Asian News from UK

Category: UK News

  • Labour In A Fix Over Waspi 

    Labour In A Fix Over Waspi 

    The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign group say that 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of the rise in state pension age to bring them into line with men 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the decision to reject compensation for women hit by changes to the state pension age, arguing that the taxpayer “simply can’t afford the tens of billions of pounds” in payments. He added that “90% of those impacted knew about the changes that were taking place”. 

    However, during Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer was repeatedly pressed on the government’s decision, with one MP calling for a vote. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign group say that 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of the rise in state pension age to bring them into line with men. 

    In 1995, the government increased the pension age for women from 60 to 65, phasing in the change between 2010 and 2020. The coalition government of 2010 opted to speed up the process, bringing forward the qualifying age of 65 to 2018. 

    Waspi says many of the affected women had made financial plans based on the old state pension age and some retired before realising they could not claim their pension. The group been pushing for compensation, previously suggesting that some women should receive £10,000 each, at a cost of £36bn. 

    The current government’s decision not to award payments comes despite an independent government review in March which recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 for each of those affected. 

    Rebecca Hilsenrath, head of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which wrote the review, told Times Radio that although the government had accepted that it had delayed writing to 1950s-born women by 28 months, and apologised, it had rejected paying compensation. 

    “What we don’t expect is for an acknowledgement to be made by a public body that it’s got it wrong but then refuse to make it right for those affected,” she said. Before this year’s general election, several senior Labour figures had backed the campaign and Sir Keir himself signed a pledge for “fair and fast compensation” in 2022. 

    In 2019, Angela Rayner, now the deputy prime minister, said, “They [the government] stole their pensions…we’ve said we’d right that injustice and within the five years of the Labour government we’ll compensate them for the money that they’ve lost.” 

    In the first Prime Minister’s Questions since the government announced they would not be providing compensation, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said the Waspi women had “fought one of the most sustained and passionate campaigns for justice that I can remember, year in, year out. Does the prime minister really understand how let down Waspi women feel today?” she asked. 

    Ian Byrne, an independent MP, said the women were owed compensation for the “injustice done to them” and urged the prime minister to hold a vote on the subject. 

    And Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour had “played politics” with the group by previously supporting their campaign. “She [Rayner] promised to compensate them in full… now they admit we were right all along.” 

    Responding to the criticism, Starmer said the delays to telling women about pension changes were “unacceptable”. “I’m afraid to say that taxpayers simply can’t afford the tens of billions of pounds in compensation when the evidence shows that 90% of those impacted did know about it, that’s because of the state of our economy.” 

    Following PMQs, a No 10 spokesman said that since winning the election, the government had “had the chance” to look at the ombudsman’s report, which said the women “faced no direct financial loss as a result of the delays”. The government has said compensation could cost up to £10.5bn. 

    But De Spon said many Waspi women “didn’t know” about the pensions changes, and added that even to this day women were saying: “I never even received a letter, let alone when I received a letter.” 

    She added that former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne had saved more than £180bn by raising the state pension age and “boasted that it was easiest money he had ever saved”. 

    “We’re asking for a tiny fraction of that back as compensation for government failure,” she said. 

    The Waspi campaign also accused the prime minister of spreading “dangerous misinformation” by saying 90% of women had been aware of changes to the pension age. 

    “The fact that 90% of women had some general awareness of potential changes in the future does not mean they knew this would impact them personally,” said Waspi chair Angela Madden. 

    Diane Abbott is one of a small group of Labour MPs objecting to their leader’s approach. Kate Osborne and Emma Lewell-Buck have also publicly opposed the decision. The SNP is calling for a vote in Parliament on compensation. The party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “Labour Party politicians posed with Waspi women before the election only to leave them high and dry when they got into government.” 

    Earlier, Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith also said the decision was “a betrayal”, adding that Cabinet ministers had “queued up, had their photo taken with Waspi women, talked about how they were going to remedy that injustice.” He said “we won’t know” whether a Conservative government would have paid compensation as they were voted out of government before making that decision. 

    The then Conservative-run Department of Work and Pensions told the ombudsman at the time of its report in March why it could not pay out. It cited “the costs involved, the time it would take, the amount of resource it would involve, and the negative impact delivering a remedy would have on it being able to maintain other services”. The Liberal Democrats had earlier said the stance “sets an extremely worrying precedent” in its rejection of the ombudsman’s findings. 

