Next steps to tackle child sexual exploitation – Home Office

‘Home Secretary Yvette Cooper gave an update on the actions the government will take to protect young people from sexual abuse and grooming gangs.’

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Home Office, 16th January 2025

Source: www.gov.uk

High Court rules disability benefit reforms plan as unlawful – but Labour remains committed to cuts – The Independent

‘The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation into plans to cut billions in disability benefits has been ruled unlawful by the High Court for being “unfair and misleading”.’

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The Independent, 17th January 2025

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Incapacity benefit cuts consultation was ‘misleading’ and unlawful, judge rules – The Guardian

‘Labour’s plan to push through £3bn of cuts to incapacity benefits has received a setback after a judge ruled an official consultation setting out the proposals was misleading and unlawful.’

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The Guardian, 16th January 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Key provisions of Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act to be brought into force, but “burdensome” provisions scrapped, Education Secretary vows – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has promised that key provisions of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will be brought into force, whilst “burdensome” provisions will be scrapped.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th January 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Government to implement university free speech law – BBC News

‘The government is expected to reactivate a piece of legislation aimed at protecting free speech on university campuses. The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, which could have seen universities fined for failing to uphold freedom of speech, was passed under the previous, Conservative government in 2023. But its implementation was stopped shortly after Labour’s election win last summer over concerns the law was potentially damaging to student welfare. A government source has said the legislation is now being recommenced to make it workable.’

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BBC news, 15th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The 20 child abuse inquiry proposals – what has happened so far? – BBC News

‘In October 2022, child protection expert Prof Alexis Jay finished a seven-year inquiry into the countless ways children had been sexually abused in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 9th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Child sexual abuse inquiry chair urges government to act – BBC News

‘Prof Alexis Jay, the former chair of a national inquiry into child sexual abuse, has called for the “full implementation” of reforms set out in her 2022 report, which warned of “endemic” abuse across society in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 6th January 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Previous breaches of the Immigration Rules and the impact on entry clearance applications – EIN Blog

Posted December 19th, 2024 in families, government departments, immigration, married persons, news by sally

‘On 1 December 2020, the Immigration Rules were amended to introduce what are described as a “more robust and consistent framework” against which immigration applications are assessed or permission cancelled on suitability grounds.’

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EIN Blog, 18th December 2024

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Young terrorism suspects could avoid prosecution in plan for diversion scheme – The Guardian

Posted December 19th, 2024 in criminal justice, government departments, news, terrorism, young offenders by sally

‘Young terrorism suspects could avoid prosecution if they agree to a diversion scheme, in a new government plan to cope with the post-lockdown surge in youngsters drawn to violent extremism.’

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The Guardian, 17th December 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK and Germany set out joint action for people smuggling law reform – Home Office

‘UK and Germany agree landmark plan to break the business model of people smuggling gangs, with Germany confirming intention for law change.’

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Home Office, 10th December 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Barrister apprenticeships to go live next year – Legal Futures

‘Barrister apprenticeships are set to become a reality after their approval by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).’

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Legal Futures, 10th December 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Domestic Abuse Protection Order Pilot Scheme – 25 Bedford Row

‘As of 27 November 2024, Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (“DAPOs”) are being piloted in Greater Manchester, parts of South London (Croydon, Bromley, and Sutton) and the British Transport Police.’

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25 Bedford Row, 10th December 2024

Source: www.25bedfordrow.com

‘Busybody’ fines up 42% in 2023 in England and Wales, report shows – The Guardian

‘On-the-spot penalties issued for offences including swearing, shouting, idling, loitering and begging, known as “busybody” fines, jumped 42% in 2023, according to a new report.’

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The Guardian, 6th December 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Refugees in Home Office hotels will be given twice as long to find new accommodation before eviction – The Independent

Posted December 6th, 2024 in asylum, government departments, hotels, housing, immigration, news, refugees, time limits, visas by michael

‘The Home Office has extended the grace period that an asylum seeker has to transition from supported housing to their own accommodation from 28 to 56 days. The move is a victory for councils and charities who have been pressing the government for the change.’

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The Independent, 5th December 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Only adverts showing junk food covered by TV ban – BBC News

Posted December 5th, 2024 in advertising, food, government departments, health, news by michael

‘The new ban has been introduced using powers in the Health and Social Care Act 2022, passed by Boris Johnson’s government, which set the focus on products.’

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BBC News, 5th December 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

George Peretz: The Policy Exchange Paper on the Attorney General’s New Legal Risk Guidelines: Excited Adjectives, Unpersuasive Analysis – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘One of the best lessons I was given by my pupil supervisors in drafting written submissions was to go back and review the use of every adjective. As they pointed out, there is always a temptation in written advocacy to use excited adjectives, but the cumulative effect often makes the submission less, rather than more, persuasive.

That drafting advice is one that could usefully have been heeded by the authors of the recent paper by Policy Exchange (“PE”) attacking the new Legal Risk Guidelines for government lawyers published by the Attorney General, Lord Hermer KC (“the 2024 Guidelines”).’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 4th December 2024

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Victims to be given more protection in stalking crackdown – Home Office

Posted December 3rd, 2024 in crime prevention, government departments, news, stalking, standards by sally

‘Stalking victims will be better protected under a raft of new measures unveiled by the Home Office.’

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Home Office, 3rd December 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

New measures to protect victims of domestic abuse – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 2nd, 2024 in domestic violence, government departments, news, victims by sally

‘Domestic abusers will be ordered to stay away from their victims and face tougher restrictions with the launch of new protective orders today.’

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Ministry of Justice, 28th November 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

Rogue employers will be banned from hiring overseas workers – Home Office

Posted December 2nd, 2024 in employment, government departments, immigration, minimum wage, news, visas by sally

‘Shameless businesses who commit serious offences will be banned from sponsoring overseas workers to crack down on visa abuse and prevent exploitation.’

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Home Office, 28th November 2024

Source: www.gov.uk

New deadlines set for fixing dangerous cladding – BBC News

‘Plans to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding, including target dates for making buildings safe and tougher penalties for refusing to act, have been announced by ministers.’

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BBC News, 2nd December 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk