Author: admin

Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Easing the Cost of Living

The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 1 April 2026.

In an uncertain and volatile world, it is my government’s duty to protect the British people at home and abroad.

I know the public are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for them and their families.

I want to reassure them that they have a government on their side, working with allies on de-escalation and bearing down on the cost of living.

Today, millions of people up and down the country will see energy bills go down by £117, wages go up for the lowest paid, and more support will be available for people who need it most – because of the decisions this government has taken.

But we must go further to bear down on costs, and that means pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That is the best way we can bring down the cost of living for families and that is my focus.

April 1, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New measures coming in to ease cost of living pressure [April 2026]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 April 2026.

A raft of new measures – coming into force today (1 April 2026) – will see wages go up, bills come down, and more support for those who need it most.

In an uncertain and volatile world, the Prime Minister is continuing to work with allies to push for de-escalation in the Middle East – which is the surest and quickest way to bring down pressures on prices.

On Monday, he hosted a roundtable with energy, insurance, and shipping companies and on Tuesday he chaired a COBR(M) meeting to assess the situation with Cabinet colleagues.

Measures coming into force today include:

–       Increasing the National Living wage to £12.71 – a £900 boost for 2.4 million workers

–       Increasing the National Minimum Wage to £10.85 – a £1,500 boost for over 200,000 young workers

–       Cutting energy bills by an average £117 a year for millions across the UK – locked in until end of June

–       The Crisis & Resilience Fund starts running – enabled by £1bn of funding – which helps vulnerable households with things like heating oil

–       A freeze on prescription prices – so people aren’t spending more than a tenner on their medicines

This follows an update to the public on 16th March where the Prime Minister set out five steps that were already in place on the cost of living. These were:

1)    Cutting the energy price cap until the end of June – thanks to last year’s Budget

2)    The Chancellor’s decision to extend the cut in fuel duty until this September

3)    £53 million for households that are most exposed to heating oil rises

4)    Building Britain’s energy security and independence

5)    Ongoing work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East

The cut to the energy price cap comes on top of the £150 Warm Home Discount that around 6 million families will have received this winter, following its expansion last year – and eligible billpayers will continue to receive this support every winter for the rest of the decade.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“In an uncertain and volatile world, it is my government’s duty to protect the British people at home and abroad.

“I know the public are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for them and their families.

“I want to reassure them that they have a government on their side, working with allies on de-escalation and bearing down on the cost of living.

“Today, millions of people up and down the country will see energy bills go down by £117, wages go up for the lowest paid, and more support will be available for people who need it most – because of the decisions this government has taken.

“But we must go further to bear down on costs, and that means pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That is the best way we can bring down the cost of living for families and that is my focus.”

April 1, 2026

PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Iceland – Jane Stevens [March 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2026.

Mrs Jane Stevens has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland in succession to Dr Bryony Mathew. Mrs Stevens will take up her appointment during September 2026.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Jane Elizabeth Stevens

Year	Role
2025 to present	Full time language training (Icelandic)
2024 to 2025	FCDO, temporary assignments in MENAD, EECAD and Analysis Directorate
2022 to 2023	FCDO, Deputy Director, Ukraine Campaign Unit
2018 to 2022	FCDO, Europe Directorate (Deputy Head EU Exit, then Europe Strategy)
2013 to 2018	FCO, Team Leader then Deputy Head, Projects Task Force
2010 to 2013	FCO, Olympics Directorate (London 2012)
2004 to 2010	Maternity/special unpaid leave
2003 to 2004	FCO, Press Officer to the Permanent Under Secretary, then Chief Press Officer
2001 to 2003	FCO, Communication Directorate (Islamic Media)
1998 to 2001	FCO, Middle East and North Africa Directorate (Iraq)

April 1, 2026

Bell Ribeiro-Addy – 2026 Statement on Serious Disorder in Clapham

The statement made by Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, on 1 April 2026.

I’m very concerned by the recent scenes of unrest on Clapham High Street. This intimidating behaviour causes havoc for local residents and businesses alike. It is inexcusable.

The police have informed me that we will see increased patrols in the area over the coming days. Here’s the latest Met update I received on the issue:

“From approx. 1600hrs crowds started to increase around Basketball Courts which then filtered into Clapham High Street. At around 1900hrs crowds had increased to around 300 causing ASB in Clapham High Street area. Three people arrested for assault / Public order offences.

