Tag: News Story

STORY

The King has approved the nomination of the Reverend Dr Jitesh Krisnakant Patel, MA, MPhys, PhD, Acting Director of St Mellitus College East Midlands and Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity Church, in the Diocese of Leicester, to the Suffragan See of Jarrow, in the Diocese of Durham, in succession to the Right Reverend Sarah Clark, MA, following her translation to the See of Ely.

Jitesh was educated at Jesus College, University of Oxford, and obtained his PhD through the Lambeth Research Degrees in Theology. He trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at Christ Church, Abingdon, in the Diocese of Oxford and, in 2011, he was ordained Priest. In 2015, Jitesh was appointed Associate Vicar at St Jude’s Church, Southsea, in the Diocese of Portsmouth. From 2018, Jitesh served as Diocesan Director of Contextual Training, additionally serving as Associate Vicar (Training & Development) at Holy Trinity Church, in the Diocese of Leicester. 

In 2019, Jitesh was appointed as Assistant Director and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College East Midlands, alongside his role as Associate Vicar at Holy Trinity Church.

Additionally, Jitesh currently serves on bishop’s council, on a national patronage board, as a board member of the 30K Project, and is an author.

Jitesh is married to Bridget, and they have two daughters.

STORY

The Government has announced plans to reform the rules used to assess public investment projects, with the aim of giving greater consideration to local economic circumstances and priorities. Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed on 22 October 2026 that changes to the Treasury’s Green Book guidance would form part of the measures presented at next week’s Budget. The reforms are intended to improve opportunities for areas that have previously struggled to secure Government investment.

The Green Book provides the framework for assessing business cases for public spending across the UK. Under the existing approach, projects involving areas such as housing, transport and employment are generally assessed individually. The proposed changes would allow local and strategic authorities to develop broader investment plans that consider how different projects could work together to address economic challenges. For example, investment in employment opportunities could be assessed alongside measures to tackle skills shortages, providing a more comprehensive assessment of an area’s potential for economic growth.

The Government said the revised framework would support the development of place-based business cases, allowing local authorities to identify barriers to growth and demonstrate how coordinated investment could address them. No10 North, the Government’s regional operation, will provide assistance to areas seeking to use the new arrangements, including places without elected mayors. The intention is to ensure that authorities with different levels of resources and administrative capacity can participate in the revised process.

Speaking about the announcement, Burnham argued that existing investment rules had failed to recognise the needs of some communities. He said the changes would place local priorities at the centre of decisions and strengthen the influence of regional leaders. Chancellor John Healey also supported the proposals, saying that the revised approach would give local leaders a greater role in identifying investment opportunities. He indicated that further measures to transfer powers and resources away from Westminster would be announced at the Budget.

The announcement coincided with a meeting between the Prime Minister and English mayors at No10 North, where discussions focused on regional economic challenges and cooperation between central and local government. The reforms form part of the Government’s wider devolution agenda, although their practical impact will depend on the detailed guidance and subsequent investment decisions. Further information about the implementation of the revised Green Book framework is expected alongside the Budget.

STORY

The Government has launched a campaign encouraging households to prepare for three days of disruption to essential services, including power, water, phones and the internet. Updated advice published on 22 October marks the first stage of the three year “Be Ready” campaign, which aims to improve preparedness for emergencies such as severe weather. Recommended steps include keeping a small supply of bottled water and food that does not need refrigeration.

Households are also encouraged to sign up to the Priority Services Register, a free service helping utility companies identify customers who may need additional support during an emergency. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said people who could prepare should do so, helping reduce pressure on emergency services and allowing them to prioritise those needing greater assistance. The Cabinet Office said the campaign draws on approaches used in France, Ireland and the Netherlands, alongside work with local resilience forums.

More than 500 organisations have signed up to share campaign materials, with social media and radio advertising planned to reach groups including older people and families with young children. Charities and campaigners supporting people in insecure housing and those using foodbanks helped develop the campaign. It updates the Government’s existing Prepare website, although much of the advice remains unchanged from guidance first published in May 2024.

STORY

Michelle Jarman-Howe has been appointed Director General of Prisons following a recruitment process, the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service announced on 19 October. She had been serving in the role on an interim basis and will lead prison operations across England and Wales.

Jarman-Howe joined the Prison Service as a prison officer in 1995 and subsequently held operational leadership positions, including as a prison governor. She became a Deputy Director of Custody in 2013, before serving as Executive Director for Public Sector Prisons South between 2019 and 2022. She then held the position of Chief Operating Officer for Prisons from 2022 to 2025.

Her responsibilities include overseeing prison safety, security and conditions, alongside protecting the public and supporting efforts to reduce reoffending. Jarman-Howe said she was “honoured” by the appointment and paid tribute to staff working to keep prisons safe and help people change their lives. She added that she looked forward to building on progress made within the service.

STORY

Amanda Bland has resigned from Reform UK to sit as an independent MSP, leaving Scottish Labour as the second largest party in the Scottish Parliament. Her departure on Monday reduces Reform’s representation to 16 MSPs, behind Labour’s 17. The parties had been tied following May’s election.

Bland, who represents Central Scotland and Lothians West, had served as Reform Scotland’s justice spokeswoman. She had not publicly explained her reasons for leaving at the time of reporting. Reform urged her to resign her parliamentary seat so that the next candidate on its regional list could replace her.

The Scottish Parliament confirmed that Bland had written to the Presiding Officer to advise that she would serve as an independent with immediate effect. A spokesperson said the Presiding Officer would notify the Parliamentary Bureau of associated changes to business before Parliament resumes next week. The change is expected to end the arrangement under which Labour and Reform alternated the opening opposition questions at First Minister’s Questions.

STORY

The Canary has announced that it is closing indefinitely, saying financial and operational pressures have made its position unsustainable. The left wing news outlet said the closure took effect on Monday 19 October, describing the decision after 11 years as one taken with “deep sadness and regret”.

The announcement follows banking difficulties which the publication said prevented it from accessing funds and paying some staff. In September, the Canary announced a suspension of operations after reporting restrictions on a Metro Bank account, following earlier problems with Lloyds. Metro Bank declined to comment when approached by The New Arab at the time. The Canary attributed its payment difficulties to the banking restrictions.

In its latest statement, the publication also blamed disputes involving former employees and alleged a campaign against its team. Those allegations represent the organisation’s account of events. Despite announcing an indefinite closure, the Canary indicated that it intended to publish a further explanation later this week and did not rule out a return. No reopening date was given.

STORY

Downing Street has rejected US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments about allied troops in Afghanistan, calling his remarks “wrong”. The response on Monday followed his suggestion that few countries participating in the international mission had contributed to combat operations.

Speaking at the University of Tennessee on Saturday, Hegseth recalled seeing around 50 national flags at the mission’s headquarters in Kabul. He claimed that only “maybe five” countries contributed, with “one or two” involved in combat operations towards the end. He also recalled joking that ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force, meant “I Saw Americans Fighting”.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson highlighted the sacrifices of British and allied families, noting that more than 450 British personnel died. Downing Street said their service supported collective security following an attack on an ally, adding that “it is wrong to diminish their role”.

STORY

The Government has outlined aviation accessibility improvements aimed at reducing damage to wheelchairs and improving assistance for disabled passengers. The Department for Transport said more than 1,000 wheelchairs were damaged in transit in 2023, representing approximately 0.43% of those transported. The measures follow recommendations from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and work by the Aviation Accessibility Implementation Group.

A standardised form introduced in March allows passengers to provide wheelchair battery and handling information before travelling. Staff training developed with disabled passengers is also being strengthened, while a digital platform will be trialled to help passengers communicate their assistance requirements in advance. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said passengers should be able to travel with dignity and confidence that their mobility equipment would be handled safely.

Separately, the Civil Aviation Bill progressing through Parliament would give the aviation regulator stronger enforcement powers, including fines, and remove the compensation cap for lost or damaged wheelchairs and mobility aids on domestic UK flights. The Government also plans to consult on further accessibility reforms within 12 months of Royal Assent. These legislative changes remain proposals rather than protections already in force.

STORY

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that those responsible for riots, looting and attacks on public buildings will be held accountable following nationwide unrest on 17 October. In a televised address on Sunday, he condemned the violence and said those who had looted would have to pay for the damage. Authorities reported at least 2,400 arrests following demonstrations over living costs and conditions in schools.

Violence affected cities including Paris, Marseille and Lyon, with shops looted and public buildings attacked. In Limoges, fire largely destroyed the historic town hall, causing its clock tower to collapse. Further confrontations occurred on Sunday as police intervened against groups attempting to damage businesses.

Macron distinguished peaceful demonstrators with legitimate grievances from those responsible for destruction. He blamed radical groups and criminals for the violence and said local prefects would be able to prohibit demonstrations where necessary to protect businesses and public buildings. His response combined an appeal for calm with a commitment to pursue those responsible.

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Former Conservative foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind has strongly criticised Donald Trump’s policy towards Ukraine, describing the US president as “repulsive” and “a disgrace”. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday 18 October, Rifkind accused Trump of abandoning his international responsibilities and betraying Ukraine while it continued fighting Russia’s invasion.

Rifkind argued that restrictions on Ukraine’s access to American intelligence would undermine its protection against Russian attacks. He accused Trump of bearing direct responsibility for Ukrainian deaths as a consequence. He also claimed the president’s approach was motivated by a desire to lower oil prices and improve Republican prospects in the forthcoming US midterm elections.

The intervention came amid controversy over Trump’s easing of sanctions against Russia and efforts to secure Russian fuel supplies. Rifkind, who served as both defence secretary and foreign secretary under John Major, presented his criticism as a challenge to the president’s judgement and priorities. His claims about Trump’s motives and responsibility for casualties were his assessment.