Latest Stories from Flo
What do Cold Weather Payments mean for Britain’s most vulnerable?
The scheme provides financial support for those affected by prolonged sub-zero temperatures, but how viable are these payments against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis? As we hunt for blown-away wheelie bins and crank up the heating, the UK’s cold-snap is affecting some more than others. But those in the most affected areas – who are experiencing prolonged sub-zero temperatures – could qualify for government support. Cold Weather Payments, designed to provide...
Cameroon’s malaria vaccine highlights a misinformation pandemic
Despite promising to save the lives of millions of children across Africa, Cameroon’s new malaria vaccine has had mixed reactions online. A medical breakthrough came this week when Cameroon announced it will be the first country to roll out a routine malaria vaccination. The news comes after a decades-long effort to curb the mosquito-spread disease across Africa – which accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths. Of those affected, children...
Opinion – January should be about happiness as much as health
A new year brings new goals. But these restrictive and often daunting wellness trends can do more harm than good. Ah, January—the month when the air is filled with a sense of renewal, and social media is flooded with images of kale smoothies, gym selfies, and the ever-elusive promise of a ‘new you.’ If you’re already crumbling under the weight of this vignette, you’re not alone. From diet advice, to gruelling...
FKA Twigs calls out double standards in the modelling industry
The singer’s recent campaign with Calvin Klein faced backlash over her ‘partial nudity.’ ‘I do not see the ‘stereotypical sexual object’ they have labelled me.’ These were the words pasted beneath an image of FKA Twigs, posted by the singer to her own Instagram page this week. The photo features Twigs (as she is known by fans) partially covered by a shirt. The outline of her nude body is visible beneath. Calvin...
Arsenal’s all-white kit is fighting youth knife crime
The North London football team sported an all-white kit this week as part of their annual ‘No More Red’ campaign. When Arsenal players stepped out on their home pitch last Sunday, something was different. Instead of their usual red kit, they wore an all-white get-up, complete with a clean, minimalist logo. Given the game against Liverpool was on home turf, this was no away kit. Nor was it a creative twist...
Opinion – It’s time we stopped lying about the housing crisis
Gen Z and Millennials are continuously told that buying a house is as simple as saving money. But this out-of-touch approach needs the boot. Everywhere you look, statistics about the housing market are as dire as the next. Between a cost-of-living crisis and the economic vestiges of a pandemic, the concept of purchasing a property for the first time feels almost impossible. Particularly for those under the age of 40. But...
British Sign Language will now be taught as a GCSE subject
The introduction of BSL to the UK education system is a vital step towards a more inclusive society. After a 12-week consultation with the deaf and hearing communities, the Department of Education has announced that British Sign Language (BSL) will be introduced as a GCSE option from September 2025. The government’s new plan is an attempt to boost inclusivity in schools and give would-be signers useful life skills. A BSL GCSE will...
Opinion – Clothes should not be a legal issue in 2023
A new Wisconsin Bill marks a milestone for Indigenous students. But we should be questioning why legal intervention is necessary in the first place. Under new Assembly Bill 210, students in Wisconsin will now (legally) be allowed to wear tribal regalia – like beadwork and eagle feathers – to their graduation ceremony. The news may sound positive, but the legislation has sparked debate online. Many think it's grossly overdue, given Wisconsin...
Opinion – Consumers are becoming savvy to performative inclusivity
UK beauty brand Pink Honey has come under fire for a recent influencer trip. The backlash proves consumers won’t stand for vapid marketing. Brand controversies seem to be on the rise. Everywhere you look – particularly on social media – a company is facing ridicule for short-sighted campaigns or shallow marketing tactics. But the increase in backlash isn’t necessarily a sign that brands are growing lazier, rather that consumers are demanding more from...
New York’s cosmetology law is breaking beauty barriers
A new requirement – that students learn to style textured hair as part of their training – is signalling change for the global beauty industry. The beauty industry has always been somewhat of a minefield for the Black community, who often find themselves on the fringes of an ostensibly inclusive business. Despite positive changes in the beauty space, including the rise of Black-owned businesses and the proliferation of products designed with Black...
