News

In an embarrassing defeat for the Government, the High Court this week ruled that part of the rules governing the unpopular Personal Independence Payments (PIP) which replace Disability Allowance are unlawful and discriminate against people with mental health impairments. In February the Government limited the amount of PIP people can claim if they struggle with travel due to psychological distress as they have fewer needs than other disabled people. The High Court found that the DWP’s decision had been based...

London Zoo is on lockdown after a huge blaze ripped through the cafe - next to the beloved meerkats. A team of 70 fire fighters and ten engines spent two hours tackling the blaze after a 999 call was made at 6.08am. The flames were near the children's petting zoo and meerkat enclosure but Zoo officials refused to say if any animals had been hurt. Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least...

UK councils are on a “cliff edge” as vital services face another 54% cut while council tax rises add £100 to our bills from April. This week the Government was slammed for sneakily passing the buck to councils to try to plug the massive gap in the finances needed to provide essential services and urgent need for housing. You may have missed the largely under-reported new Local Government Settlement announced by Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid. But you will likely...

Brexiters celebrating the return of the iconic blue British passport will be surprised to learn that we were entitled to have whatever colour passport we wanted within the European Union. The EU has issued guidance for member states’ passports in an effort to standardise official documents across the continent. But this is guidance, not an obligation. While most EU countries do have burgundy passports - Croatia still proudly issues blue ones. The UK passport is an expression of our independence...

A US ambassador has been caught out on a "fake news" claim about the Islamic movement in Europe. Pete Hoekstra became the US Ambassador to the Netherlands last week and has already come a cropper when interviewed by Dutch media about comments he made regarding Islam. The reporter questioned him about "no go zones" in the Netherlands and the claim that "cars are being burnt". Hoekstra described the claims as "fake news", but the evidence that follows seems to show...

In a moment resembling a scene from the Christmas classic Love Actually the World last night sent a strong message to US President Donald Trump that "we will not be bullied". More than 120 countries defied Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, voting it as "null and void". The move comes after the US President said he would cut financial aid to countries voting against this. Speaking before the vote, Trump told reporters at the White House: "They take...

The BNP have sent Jeremy Corbyn a racist Christmas card saying “STOP LABOUR STEALING OUR WHITE CHRISTMAS” with a photo of the shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott dressed as Santa Claus taking a Christmas tree. Clive Lewis MP tweeted: "Just spoke to Hackney Abbott about this racist BNP Xmas card Jeremy Corbyn has just received. I’m not keen on sharing racist propaganda but I think it’s important folk see the kind of hate Diane is subjected to for doing nothing...

Nigel Farage is among panellists speaking at an "Irexit" event in Dublin next year. The event, entitled "Freedom to Prosper", will feature the former UKIPer and MEP who was largely responsible for Britain's withdrawal from the single market. Other panelists speaking at the event include Independent Galway Councillor James Charity, Journalist John Waters and Sunday Times columnist Cormac Lucey. According to recent figures Brexit is costing Britain £350 million a week in lost output. A Financial Times study revealed the value...

The role of First Secretary of State is likely to be banished to the history books after Damian Green was forced to resign over porn allegations. Following the sacking Theresa May has been left in charge of appointing her second in command, but the odds suggest she could well abolish the ministerial portfolio entirely. Betway have slashed the price on the position being abandoned to 6/4 following Green's disgraced encounter. As it is simply an honorific title with no specific powers...