘What on earth are you doing? Why is this happening now?’”

Nick Read to step down as chief executive of Post Office next year

Nick Read is set to step down from his role as Post Office boss next year, the company has confirmed.

Read described it as a “great privilege” to have worked as Chief Executive in an “extraordinarily challenging time for the business and for postmasters”.

He had previously announced his intention to temporarily step back from the role to give his “entire attention” to the next stage of the Horizon IT inquiry.

Read took on the Chief Executive position in 2019, succeeding former boss Paula Vennells, who this year forfeited her CBE following public anger over her handling of the Horizon crisis.

Sadiq Khan’s new car tax could skyrocket congestion at Dartford Crossing - ‘Devastating!’

A local authority has raised serious concerns over the proposed new car tax for the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.

Kent County Council has warned that the upcoming tariffs could impact Kent residents and cause congestion at the Dartford crossing.

The proposed charges, combined with Ulez, could place an additional financial burden on Kent residents and businesses, the authority stated.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Alex Salmond predicts Scotland will be independent in next decade

Alex Salmond has predicted Scotland will be independent in the next decade.

Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum, the former First Minister said every nation “deserves a second chance”.

Asked how he thought the independence cause will fare in the next decade, Salmond – who left office immediately after the loss – said he expected the goal of his adult life to have been fulfilled.

“I think we’ll be independent in 10 years’ time,” he said.

“I think we’ll be looking back saying, ‘thank goodness we had a second chance’.

“After all, everybody deserves a second chance, every person and every nation.”

Sir John Major warns Tory merger with Reform would be 'fatal' 

Sir John Major has warned that a Tory merger with Nigel Farage's Reform Party would be "fatal".

In a multi-faceted interview, the former Conservative Prime Minister refused to back any particular candidate in the race to replace Rishi Sunak.

He said: “I would like to support someone who’s going to look at the long-term problems and make a suggestion as to which direction we should go and bring people back into the party who are genuinely centre-right.”

He added: “The only party that can legitimately appeal to the centre right is the Conservative Party. And that is what we have to do, we have to decide where our natural support really lies and appeal to them.

“People may have made a misjudgement about the last election. We lost five votes (seats) to Reform UK and people are jumping up and down, and some, rather reckless people are saying, well we must merge with them.

“Well, that will be fatal.”

He continued: “I do think traditionally we have been a commonsense party. And I’m optimistic. I think we have had such a bad defeat, we have got a base upon which we can build, in a wholly new and, I think, potentially effective way.”

On whether Nigel Farage should join the Tory party, Sir John said he does not “share that view”, adding: “I don’t think he’s a Conservative, and he’s spent most of his time in the last few years telling people how much he dislikes the Conservative Party and would like to destroy it.

“I don’t think that’s a terribly good background for bringing someone into the party.”

Farage: 'I have no great confidence Starmer can smash the gangs'

Nigel Farage has said he does not believe Labour's plan to smash the gangs will work due to the money to be made by people traffickers.

Speaking on GB News he said: “More than 10,000 people now have crossed the English Channel and been processed through Dover since Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister.

“That includes 801 who came on Saturday alone. It brings the total since this whole thing began to an incredible 137,000. But it's all going to be okay because we have a new Border Security Command, and we're going to put a £75million investment into it, money that we won't be now spending on Rwanda.

“And the plan is that the National Crime Agency will work together with MI5 and other agencies, but also will work with Europol.

“And there'll be National Crime Agency officers in Bulgaria, one of the places where dinghies and engines get smuggled in and across Europe.

“But the question, I suppose, is, will this work?

“I have no great confidence that it will. Because it seems to me that if you smash the gangs, even if you do smash the gangs, the money these people can make is so great that others will come and fill their places rather like whack-a-mole.

“I just don’t believe it’s going to work. I don’t believe it can be done.”

Tom Tugendhat wades into Huw Edwards row as he demands review of judgement

Huw Edwards won’t be going to jail for possession of indecent images of children.

I have written to the government to ask them to review this judgement.

Justice should be served in a manner that reflects the severity of the crime. pic.twitter.com/gN4fGFpc4b

— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) September 18, 2024

Starmer's own new border chief admits plan to smash smuggling gangs 'not enough'

Britain needs to do more than just crack down on smuggling gangs to combat the small boats crisis, Sir Keir Starmer's new border chief has warned.

Martin Hewitt, who was named in the role on Monday, is understood to have pushed for a deterrent as part of an official strategy for curbing illegal migration to the UK.

While it's unclear what kind of deterrent Hewitt may want, his calls follow internal National Crime Agency memos from 2023 in which officials concluded stopping the boats would be impossible without one.

