Tag: News Story

STORY

Halima Begum, the now-former chief executive of Oxfam GB, has been forced out of her role following a series of serious allegations about her conduct and leadership, prompting a major upheaval at the charity. Her departure follows an independent review commissioned by Oxfam’s trustees after staff raised concerns about her behaviour and management approach. Investigators reported “serious issues” with her leadership and concluded that trust between Begum and the organisation had broken down beyond repair.

The allegations include claims that she created a hostile working environment, fostered a climate of fear among staff, and interfered in internal safeguarding and integrity processes. It is understood that dozens of employees supported a letter urging trustees to examine her conduct, and that some staff had already resigned amid tensions at senior levels of the organisation. Oxfam’s board said it respected those who came forward and would act on the findings to strengthen internal processes and rebuild confidence.

Begum has rejected the allegations and suggested some complaints may have arisen from disagreements over restructuring and cost-saving measures she introduced. Her departure adds to a turbulent period for Oxfam, which has faced repeated scrutiny over governance and conduct issues in recent years.

STORY

The Charity Commission has opened a formal investigation into a Blackpool anti-poverty charity after persistent failures to file legally required financial information and concerns about how the organisation is being managed.

Blackpool’s Voice, founded in 2020 to help residents struggling with hardship, has never submitted its accounts or annual returns. The regulator also discovered the charity has been operating with too few trustees, raising doubts about whether it has adequate oversight. Earlier efforts by the Commission to secure compliance were unsuccessful, prompting the escalation to a statutory inquiry.

The investigation will assess whether trustees have met their legal duties, whether the charity is functioning in line with its governing document, and whether any conflicts of interest or personal benefit issues have arisen. The Commission has said the inquiry’s scope may expand if further concerns come to light.

A full report will be published at the end of the investigation. The charity has not commented publicly, but the inquiry highlights the regulator’s continued push to strengthen governance and accountability across the sector.

STORY

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted in the latest monthly figures, raising fresh fears about the country’s economic direction and undermining hopes of a stable recovery. Official data showed that output slipped by 0.1 per cent, defying predictions of modest growth and extending a period in which the economy has failed to build any sustained momentum.

Weakness in services, construction and manufacturing all contributed to the downturn, with consumer spending and business confidence appearing to falter in the run-up to the winter period. Analysts warned that the combination of hesitant investment, stubborn costs and subdued demand could push the UK uncomfortably close to a technical recession if the trend continues.

The unexpected economic announcement will also cause concern to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has been accused of not doing enough to help employers create jobs. A spokesperson for Reeves said:

“We are determined to defy the forecasts on growth and create good jobs, so everyone is better off, while also helping us invest in better public services.”

STORY

Prolific shoplifter David Mundy, of Farndale Close, Penhill in Swinson, has been convicted of a series of crimes which have caused economic damage to the local community.

Mundy has caused numerous issues to the community and has multiple previous convictions, with his offences this time leading to losses in Swindon shops. The conviction of Mundy has come at a time when national losses from shoplifting are causing significant economic concern.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement:

“We appreciate the significant impact that shoplifting has on local businesses and shoppers and we are determined to make Swindon a hostile place for shoplifters. Mundy is a prolific offender and the CBO bans him from a number of his most targeted stores in Swindon.”

STORY

A gang from Bradford has been locked up after ruthlessly supplying hard drugs to users in York, leaving a trail of addiction and misery in their wake. The group’s disregard for the harm their criminal enterprise caused was laid bare in court, where judges handed down substantial prison sentences for conspiring to supply Class A drugs.

The three gang members sent to jail are Haider Arshed (aged 28), Shu-Aiv Mohammed Titre (aged 22) and Oliur Rahman (aged 26). Prosecutors described how the gang organised the supply of heroin and crack cocaine into York, showing a blatant disregard for the damage their actions inflicted on vulnerable people. Rather than seeking honest work, these individuals chose to line their own pockets by feeding addiction and fuelling crime across the community.

Police carried out a targeted investigation that ultimately dismantled the network, arresting the offenders and gathering evidence of their involvement in distributing dangerous drugs. In sentencing, the court made clear that such behaviour would not be tolerated, highlighting the detrimental impact of drug dealing on public health and safety.

STORY

Council offices in Sittingbourne were left damaged and boarded up after a violent protest turned ugly following a heated debate on asylum seekers. Local authorities say the scene deteriorated dramatically when a group of thugs clashed with councillors and security staff, leaving windows smashed and graffiti daubed across the building.

Eyewitnesses described chaos outside the offices as arguments spilled into vandalism, with eggs thrown at councillors and some demonstrators spitting at officials. Once the council building was targeted, the disorder escalated and police were called in to restore order. The extent of the damage prompted council leaders to secure the premises while investigations continue.

