‘Out of touch’ hereditary peers criticised for voting against workers’ rights

The public accounts committee (PAC) has reported that the NHS has not met its targets for reducing waiting times as outlined in its recovery plan, despite significant financial investments. The PAC's findings suggest that Labour's efforts to 'fix the NHS' may be faltering, with key objectives for improving access to planned care and diagnostic tests missed. As of July, 192,000 individuals were waiting over a year for care, contradicting promises to eliminate such delays by March 2025.

As the UK government enforces stricter asylum policies, families of asylum seekers are facing significant emotional distress. One mother, identified as Kim, shares her painful experience of being separated from her son, who is growing up without her presence. Kim, a 35-year-old asylum seeker in Yorkshire, expresses her anguish as her son frequently asks when he will see her again. The uncertainty surrounding their reunion highlights the broader implications of the Labour government's crackdown on the asylum system, leaving many families in distress.

On November 18, tensions between the US and Venezuela intensified as Donald Trump did not dismiss the possibility of military intervention. The media is divided on whether war or diplomacy is the preferable approach. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government introduced a significant overhaul of asylum policies, receiving approval from a right-wing publication. Additionally, the Cambridge Dictionary announced 'parasocial' as its word of the year, highlighting its relevance in contemporary discussions.

Labour's Shabana Mahmood is proposing radical new limits on asylum seekers' ability to gain settled status, following a trend of increasingly strict immigration policies in the UK. This comes after Nigel Farage's Reform UK suggested ending indefinite leave to remain, and the Conservatives discussed deporting individuals previously considered legally settled. The shift in policy reflects a broader movement towards more hardline stances on immigration, raising concerns about the implications for asylum seekers in the UK.

Sir Keir Starmer has affirmed his intention to lead the Labour Party into the next general election, despite indications that this decision may not align with the preferences of his constituents. His commitment to remain in his position comes amid ongoing discussions about the party's direction and leadership as the election approaches.