The NCA had added that no amount of money nor effort against human traffickers would be enough to stop the crossings entirely.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Foreign Office calls for 'calm' after Hezbollah pager attack

The Foreign Office has urged “calm heads and de-escalation” after hundreds of pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and in parts of Syria.

At least nine people were killed and thousands wounded on Tuesday in what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We continue to monitor the situation in Lebanon closely and the UK is working with diplomatic and humanitarian partners in the region. The civilian casualties following these explosions are deeply distressing.

“We urge calm heads and de-escalation at this critical time.”

Scotland's independance dream NOT 'over and done with', pollster warns

A top pollster has warned it would be foolish to assume Scotland's independence dream is “over and done with”, despite there not being another clear path to a referendum.

Speaking ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the vote on September 18, former director of Ipsos Mori in Scotland, Mark Diffley, said it is currently “unlikely” the SNP would be able to form a Government after the next Holyrood election in 2026.

Diffley said: “What happened was [the referendum] went on to dominate how we voted in pretty much every form of election, I would argue, until this year.”

Since SNP’s landslide general election win in 2015, the party has lost more than a third of its vote and fell to nine seats at the last general election.

Pointing towards NHS and school system satisfaction, Diffley said: “These issues have replaced the constitutional question as the real barometer around which people will decide how to vote.”

Diffley added that “there currently is no vehicle for achieving a second referendum either legally or politically, because the SNP is weak” but said there is still an appetite for it among Scots.

However, the expert pollster said that should the SNP “mend itself” it is perfectly feasible that independence could be back on the table.

He added: “The sense of flux in the political world is greater than I’ve ever seen it.

“You be a fool to think that’s a done deal – anything with that level of support is something that should have red lights flashing for unionist parties.

“So absolutely not over and done with.”

David Lammy 's agenda on trip to Norway

The Foreign Secretary is set to discuss deepening defence and tackling threats from Russia when he meets his Norwegian counterpart on Wednesday.

David Lammy called Norway “our eyes and ears in the High North” and “a key ally in the defence of Nato’s northern flank” ahead of a trip to the country.

He will visit Norwegian Joint Headquarters, the country’s military command centre, with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The UK and Norway will agree to further intelligence sharing and cooperation to counter Russian disinformation networks in Europe and beyond, the Foreign Office said.

The Foreign Secretary said: “With the return of war to the European continent, the UK’s relationship with Norway, as a key ally in the defence of Nato’s northern flank, has never been more important.

“We are both unwavering in our support to Ukraine, and together we are training and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces including boosting the country’s air defence and maritime capabilities.

“Norway acts as our eyes and ears in the High North; our joint work at the Norwegian military headquarters underlines the importance of our work to bolster Europe’s defences.

“Euro-Atlantic security is this Government’s foreign and defence priority.”

New law to ban protests outside abortion clinics

A new law which will ban anti-abortion groups from protesting within 150 metres of clinics will come into force at the end of October.

Following months of delays, the buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales aim to ensure women do not face harassment outside clinics.

Delays on implementation under the previous Conservative Government centred around the issue of silent prayer after campaigners raised concerns that the law would be watered down in practice if silent prayer was not also banned, while anti-abortion groups argued that doing so would threaten their rights to freedom of expression and religious belief.

The Home Office has said the zones will come into effect from October 31.

The law will make it illegal for a person to do anything deemed to intentionally or recklessly influence someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at such premises.

It is understood silent prayer could come within this scope with the maximum penalty for anyone convicted being an unlimited fine.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: “The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no-one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this.

“We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay.

“For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this Government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women.”

However, Catherine Robinson, a spokesperson for Right To Life UK, said the zones will mean “vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics, which helps to provide a genuine choice, and offers help to women who may be undergoing coercion, will be removed”.

Inflation update: CPI rate UNCHANGED at 2.2%

Inflation for the 12 months to August 2024 remained unchanged from the previous month of 2.2 per cent, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The consumer price index (CPI) remains broadly in line with the Bank of England's desired two per cent target for inflation which means further interest rate cuts could be on the horizon.

The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted narrowly to slash the base from a 16-year high to five per cent with another reduction expected later this year.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Majority of Britons believe NHS funding is not spent as effectively as it should be

Which of the following do you think is the bigger problem with NHS funding currently?

The NHS does not receive enough funding: 33%
The funding the NHS does receive is not spent as effectively as it should be: 55%https://t.co/2LeLwTX3yA pic.twitter.com/dY6AYkmKTL

— YouGov (@YouGov) September 17, 2024