    ALSO READ: Sullivan says Trump should like ‘burden sharing’ AUKUS deal 

    ALSO READ: A Taste of India, in UK: Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt

  • PM tells Trump to stand with Ukraine 

    PM tells Trump to stand with Ukraine 

    Trump is expected to seek a deal to end the war in Ukraine when he takes office next month, and has publicly criticized consensus Western policy on the conflict..reports Asian Lite News

    The prime minister told Donald Trump on Wednesday that Western allies must “stand together” on Ukraine. Speaking to the United States president-elect by phone — in their second call since Trump’s thumping November US election win — PM Keir Starmer “reiterated the need for allies to stand together with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position,” per a British readout of the call. 

    Trump is expected to seek a deal to end the war in Ukraine when he takes office next month, and has publicly criticized consensus Western policy on the conflict — including the green-lighting of Western missiles inside Russian territory. 

    The UK has long been a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Starmer was among those lobbying the Biden administration to let Ukraine use British-made missiles inside Russia’s borders. 

    Trump and Starmer talked up their “joint ambition to strengthen the close and historic relationship between the UK and the US,” a No. 10 Downing Street spokesperson said of the call. 

    Starmer began by congratulating Trump on “his recent team appointments.” The president-elect responded by “warmly recounting” his meeting with the Prince of Wales, Prince William, in Paris earlier this month, No.10 said. 

    Donald Trump is expected to seek a deal to end the war in Ukraine when he takes office next month, and has publicly criticized consensus Western policy on the conflict. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images 

    In an interview with the Sun newspaper Tuesday, Starmer said he hopes to restart talks with the new US administration on a trade deal — after sitting President Joe Biden put talks on ice two years ago. 

    In their call, the leaders said they looked forward to seeing one another “at the earliest opportunity.” The UK’s i newspaper reported Wednesday that Starmer could visit the US as early as February. 

    The two men met for the first time in September for a two-hour dinner in New York, as Starmer and his party pursued a charm offensive with the president-elect and his allies ahead of the US election. Starmer’s call with Trump came as a key political rival, Nigel Farage, talked up his own friendship with Trump and his government efficiency pick Elon Musk, who has repeatedly disparaged Starmer and spoken warmly of Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party. 

    Meanwhile, Starmer has supported Trump’s call for Nato countries to meet their defence spending targets. Speaking to LBC News, Starmer agreed with the Trump, saying that “Europe needs to do more” on military expenditure. 

    Trump, who is set to return to the White House in January, has urged European allies to increase their defence budgets, arguing that it’s unfair for the US to bear such a disproportionate share of defence costs. Starmer added that he had been holding “constructive discussions” with Trump on several issues, including military matters. 

    “As you know I met him a number of weeks ago. I do think that when he says that Europe needs to do more, as a general proposition I think that’s right, and we should do more,” LBC News quoted Starmer as saying. 

    But he added that there was “a huge amount of capability that we are doing together.” Nato members are required to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defence spending, yet not all countries meet this target, even amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

    Portugal, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain all have military expenditures below the 2% threshold. The UK ranks as the ninth-highest spender in proportion to its GDP. Poland leads with 4.1%, followed by the US at around 3.4%, reported LBC News. 

    In raw terms, the US is the biggest contributor to NATO along with Germany, providing about 16% of the total budget. When asked if everyone should “pay their way,” Keir said he wouldn’t “sit here in an interview and start telling allies what they must do.” 

    “All of our allied countries make a significant contribution to our collective defence, and if Putin believed his aggression in Ukraine would weaken NATO, he made a major mistake,” LBC News quoted Starmer as saying. Starmer emphasised that Nato is “now stronger” since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

    “We have extra members, and we are constantly working together – training together, deployed together. Just up the coast here we’ve got our troops embedded as part of our NATO deployment,” he added.’ 

    He also praised the British military’s efforts, particularly in response to the “constant threat” posed by Russia. “There’s a real appreciation for what our teams are doing as part of that Nato deployment,” he said. 

    Starmer refused to commit to a 3% defence spending target, saying that the priority is “working collectively.” Instead, he reiterated the government’s pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. 

    This follows a warning from Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said the West is unprepared for future threats from Russia. He called on Nato members to adopt a wartime mindset and significantly increase spending. 

    Rutte described the current security situation as the “worst in my lifetime” and warned that Nato is “not ready” for what’s to come. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated earlier this month that Labour could not raise defence spending without cuts in other areas. 

    ALSO READ: A Taste of India, in UK: Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt

  • Huge increase in migration returns 

    Huge increase in migration returns 

    Govt to invest £3 million in new fingerprint kits for all enforcement officers which will enhance identity checks and enable officers to better identify high-risk individuals…reports Asian Lite News

    The Home Secretary has pledged a step change in tackling exploitative and illegal working in the UK, with new technology to be deployed to frontline officers to stop abuse of the system.   

    The intervention comes as almost 13,500 people with no right to be here have been removed since the new government came to office and surged the capacity of removal teams, as the department is on track to deliver its pledge to have the highest rate of returns since 2018 in their first 6 months.   

    Yvette Cooper set out a new crackdown on illegal working to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the Channel.    

    New figures show illegal working operations and arrests since the new government came into power are up by almost a third on the same period last year. Six employers have also been charged for employing illegal workers in the last 5 months, compared to just 4 in the 2 and a half years before the election.    

    To further drive this crackdown, the Home Secretary will boost the capability of Immigration Enforcement by introducing new technology to bolster arrests and prosecutions. Some £5 million will be spent to rollout body worn cameras to over 1,200 frontline officers next year to strengthen the evidence that can be collected on illegal working raids, increase prosecutions and action against exploitative employers, and prevent delays.   

    £3 million will also be invested in new fingerprint kits for all enforcement officers which will enhance identity checks and enable officers to better identify high-risk individuals.   

    The measures are part of this government’s plan to rip apart the business models of smuggling gangs and restore order to the asylum system, by processing claims and returning people swiftly while preventing people from making these dangerous journeys in the first place.  

    It comes as the Home Office launches new ‘upstream communications campaigns’ aimed at exposing the lies told by criminal smuggling gangs. This activity will include warnings to prospective migrants about the exploitative practices of employers and the dire and inhumane living conditions some of those found to be working illegally face, based on real testimonies.    

    The announcement was made when the Home Secretary visited Rome on Saturday to meet her counterpart, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, to drive action against people smuggling gangs, including looking at action to take down the money networks being used by organised immigration crime.    

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Illegal working is a blight on our economy. It is deeply exploitative and undercuts those employers who do the right thing and play by the rules. Since the election, we have intensified our efforts to crackdown on exploitation and illegal working – the number of operations and arrests are up, and we are on track to meet our target of increasing removals to the highest level for five years. I am boosting the capabilities of our immigration enforcement officers to make sure they have the tools they need to further crack down on illegal working and shine a light on the hidden economy and false promises that criminal smuggling gangs are using to encourage people to cross the Channel in small boats. If you employ people illegally, you will face consequences. The rules must be respected and enforced.” 

    Border Security is one of the foundations that underpin the government’s mission-driven “plan for change”, and the new government immediately redeployed 1,000 additional people into immigration enforcement. This has supported the delivery of the four biggest returns flights in the UK’s history, carrying more than 800 people. Thirty-three bespoke charter flights have taken off returning migrants to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.     

    Enforced returns are up 25% compared to the same period last year as a programme of regular charter flights returns those with no right to be here to countries across the world.

    ALSO READ: Hillingdon Council finds new operators for Beck Theatre 

    ALSO READ:       Partnership brings realism to incident training 

  • Fulham FC stars inspire pupils at White City showcase 

    Fulham FC stars inspire pupils at White City showcase 

    Upstream London connecting young people with jobs of the future on their doorstep – on and off the playing field…reports Asian Lite News

    Students from across Hammersmith & Fulham got a glimpse into their potential future careers at Scale Space in White City’s booming Innovation District. 

    At a ‘speed networking’ event on Monday 9 December, 85 pupils from Hammersmith Academy (W6), Phoenix Academy (W12) and Fulham Cross Academy (SW6) met local employers from eight leading sports organisations. 

    The showcase forms part of our ‘Reveal’ series, designed to connect local students with the jobs and industries of tomorrow. It’s a key initiative of Upstream London, H&F Council’s pioneering strategy which has helped attract £6billion of investment and created more than 13,000 new jobs since 2017. 

