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Epoch Times
20 minutes ago
- Epoch Times
Chinese Academic Repression Distorts the UK's China Studies, Survey Finds
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is distorting the UK's China studies system with widespread influence, interference, and harassment, a survey found. In a report published Aug. 3, London-based charity UK-China Transparency (UKCT) said it found strong evidence that CCP influence in British universities is 'shaping careers and disincentivising certain research and other activity that might be negatively received by the CCP.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Government asks body to consult on axing ‘discriminatory' minimum wage age bands
The Government has said it is pushing forward with plans to look at removing 'discriminatory' age bands for the national minimum wage as it extended the remit of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). It said the advisory body will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds, and the so-called national living wage – the UK minimum wage for workers 21 years and older. The LPC will also be required to put forward 'recommendations on achieving a single adult rate in the years ahead'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'To ensure the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, business affordability and the wider economy, the LPC is being asked to consult on several issues before recommending the new rates.' Last year, Labour committed to removing these age bands to create a 'genuine' national living wage, as part of efforts to bolster employment rights. Currently, the national living wage for workers aged 21 and older is £12.21. Meanwhile, the minimum wage for workers aged between 18 and 20 is £10. There is also a minimum wage for those aged under 18, and apprentices, of £7.55. The Government said the change to the LPC remit will also ensure it actively considers the cost of living in its recommendations for changes to the minimum wage which are next applied from April 2026. The LPC, which was founded in 1997, provides recommendations to the Government each October regarding how it believes the minimum wage should be changed. The Government ultimately sets minimum wage rates for the following April after this advice. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Low pay drags down living standards for our workers and in turn hurts our high streets and local businesses. 'This Government's plan for change will put money back in people's pockets, with this new remit marking the next step in considering how we ensure a fair deal for our lowest-paid workers while maintaining a competitive economy that boosts businesses and their employees alike.' Baroness Philippa Stroud, chairwoman of the LPC, said: 'We are pleased to receive our remit from the Government. 'Already, since the beginning of the year, we have spent significant time speaking with workers and employers to understand the pressures in the economy and the effects of the most recent increases in the minimum wage. 'We have held a successful call for evidence and received detailed submissions from all sides.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
UK-French small boats pilot plan comes into force
The UK-French "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme, aimed at reducing the number of small boats crossing the Channel, has come into force with detentions of illegal migrants due to start within days. The deal will see some of those arriving in the UK in small boats detained and returned to France. In exchange the UK will accept from France an equal number of asylum seekers provided they have not already tried to make the crossing and can pass security and eligibility checks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the plan was a "product of months of grown-up diplomacy" which would "deliver real results". But the Conservatives said it would "make no difference whatsoever". Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the agreement in July, but it was still subject to legal scrutiny by the European Commission and EU member states. The UK government has now said that the "EU Commission, Germany and other member states have given the green light on this innovative approach" meaning the scheme can go ahead. Under the plan, an adult migrant who tries to get to the UK by crossing the Channel could be returned to France if their claim for asylum is deemed to be inadmissible. How many people cross the Channel in small boats? 'One in, one out' sounds simple - but the migrant deal could be complicated Extra 300 officers to tackle small boat people smuggling The government has not confirmed how many migrants would be returned and accepted under the plan, but said it would look to "ramp up both the pace and scale of returns over the course of the pilot scheme". There have been reports that 50 people per week could be returned, compared to the weekly average of more than 800 people currently making the crossing. Sir Keir has previously said the pilot is not "a silver bullet" but believes it will deter people from making the dangerous journey following a big increase in the numbers so far this year. As of 30 July, more than 25,000 people had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025 - around 49% higher than at the same point in 2024. The government is under pressure to reduce the numbers, having previously promised to "smash the gangs" organising the journeys. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hailed the agreement as "ground breaking" and an "important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs". "It is also right to make clear that – while the UK will always be ready to play its part alongside other countries in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict – this must be done in a controlled and managed legal way, not through dangerous, illegal, and uncontrolled routes," she said. On Monday, the government announced £100m to fund 300 National Crime Agency Officers to stop the people smugglers arranging the crossings. It has also said it wants to tackle illegal working, to reduce pull factors encouraging people to come to the UK. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government's deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan, proposed by the previous Conservative government. "The Rwanda removals deterrent, under which 100% of illegal arrivals would be removed, was ready to go last summer but Labour cancelled it just days before it was due to start with no proper replacement plan," he said. "As a result, this year so far has been the worst ever for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel." When the UK and France first announced the plan in July, the charity Asylum Matters criticised the measure, arguing: "The only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary."
