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  • NEWS STORY : Pharmacies Across UK Cutting Hours Amid Funding Crisis

    NEWS STORY : Pharmacies Across UK Cutting Hours Amid Funding Crisis

    STORY

    A wave of pharmacy closures and reduced operating hours is sweeping across the UK, leaving communities with limited access to vital healthcare services. Independent pharmacies are taking drastic measures in response to a decade of under-funding, with many forced to cut hours or shut down altogether.

    The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) reports that nearly all independent pharmacies in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland voted in favour of reducing hours beyond the minimum required by their contracts. This means fewer pharmacies will be open during evenings and weekends, impacting access to essential medications and healthcare advice.

    “Pharmacies are the cornerstone of community healthcare,” says NPA chairman Nick Kaye, “But years of underfunding have pushed us to the brink. We don’t want to reduce services, but we’re left with no choice.”

    The funding crisis has also led to cuts in locally commissioned services, such as emergency contraception, addiction support, and stop-smoking programs. This reduction in services further jeopardises public health and places additional strain on an already overburdened NHS.

    The NPA warns that without adequate government intervention, the situation will continue to deteriorate, leaving communities with reduced access to vital healthcare services. The impact will be felt most acutely in rural areas and under-served communities, where pharmacies often serve as the primary healthcare provider. The Government is facing mounting pressure to address the funding crisis and ensure the sustainability of community pharmacies. The future of local healthcare hangs in the balance as pharmacies struggle to keep their doors open.

  • NEWS STORY : UN Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Civilians in Sudan as Conflict Rages On

    NEWS STORY : UN Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Civilians in Sudan as Conflict Rages On

    STORY

    Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, spoke at the UN Security Council Meeting that the ongoing conflict in Sudan has reached a critical juncture, with devastating consequences for civilians. Almost 19,000 people have been killed and 33,000 injured in the past 18 months, according to UN reports. Mass rape, torture, and ethnically targeted killings are rampant. In a statement, Collins said:

    “We must act now, and these recommendations are a positive step towards more action to protect civilians. It is now for us as states, civil society and members of the UN family to consider how to use them. To be successful, we must confront the context we face, rather than the one we would want or like to see.”

    A devastating civil war has gripped Sudan for the past 18 months, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in nearly 19,000 fatalities and 33,000 injuries, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Reports from the UN paint a grim picture of mass atrocities, including widespread rape, torture, and ethnically motivated killings. The warring factions have shown a blatant disregard for human life and have obstructed humanitarian aid, leaving millions facing starvation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The most effective way to protect civilians is the immediate cessation of hostilities – UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The most effective way to protect civilians is the immediate cessation of hostilities – UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2024.

    Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    After eighteen months the conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on civilians.

    Almost 19,000 people have been killed and 33,000 injured. These numbers, and the suffering they mask, are unacceptably high.

    The UN reports that mass rape, torture, the destruction of livelihoods, ethnically-targeted killings have been perpetrated on a large scale.

    I thank the Secretary-General for his recommendations on the protection of civilians, as requested by resolution 2736. The overarching message is clear – the most effective way to protect civilians is an immediate cessation of hostilities.

    Efforts to secure this continue: we must offer our full support to the UN as they seek to mediate between the parties, and we call on the parties to engage in good faith with this process.

    But the last eighteen months have also shown that we cannot just wait for a ceasefire.

    We must act now, and these recommendations are a positive step towards more action to protect civilians. It is now for us as states, civil society and members of the UN family to consider how to use them.

    To be successful, we must confront the context we face, rather than the one we would want or like to see.

    I note the Secretary-General’s assessment that the conditions do not currently exist for the effective deployment of a UN force to protect civilians in Sudan.

    We must keep this under review but also remember that the deployment of UN forces is only one lever amongst many.

    We can all see that the warring parties have failed to uphold their commitments in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and allow unfettered humanitarian access.

    I urge them to establish a robust and transparent compliance mechanism to ensure their commitments bear tangible results on the ground.

    They can achieve this, including with the support offered by the UN. Many civilians are suffering because of direct violence. But many more because they are starving, deliberately stopped by the warring parties from getting life-saving help.

    I strongly support the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the parties agree to humanitarian pauses to allow the safe passage of civilians and facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

    The potential closure of the Adré border crossing looms large. Its closure would mean millions more civilians would be at risk.

    The crisis demands adaptable approaches.

    Ordinary people have stepped up and taken unimaginable risk to protect their communities, through the Emergency Response Rooms and other mutual aid groups.

    The international community must listen to the Secretary-General’s call to consider how we can further support those local efforts. And this requires warring parties to back scalable, locally-negotiated ceasefires and violence reduction measures.

    I urge all member states, civil society organisations, and stakeholders to be motivated by the Secretary-General’s recommendations, to step up coordinated, international action to protect the people of Sudan.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The worst case scenario is now playing out in northern Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The worst case scenario is now playing out in northern Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2024.

    Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

    Colleagues, Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 43,000 Palestinians killed, hospitals and roads destroyed and winter approaching.

    We must see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

    Ending the war is the best way to stop the suffering.

    The humanitarian situation is intolerable and we need to act immediately to improve it. Aid deliveries last month were the lowest since the conflict began. And now, imminent famine looms over northern Gaza – while food and other lifesaving supplies are stuck at the border.

    This is appalling.

    It is completely unacceptable that trucks, humanitarian workers and medics, funded by the international community, are unable to travel the last few miles to reach civilians.

    The Famine Review Committee has issued a shocking and urgent warning – one which Israel must heed, and act on today.

    As the Committee put it, it is abundantly clear that a worst case scenario is now playing out in areas of northern Gaza, where starvation, malnutrition and deaths are believed to be rising fast.

    Colleagues, time has run out, and urgent solutions are required now, to prevent the very worst from unfolding.

    There is no excuse for the Israeli government’s ongoing restrictions on humanitarian assistance. They fly in the face of Israel’s public commitments. So let me be clear: my government condemns these restrictions in the strongest terms.

    So, we are calling on Israel to finally, and immediately, make good on its commitment to flood Gaza with aid.

    We want to see greater variety and quantity of essential items surging in, including food, water, fuel and medicine.

    Israel must urgently enable safe and effective aid distribution. This includes repairing roads to deliver aid, and enabling continuous access to northern Gaza from southern Gaza.

    Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Evacuation orders should be rescinded as soon as possible so families can return home.

    And humanitarians must be able to work safely and effectively.

    The United Nations and its agencies must be able to fulfil their mandate.

    UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and provides essential basic services.

    The international community has been clear that Israel must not undermine its role and must meet all legal obligations as the Occupying Power.

    Colleagues, we cannot allow famine to take hold – there is no time to waste. The international community must now act as one, and work with Israel to take every possible measure to prevent this disaster.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Kuwait continue celebrations to mark 125 years of partnership [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Kuwait continue celebrations to mark 125 years of partnership [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2024.

    • As the UK and Kuwait continue celebrations to mark 125 years of partnership, the Minister for the Middle East visited for key meetings with counterparts.
    • His visit focused on defence, security and investment co-operation and reaffirms UK commitment to supporting de-escalation across the Middle East.
    • Discussions also centred on the urgent humanitarian situation in both Gaza and Lebanon and efforts to uphold regional stability.

    125 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Kuwait are being marked by a visit from UK Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer MP, in his first visit to Kuwait since taking office in July.

    Reiterating the UK’s call for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, he discussed the deeply concerning situation in the Middle East and ways in which the UK and Kuwait, as close friends and partners, could work together to address this.

    The Minister met senior Kuwaiti officials, including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, alongside who he had co-chaired the 21st Kuwait-UK Joint Steering Group in London on 4 September; and the Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority, Ghanem Al-Ghenaiman.

    Reflecting on his visit, Minister Falconer said:

    For over a century and a quarter, the UK and Kuwait have shared strong diplomatic relations. This landmark anniversary year has provided us with the opportunity to reflect on our shared history, whilst also strengthening current and future collaboration.

    With a focus on ensuring regional stability, the UK is committed to working alongside Kuwait on de-escalating tensions across the Middle East and securing unimpeded aid access into Gaza.

    Addressing a range of bilateral priorities, the Minister welcomed last month’s deal for the UK’s SRT Marine Systems to support the development of the Kuwait Coastguard’s capabilities, noting the defence and security co-operations between the two nations.

    Turning to the UK government’s commitment to growth, the Minister also discussed plans to continue strengthening substantial trade and investment ties, highlighting the Sovereign Investment Partnership signed in August 2023 and positive progress of negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council. In 2023, the GCC was equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner – with total trade worth £57 billion.

    The Minister rounded off his visit by attending the first King’s Birthday Party to take place in Kuwait. While the theme was horticulture and heritage crafts – mutual interests of His Majesty the King and His Highness the Amir – Minister Falconer used his speech to stress the huge importance the UK places on its partnership with Kuwait, which spans a broad range of areas including trade and investment, defence and security, and culture and education.

    The Minister is visiting Kuwait as part of a wider Gulf tour. He will also visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this week to discuss the importance of a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon and de-escalation in the region.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 October 1924

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 27 October 1924

    27 OCTOBER 1924

    Stanley Baldwin, in a special message to The Scotsman, says he feels confident that the electorate of Scotland will endorse the sound constructive policy of the Unionist party. He adds that every vote for the Constitutional cause is vital.

    Addressing nearly 3000 electors at Perth, Mr. Stanley Baldwin said that there was no precedent for guaranteeing a Russian loan. Russian propaganda in the Empire, he said, had not ceased, and speeches made by members of the Russian Government had convinced him that, if he had money to spare, he would be unwilling to lend it.

