Latest news with #AyoubKhan
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rail regulator demands fairer ticket enforcement after The Bolton News probe
The rail regulator has called for a fairer and more consistent approach to ticket enforcement following an investigation by The Bolton News. The in-depth review, commissioned by the government, reveals the current system needs to work better for passengers, train operators and taxpayers alike. The regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), published a report that found travellers face 'inconsistent treatment and outcomes' for similar ticketing issues across the railway. The report has found that rail companies are losing around £400 million a year to fare evasion. And the report comes nearly a year after The Bolton News' landmark investigation into inconsistent ticketing, with passengers who purchased a train ticket advertised as being valid at "any time of day" have been taken to court and fined for using their ticket before 10am. In one instance, we reported that a £5 ticket to Bolton ended up costing a woman more than £100 after she selected an option for a "26-30 Railcard" on her phone while she was buying it – despite not having a railcard. READ MORE: What should have been a cheap trip up costing the woman much more than she bargained for – with an onboard ticket inspector charging her more than £100 for the journey after it turned out her ticket had a 26-30 Railcard discount, despite her not owning a Railcard. Other passengers affected included a 26-year-old man who was fined £462.30 for a £1.44 saving on a journey from Prescot to Liverpool. The ongoing issue was later picked up by national media outlets and was later bought to Parliament by Birmingham MP Ayoub Khan. As a result of the investigation, The Bolton News was also shortlisted for a regional press award. The ORR found there are 'a range of circumstances' in which passengers may innocently travel without a valid ticket, such as forgetting their railcard or simply making a mistake. The report stated: 'Making this more challenging is the railway's complex fares and ticketing framework. 'This has grown more complicated over time.' The inquiry found that rail staff described how 'fare evasion is becoming normalised among certain passenger groups', and it is becoming 'increasingly more challenging to tackle'. The inquiry made a series of recommendations to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and the Department for Transport, such as ensuring passengers have 'clearer information' about tickets, and creating consistency in how passengers are treated when ticket issues arise, particularly in relation to prosecutions. ORR director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn said: 'Effective revenue protection is essential for a sustainable railway, but it must be fair and proportionate for passengers. 'Our recommendations aim to protect both industry revenue and support passenger confidence. 'Our evidence shows a system that has evolved over time where the legal framework and enforcement processes are increasingly complex and appear weighted towards industry, leaving some passengers who make innocent errors vulnerable to disproportionate outcomes. 'But meanwhile, fare evasion remains a significant problem, and rigorous action should be taken against those who intentionally seek to defraud the railway.' A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said it welcomed the ORR's 'sensible recommendations'. She added: 'The rail industry will work on implementing the recommendations in line with our plans to create a simpler, better-value fares system. 'We need to strike the right balance addressing genuine, honest mistakes made by customers and taking firm action against those who deliberately and persistently seek to exploit the system.' Last week, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick posted a widely viewed video on social media in which he confronted people who forced their way through the ticket barriers at Stratford station in east London.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Birmingham bin collections not back to normal, politicians say
Opposition politicians have rejected claims that Birmingham's bin collections are mostly back to normal, as industrial action continues across the city. Refuse workers from the Unite union started an all-out strike in March due to a dispute with the city council over changes to roles and has attracted worldwide coverage with images of large waste piles and claims of rats as big as cats, but the council said it had cleared the vast majority of rubbish. However, speaking on the BBC's Politics Midlands programme, Birmingham's Conservative leader councillor Robert Alden and Independent MP Ayoub Khan both denied this was the case. Delayed collections during the initial weeks of the strike were down partly to picket lines blocking trucks from leaving waste facilities. Striking workers insisted they were only stopping lorries if they had safety concerns, but ugly scenes prompted Labour council leader John Cotton to condemn what he called "violence". Speaking on Friday - as a "mega picket" of union members was present at Lifford Lane depot in Kings Norton - Alden said he believed bin lorries had stalled again. He said: "What we've seen sadly over the last two weeks, since national support from the army has been withdrawn, [is that] bin lorries have not been going out again. "Indeed by the end of the week, barely any bin lorries were going out and that's leading to more rubbish starting to build up on the streets." Khan, who is a Birmingham councillor as well MP for Perry Barr, also claimed many thousands of tonnes of rubbish were still on the streets. "You see the frustration across the whole city," he said. "Recyclable material hasn't been collected."What [striking bin workers] are saying is very simple: 'We've got mortgages to pay, we've got children to raise. The cost of living is going through the roof and we just want a fair deal.'" Rachel Taylor, the Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, accused the pair of trying to score political points. "The government [has] stepped in and put their weight behind the city council to get bin lorries out and rubbish collected," she said. "There's a reasonable offer on the table and it is in the interests of all the people in Birmingham that all parties get around the table and get this sorted." Birmingham City Council said it had cleared 100% of the large piles of waste in the hot spot areas and 85% across the rest of the city. While recycling collections remain suspended, it has urged residents to continue putting out household waste bins for collection. "Before industrial action began, our crews were collecting about 1,000 to 1,100 tonnes of waste per day," the local authority's website reads. "However, in recent weeks, our crews have collected 1,500 to 1,700 tonnes of waste each day, with a reduced team."This highlights the need for transformation in the service we provide to residents." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
MP warns British streets could erupt amid escalating India-Pakistan conflict
The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan has raised fears of violence on the streets of the UK, with one MP warning that protests are likely to take place Tensions have risen between the nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, sparking fears of spillover confrontations on British soil, warns a UK MP, with community leaders calling for calm. A Daily Telegraph report highlights concerns that the deteriorating situation in South Asia may lead to unrest in the UK, particularly in areas with large British Pakistanis, Kashmiris, and Indians communities. Birmingham Perry Barr's independent representative Ayoub Khan, who is of Pakistani-Kashiri descent, expressed his worries to the Telegraph regarding potential protests in the UK, triggered by increasing tensions concerning family members in the conflict zone. He stated: "Many communities are feeling the distress emanating from the region, and it is crucial for emotions to not run high. "British Pakistanis, Kashmiris and Indians are all worrying for loved ones overseas at present, and it is vital that we do not compare or diminish the relative pain being felt by either community.", reports Birmingham Live. "I expect there to be protests and rallies, but I appeal for people to stay calm. "It is imperative that our communities come together to promote the principles of humanity and not division, and vital that the Government does its utmost to broker an immediate end to hostilities," he further commented. The comments come amid heightened unease following the disturbing turmoil in Leicester and Smethwick during 2022, which saw chilling scenes of street clashes primarily involving young lads, with instances of individuals masked in balaclavas caught on video spewing racist slurs after a cricket game between India and Pakistan. Social media fuelled the friction between Hindu and Muslim communities, igniting deep-seated concerns amongst locals. Adding his voice to the conversation, Vinod Popat of the Hindu Community Organisations Group—representing nearly 50 Hindu groups in Leicester—pleaded for peace, stating, "When things like this in the region happen, emotions run high and it can spill out into this country, especially among the young on both sides." He continued by emphasising the need for unity: "Here in Leicester and the rest of the UK, we need to live in harmony and there has to be cohesion." Popat also pointed out the potential local impact of international tensions: "But, whatever happens in south-east Asia between India and Pakistan means there's apprehension that it could have an impact on the streets here." Leicester South's independent MP Shockat Adam echoed these sentiments in his own comment within the same report, expressing grave concerns about the knock-on effects: "The situation in the region is alarming and there is a genuine fear that tensions from the region could spill into the streets here in Leicester." Significant strides have been made by faith and community groups in tackling the root causes of previous disturbances, with leaders emphasising the collective responsibility to maintain calm. The message is clear: "The onus is on everyone to act responsibly and not take to the streets." In a move to foster unity and prevent conflict, outreach has extended to various groups, as expressed in the recent statement: "I have reached out to the police, faith groups and community organisations to promote peace and unity in our vibrant communities, so we can work collaboratively to ensure we do not see any repeat of the troubles in 2022." Maswood Ahmed from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) stressed the importance of solidarity, saying: "Here in the UK, we must unite, upholding our shared values of peace and respect." He further underscored MCB's position, urging local leadership to be vigilant, "The MCB urges community leaders to take proactive steps in working with local authorities to safeguard public safety and uphold community harmony." Meanwhile, police are investigating an incident from last month's demonstration at the Pakistan High Commission in London, following shocking claims about an official's menacing gesture.
