LABOUR ANNOUNCES MAJOR PARENTAL LEAVE CHANGES

Huge changes to parental leave are coming! Giving parents new rights from their very first day in a job. The reforms form part of Labour’s flagship Employment Rights Bill and are aimed at giving millions of families greater flexibility, security and support at work.

The Deputy Prime Minister has acknowledged that rejoining the European Union could provide a clear economic boost to the United Kingdom, as he repeatedly refused to dismiss the possibility of reversing Brexit. His comments, made during a detailed interview, reignited the national conversation about whether the country might eventually return to closer ties with the bloc.

A Met Police officer has avoided jail after putting a 15-year-old girl in a headlock at Camden Road Overground station in September 2024. PC Adrian Young, 48, restrained the girl for around 30 seconds and pushed her against a ticket machine with his hand around her throat. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 10 days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work. Young remains suspended from duty while misconduct proceedings continue.

Neville Watson, Reform UK’s only Black branch chair, has quit the party, saying Britain’s migration debate is “doing more harm than good.” The north London politician cited rising Islamophobia, growing Christian nationalism, and sympathy for Tommy Robinson within Reform. A devout Christian and son of Windrush parents, Watson said he could no longer align his faith with Reform’s direction and has joined the Christian People’s Alliance, urging compassion and unity in politics.

Today, we interviewed the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to discuss the government’s upcoming digital ID plans. In an exclusive conversation, he addressed public fears about privacy, accessibility, and government overreach, insisting the system is designed for convenience, not control. The PM promised that digital IDs will remain voluntary, highly secure, and backed by law, with traditional ID options still available.

Nearly half of Conservative Party members think Kemi Badenoch should step down before the next election, a YouGov poll reveals, highlighting deep divisions after the Tories’ 2024 defeat. While 46% believe she should remain as leader, 50% voted otherwise. With many fearing her focus on culture-war issues is unhelpful, almost half of the members expect her to be ousted before the 2029 election.

New Home Office figures show religious hate crimes across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, with thousands of people targeted because of their faith. The rise comes after last year’s Southport tragedy, which sparked violent unrest across more than 30 towns and cities. Communities say the atmosphere has changed, with many now too afraid to walk the streets. Despite the fear, many are still holding onto hope and calling for people to remember the kindness that once brought them together.

Dozens of diplomats walked out of the UN as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, addressing both Gaza hostages and Hamas. He vowed, “We will not rest until we have brought all of you home,” while warning Hamas to surrender or be hunted down. Netanyahu rejected genocide claims, insisting Israel must “finish the job,” and said war could end if demands are met.

A YouGov MRP poll projects Nigel Farage as likely prime minister, with Reform UK winning 311 seats, just short of a majority. Labour would collapse to 144 seats, its lowest since 1931, losing key figures including Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband. The Conservatives would fall to 45 seats, their worst result ever, dropping to fourth place. Reform’s gains would mostly come from Labour, with strongholds in the North East, Wales and the East Midlands.