Author: UK News

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Many of Friday’s papers lead on a deal reached between union leaders and the government that would give NHS staff a 5% pay rise from April plus a one-off payment of at least £1,655 for this year. NHS pay deal The i suggests the agreement signals an end to public sector strikes, while the Daily Express lauds it as a breakthrough for common sense and urges union members to support it. Meanwhile, the Metro expresses hope that a winter of industrial action may be drawing to a close. The Independent reports that leaked figures…

Read More

Passport office workers to strike for 5 weeks over pay The Passport Office will experience a five-week strike starting on April 3, with over 1,000 workers participating in England, Scotland, and Wales.  The Public and Commercial Services union members are protesting over jobs, pay, and conditions, while the Belfast office is also considering a strike.  This action could significantly impact passport delivery ahead of the summer season. The strike involves approximately one in four of the more than 4,000 Passport Office employees across the UK, including those in Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough, and Southport. The dispute is over…

Read More

Met Police expected to be heavily criticised for being racist, sexist and homophobic in new report The forthcoming report by Baroness Casey is expected to heavily criticise the Metropolitan Police for being racist, sexist, and homophobic. The review, which was commissioned to examine the force’s culture and standards after the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, Wayne Couzens, is due to be published on Tuesday. The BBC says it understands that the report will strongly condemn the Met’s tolerance of wrongdoing and its prioritisation of protecting its own staff over the public. The draft report’s findings are said…

Read More

China’s Xi to meet Putin in Moscow in first state visit since Ukraine invasion Officials have announced that President Xi Jinping of China will visit Moscow next week to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has stated that the two leaders will discuss a “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation”. The visit takes place as China, an ally of Russia, has presented suggestions to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine, which the West has not received warmly. Western nations have cautioned China against providing Moscow with weapons. According to Beijing’s foreign ministry, Mr Xi will be…

Read More