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STORY

The Common Travel Area has come under renewed political scrutiny after reports that large numbers of asylum seekers in Ireland may have entered through the land border with Northern Ireland. The Guardian reported that Irish Government data suggests up to 90% of asylum seekers in Ireland may have entered via the Northern Ireland border in the last three years.

The UK Home Office said it had apprehended more than 900 immigration offenders abusing the open land border in the past year. The issue has gained attention after the Belfast knife attack, where the suspect was reported to have travelled through Dublin before going to Northern Ireland.

British and Irish ministers have held discussions about cross-border cooperation and the operation of the Common Travel Area. The Irish Government said arrangements for re-operationalising a post-Brexit returns agreement would be developed in consultation with the UK.

STORY

Members of minority ethnic communities in Belfast have reported fear after anti-migrant violence in the city. Reuters reported that masked groups targeted homes and businesses believed to be connected to immigrants after a knife attack for which a Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder.

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, described the attacks as racist thuggery. Reuters reported that some families had been evacuated from their homes, while workers reported being stopped or followed by vigilante patrols.

Community volunteers have provided food and other support to affected families. Police have continued to respond to the disorder, and political leaders in Northern Ireland and Westminster have appealed for calm.

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The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, according to figures reported by the Office for National Statistics. Reuters reported that it was the first monthly fall since August and that the services sector was affected by disruption linked to the war involving Iran.

The data showed services output fell by 0.2% during the month. Reuters reported that cancellations of sporting events in the Gulf, including Formula 1 Grand Prix races, affected British firms connected to the entertainment and support services sectors.

Rachel Reeves said the war in Iran would have an impact on the economy but said the Government’s economic plan remained the right one. Manufacturing output rose by 0.4% in April, while construction also recorded modest growth.

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The Chair of the International Development Committee has welcomed a National Audit Office report into how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office responds to sudden-onset humanitarian crises. The report examines the FCDO’s arrangements for responding to urgent emergencies overseas.

The Committee said the report would inform parliamentary scrutiny of the UK’s humanitarian response capability. The FCDO is responsible for coordinating UK Government activity in response to international crises, including humanitarian emergencies caused by conflict, disasters and displacement.

The International Development Committee said the report raised issues relevant to the effectiveness of UK aid and emergency response. The Committee is expected to continue examining the Government’s approach to crisis response and overseas development spending.

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The Health and Social Care Committee has published a report proposing amendments to the Health Bill. MPs said the Bill should do more to address special educational needs and disabilities, mental health and prevention in NHS reforms.

The Committee said one proposed change would place legal duties on NHS services to comply with special educational needs and disabilities tribunal decisions. It said the Health Bill should better reflect the needs of children, young people and families affected by SEND and mental health pressures.

The report was published as part of parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s NHS reform agenda. The Government is due to respond to the Committee’s report by August.

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Thousands of young people are to be offered a two-dose MenB vaccination programme ahead of the autumn term. The Government said the programme would be targeted at young people before they enter further or higher education settings.

The announcement follows concerns about meningitis B and the risk of infection among young adults in communal education environments. The Department of Health and Social Care said the programme would form part of wider public health measures relating to vaccination and disease prevention.

The Government said further details would be provided through NHS and public health channels. The announcement was published alongside information for education, training and skills providers.

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The Government has announced a £4.5 billion cycling and walking strategy intended to deliver thousands of new routes and safer crossings over the next five years. The Department for Transport said the strategy aims to support 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings.

The strategy sets a target for 55% of short trips in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035. It also sets a target for 60% of children aged between 5 and 16 to travel actively to school by the same year.

The Department for Transport said the policy was linked to transport, health and local growth objectives. Active Travel England, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are also involved in the announcement.

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Sir Keir Starmer has said he will do what is needed to keep the United Kingdom safe after John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary over the Government’s defence spending plans. Healey said the Defence Investment Plan did not provide sufficient resources for the Armed Forces at a time of increased international threats.

Starmer said in a letter to Healey that the Government accepted the need to go further on defence. He said the plan would deliver an increase in defence spending in a sustainable way and would give the military the resources it needed, as well as greater certainty for the defence industry.

Dan Jarvis has been appointed Defence Secretary following Healey’s resignation. Al Carns also resigned as Armed Forces Minister, leaving the Government facing further questions over the publication and funding of the Defence Investment Plan.