    Through initiatives like Made in Fulham – a 13-week programme that helps aspiring coaches aged 16+ take their first steps into football coaching careers – local clubs are creating tangible pathways to employment. 

    “We offer young people a chance to gain practical work experience and work towards up to six coaching qualifications,” explained Richard Morris, Secondary Education Manager at Fulham FC Foundation. 

    “They go from watching our experienced coaches to delivering sessions themselves – that way, they can build a CV.” 

    Among the success stories shared was Macauley Rogers who, starting off at the foundation as a nine-year-old, has now secured a coaching role with the club through the programme. 

    Students heard from a range of organisations offering local opportunities. Charley Habell from Hammersmith Academy said he “enjoyed speaking with the inventor of ‘Switch’ the most” – a crossover sport that combines football, basketball, handball, volleyball and netball. 

    Founder of Community Switch Sports, Danny Hibbert, has been running after-school clubs and holiday programmes in and around White City since 2013, with most services free or low cost. He opened the students’ eyes to the breadth of sports careers: “There’s so many different avenues. In football alone, you could become a ball manufacturer, journalist, manager or sport’s fashion designer.” 

    Coach David from ‘Basketball Nxtion’ shared how sports skills transfer into careers: “Maybe you won’t be a star footballer or basketballer, but if you love the sport, you can still work in the field. Skills like discipline, perseverance, and teamwork are valuable in any career.” 

    The organisation runs weekly basketball sessions across London and Manchester, including at Ark Burlington Danes Academy in Wood Lane. They’re also helping young people explore pathways into the sport through American high school partnerships, funded coaching qualifications, and ‘Beyond the Athlete’ – a podcast exploring careers in sport. 

    ALSO READ: COP29’s Unsung Strategy: Britain’s High-Stakes Bet on Planetary Survival

  • Partnership brings realism to incident training 

    Partnership brings realism to incident training 

     

    The Mining Remediation Authority partners with West Nottinghamshire College to run a mock emergency…reports Asian Lite News

    In a unique partnership blending education and public service, the Mining Remediation Authority has teamed up with West Nottinghamshire College students to deliver critical incident training. 

    Students from the Mansfield college recently played the roles of members of the public during a mock emergency scenario, creating a realistic environment for our teams to practice incident contact centre response procedures. 

    The students took on diverse roles, from concerned residents to elected members, challenging our incident contact centre staff to think on their feet during a simulated mine water flooding incident, testing their supporting resources and training. 

    As an operational organisation with Category 2 responder status, the authority must be ready to react to issues around the clock across the 3 nations we serve, including critical public safety and environmental incidents. 

    This hands-on collaboration not only prepares our teams for real-life emergencies but also provides students the chance to complete vital role-play hours required to graduate, bolstering their confidence in the performing arts and increasing their professional readiness. 

    Hannah Thomas, resilience manager at the authority, said, “This collaboration is a perfect example of how we can work together with local institutions to achieve shared goals. It was a great day– not only did we enhance our ability to respond effectively to critical incidents, but we also contributed to the development of talented local students.” 

    It’s the second time the authority, which has its headquarters in Mansfield, has run this type of training session after reaching out to the college to host a similar exercise in July 2024. 

    The initiative underscores our dedication to community engagement and educational support, while enhancing our own preparedness to protect public safety. 

    Bethany Marshall, work placement officer for the college, said, “The students are required to fulfil a certain amount of hours for their course to pass, it’s a mandatory part of their education. This exercise gave our students a rare opportunity to apply their skills in a professional setting while contributing to public safety. They’ve enjoyed being part of it and there’s been great camaraderie so it’s helped with team building as well.” 

    The authority looks forward to expanding collaborations like these, ensuring both community engagement and operational excellence remain at the heart of its mission in creating a better future for people and the environment in mining areas. 

    ALSO READ: Starmer Seeks Saudi Funds

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Hillingdon Council finds new operators for Beck Theatre 

    Hillingdon Council finds new operators for Beck Theatre 

    The new agreement will see a 15-year lease agreed with Parkwood Theatres, with the possibility for further extension by up to 10 years…reports Asian Lite News 

    Hillingdon Council last week announced that it has found a new operator to take on the running of the Beck Theatre in Hayes. 