“Additional high visibility patrols sent to the locality from 2000hrs saw group reduced to between 30-50 within the park. Ongoing patrols will continue for local reassurance. Crowds managed through use of S.35 dispersal powers only. Original authority will remain place as planned until 0600hrs on 01.04.26”

I remain in touch with local Met officers and will have further discussions with the Borough Commander this afternoon.

April 1, 2026
NEWS STORY : Disorder on Clapham High Street Following Second Night of Youth Unrest

STORY

Communities in South London are tonight issuing urgent appeals for calm after Clapham High Street was descended upon by large groups of unruly youths for a second consecutive evening. The disturbances, which began on Tuesday 31 March 2026 and continued into the early hours of Wednesday, have left local residents and business owners fearing for their safety after reports of shop storming, fireworks being aimed at buildings and shoppers being barricaded inside supermarkets for their own protection.

The chaos reportedly peaked at approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, when dozens of teenagers, many dressed in black and filming the scenes on their mobile phones, swarmed several prominent retailers. At a local Marks and Spencer, security guards were forced to lock the doors to prevent the mob from entering, leaving terrified customers, including a mother with a young baby in a pram, trapped inside until police could safely escort them out.

Witnesses described a “terrifying” atmosphere as groups ran through traffic and set off fireworks on the nearby Clapham Common, some of which were allegedly directed toward the High Street. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a dispersal order was enacted across the area to break up the crowds. Two teenage girls were arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of assault, following three arrests made during similar antisocial behavior over the previous weekend.

Local community leaders and councillors have spent the day visiting affected businesses to offer support, while simultaneously calling for an end to the “senseless” disruption that has plagued the neighborhood during the Easter holiday period.

April 1, 2026
NEWS STORY : European Powers Express Deep Concern Over Israel’s Death Penalty Legislation

STORY

The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement on expressing “deep concern” regarding a bill in the Israeli Knesset that would expand the application of the death penalty. The four nations urged Israeli decision-makers to abandon the proposal, which they characterised as a departure from democratic principles and international human rights standards.

The joint communiqué, released shortly before a scheduled vote in the Israeli parliament, highlights a growing diplomatic rift between Israel and its traditional European allies over the country’s penal policy.The proposed legislation seeks to introduce capital punishment, specifically execution by hanging, as the default sentence for individuals convicted of “nationalistic” killings or acts of terrorism resulting in the death of Israeli citizens. While the bill technically allows for life imprisonment under “special circumstances,” it significantly reduces judicial discretion and removes the requirement for a unanimous decision by a panel of judges, permitting a death sentence to be handed down by a simple majority. European ministers argued that the bill possesses a “de facto discriminatory character,” as it primarily targets residents of the West Bank tried in military courts, while excluding certain offences committed by Israeli citizens in civilian jurisdictions.

In their statement, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and her counterparts from Paris, Berlin, and Rome reaffirmed their absolute opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. The ministers described capital punishment as an “inhumane and degrading form of punishment” that lacks any proven deterring effect on violent crime or terrorism.

March 31, 2026
NEWS STORY : Trump’s Diplomatic Meltdown as Iran War Strains Reach Breaking Point

STORY

Relations between the United States and its closest European partners plummeted to a historic nadir today, following a series of inflammatory public attacks by President Donald Trump as the US global reputation has weakened. Incensed by the refusal of several EU nations to provide military assistance or airspace access for the ongoing American campaign in Iran, the President issued a string of hostile directives that diplomats have characterised as petulant and strategically reckless. In a particularly blunt online tirade, Trump told European leaders struggling with a global energy crisis to “go get your own oil” and suggested they should “build up some delayed courage” to seize resources in the Strait of Hormuz by force.

The outburst followed a coordinated refusal from France, Italy, and Spain to allow US bombers to utilise sovereign bases or flight paths for offensive operations. While the administration frames the conflict as a necessary “decapitation” of the Iranian regime, European capitals have grown increasingly vocal in their condemnation of the war, with Spanish officials labelling the intervention illegal and French representatives flatly rejecting the President’s “lectures.” The tension has now escalated into a direct threat against the North Atlantic alliance, as the President hinted that the United States might abandon its collective defense commitments to nations that fail to “step up” to his specific demands.

March 31, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Truth for victims and families as Orgreave Inquiry launchesTruth for victims and families as Orgreave Inquiry launches [March 2026]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 26 March 2026.

