A growing number of qualified GPs in England are unable to find work, with some resorting to jobs such as Uber driving to pay their bills. This crisis has been blamed on chronic underfunding and the rising costs of running GP practices, which has left many surgeries without the resources to hire doctors. A new survey by the British Medical Association found that one in five GPs is considering leaving the profession, while nearly half of those surveyed are looking for work outside the NHS. Some are seeking GP roles abroad, while others are considering leaving healthcare altogether. The government has pledged £889 million to reduce administrative burdens and expand GP recruitment programs, but experts warn this is not a long-term solution. Many doctors remain concerned that rising employer national insurance costs will further squeeze GP practices, potentially leading to a mass exodus from the profession. With demand for GP appointments at an all-time high, medical professionals are warning that unless core funding is significantly increased, the NHS could face a two-tier system, similar to what has happened in dentistry, where more doctors turn to private healthcare instead of the NHS. See
Isle of Man set to approve right to die
27 Feb 2025
The Isle of Man is on course to become the first place in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as its parliament enters the final stages of debate on the legislation. If passed, the law would allow people over 18 with a prognosis of less than twelve months to live to end their own lives under strict medical supervision. The proposal has sparked strong debate, with supporters arguing it grants dignity to those facing unbearable suffering, while opponents, including some doctors, fear it could lead to coercion and an expansion of euthanasia laws in the future. The UK, Scotland, and Jersey are also considering similar legislation, though their proposals differ in residency requirements and medical oversight. Some doctors on the Isle of Man have warned they may leave the profession if the law is enacted, while others see it as a necessary step for those suffering from painful, terminal illnesses.
Despite government pledges to lower the cost of living, UK energy bills remain the highest in Europe, as households face another price hike. From April to July, Ofgem’s energy price cap will increase by 6.4%, pushing the average annual bill to £1,847 - a rise of £111 per year. Although wholesale energy prices have dropped due to potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Europe’s gas reserves have been depleted following a cold winter, keeping costs high. Energy firms are offering fixed-rate deals, but experts warn that locking in a contract may prevent customers from benefiting if prices fall later. With 90% of UK households still on standard variable tariffs, millions remain vulnerable to rising costs. The Government insists its plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower will bring long-term relief, but for now, families continue to struggle with rising bills.
The Government’s secret demand to access Apple customers’ encrypted data has drawn sharp criticism from the US intelligence community. Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, revealed she was not informed about this move and is now investigating whether it violates US citizens’ privacy rights. The request would force Apple to break its encryption, something the company has refused to do. In response, Apple removed its highest-level security tool, Advanced Data Protection, from UK devices last week. This means UK customers' data remains encrypted but accessible to Apple if served with a legal warrant. The USA is now reviewing the UK’s actions, with concerns over whether it breaches agreements between the two nations on protecting citizens' private data. The Government has so far declined to comment on the matter.
Ten CofE clergy face disciplinary action
27 Feb 2025
The Church of England has initiated disciplinary proceedings against ten clergy members following the release of the Makin Review, which exposed the brutal abuse of over 120 boys by John Smyth at Christian youth camps from the late 1970s onwards. Among those facing action is former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, accused of failing to act on reports of abuse in 1983. Rev Andrew Cornes, who was set to help choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury, has also been suspended. Meanwhile, Justin Welby, who resigned as Archbishop earlier this year over his 'institutional responsibility', will not face action due to insufficient evidence. Survivors of Smyth’s abuse have expressed relief that justice is finally being done, though some are disappointed that others involved in the cover-up have not been named. Those found guilty could face permanent prohibition from church ministry.
Donald Trump is to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on 28 February to sign a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources. While Trump touts the deal as a way for the USA to recoup aid given to Ukraine, Zelensky is seeking broader agreements, including security guarantees. However, Trump has ruled out significant US commitments and dismissed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, saying European nations should bear more responsibility for Ukraine’s security. He also suggested a ceasefire deal was near, with European peacekeepers stationed in Ukraine - an idea Russia opposes. The mineral deal remains vague, but Ukraine hopes it will bring investment for reconstruction. There are warnings that Ukraine first needs to address its problem of unexploded landmines before striking a deal: a quarter of the country is estimated to be contaminated with them. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has reportedly offered the USA access to minerals from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. In an earlier development, the USA voted against a UN vote condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: see
Following the 23 February election, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz has criticised Donald Trump, calling for European defence independence. He warned that NATO’s future was uncertain and called for urgent action on European security. Despite strong rhetoric, his party won only 28.6% of the vote - its weakest victory since 1949. He is negotiating a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by Olaf Scholz, but deep divides remain. Merz favours arming Ukraine, reviving nuclear energy, cutting welfare, and maintaining Germany’s constitutional deficit ceiling, while Scholz has resisted sending missiles to Ukraine and advocates loosening fiscal constraints. Immigration is another battleground, with Merz pushing to curb family reunification. Germany’s role in NATO, economic policy, and military spending hang in the balance as these leaders attempt to bridge their stark differences. The election results, especially the strong showing by the far-right party AfD, highlighted the deep divide between East and West Germany: see
Gaza: hostages’ bodies handed over
27 Feb 2025
On 26 February, the bodies of four Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas, without ceremony, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This marks the final exchange under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, leaving 59 hostages still in captivity with no clear timeline for their release. The truce’s future remains uncertain, as Hamas signals readiness for talks on the second phase, aiming for an end to the war and further prisoner exchanges. Benjamin Netanyahu faces political pressure to resume military operations. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. As negotiations stall, families of hostages demand immediate action, urging leaders to secure their return. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has released a bizarre video of his vision for the golden future of the Gaza strip: see