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Labour’s 10 regional mayors have committed to a maximum 5% tourist tax on overnight accommodation if visitor levies are ...
10/09/2026

Labour’s 10 regional mayors have committed to a maximum 5% tourist tax on overnight accommodation if visitor levies are introduced in their areas.

The mayors told the Chancellor and Communities Secretary that a levy between 0% and 5% of accommodation costs would be a reasonable limit and would help avoid large charges that could make some areas less competitive.

They said any money raised should be reinvested locally, including in visitor infrastructure, tourism promotion and projects that support local economies.

The proposal comes as concerns grow over how a future tourist tax could affect visitors, hotels and tourism businesses across England.

Would you support a tourist tax capped at 5%?

👍 YES
❤️ NO

Fresh concerns have been raised in Piddington after a surfaced Home Office document appeared to show an earlier capacity...
09/09/2026

Fresh concerns have been raised in Piddington after a surfaced Home Office document appeared to show an earlier capacity of 3,510 asylum seekers at the MOD Bicester site.

Residents fear the site could eventually become far larger than the 1,256-person capacity currently stated in the Home Office planning application.

Local resident Ian Darby said villagers are “clearly concerned” and warned that accommodating thousands of asylum seekers would have a huge impact on the small rural community.

Residents are now demanding answers as the consultation continues, with the current consultation deadline set for 17 September.

However, the Home Office has strongly rejected suggestions that it plans to house 3,510 people at the site, stating that the figure came from early drafts and that the current proposal remains capped at 1,256 asylum seekers.

The question now being asked by residents is simple: Could the number eventually rise beyond the current limit?

Israel has announced a series of diplomatic measures against Britain following the UK Government’s decision to impose sa...
08/09/2026

Israel has announced a series of diplomatic measures against Britain following the UK Government’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The measures reportedly include the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem, a ban on 12 British officials entering Israel and Britain being excluded from the US-led coordination mission for Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned: “If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.”

The move has sparked a major political row in Westminster, with MPs divided over the Government’s approach. Reform UK and Conservative voices have warned that increased tensions could fuel antisemitism, while Labour and Green MPs have backed tougher measures against Israel.

The diplomatic dispute is now threatening to deepen tensions between Britain and Israel.

What do you think about the latest UK-Israel row?

Tensions erupted in Portsmouth after around 140 migrants arrived by small boat, triggering overnight protests and a majo...
07/09/2026

Tensions erupted in Portsmouth after around 140 migrants arrived by small boat, triggering overnight protests and a major police response.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones warned that coastal communities across southern England may face increasing pressure if people smugglers begin using new landing points.

Police vehicles were damaged near the protest site, while officers with riot shields formed a line to protect coaches transporting the migrants for processing.

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt also criticised the Home Office, calling the decision to bring the boats ashore in Portsmouth “completely unsuitable” and raising questions over planning and decision-making.

Meanwhile, a local grandfather said protesters even offered him money to use his own dinghy, prompting him to deflate the boat.

The incident has sparked fresh questions over small boat crossings, coastal security and whether the Government is prepared for landings further along England’s south coast.

A huge dinghy carrying an estimated 140 migrants has reportedly launched from a beach east of Cherbourg - around 200 nau...
06/09/2026

A huge dinghy carrying an estimated 140 migrants has reportedly launched from a beach east of Cherbourg - around 200 nautical miles from the traditional launch areas near Dunkirk and Calais.

French coastguard teams, lifeboats and a patrol vessel were alerted as the overloaded boat began its journey towards the UK. UK lifeboats were also deployed as the vessel approached British waters.

The development comes just days after Britain and France announced a major push to reduce dangerous Channel crossings.

With weather conditions improving, several dinghies have reportedly attempted crossings, raising fresh concerns about the dangers posed by increasingly large and overloaded boats.

The Home Office says joint efforts have prevented more than 48,000 crossing attempts and resulted in 1,100 boats and engines being seized since the election.

The latest launch is likely to intensify the debate over Britain's border security and the continuing Channel migrant crisis.

What do you think should be done to stop these dangerous crossings?

Nigel Farage has said Reform UK is now "80 per cent" prepared to fight a general election, up from an estimated 50 per c...
05/09/2026

Nigel Farage has said Reform UK is now "80 per cent" prepared to fight a general election, up from an estimated 50 per cent a year ago, though he admits the party still needs to find "big spokesmen" for health and defence. Speaking at the party's conference in Birmingham, Farage brushed aside rumours he'd considered quitting over the summer and addressed the recent resignations of two senior aides amid a funding investigation. He continues to predict an early election in Spring 2027. What do you think - is Reform genuinely election-ready? 🗳️

Nigel Farage and France’s Jordan Bardella have signed a new “memorandum of understanding” aimed at tackling illegal Chan...
04/09/2026

Nigel Farage and France’s Jordan Bardella have signed a new “memorandum of understanding” aimed at tackling illegal Channel crossings.

Bardella said a future French government would allow Britain to intercept boats launched from French shores and return those on board to France.

Speaking at the Reform UK Party conference, Farage called the agreement a “historic document” and said it could “stop the boats forever.”

The move signals a tougher approach to illegal immigration and could have major implications for UK-France cooperation on the Channel crossings. 🇬🇧🇫🇷

What do you think - could this finally stop the small boats?

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for major changes to welfare spending and pledged to raise an additional £1...
03/09/2026

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for major changes to welfare spending and pledged to raise an additional £10 billion a year for Britain’s defence.

Badenoch criticised Labour leader Andy Burnham, arguing that Britain needs stronger economic growth to fund national security and warning that the UK must be prepared for growing international threats.

She also called for the Government to scrap the Chagos Islands deal and pursue sweeping welfare cuts.

Her message was clear: national security must come first - and Britain needs a stronger economy to pay for it.

What do you think? Should Britain spend more on defence, or should the Government prioritise welfare and public services?

Plans to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence site in Piddington have finally been made publ...
02/09/2026

Plans to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence site in Piddington have finally been made public — but 11 sections of the application remain redacted.

The proposed 10-year temporary development would include modular accommodation, health and welfare facilities, security infrastructure, staff facilities, roads, parking and recreational areas. The site would operate 24 hours a day.

The plans have sparked strong opposition locally, with a petition against the proposals reportedly approaching 20,000 signatures. Piddington has a population of just 314, meaning the proposed number of asylum seekers would be several times larger than the village’s population.

Redacted sections reportedly include details concerning su***de and self-harm prevention, health and safety, and procedures for handling deaths at the site.

The Home Office says discussions remain at an early stage and that no final decisions have been made, with the proposals still subject to planning permission, feasibility checks and further engagement with the local community.

What do you think about the plans? 🇬🇧

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out his vision for Britain in his first address to the House of Commons since taking...
01/09/2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out his vision for Britain in his first address to the House of Commons since taking office in July.

He paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer and said he would continue some of his predecessor’s work while making changes where necessary. Mr Burnham also reaffirmed support for Ukraine and defended the early release scheme, arguing that it must balance public safety with fairness.

He said new legislation would be brought forward soon to address what he described as an injustice.

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