Miners and campaigners will finally get the answers they deserve as the government launches an inquiry into the violent events at Orgreave in 1984.

From today (26 March), the inquiry will begin investigating the violence that arose between police and picketing miners at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984, resulting in 95 arrests and scores of injuries. Those arrested were charged with riot and unlawful assembly, but all charges were later dropped after police evidence was discredited.

The terms of reference, which have been published today, were developed in consultation with the Chair, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield, informed by his engagement with campaigners, policing bodies, and local representatives.

The inquiry will focus on securing and disclosing historical material so that the full picture can finally be understood. Using its statutory powers where necessary, it will have access to relevant records including those held by police, central and local government, trade unions, media organisations, and other public and private bodies.

The inquiry will seek to establish what happened at Orgreave by examining:

Planning undertaken by the police and government for the policing of the demonstration at Orgreave on 18 June 1984: This includes relevant decision-making in the leadup to the day.

What happened on the day and afterwards: The inquiry will examine the events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984, the immediate aftermath, and the lasting impact on individuals and communities, as well as the public narrative.

What happened to those arrested: This includes the charging decisions and prosecutions, all of which collapsed after police evidence was discredited.

The inquiry will also establish a publicly accessible digital archive of disclosed material. This approach reflects the strong views of campaigners that transparency must sit at the heart of the inquiry.

Minister of State for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones MP, said:

For more than four decades miners, their families and their communities have lived with unanswered questions about what happened at Orgreave. Today we have delivered on our promise to these tireless campaigners to ensure the facts finally come to light.

The terms of the inquiry have been shaped by the Chair’s close engagement with campaigners, and they place transparency at the very heart of the panel’s work.

I am confident that they will bring the independence, expertise and balance needed to uncover the truth of what happened — however difficult that truth may be.

The Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, Chair of the Inquiry said:

I am very pleased the Orgreave Inquiry, announced by the UK government in July 2025, is now live.

In reaching this point, the government has approved the Terms of Reference and confirmed the Panel to support me as Chair; and I am fully satisfied with both.

These foundations allow us to begin the inquiry’s work with confidence, and engagement with stakeholders will begin immediately.

I am acutely aware of the weight of expectation placed on this inquiry. It is my ambition, with the panel, to deliver an outstanding inquiry as swiftly as thoroughness will allow.

The Orgreave inquiry was a government manifesto commitment to ensure the truth about the events at Orgreave comes to light. The inquiry will be carried out independently by the Chair and its carefully selected panel.

The 4 panel members who will support the Bishop in delivering the inquiry have been confirmed today as:

Wendy Williams CBE, a former chief prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service and, between 2015 – 2024, an Inspector in His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. She published the report of her independent Windrush Lessons Learned Review in March 2020, and her update report on the Home Office’s response in March 2022. Ms Williams will provide independent insight on police governance, and the decision-making and effectiveness of police forces.

Baroness Mary Bousted, a former senior trade union leader representing teachers, leaders, and support staff and workers. She led the panel which, in April 2025, published the report of its independent review of the Police Federation of England and Wales. Baroness Bousted will provide relevant knowledge and insight concerning the strategic and operational leadership and management of trades unions.

Doctor Joanna Gilmore, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of York, whose research expertise includes public order law, human rights and policing policy. Drawing on her socio-legal and historical research into the 1984-85 miners’ strike, Dr Gilmore will contribute analysis of the broader societal, legal and political issues arising from the events at Orgreave.

Doctor Angie Sutton-Vane, a historian with extensive experience in evidence-based research, historical accountability and the archiving, preservation of and access to police force records. Dr Sutton-Vane will provide expertise on the interpretation of historical records, particularly those of the police.

This panel has been carefully selected to ensure the inquiry is independent, fair, and equipped with the necessary expertise.

Chris Kitchen, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers said:

The National Union of Mineworkers welcomes the government’s announcement today launching the inquiry into the battle of Orgreave, delivering on a long-standing manifesto commitment.

We have full confidence that the Chair, Rt Reverend Dr. Pete Wilcox, and the panel members, have the knowledge required to get to the truth about what happened, why it happened, who orchestrated the events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984, and why no one was held accountable. The NUM are fully committed to assisting the inquiry in its work.

Our hope is that once the truth has been brought to light, those directly and indirectly affected can finally start to move on.

