The established church of England and the Crown Dependencies, Anglican heritage and role in public life
The draft Conversion Practices Bill has been published, aiming to criminalise abusive acts intended to change or suppress LGBT+ identities. It sets two offences and introduces protections orders; penalties include unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment. The government argues the law is needed to shield LGBT+ people, while critics warn it could curb honest discussions and raise civil liberty concerns.
Keir Starmer is delivering a formal state apology in Parliament for historical forced adoption practices, spanning 1949–1976, with about 185,000 babies affected. The move follows campaign pressures and parallel apologies in Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland is expected to follow after a public inquiry. A £4 million support package accompanies the apology.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing a formal statement in the House of Commons acknowledging the state's role in forced adoptions and apologising to survivors. The move follows years of campaigning and parallels actions by church and international peers. The apology aligns with earlier steps by devolved governments and amid a broader reckoning with historic practices in the UK.
Prince Harry has written in the New Statesman about rising antisemitism in Britain, saying it is deeply troubling and that legitimate protest over Middle East events must not translate into hostility toward Jewish communities. The piece follows a surge in antisemitic incidents in London and growing concerns amid pro-Palestinian protests. The coverage spans reactions from police, faith leaders and Jewish communal bodies as Britain grapples with safety and free expression.
The Church of England has issued a formal apology for its role in forced adoptions carried out in mother-and-baby homes between 1949 and 1976, acknowledging pain and stigma. Survivors and campaigners scrutinise the response, with fresh details about the scale of involvement and the path toward redress.