    M. Rakovsky, the Soviet representative in London, has issued a statement denying the authenticity of the Communist manifesto, and characterising it as a gross forgery. Mr. M’Manus, the Communist leader, denies that he signed the document. The Soviet Government is demanding from the British Government an apology for what it describes as the use of a forgery in an official document.

    Viscount Younger, speaking at Dumfries, referred to the Bolshevist plot. This, he said, was a case of life and death for the country, and it was a question which ought to be probed to the uttermost.

    Addressing the women electors of Paisley, Herbert Asquith described class warfare as being just as great an offence against moral law as the most sanguinary war on the battlefield. The ultimate ascendancy of one class over another was, he said, the death-knell of liberty.

    David Lloyd George, speaking at Chichester, said it had always been said that in order to help agriculture they must have a tariff and a duty, but the countries where they were doing without a duty were the countries where agriculture was most prosperous.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 October 1924

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 26 October 1924

    26 OCTOBER 1924

    Major Beaumont Thomas, the Conservative candidate for Pontypool, was attacked by hooligans.

    A demonstration was held by communist supporters in Trafalgar Square, London.

    Burnt Oak station on the Hampstead-Edgware tube extension opened.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 October 1924

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 October 1924

    25 OCTOBER 1924

    An amazing letter from the Presidium of the Executive Committee of the Communist International, Moscow, to the Central Committee of the British Communist party, has come into the hands of the Foreign Office. The letter gives instructions to British Communists as to how to bring about a revolution. The Foreign Office has written to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Soviet Union stating that His Majesty’s Government cannot allow such propaganda, and must regard it as a direct interference from outside in British domestic affairs.

    Professor Charles Sarolea, in an article on Bolshevism in the Labour movement, shows the close connection which exists between Russian Bolshevism and British Socialism.

    Lord Balfour, speaking at Haddington, denounced the policy of the Government with regard to Imperial interests.

    Viscount Younger, speaking at Annan, said the choice before the electors was Constitutionalism or Socialism. If the electors wanted a stable Government and wanted to avoid annual elections, let them vote for the Unionist party, the only party which could have a majority. Socialism meant tyranny and the sinking of our freedom.

    Lord Birkenhead addressed a Unionist demonstration at Aberdeen.

    Sir Robert Horne, addressing the Hillhead electors, said the great questions which previously divided Conservatives and Liberals had for the most part disappeared, and today the differences between them were almost inappreciable in comparison with the great abyss that separated both of them from the creed of Socialism.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 October 1924

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 October 1924

    24 OCTOBER 1924

    Stanley Baldwin, addressing a crowded meeting at Gravesend, and referring to Preference, said he pledged himself there, as he had pledged himself before, that there would be no taxation of food if the Unionist party were returned to power.

    The Earl of Balfour, Sir Robert Horne, and Sir John Gilmour, in a letter to the Editor, emphasise the importance of defeating the Socialists, and urge Unionist electors in Scotland during the present election, in all constituencies where there is no Unionist candidate, to register their votes for the Liberal nominee, and to give him all the support in their power.

    Lord Birkenhead in Glasgow dealt with the Prime Minister’s grievances and the Government’s failure to implement its promises.

    Herbert Asquith, speaking at Paisley, denounced the attempts of the Socialists to prevent their opponents stating their case, and said he was not going to submit to the humiliation of having the free statement and interchange of views left at the mercy of a set of unintelligent hooligans.

    David Lloyd George at Pembroke declared that Liberals made far too little of the part they had played in making the Empire possible. He suggested that some day a conciliated Ireland would render to the Empire the service which was rendered by the Boers in the Great War.

    The Prime Minister, speaking at Aberavon, said that neither the Coalition nor the Tory Government had ventured to face the problem of supplying houses to be let for rent as opposed to houses built by private enterprise and sold when they were built.

    The Prime Minister announced at Aberavon that the third Commissioner to the Irish Boundary Commission had just been appointed.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 October 1924

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 October 1924

    23 OCTOBER 1924

    Stanley Baldwin points out in a message to the women electors that the future of their homes and their children depends greatly upon how the women of Great Britain use the power of their vote.

    Lord Balfour, speaking at Peebles on behalf of the Unionist candidate, declared that even a brief experiment of Socialist State organisation would mean national disaster.

    Herbert Asquith met with a hostile reception from a rowdy element at his meeting at Paisley, and was continually interrupted during his speech.

    David Lloyd George spoke at Haverfordwest in support of his son’s candidature. He said it was a good thing that Labour had had an opportunity of office, if only to convince them of the impossibility of building up a great new social era in six months.

    Speaking at Alnwick, Viscount Grey said the three qualities needed in public life today were sympathy, truth, and courage. The Labour Government was directed, not to inducing people to pull together, but to a class war.

    Ramsay MacDonald, at Aberavon, said that Labour was making things move. That was why the other parties were so angry with Labour.

    Socialists and Communists were present in large numbers at Sir Robert Horne’s meeting in Partick Burgh Hall, and created a disturbance. The stewards had to eject several of the interrupters from the hall.