    The new agreement will see a 15-year lease agreed with Parkwood Theatres, with the possibility for further extension by up to 10 years. 

    The council says the deal means there will be a seamless transition following the end of their partnership with Trafalgar Theatres on 13th January, with no need for the Beck to close. 

    The deal was struck after the council brought in specialist consultants, Blue Horizon, to source a new operator and avoid a period of closure for the theatre following Trafalgar Theatres’ announcement in September that it intended to end its partnership with the council. 

    Negotiations with Trafalgar for a renewed contract fell through in October and following Blue Horizon’s involvement, six interested parties came forward and were soon shortlisted to a recommendation for Parkwood Theatres, which the council subsequently agreed last week. 

    As part of the selection process, Parkwood Theatres were shortlisted for how they aligned with the council’s priority objectives to: 

    • Maintain the Beck Theatre’s cultural identity 

    • Deliver a financially sustainable model with no need for public subsidy 

    • Enhance community engagement and participation through diverse programming. 

    Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: ‘‘Our aim was always to retain and preserve the Beck Theatre as part of our valued cultural offer whilst we continue our drive to deliver value for money services for residents. We said we were committed to keeping the theatre open as we recognise the importance of this theatre for the local community and beyond, particularly for the many generations that have visited and hold those memories dear. We now look forward to working with Parkwood on creating new memories for theatre-goers for many years to come.’’ 

    Tony Doherty, Managing Director of Parkwood Theatres, said: ‘‘We are delighted to be working with Hillingdon Council to secure a long-term future for the Beck Theatre and look forward to preserving its legacy while bringing fresh and exciting opportunities to the stage. 

    ‘‘Our commitment is to make this venue a vibrant hub for creativity, community and unforgettable performances.’’  

    The Beck Theatre is expected to move over to Parkwood Theatres in mid-January. 

    ALSO READ: COP29’s Unsung Strategy: Britain’s High-Stakes Bet on Planetary Survival

  • PM defends engagement with China   

    PM defends engagement with China   

    Ministers are coming under pressure to set a timeline to revive the foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), which had been delayed until next year, and to put China on the enhanced category for threats…reports Asian Lite News

    Keir Starmer has defended his government’s greater openness towards Beijing following revelations about an alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew, saying it was “important to engage”. 

    Questioned for the first time about the case, amid calls from some MPs to change his approach on China, the prime minister refused to comment directly on Andrew or the royals, but said he was pleased with what he called progress on ties with Beijing. 

    As part of the partial reset of relations with Beijing, Starmer met China’s president, Xi Jinping, at the G20 summit in Rio, the first meeting between British and Chinese leaders in six years. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is expected to visit Beijing soon. 

    “Of course, we are concerned about the challenge that China poses,” Starmer told a brief press conference in Bergen alongside the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, during a visit centred on cooperation over defence and clean energy. 

    “I had a meeting with the [Chinese] president just a few weeks ago. Our approach is one of engagement, of cooperating where we need to cooperate, particularly for example on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights, and to compete when it comes to trade. 

    “So that’s the strategic approach that we’ve set out as a UK government. I’m not going to comment on Buckingham Palace or the royal side, because, by convention, the government never does.” 

    Starmer went on: “It’s important to engage. Of course, we have to challenge where we must, but it’s better to engage to challenge than to stay aside, as it were, important to cooperate where we can on issues like climate change, which need that cooperation. So I’m very pleased with the engagement and the progress that we’ve made.” 

    According to court documents, the alleged spy, who under a UK court order can be referred to publicly only as H6, was so close to the prince he was authorised to act on his behalf in an international financial initiative with potential partners and investors in China. 

    In the judgment this month, which upheld the businessman’s exclusion from the UK, the judge found he had “won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust from a senior member of the royal family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him”. 

    Ministers are coming under pressure to set a timeline to revive the foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS), which had been delayed until next year, and to put China on the enhanced category for threats. 

    Asked about progress of the scheme, Starmer said only: “We’ve been working on it from day one in government, and there will be an update coming shortly.” 

    Conservative MPs who are more resistant about links to China have warned that the case involving Andrew is almost certainly just a tiny part of wider efforts by Beijing to forge links with influential people in the UK using what is known as its United Front Work Department. 

    Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader who is seeking an urgent Commons question on Monday to quiz ministers about the issue, said the current case was just “the tip of the iceberg” of Beijing’s attempts to infiltrate the UK. 

    “The fact is, there are many more like him in the UK,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “There are many more doing the job that he’s been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught. 

    “The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that’s taking place now. The reality for us is very simple. China is a very clear threat.” 

    Tom Tugendhat, another Tory MP who was formerly the security minister, told BBC One’s Breakfast: “I’m absolutely certain that there are members of the United Front Work Department who are active right now in attempting to influence journalism, academics, politics, and the whole lot. This is really the tip of the iceberg. 

    “And so the story, I can understand why it’s been about Prince Andrew but it’s not really about Prince Andrew. It’s about the way the Chinese Communist party is seeking to exert influence here in the United Kingdom.” 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

    ALSO READ: UK to Play Greater Role in The Middle East Stability

  • Meet Yang, Prince Andrew’s Chinese spy pal  

    Meet Yang, Prince Andrew’s Chinese spy pal  

    Claims surrounding businessman Yang Tengbo put spotlight on whether to designate China as enhanced risk…reports Asian Lite News 

    An alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew has been named as the businessman Yang Tengbo, amid a row at the heart of government over how to deal with influential Chinese nationals. 

    The allegations surrounding Yang have cast a spotlight on the government’s plans for a foreign interests register and whether to designate China as an enhanced risk in the middle of Labour’s new charm offensive towards Beijing. 

    The security minister Dan Jarvis said a planned shake-up of security laws that would require those working for a foreign government to declare this or face criminal prosecution would now not be ready until summer 2025. His Tory predecessor Tom Tugendhat said MI5 had advised that the scheme would be pointless unless it designated China as the highest risk. 

    Yang, who split his time between the UK and China for almost two decades, ran the Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace in China – a Dragons’ Den-style project. He was also given authority to act on the prince’s behalf in Chinese business dealings, according to court documents. 

    He was also pictured with two former Conservative prime ministers, Theresa May and David Cameron. Yang is also known to have met a number of other politicians, including the former deputy prime minister John Prescott. 

    In a statement, Yang insisted he was not a spy and had done “nothing wrong or unlawful” and had asked the high court to lift the anonymity order so he could challenge “ill-founded” claims against him. 

    Jarvis told the Commons on Monday the government would lay the regulations for foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) in the new year with it going live in summer 2025. He said no decision had been taken on whether to designate China as an enhanced risk. 

    Under Firs there would be a basic level of declarations, called the political influence tier, and an enhanced tier, for countries deemed a threat to national security such as Russia. 

    Tugendhat said that Yang would have been covered under the scope of Firs if it had been in place. Speaking in the Commons on Monday, the Tory MP said his officials had told him the scheme was ready and questioned why the government was delaying. “The advice from MI5 was very, very clear. If China isn’t in the enhanced tier it’s not worth having,” Tugendhat said. 

    A business source said there was a split between the Home Office, which wants China to be designated a threat to national security under the scheme, and the Treasury, which is relaying concerns about the burden on businesses. “That fight is under way again in Whitehall,” the source said. 

    A Conservative source said Rishi Sunak’s government had decided to include China in the enhanced tier after a similar debate took place internally. 

    “The City had some concerns that they would have to be putting on reams of paperwork for whatever deal they did,” they said. It was reported in the spring that leading banks and other financial services firms included HSBC, Standard Chartered and Prudential were lobbying ministers to tone down the plans. 

    However, the Conservative source said all departments including the Treasury eventually came round to the decision to include China in the enhanced scheme. 

    Ministers are simultaneously carrying out a cross-Whitehall audit of the UK-China relationship, which insiders now expect to conclude in March. 

    Yang, 50, the former chair of Hampton Group, a consultancy firm, had been in the UK for almost two decades. He was first stopped by counter-terrorism services in 2021 and ordered to surrender his devices. 

    In February 2023, Yang was “off-boarded” from a flight from Beijing to London and in March he was excluded from the UK. His appeal against the decision was rejected last week by the special immigration appeals tribunal (Siac). 

    The businessman had visited the UK regularly, attending events at a series of royal residences including Andrew’s birthday party at the prince’s Windsor home. 

    The hearing heard Yang was barred because he was believed to be associated with China’s United Front Work Department, which seeks to gather intelligence on influential overseas nationals. The ruling said in his witness statement Yang had “downplayed his links” with the group. 

    In a statement on Friday, Andrew’s office said he had stopped all contact with the man, whom he had met through “official channels” with “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed”. The duke is to stay away from the royal family’s traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham this year amid the controversy. 

    ALSO READ: A Taste of India, in UK: Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt

  • COP29’s Unsung Strategy: Britain’s High-Stakes Bet on Planetary Survival 

    COP29’s Unsung Strategy: Britain’s High-Stakes Bet on Planetary Survival 

    Keir Starmer’s Labour government arrives with a mandate that transcends traditional political recalibration. The proposed Great British Energy represents nothing short of a revolutionary approach to national economic strategy. This is not merely a state-owned utility, but a comprehensive attempt to reimagine Britain’s industrial future through a green lens, writes Ashraf Nehal 

    The conference hall in Baku stood as a testament to global political indifference. While world leaders—Biden, Xi, Ursula, Modi—conspicuously absented themselves from COP29, the United Kingdom under Keir Starmer emerged as a solitary beacon of climate commitment, challenging the prevailing narrative of diplomatic paralysis. This was more than a mere diplomatic gesture; it was a profound declaration of intent, signaling a fundamental shift in how a nation can approach the most critical challenge of our time. The United Kingdom, historically a significant carbon emitter, was now positioning itself as a potential catalyst for meaningful global climate action. 

    The timing could not be more precarious. As global temperatures continue their relentless ascent and extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, the world teeters on the precipice of environmental catastrophe. Traditional global powers have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for inaction, transforming climate conferences into performative exercises of diplomatic theatre. Yet, in this landscape of collective abdication, the United Kingdom under Keir Starmer’s leadership offered a dramatically different narrative—one of pragmatic ambition, systemic transformation, and political courage that challenges the entire conceptual framework of national economic strategy. 

    This moment represents far more than a simple policy pivot. It is a fundamental reimagining of national purpose, an acknowledgment that climate action is not an optional strategy but an existential imperative that will define the economic and social landscape of the 21st century. The United Kingdom, with its complex industrial history, global financial influence, and evolving political consciousness, finds itself at a unique historical juncture. The question is no longer whether climate action is necessary, but whether a nation can truly transform its entire economic and industrial paradigm in response to the greatest challenge of our generation. 

    From Tory’s Stagnation to Labour’s Strategic Vision 

    The transition from Conservative to Labour governance represents more than a typical political shift; it is a seismic recalibration of national economic and environmental philosophy. Under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, the Conservative government epitomized climate policy contradictions—rhetorically acknowledging the environmental crisis while systematically undermining any meaningful action. In 2023, the government granted nearly 50 new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea, a decision that laid bare the fundamental disconnect between political rhetoric and substantive environmental commitment. The North Sea Transition Deal, developed in 2022, was a masterclass in performative policy-making, criticized by the Climate Change Committee for having targets “significantly lower” than required to meet the UK’s carbon budgets. 

    This Conservative approach was characterized by a regulatory environment that actively discouraged renewable energy development. Onshore wind farm projects were systematically obstructed by bureaucratic restrictions, creating an investment landscape hostile to green energy innovations. The result was a stark misalignment between the UK’s stated climate ambitions and the practical mechanisms designed to achieve them—a deliberate strategy that prioritized short-term industrial interests over long-term environmental sustainability. Regulatory frameworks seemed designed not to facilitate green transition, but to protect existing fossil fuel infrastructure, reflecting a deep-seated resistance to fundamental economic transformation. 

    In stark contrast, Keir Starmer’s Labour government arrives with a mandate that transcends traditional political recalibration. The proposed Great British Energy represents nothing short of a revolutionary approach to national economic strategy. This is not merely a state-owned utility, but a comprehensive attempt to reimagine Britain’s industrial future through a green lens. The numerical commitments are both ambitious and potentially transformative: an 81% emissions reduction target by 2035, £6.6 billion allocated for home efficiency upgrades, and a commitment to achieving zero-carbon electricity by 2030. These are not just statistical targets, but a holistic approach to economic and environmental policy that recognizes climate action as the primary driver of future economic prosperity. 