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
India-Pakistan conflict ‘could spill onto Britain's streets'
The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan could culminate in clashes on British streets, an MP has warned. MPs and leaders of both the Muslim and Hindu faiths have called for calm amid fears that mounting tensions between the two nuclear powers in Asia could trigger disorder in the UK. Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr and a Pakistani-Kashmiri, said he expects widespread instability in the region to lead to protests in Britain. 'Many communities are feeling the distress emanating from the region, and it is crucial for emotions to not run high,' he said. 'British Pakistanis, Kashmiris and Indians are all worrying for loved ones overseas at present, and it is vital that we do not compare or diminish the relative pain being felt by either community. 'I expect there to be protests and rallies, but I appeal for people to stay calm. 'It is imperative that our communities come together to promote the principles of humanity and not division, and vital that the Government does its utmost to broker an immediate end to hostilities.' In 2022, Leicester and Smethwick saw numerous clashes between predominantly young men – some wearing balaclavas and hurling racial taunts – as religious violence flared following a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Hindus and Muslims blamed one another for the disorder, much of it also fuelled by inflammatory and inaccurate posts on social media. Vinod Popat, a convener for the Hindu Community Organisations Group set up after that unrest and which represents about 50 Hindu groups in Leicester, called for restraint. 'When things like this in the region happen emotions run high and it can spill out into this country, especially among the young on both sides,' he said. 'Here in Leicester and the rest of the UK we need to live in harmony and there has to be cohesion. 'But, whatever happens in south-east Asia between India and Pakistan means there's apprehension that it could have an impact on the streets here.' Shockat Adam, the independent MP for Leicester South, said there were 'genuine fears' that the military clashes between the two nuclear powers could culminate in unrest in the UK. 'Act responsibly' 'The situation in the region is alarming and there is a genuine fear that tensions from the region could spill into the streets here in Leicester,' he said. 'A great deal of work has been done by faith and community groups to address the issues that ignited previous troubles. 'The onus is on everyone to act responsibly and not take to the streets. 'I have reached out to the police, faith groups and community organisations to promote peace and unity in our vibrant communities, so we can work collaboratively to ensure we do not see any repeat of the troubles in 2022.' Anil Bhanot, the managing trustee at the Hindu Council UK, said: 'There are always some concerns when something happens in the subcontinent between Pakistan and India. 'We want calm' 'But I hope the tensions remain in that region and don't spill over here. We want calm in this country, we don't want it to flare up again like it did in Leicester.' A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it recognised the 'profound impact' international events can have on diaspora communities, adding how recent demonstrations featuring 'heightened emotions' had been observed 'among British Indian and Pakistani communities'. Maswood Ahmed, the deputy secretary general of the MCB, said: 'Here in the UK, we must unite, upholding our shared values of peace and respect. 'The MCB urges community leaders to take proactive steps in working with local authorities to safeguard public safety and uphold community harmony.' A protest held in London last month outside the Pakistan High Commission was being investigated by police after claims that a Pakistani diplomat was seen making a throat-slitting gesture.
Middle East Eye
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Motion for new Palestinian visa scheme tabled in UK parliament
Independent MP Ayoub Khan has tabled a motion in parliament urging the British government to "urgently establish" a visa scheme for Palestinians with family ties in Britain. The move comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that the government would seek to prevent Palestinian refugees from living in the UK using a refugee scheme established for Ukranians. "Recognising the humanitarian crisis continuing to be faced by many Palestinians," Khan's motion reads, "it is imperative that the UK underscores its commitment to humanitarian aid and support for those affected by conflict by facilitating their ability to reunite with families already residing in Britain." Starmer insisted in parliament that the Home Office will shut a "legal loophole" that allowed a Palestinian refugee family from Gaza to stay in the UK. This came after it emerged that a judge ruled six Palestinians from Gaza - a mother, a father and four children - could remain in Britain using the Ukraine Family Scheme, a visa programme originally established for Ukranian refugees fleeing the war following Russia's invasion. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The opposition Conservative Party slammed the decision, with party leader Kemi Badenoch declaring in parliament on Wednesday that it "cannot be allowed to stand". Starmer replied: "I do not agree with the decision. She is right, it is the wrong decision." He added that "the home secretary has already got her team working on closing the loophole. We don't need to wait for that. We're getting on with that because we're taking control." The Home Office warned that the legal decision would "open the floodgates for all those in conflict zones with family in the UK" to come to Britian. 'Unjust and arbritary barriers' The Home Office refused an initial application by the Palestinian family in May last year, but in September an immigration tribunal ruled in their favour. A spokesperson from the Gaza Families Reunited Campaign, a grassroots collective which supported the family, said: "We are relieved that this family has won their legal case and will hopefully be reunited soon. However, their struggle highlights the unjust and arbitrary barriers preventing Palestinians in Gaza from finding safety with their loved ones in the UK. "We are dismayed by the Government's stated focus on 'closing the loophole' that enabled this particular family to flee the bloodshed, rather than providing Palestinians in Gaza with a practical means of reuniting with their loved ones in the UK." 'What's good for one group of persecuted people should be good for everyone. The same legal principles should apply whether these people are Ukrainian or Palestinian.' - Ayoub Khan MP Ayoub Khan MP told MEE that the government's move is "disgraceful". "I wholeheartedly refute the notion from the Home Office that such a scheme will open the floodgates," he said. "Very few Palestinians will ever voluntarily leave their home due to the spiritual and sentimental attachment they have to the land. The vast majority would rather return to rubble and rebuild - even when the conditions outside are far superior to those inside." However, Khan added: "For the minority that do need to leave - whether it's because of the need for urgent medical treatment or to be reunited with family in Britain - what's good for one group of persecuted people should be good for everyone. "The same legal principles should apply whether these people are Ukrainian or Palestinian. "In Britain we have a proud history of being a country of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution. This is once again the Labour Party appeasing the far right under threat from Reform." Rupert Lowe, a Reform UK MP, posted online that the judge's decision was "deranged insanity" and called for the sacking of immigration judges who are "found to be actively working against the interests of the British people, and in favour of their own political desires. "The system should work for Britain, not Gaza," he added.