March 29, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : New boost to defence victim support and prevention to raise standards across the Armed Forces [March 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 March 2026.

More than half a million pounds is being committed to expand the Victim Witness Care Unit to support around 100 additional cases each year and specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) teams set to be deployed to Catterick Garrison and HM Naval Base Devonport.

Specialist teams are being established to prevent unacceptable behaviour and sexual violence in the Armed Forces, alongside a significant uplift to victim support.

An investment of more than £500,000 will create five permanent new posts within the Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) at the Ministry of Defence, increasing its capacity to support around 100 additional cases each year.

The VWCU provides independent, trauma-informed support to victims and witnesses of serious crime, operating independently from military chains of command.

The new roles – including victim liaison officers – will enable the unit to provide sustained support for complex cases, and enhanced coordination with investigators and prosecutors throughout the Service Justice System.

This expansion also ensures the unit can continue to deliver dedicated support to victim-survivors of serious crime as wider work aims to increase awareness of the support available and strengthen confidence in accessing it.

Specialist VAWG Taskforce teams are deploying to Catterick Garrison and HM Naval Base Devonport, embedding expertise directly within military settings to identify and address the cultural and behavioural drivers of sexual violence at source.

With reach also across Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West respectively, these 12-month deployments will see civilian experts working alongside service personnel, assessing root causes and organisational factors contributing to sexual violence.

The teams will design targeted, evidence-led interventions – from training and scenario-based workshops to bystander-focused activity and unit-specific tools. This approach reflects a deliberate shift from reacting to incidents after they occur towards preventing harm before it starts. Expansion to further sites – including RAF Halton and the UK’s sovereign bases in Cyprus – is planned subject to evidence of impact.

Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

Those who serve deserve to work in an environment where they are safe, supported and valued. This investment strengthens the support available to victim-survivors of serious crime and puts specialist prevention teams in place to tackle unacceptable behaviour before it causes harm.

With awareness increasing, more people having boosted confidence in reporting mechanisms, we’re taking practical, targeted action to ensure Defence is a place where people are proud to serve.

The VWCU expansion and Taskforce deployments are the latest in Defence’s Raising our Standards interventions to embed consistently high standards, build trust in leadership and create a culture where personnel thrive, unacceptable behaviour is challenged, and every case is acted upon.

This includes the forthcoming Independent Legal Advocacy pilot, which will provide free, independent legal advice to complainants of sexual offences within the Service Justice System.

This complements newly-introduced measures in the Armed Forces Bill to deliver stronger support to victims of serious and sexual offences within the Service Justice System, from new protective orders to take action against those responsible for sexual harm and strengthened guidance to inform victims’ views to prosecutors on whether they want their case tried in civilian courts or the military system.

March 29, 2026
PRESS RELEASE : Trail hunting set to be banned [March 2026]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 March 2026.

Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales – delivering a key manifesto commitment. A public consultation will open today on how to take the ban forward.

Trail hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting. It became popular in the UK after the Hunting Act 2004 became law, as an alternative to traditional fox hunting.

This can result in wild animals, including foxes and hares, being injured or killed by dogs, as well as household pets in some cases. The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild animals are not placed in danger as a result of dogs picking up their scent, as opposed to the intended animal-based scent trail.

Concerns also persist around whether trail hunting is being used by some as a “smokescreen” to facilitate illegal hunting with dogs.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, who leads on hunting for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, has previously said he believes trail hunting is providing a smokescreen and it “gives people the opportunity to carry on hunting – as they always said they would when the ban came in 20 years ago”

We want alternative practices such as drag hunting and clean‑boot hunting, which use non‑animal scents, to continue to thrive. We recognise that hunts can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside. We are committed to ensuring that responsible rural pursuits, where there is no risk to our precious wildlife, can continue.

Baroness Sue Hayman, Animal Welfare Minister, said:

We pledged to ban trail hunting in our manifesto and that is exactly what we intend to do.

The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild and domestic animals are not put at risk of being killed or injured – that is clearly unacceptable.

We understand that this is a complex issue and so we are seeking views from everyone with an interest to help shape how we bring this forward.

This announcement follows the publication of the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy which outlined the most ambitious reforms to animal welfare in a generation – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK.

A public consultation will open today on how to take the ban forward. It will run until 18 June.

March 29, 2026

Author: admin

Curriculum vitae

Baroness Sue Hayman, Animal Welfare Minister, said: