A bill to ban the import and sale of fur in the UK is set to be introduced by Labour MP Ruth Jones, aiming to extend existing bans to include all animal fur. The Fur Free Britain campaign, led by Humane Society International/UK, supports the bill, highlighting the cruelty of the fur trade and the potential health risks associated with fur farms. The bill has garnered significant public support, with over 1.2 million petition signatures and backing from various celebrities. The Labour Government is urged to support the bill, which seeks to close the loophole allowing fur imports despite domestic production bans.

The article highlights the widespread issue of modern slavery in the UK, revealing a significant gap in awareness among MPs and the public. It emphasizes that modern slavery affects all demographics and is not solely an immigration issue. The piece criticizes current UK legislation for its ineffectiveness in reducing modern slavery and calls for a renewed focus on prosecuting criminals and supporting victims. It stresses the need for political leaders to understand the true nature of modern slavery to tackle it effectively.

The article argues that the Conservative Party must embrace moderation to regain power, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust with centrist and moderate voters. It criticizes the party's current rightward drift and divisive policies, such as the Rwanda deportation scheme, and calls for a balanced approach to immigration and international cooperation. The author, Lord Kirkhope, stresses the importance of uniting society, strengthening EU relations, and appealing to younger voters to ensure future electoral success.

The article highlights the challenges faced by mothers of children born of rape, emphasizing the need for societal support and institutional changes. It advocates for better resources, counseling, and legal reforms to prevent perpetrators from accessing their children. The author, with personal experience, calls for normalizing conversations around this issue and praises the Labour government's commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.

The article advocates for the implementation of 'Olivia's Law,' a reform aimed at ensuring serious offenders are present during their sentencing, inspired by the case of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, whose murderer avoided facing the victim's family in court. Anneliese Midgley, a Labour MP, criticizes the Conservative Party for delays in justice reform and emphasizes the need to restore public trust in the criminal justice system. The article highlights Cheryl Korbel's campaign for justice and Labour's commitment to prioritizing victims' rights.

The article discusses the findings of the Brook House Inquiry, which revealed severe human rights abuses at the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in 2017. Despite these findings, similar issues persist in UK detention centers, as highlighted by recent inspections. The article criticizes the Conservative government for not implementing necessary changes and suggests that Labour could take action to improve conditions. It advocates for alternatives to detention, better safeguarding policies, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

The UK's birth rate has been declining for nearly 15 years, reaching 1.49 children per woman in 2022, below the replacement rate of 2.1. This trend is part of a broader European phenomenon, with implications for public services and economic growth. The Labour government faces challenges in addressing this issue, with debates around pronatalism, immigration, and social policies. While some advocate for pronatalist policies, others on the left express concerns about potential anti-immigration and anti-feminist undertones. The article explores various perspectives, including those of Labour MPs and think tanks, on how to address the declining birth rate and its impact on society.

The UK Prime Minister has committed to introducing the 'Hillsborough Law' to enforce a legal duty of candour on public servants, aiming to enhance transparency in official investigations involving state involvement in deaths. The law seeks to address issues of defensiveness and lack of openness in public authorities, as highlighted in past cases like Hillsborough and Daniel Morgan. Existing duties of candour are deemed insufficient, with ineffective sanctions. The proposed law, inspired by a 2017 Private Members Bill, would impose criminal sanctions for non-compliance, aiming to foster a culture of openness. The challenge lies in integrating this law into the existing framework while ensuring meaningful impact.

A new manifesto, co-signed by over 60 charities, calls for a cross-government approach to mental health and reform of outdated legislation. It recommends a 'Mental Health Test' for policy development and increased funding for public health. MPs from various parties, including Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives, have expressed support for the manifesto's recommendations. Labour is particularly interested in adopting these recommendations and has committed to reforming the Mental Health Act. The manifesto aims to address mental health needs proactively and ensure parity between mental and physical health conditions. The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

The Home Office has reversed its commitments to modern slavery survivors, drawing criticism from charities and Labour MP Diana Johnson. The government decided not to proceed with the Places of Safety support model and a 12-month minimum support commitment, citing viability and existing support mechanisms. Critics argue these rollbacks will harm victims and fail to address human trafficking effectively. The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) has become more complex, and recent legislation has made it harder for survivors to access support. The Home Office defends its decision, emphasizing its commitment to existing support services.