Leaders condemned the behaviour as completely unjustified, stressing that democratic debate should never be met with violence. They urged anyone with information about those responsible to come forward, as the community reels from an incident that has left a normally peaceful town shocked by thuggish conduct.

STORY

The UK Government has announced sanctions against two Chinese technology companies after investigators linked them to widespread and indiscriminate cyber-attacks targeting Government systems, the private sector and critical infrastructure across multiple countries. The firms, Sichuan Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd, also known as i-Soon, and Integrity Technology Group Incorporated, are accused of operating as part of a broader ecosystem that enables hostile cyber activity.

Officials said i-Soon had carried out attacks on more than 80 IT systems worldwide and supported other malicious actors, while Integrity Tech allegedly operated covert cyber-infrastructure used to target UK public sector networks. The Government described the companies’ work as reckless and irresponsible, warning that it reflects a growing industry of private contractors inside China who offer tools, data and services that can be exploited for state-linked operations.

STORY

The United Kingdom will host a major peace-building conference on 12 March 2026 to launch an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine, aiming to bring together civil society leaders from across the region. The event at Lancaster House is intended to map existing grassroots initiatives and create a durable framework to support dialogue, reconciliation and an attempt at long-term stability following decades of distrust and agitation.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the conference would draw on international experience, including lessons from Northern Ireland, to help build trust and strengthen community level peace efforts. The initiative follows recent shifts in the Middle East, including a ceasefire agreement and ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

The Government has stated that the new Fund will provide sustained financial backing for organisations working to reduce tensions, promote cooperation and support conditions for a viable two state solution. Although there remains scepticism on what can be achieved, delegates at the March gathering will examine ways to coordinate global support and ensure long term investment in peace-building across both societies.

STORY

A determined group of residents in the seaside town of Sheringham has staged a dramatic, round-the-clock protest to physically block the demolition of their cherished 1950s bus shelter, accusing Norfolk County Council of attempting to demolish the structure “on the sly” under cover of darkness.

The confrontation, which began on Monday evening 1 December 2025 in Station Approach, saw campaigners lock down the site to prevent contractors from tearing down the 70-year-old landmark, a battle that has quickly become a symbol of community defiance against local government plans. Norfolk County Council has been accused of poor engagement with local residents and wasting Government funding designed to increase bus usage.

The protest escalated when demolition crews arrived to commence work on the site near the North Norfolk Railway station, prompting around a dozen locals to rush to the shelter. Campaigners braved the cold weather, refusing to move, resulting in a tense stand-off that eventually led to police being called to the scene. No arrests or official action were taken against the protesters who remained firm in their resolve to protect the structure which they argue is a vital part of the town’s history and character.

At the heart of the fight is a shelter dating back to the 1950s featuring a distinctive mural of a steam locomotive by local artist Colin Seal. For many residents, the shelter is more than just a place to wait for a bus; it is described as the “heart of Sheringham.” Campaigner Paula Bastow, 56, who spent the night guarding the structure, stated she did not regret her decision, noting “This is where people meet and wait for buses. We had to do something immediately to try and stop the demolition.” Other locals pointed out that only a handful of shelters of this design remain in the country, increasing its historic value.

The demolition order is part of a £350,000 project by Norfolk County Council to create a “Travel Hub” with improved accessibility, real-time passenger information and additional facilities. The council insists the existing structure must be removed because it does not meet modern accessibility standards and its position creates a dangerous ‘pinch point’ for high footfall in the area often forcing pedestrians into the carriageway.

Despite the council’s assurances that the scheme is necessary for safety and is supported by bus operators, local Liberal Democrat MP Steff Aquarone has thrown his weight behind the campaign. He called on the council to urgently “pause” the bulldozers, criticising the lack of engagement and warning that the situation proves how strongly the local feeling is about the shelter.

The local now have a Facebook with over 1,000 followers at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584121944741.

STORY

The Government has announced a significant funding increase for legal aid, setting out plans for an investment worth up to £92 million a year to support criminal legal aid solicitors and improve access to justice for victims. Ministers said the move is intended to strengthen a system that has faced sustained pressure in recent years and to help speed up the progression of cases.

The announcement confirms that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive a 24% rise in fees compared with the levels recommended in the earlier independent review. Officials argue that this uplift will help stabilise the profession, ensure people can access representation and reduce delays that have contributed to backlogs in the courts.

Alongside support for criminal work the Government is also increasing fees for housing and immigration legal aid for the first time since the mid nineteen nineties with an additional £18 million a year earmarked to assist providers. A further £2 million is being directed to licensed housing and immigration work.