    Implementation: The Razor’s Edge of Transformation 

    The most critical challenge facing Labour’s climate agenda lies not in crafting ambitious targets, but in navigating the complex terrain of implementation. Current assessments reveal a sobering reality: only 32% of required emissions reductions are covered by credible policies. This implementation gap represents more than an administrative challenge; it is a complex political and economic puzzle that demands unprecedented levels of coordination, innovation, and political courage. 

    The North Sea energy ecosystem embodies the intricate challenges of this transition. Generations of workers have built careers in fossil fuel industries, and a just transition is simultaneously an economic necessity and a moral imperative. Labour must orchestrate a delicate balance: maintaining economic stability while fundamentally reshaping industrial infrastructure. This requires more than policy documents; it demands a comprehensive strategy that addresses workforce development, regional economic revitalization, and technological innovation in a holistic, interconnected manner. 

    The financial sector watches this transformation with a mixture of skepticism and potential excitement. Can green investment truly deliver competitive returns? Can Britain emerge as the “clean energy superpower” that Starmer envisions? These are not rhetorical questions but complex economic calculations that will determine the success of this grand experiment. The transition requires not just policy changes, but a fundamental reimagining of industrial strategy, investment frameworks, and national economic priorities. 

    Global Implications: Beyond National Boundaries 

    COP29 exposed a brutal geopolitical reality: meaningful climate action is happening in spite of, not because of, major global powers. By positioning itself as a potential bridge between developed and developing nations, the UK is attempting a diplomatically nuanced approach that recognizes the global nature of the climate challenge. The UK’s emissions have already fallen by over 50% since 1990—a remarkable achievement that provides a foundation for further transformation. 

    Labour’s climate agenda represents a calculated gamble—a recognition that the green transition is simultaneously the greatest economic opportunity and the most significant industrial challenge of the 21st century. Jobs will be created, industries will be transformed, and national economic strategies will be fundamentally reimagined. The United Kingdom stands at a critical juncture, offering not just a national strategy, but a potential global blueprint for adaptive, sustainable economic development. 

    Climate change does not negotiate. It demands comprehensive, systemic responses. And in this global challenge, the United Kingdom appears prepared to offer more than rhetoric—it offers a potential pathway to transformation, challenging the global community to move beyond performative commitments to substantive, revolutionary action. 

    ALSO READ: Energy to bind India, Lanka, UAE   

    ALSO READ: Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt Lands in London

  • Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt Lands in London

    Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt Lands in London

    Godawan Artisanal Indian Single Malt has officially landed in London! The entry is already creating a buzz with whisky enthusiasts in the UK, as the premium spirit is known for its seamless blend of Indian heritage and sustainability, as well as its 70+ awards. Godawan is now ready to delight connoisseurs with its distinctive character and purpose-driven ethos.

    Crafted by Diageo India’s Good Craft Co., Godawan reflects the brand’s philosophy of mindful luxury. Distilled in Rajasthan, at one of Asia’s most sustainable distilleries, the whisky uses six-row Indian barley, a grain prized for its robust flavour. The arid desert climate accelerates the ageing process, lending the whisky a unique depth and complexity.

    What truly sets Godawan apart is its commitment to conservation. Named after the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird, the brand channels a portion of proceeds from every bottle sold toward habitat preservation for this majestic species. As Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer at Diageo India, aptly describes Godawan – “a rare spirit crafted with a unique purpose.”

    Whisky lovers can indulge in two of the brand’s signature expressions. 01 Rich & Rounded is ideal for those who enjoy sweeter profiles, featuring notes of caramel, raisin, and apricot enhanced by PX sherry and American oak casks. Its smooth, dessert-like profile makes it a delightful sipping choice. In contrast, 02 Fruit & Spice is bold and layered, with vibrant hints of ginger, coconut, and roasted coffee imparted by virgin oak and cherrywood maturation. Together, these expressions cater to a wide range of palates while showcasing Indian artistry.

    At £65, Godawan invites drinkers to savour a whisky that transcends taste, combining tradition, innovation, and sustainability. Available across London, it offers a sip of Indian craftsmanship that’s making waves worldwide. With every glass, whisky lovers can experience a spirit that celebrates artistry while contributing to a greater cause.

    ALSO READ: Arq Mithai: Artisanal Happiness