MOD will not change ceremonial dagger gifting rule after murders – BBC News

‘The Ministry of Defence will not change its rules allowing those leaving the military to be gifted knives. It comes after veteran Collin Reeves murdered his neighbours Stephen and Jennifer Chapple using a dagger.’

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BBC News, 11th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The UK vs the ECtHR: Anatomy of A Politically Engineered Collision Course – EIN Blog

‘In recent months, the UK government has tabled two Bills before Parliament which would have the consequence – and almost certainly have the intention – of setting the UK on a collision course with the Council of Europe, and especially the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Both the Bill of Rights Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill, introduced on 22 June 2022 and 7 March 2023 respectively, contain provisions that openly flout the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). While the former is currently in parliamentary limbo, the Illegal Migration Bill will probably become law, following extensive amendment by the House of Lords, which will debate it on 10 May.’

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EIN Blog, 9th May 2023

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Suella Braverman’s claims modern slavery laws are being abused questioned by Home Office’s own report – The Independent

‘A Home Office report has raised fresh questions about Suella Braverman’s claims that modern slavery laws are being “abused” by small boat migrants.’

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The Independent, 4th May 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New blueprint to protect public from scammers – Home Office

‘Government launches new strategy to cut fraud, pursue fraudsters and empower the public.’

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Home Office, 3rd May 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Military sites and asylum seeker accommodation – Local Government Lawyer

‘The High Court recently struck out an application by a council for an injunction to prevent the use of an airfield for asylum accommodation. Paul Brown KC, Nick Grant and Rebecca Sage explain why.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th April 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age – Official publications

Posted April 28th, 2023 in gambling, government departments, internet, news by tracey

‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age.’

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Official Publications, 27th April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

More rigorous checks for fire and rescue employees – Home Office

Posted April 28th, 2023 in criminal records, employment, fire services, government departments, news by tracey

‘Fire and rescue authorities will be able to carry out stringent new record checks, helping fire and rescue services protect the public and their staff.’

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Home Office, 25th April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Does the Raab affair provide sufficient clarity on what is meant by “bullying”? – Kingsley Napley

‘Employers have been crying out for years for clarity as to what exactly is meant by “bullying” in the modern workplace. What counts as reasonable and constructive criticism on the one hand, and intimidating or insulting behaviour on the other? The Raab case has brought this to a head. Indeed, there seems to have been more debate about this important question since publication of the Tolley report, than almost anything else to do with the case. And there is, in fact, a solution.’

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Kingsley Napley, 25th April 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Guidance issued on UK immigration reporting duties for hybrid workers – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 24th, 2023 in employment, government departments, immigration, news, time limits, visas by tracey

‘Employers that sponsor foreign workers to work in the UK need to be prepared to report changes to where those workers work to the UK authorities within 10 working days, an immigration expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 21st April 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Cassandra Somers-Joce: Government by WhatsApp: Where are we now? – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘A new Cabinet Office policy has recently been published which provides guidance on the use of instant messaging technologies, such as WhatsApp, by government officials. The policy discourages the use of non-corporate communications channels (“NCCCs”), particularly when these platforms are accessed on personal devices. The new policy is a welcome development in the regulation of “government by WhatsApp,” and demonstrates better practice with respect to the public law duties which are applicable in this context, namely, the Public Records Act 1958, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the common law duty of candour.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd April 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Home Secretary considers new ‘sex for rent’ law – Home Office

Posted April 24th, 2023 in government departments, housing, landlord & tenant, news, sexual offences, women by tracey

‘A public call for evidence has been launched to establish the scale of “sex for rent” in the UK and ask if existing laws protect victims.’

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Home Office, 21st April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Rwanda legal battle back in court as judges reconsider whether scheme is lawful – The Independent

‘The next stage of the legal battle over the Rwanda deal will begin today, with the Court of Appeal to reconsider if it is safe to send asylum seekers to the country.’

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The Independent, 24th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Infected blood victims and families urge UK government to drop defence – The Guardian

‘More than 500 people taking the government to court over the contaminated blood scandal are urging it to concede the case in light of evidence heard by a public inquiry and an interim report produced by its chair.’

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The Guardian, 23rd April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers say UK will only detain child refugees in ‘exceptional circumstances’ – The Guardian

‘Ministers have pledged to only detain refugee children in “exceptional circumstances” under a new asylum bill after threats of a rebellion from backbench Conservative MPs.’

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The Guardian, 24th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ignoring ECHR orders would threaten rule of law, legal figures warn – The Independent

‘Any move to allow ministers to ignore European Court of Human Rights orders stopping the removal of migrants would undermine the rule of law, senior legal figures have warned.’

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The Independent, 20th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cutting red tape to free up police time to focus on solving crimes – Home Office

Posted April 17th, 2023 in government departments, police, speeches by tracey

‘Minister for Crime and Policing, Chris Philp, gave a speech on measures being taken to reduce unnecessary red tape and free up police time.’

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Home Office, 13th April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Rishi Sunak scraps plans for new smart motorways in England – The Guardian

Posted April 17th, 2023 in government departments, news, road safety, roads by tracey

‘The building of new smart motorways is being cancelled as Rishi Sunak acknowledged concerns about safety and cost.’

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The Guardian, 15th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Windrush victims being failed by compensation scheme – report – BBC News

‘Windrush scandal victims are still facing long waits and inadequate offers of compensation, according to a new report by a global human rights group. Human Rights Watch said the Home Office-run compensation scheme should be handed to an independent body.’

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BBC News, 17th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rory Cochrane comments on Supreme Court’s latest telecommunications decision – Devereux Chambers

‘Last week [8 March], the Supreme Court handed down its decision in VIP Communications (In Liquidation) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] UKSC 10, upholding the Secretary of States’ appeal. The Supreme Court has confirmed that the Secretary of State can rely on section 5 of the Communications Act 2003 to direct Ofcom, on national security grounds, not to make regulations exempting commercial multi-user GSM gateways (COMUGs) from licensing.’

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Devereux Chambers, 8th March 2023

Source: www.devereuxchambers.co.uk

Dove v Assistant Coroner for Teeside [2023] EWCA Civ 289 (17 March 2023) – Parklane Plowden

‘Mrs Dove’s daughter took her own life after DWP benefits were withdrawn. In September 2021, the Divisional Court refused her application under s13 of the Coroners Act 1988 to quash the Coroner’s determination and direct a new inquest. The Divisional Court considered that the question of ‘how’ someone died in a Jamieson inquest was directed only to the means by which the deceased died, and did not encompass the wider circumstances of their death. In this case, the Court of Appeal considered the meaning of ‘by what means’.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 29th March 2023

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk