Newslinks for Monday 14th April 2025

British Steel tries to reverse ‘sabotage’ of Scunthorpe furnace

“British Steel should be the “canary in the coalmine” that forces ministers to remove Chinese companies from critical infrastructure, they have been told. The government was forced to take direct control of the company amid concern that its Beijing-based owners would not keep the plant running at Scunthorpe. Ministers feared the company planned to “sabotage” the site to increase British reliance on cheap Chinese imports, The Times understands. There is alarm over Chinese involvement in other areas of critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.” – The Times

• More industries may need British Steel-style rescue, Labour warned – The Times
• British Steel to deploy emergency measures to save Scunthorpe furnaces – The Guardian

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Rayner calls in Army to tackle Birmingham bin crisis

“Angela Rayner has called in the Army to tackle the Birmingham bin crisis. The Local Government Secretary has used formal powers known as Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (Maca) to summon Army experts after a strike by bin workers, which has lasted over a month, left more than 17,000 tons of waste rotting in the streets. It is understood a small number of military personnel with operational planning expertise are offering logistical support to tackle the crisis. Sources said that there were contingency plans in place to scale up the number of soldiers involved if necessary.” – Daily Telegraph

• Army called in to tackle Birmingham bin strike – The Times
• Deputy PM calls in army – Daily Express
• Army planners sent in to help clear Birmingham’s rubbish piles – The Guardian

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Phillipson says private schools ‘cried wolf’ over VAT raid

“Bridget Phillipson has accused private schools of “crying wolf” over the imposition of VAT on fees. Independent schools warned that thousands of parents would be unable to afford the increased fees and be forced to send their children to the state sector after Rachel Reeves’s budget imposed the levy for the first time. But in an interview with the i newspaper, the Education Secretary said this dire prediction had not come to pass. “I think we’ve seen a classic example of private schools and the Tories cry wolf, all the signs are that more parents than ever got their first-choice school offer this year,” she said.” – Daily Telegraph

Tories warn Starmer has ‘lost control of borders’ after record small-boat crossings

“Sir Keir Starmer has “lost control” of Britain’s borders after the number of small-boat crossings surged to a record high, the Tories have said. A total of 656 migrants crossed the English Channel on Saturday, taking the number of those crossing this year to more than 8,000. It is the worst ever start to a year and the total so far is 46 per cent higher than at this point in 2024. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the Prime Minister’s pledge to crack down on the gangs lay “in tatters”. He said: “This news underlines what we all knew – Keir Starmer has lost control of our borders.” – Daily Telegraph

Police 1) Force facing anti-white bias claims teaches officers about slavery

“The police force that put a temporary block on hiring white candidates has given its officers training about the slave trade as part of efforts to become an “anti-racist” organisation. All 10,000-plus officers and staff at West Yorkshire Police are undertaking a two-day cultural awareness training course focused on black culture and policing’s history with black communities. It is part of a race action plan for the constabulary to create an anti-racist police service trusted by black people. Chief Constable John Robins said: “I am sorry for the way policing has treated black people across West Yorkshire in the past, I truly am.” – Daily Telegraph

Police 2) Badenoch accuses forces of ‘social engineering’

“Kemi Badenoch has accused the police of “social engineering” following The Telegraph’s revelations about a force temporarily blocking job applications from white British people. The Tory leader warned such moves risk “the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning Leftie is holding the door open”. Mrs Badenoch said she believes in “meritocracy, not race-based quotas” and warned police forces that “we are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering”. – Daily Telegraph

‘Electoral wake-up call’: dozens of Labour MPs risk losing majorities over welfare cuts

“At least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their majorities over proposed welfare cuts, according to data shared between Labour MPs who are warning the government that the changes “pose a real electoral risk”. The analysis suggests almost 200 Labour MPs have a majority smaller than the number of recipients of personal independent payments in their constituencies – a significant number in northern England “red wall” seats. MPs say an organising campaign to oppose welfare changes is stepping up coordinated action over the Easter recess, with a vote now expected in June.” – The Guardian

MP barred from Hong Kong says it was to ‘shut me up’

“A Liberal Democrat MP barred from entering Hong Kong has told the BBC she believes it was to “shut me up and to silence me”. Wera Hobhouse flew to Hong Kong with her husband on Thursday to visit her son and newborn grandson. However she was detained at the airport, questioned and deported. The MP for Bath, one of more than 40 parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) which criticises Beijing’s handling of human rights, said she was given no reason for being refused entry. While her husband “got processed quite quickly” and was allowed entry, she was taken aside for questioning, held for five hours and then put on a return flight.” – BBC News

• Lib Dem MP has passport confiscated – Daily Mail

SNP under fire for giving ministers £20k pay rise

“The SNP leader has come under fire for giving all of his ministers a £20,000-a-year pay rise. John Swinney quietly lifted a long-standing freeze on ministerial salaries earlier this month. The lifting of the pay freeze, introduced by former SNP leader, the late Alex Salmond, back in 2009, means that all ministers will receive an extra £19,126 in pay from this month. However, the Scottish First Minister exempted himself from the pay rise after being asked about the increase by the Scottish Mail on Sunday, the newspaper claimed. The decision means that annual salaries for cabinet secretaries stand at about £116,000, while junior ministers will be paid more than £100,000.” – Daily Telegraph

Reform candidate called for Whitty to be ‘strung up’

“A Reform UK candidate called for the hanging of Sir Chris Whitty and defended a golliwog toy she owned as “very cute”. Adele Taggart, one of the party’s nominees for May’s local election, described in a social media post the golliwog toys she owned as a child. Replying to a comment that said “colour didn’t enter my mind” when owning the toys, Taggart said: “My golly had a little waistcoat too, he was so cute.” A Reform source said there was a difference between Taggart commenting on golliwogs in general and a toy she had owned as a child. In another post she said Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the former government chief scientific adviser, should be “strung up” for their roles in the Covid pandemic.” – The Times

• Lowe could join Tories in bombshell move – Daily Express
• Reform civil war explodes as Lowe calls out former party over ‘cult of NHS’ – Daily Express

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