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As of September 2025, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to potentially suspend visas for countries that refuse to cooperate on returning rejected asylum seekers. This move follows record Channel crossings, with over 30,000 migrants arriving by small boats in 2025. Mahmood discussed coordinated action with Five Eyes allies and is exploring housing asylum seekers in military sites to manage the crisis.
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Prosecutors dropped charges of spying for China against two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, citing insufficient evidence. The case, linked to allegations of passing sensitive information, was set for trial but was halted. The decision has raised concerns about national security and parliamentary integrity.
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The UK government has deported a migrant to France under a new scheme, but legal challenges and court injunctions have halted further removals. The scheme aims to return migrants crossing the Channel, but critics argue it risks undermining protections for trafficking victims and legal rights. The government plans to appeal ongoing court decisions.
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The UK has deported its first asylum seeker to France under a new 'one-in, one-out' deal signed with France in July. The move aims to deter small boat crossings, which have reached over 32,000 this year. Critics question the deal's effectiveness amid legal challenges and record migrant numbers.
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In September 2025, British prosecutors dropped espionage charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, accused of spying for China between 2021 and 2023. The case collapsed after the government failed to provide evidence that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses, a legal requirement under the 1911 Official Secrets Act. Both men deny wrongdoing.
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The Conservative Party faces declining support and low attendance at its conference, amid internal divisions and a loss of relevance. Critics highlight its failure to address recent failures and question its future viability, as new leadership struggles to revive its fortunes in a shifting political landscape. Today’s date: Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:25:15 +0100.
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In October 2025, the UK government faces intense scrutiny after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped espionage charges against two men accused of spying for China. The case collapsed because the government did not provide evidence that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences, a legal requirement under the Official Secrets Act 1911. Parliamentary committees have launched inquiries, and MI5 has expressed frustration over the decision amid ongoing UK-China diplomatic engagement.
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood hosts European counterparts in London to discuss tackling illegal migration via the Western Balkans. She emphasizes international cooperation to control borders, disrupt gangs, and address trafficking, amid criticism from opposition and Conservative critics about border control failures.
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Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian sex offender, was mistakenly released from UK prison instead of being deported. After a two-day manhunt, he was re-arrested in London. The incident has prompted calls for urgent reforms in prison release procedures amid political criticism and public concern.
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The UK home secretary announced a white paper on police reform, aiming to address disparities and modernise the system amid a £1.2 billion budget shortfall. The reforms include creating a new National Centre for Policing and abolishing police and crime commissioners by 2028, shifting responsibilities to local authorities.
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Labour figures, including Angela Rayner and Shabana Mahmood, condemned recent party infighting and briefings, calling it 'embarrassing' and 'arrogant tittle-tattle.' Rayner emphasized focusing on policy and constituency work amid leadership speculation and internal turmoil.
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Net migration to the UK dropped 69% to 204,000 in the year to June 2025, the lowest since 2021, driven by fewer non-EU arrivals for work and study and increased emigration. Despite this, public concern over immigration remains high, especially regarding illegal Channel crossings and asylum seekers. The government has introduced stricter immigration policies and plans further reforms to reduce migration pressures.