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On 26 November 2025, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, effective April 2026. The policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, limited child tax credits to two children per family and contributed to rising child poverty. The repeal is expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty, funded by new taxes including a gambling levy and mansion tax.
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Recent reports highlight a growing crisis in early childhood development, with increasing numbers of preschoolers showing delayed speech, social skills, and emotional regulation. Contributing factors include poverty, pandemic effects, excessive screen time, and reduced parental engagement. Policy responses focus on early intervention and increased funding, but challenges remain.
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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.
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has outlined plans for modest tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on becoming a pro-business government. The party aims to remove inheritance tax from family farms, raise tax thresholds, and reassess public sector benefits, amid concerns over economic stability and Brexit's impact. The proposals face criticism from Labour and Conservatives.
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Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national convicted of sexual offenses, was mistakenly released from Chelmsford prison before deportation. The error led to a police manhunt, political outrage, and protests over immigration policies. Kebatu was re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia today, amid ongoing debates over migrant housing and justice.
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New deprivation indices confirm Jaywick in Essex is England’s most deprived neighbourhood for the fourth consecutive time, highlighting persistent inequality. The latest data, updated for 2025, shows high deprivation across multiple measures, especially in coastal towns and inner London, with implications for government funding and policy focus.
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Uganda's rights advocates call for the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill amid concerns over increased harassment and digital attacks. UNODC emphasizes strengthening justice systems, while debates in the UK focus on withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, with political and civil society voices weighing in.
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UK politicians emphasize the urgency of climate action at COP 30, warning that inaction risks energy security, rising costs, and environmental catastrophe. Leaders highlight economic opportunities in green industries and criticize opposition efforts to undermine climate policies, amid public concern about future impacts.
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Prime Minister and Labour leaders signal plans to abolish the two-child benefit limit, aiming to reduce child poverty. The policy, introduced in 2017, restricts welfare claims for families with more than two children. Official figures show 4.5 million children live in poverty, with campaigners urging urgent action ahead of the November 26 Budget.
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Recent internal briefings at No 10 suggest a leadership crisis, with allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning against a challenge. Labour figures deny plotting against Starmer, amid fears of political instability ahead of the upcoming Budget. The story highlights ongoing tensions within the government and Labour party, with potential implications for future leadership and policy decisions.
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A survey of 11,000 Reform UK supporters reveals a diverse coalition with varied priorities, challenging stereotypes. Many support the party for issues beyond immigration, including workers’ rights and the environment. The findings suggest potential for political realignment and highlight the importance of addressing voter concerns across the spectrum.
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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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On 25 November 2025, the UK government announced sweeping asylum reforms inspired by Denmark's strict system. Refugee status will be temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with a 20-year wait for permanent settlement. The government plans to remove support for asylum seekers able to work and forcibly remove families, including children, sparking backlash from Labour MPs, refugee groups, and campaigners.
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The UK government has announced sweeping reforms to asylum policy, including requiring asylum seekers to wait 20 years before applying for permanent settlement, reviewing refugee status every 30 months, and seizing valuables to fund support. The measures face criticism from opposition and human rights groups.
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On Nov 28-29, 2025, Ukrainian naval drones attacked two Russian-sanctioned oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, in Turkey's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Both vessels, part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to evade sanctions, were damaged; Kairos caught fire while Virat sustained minor damage. Turkey condemned the attacks and is engaging with parties to prevent escalation. Separately, UK officials reported increased Russian naval activity near British waters, including laser targeting of RAF pilots by the Russian spy ship Yantar.
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Lancashire County Councillor Tom Pickup has been suspended amid an investigation into messages suggesting support for mass deportations and calls for a 'mass Islam genocide.' Pickup denies supporting extremism, claiming messages were taken out of context and that he was unaware of the most extreme content. The controversy raises concerns over party vetting.
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The UK government announced sweeping changes to immigration and asylum policies, including longer settlement wait times, stricter eligibility criteria, and temporary refugee status. High earners and NHS workers are fast-tracked, while others face waits up to 30 years. The reforms aim to control migration and reform public services.
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UK authorities have disrupted a billion-dollar money laundering network linked to Russian crime and sanctions evasion. The operation, called 'Operation Destabilise,' has led to 128 arrests and the seizure of over £25 million in cash and crypto, revealing extensive links to organized crime, cybercrime, and Russia's military-industrial complex.
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UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her budget amid economic uncertainty, with expected tax hikes, spending cuts, and reforms to property taxes. The government faces pressure to balance public finances while avoiding market instability and political backlash, as debates over tax policy and growth strategies intensify.
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Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, was seen dining near Westminster while visiting gun shops in London. The outing coincided with debates on UK border and immigration policies. Farage's activities raise questions about his stance on gun laws and immigration, amid ongoing political discussions.
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On November 21, 2025, Nathan Gill, former Reform UK Wales leader and ex-MEP, was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for accepting at least £40,000 in bribes from pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn between 2018 and 2019. Gill made scripted pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament and media, compromising legislative integrity and implicating other MEPs. The case raises concerns about Kremlin influence in UK politics and scrutiny of Nigel Farage's party.
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As of early December 2025, the US has intensified military pressure on Venezuela, conducting over 20 strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels, killing at least 83 people. President Trump announced plans to extend operations from sea to land while maintaining openness to dialogue with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The US military buildup in the Caribbean includes an aircraft carrier group and thousands of troops amid accusations of regime change motives.
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Labour's chancellor announced a series of tax increases and spending cuts, including ending the two-child benefit cap and introducing a mansion tax. The measures aim to fill a £30bn fiscal gap, raising the tax burden to a record 38% of GDP by 2030, with over 1.7 million earners affected.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his government's record on public finances amid criticism of a £26 billion tax hike. He emphasized fairness and the need for revenue to fund public services, while Labour's policies on child poverty and welfare reform remain central to the debate. The story is current as of Tue, 02 Dec 2025.
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Christopher Harborne, a British businessman based in Thailand, donated £9 million to Reform UK in August, setting a record for the largest single donation from a living person in UK political history. His donations span over two decades, supporting multiple parties including the Conservatives and Boris Johnson. The donation boosts Reform UK's financial position ahead of upcoming elections.