PETITION TITLE:
Increase Carer’s Allowance to equal minimum wage
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700028
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
11170
Author: admin
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PETITION TO PARLIAMENT : Donate migrant boats to Ukraine
PETITION TITLE:
Donate migrant boats to Ukraine
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700011
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
430
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PETITION TO PARLIAMENT : Provide funding to the NHS to offer full STI screening at beginning of pregnancy
PETITION TITLE:
Provide funding to the NHS to offer full STI screening at beginning of pregnancy
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700015
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
379
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PETITION TO PARLIAMENT : Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only
PETITION TITLE:
Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700013
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
87050
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PETITION TO PARLIAMENT : Don’t put an extra duty on vape products
PETITION TITLE:
Don’t put an extra duty on vape products
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700018
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
1041
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PETITION TO PARLIAMENT : Fund Covid booster vaccines for all, with priority for Long Covid sufferers
PETITION TITLE:
Fund Covid booster vaccines for all, with priority for Long Covid sufferers
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700009
CURRENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES:
701
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OBITUARY : Baroness Sally Oppenheim-Barnes (1928-2025)
OBITUARY : Baroness Sally Oppenheim-Barnes (1928-2025)
Baroness Sally Oppenheim-Barnes, a prominent Conservative politician and dedicated advocate for consumer rights, passed away on 1 January 2025, at the age of 96.
Early Life and Education
Born Sarah Amelia Viner on July 26, 1928, in Dublin, Ireland, to Jewish parents, Sally was raised in Sheffield, England, where her father established a steel and cutlery business. She attended Lowther College and initially worked as a social worker in London before transitioning into politics.
Political Career
Sally Oppenheim-Barnes’s political journey began with her election as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gloucester in 1970, a position she held until 1987. In 1979, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appointed her as Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, a role she served in until 1982. During her tenure, she was instrumental in advancing consumer protection legislation and was known for her commitment to consumer rights. She led the National Consumer Council as chair from 1987 to 1989, and later served as vice-president of the National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds and as chair of the National Waterways Museum.
In recognition of her contributions, she was appointed to the Privy Council in 1979. After retiring from the House of Commons, she was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes of Gloucester in 1989, where she continued her advocacy for consumer issues.
Personal Life
In 1949, she married Henry Oppenheim, a property tycoon, with whom she had three children, including Phillip Oppenheim, who later became a Conservative MP between 1983 and 1997, the first mother and son partnership in the Chamber serving together between 1983 and 1987. In March 1980, Henry Oppenheim died at the age of 66 following a brain haemorrhage, although Sally married businessman John Barnes in 1984.
Legacy
Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes is remembered for her unwavering dedication to consumer rights and her significant contributions to British politics. Her work laid the foundation for many consumer protection policies that benefited countless individuals. She is survived by her three children.
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![PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with international leaders [April 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/downingstreet-150x122.png)
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with international leaders [April 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 April 2025.
The Prime Minister spoke with international leaders including the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leader of the German Christian Democratic Union party Friedrich Merz.
The Prime Minister has today continued to speak with international leaders including the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leader of the German Christian Democratic Union party Friedrich Merz.
Discussing the announcement of additional tariffs by the United States, they all agreed that – as with defence and security – this is a new era for the global economy. Europe must rise to meet the moment and ensure the impact on hard-working people is minimised, while working closely with other countries to help maintain wider economic stability.
The Prime Minister reiterated that he was disappointed by the new tariffs and stressed he will continue to act in the UK’s national interest — remaining calm while preparing for all eventualities.
He updated on his plans to go further and faster to strengthen the UK’s economy and ensure it is as resilient as possible and can withstand these kinds of global shocks. He added that it would be important for the UK to strengthen its trading relationships with others across the globe at the same time.
The Prime Minister agreed to keep in close contact.
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![PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan [April 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fco-150x150.png)
PRESS RELEASE : G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 April 2025.
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, express deep concern about China’s provocative actions, particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan.
These increasingly frequent and destabilizing activities are raising cross-Strait tensions and put at risk global security and prosperity.
G7 members and the larger international community have an interest in the preservation of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion.
G7 members continue to encourage the peaceful resolution of issues through constructive cross-Strait dialogue.
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![PRESS RELEASE : UK and US hit major milestone in development of hypersonic weapons [April 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mod-150x150.png)
PRESS RELEASE : UK and US hit major milestone in development of hypersonic weapons [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 April 2025.
UK hypersonic research, which could see weapons travelling at several thousand miles per hour, has reached a landmark moment after successful completion of a major testing programme.
- UK scientists complete major hypersonic propulsion test, enabled by close collaboration between UK government, industry and US government.
- The propulsion system is set to power a cutting-edge hypersonic cruise missile concept.
- 233 test runs were carried out at a number of hypersonic speeds, marking a critical step forward in UK Defence capabilities.
This research aims to support delivery of a hypersonic weapon technology demonstrator by 2030 through the MOD’s Team Hypersonics (UK) programme. This will provide a transformational capability that delivers operational advantage for the future UK armed forces.
National security is a foundation of this government’s Plan for Change and today’s news comes after the Prime Minister announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.
A joint team led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) together with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and supported by industry partners including UK SME Gas Dynamics Ltd, carried out 233 successful static test runs at the NASA Langley Research Centre in Virginia, USA.
This extensive testing was part of the UK’s Hypersonic Weapons Programme, and took place over six weeks involving real-time data analysis to refine design aspects and boost propulsive performance.
The trial explored several design variations, ensuring the propulsion system’s readiness for future system design updates. The engine is poised to power a cutting-edge hypersonic cruise missile concept and successfully demonstrated the performance of the high-speed air-breathing engine – enabling greater ranges than a conventional rocket – advancing the UK’s hypersonic weapon capabilities.
The tests spanned the full flight Mach number range from supersonic to hypersonic speeds, validating the robustness of the engine design and paving the way for future upgrades.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
We are living in a more dangerous world and it has never been more important for us to innovate and stay ahead of our adversaries, equipping our forces with the technologies of the future.
This milestone moment on hypersonics research, supported by British scientists and British small businesses, demonstrates another crucial area where we are working in lockstep with the United States to bolster our Armed Forces and strengthen our deterrence.
Dstl’s Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead said:
This milestone represents a critical advancement in the UK’s defence capabilities and reinforces our standing in the AUKUS hypersonic weapon development collaboration. The success of these tests highlights the UK’s commitment to technological leadership and innovation in this crucial area.