Chris Philp gets confused over neighbouring countries when discussing government’s Rwanda deportation policy The policing minister, Chris Philp, appeared to confuse the countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on BBC Question Time on Thursday. When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, the MP for Croydon South responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it ..read more

Micheál Martin says UK asylum seekers fearful of being removed to Rwanda are seeking sanctuary in Ireland The UK government’s Rwanda policy has been described as a “kneejerk reaction” to migration by Ireland’s deputy prime minister and said an influx of asylum seekers could arrive in Ireland as a result. Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Tánaiste, reportedly said asylum seekers fearful of being removed from the UK to Rwanda are seeking sanctuary in Ireland ..read more

Those vying for job say it will put region on more equal footing with areas such as West Midlands and Greater Manchester The Conservatives are “not taking accountability” for their part in leaving regions such as the east Midlands to suffer with poor infrastructure, growing inequalities and a skills gap, Labour’s candidate for the region’s first mayor said. Claire Ward, the former MP for Watford, said there was not enough to keep young people in the east Midlands and that people had “lost hope ..read more

Gideon Falter was in running to be adviser but government’s antisemitism tsar warned against appointment Who are CAA, the group headed by campaigner in Met police antisemitism row? The Home Office considered appointing campaigner against antisemitism Gideon Falter as an adviser to its counter extremism unit but was warned against the appointment by the government’s antisemitism tsar. The Guardian understands there were strong objections to Falter being offered the part-time civil service role advising the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) in 2022 and that John Mann told the then home ..read more

Concern grows over legality of government’s approach as new figures show more than 150,000 carers facing huge penalties A hero – then sacked. The carer’s allowance whistleblower New figures show more than 150,000 unpaid carers are now facing huge fines for minor rule breaches, as MPs, charities and campaigners demanded an immediate amnesty. Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, joined calls to write off the vast debts incurred by tens of thousands of people who care for sick, disabled and elderly relatives after experts raised concerns about the legality of the government’s approach ..read more

Humza Yousaf’s position as first minister is in danger, but the problems predate his leadership A year ago, Scotland’s newly elected first minister, Humza Yousaf, said that the Scottish National party’s 2021 pact with the Scottish Greens – giving him a majority in the Holyrood parliament – was “worth its weight in gold”. As recently as Tuesday, Mr Yousaf was publicly buffing his treasure, insisting that he hoped the deal would . Less than 48 hours later, however, he decided it was time to sell, scrapping the pact and pledging instead to lead a minority SNP government for the remaining two year ..read more

Chronic workforce shortages have put nursing staff under unbearable pressure, says union chief Nurses in England took an average of a week off sick last year because of stress, anxiety or depression, NHS figures reveal. The disclosure has prompted concern that the intense strains nurses face in their jobs, including low pay and understaffing, are damaging their mental health and causing many to quit ..read more

Train services are essential to the health of the economy, society and environment. These proposals are pragmatic and welcome Failing train services in Britain have often been the butt of jokes, but the chaos is not funny to those who rely on them. For many in the north of England in particular, frustration has given way to despair. Railways are a public good that the public are turning away from. The pandemic’s long-term impact on working patterns may be the chief culprit for slashed traveller numbers. But it is unsurprising that former passengers are declining to come back. Many are concludi ..read more

Only this week the first minister said he was delighted with his coalition with the Greens. But then … Be careful what you wish for. It’s hard not to feel a scintilla of sympathy for Humza Yousaf. On a human level, if not a political one. For well over a decade the SNP had ruled more or less unchallenged in Scotland. Free to do whatever it liked, though not, ironically, the one thing on which its existence was predicated: making Scotland independent. The UK parliament was in no hurry to grant a second referendum, much to the SNP’s displeasure. The first had been labelled a once-in-a-generation ..read more

A military horse that bolted through central London on Wednesday is in a ‘serious condition’ in an equine hospital ..read more