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...
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Disposable vapes to be banned in the UK by next year
In a bid to protect children’s health the British government will ban the sale of disposable vapes at the start of 2025. Colourful packaging and fruity flavours will also be restricted to prevent the appeal to new, young smokers. In the last few years, vaping has taken the world by...
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...
Natural History Museum relaunches Generation Hope: Act for the Planet
Between 7-10 February, the NHM will be hosting a series of free events curated in partnership with scientists and young people from around the world to drive positive change for a global future. On a mission to ‘create advocates that are informed, confident, and motivated to make wise decisions, get...
A stark ideological divide is emerging globally among Gen Z
New research has revealed that the demographic is increasingly split on political issues, with young men becoming more conservative and young women becoming more progressive. Something unexpected is happening between Gen Z men and women. Over the past decade, numerous studies measuring public opinion have uncovered that notoriously progressive young people...
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...
Women added to committee for COP29 after gender bias backlash
Last week, Azerbaijan’s president announced an all-male panel for the global climate summit, which the country will host in December. This decision was immediately condemned by campaigners as regressive, sparking an inclusivity U-turn. On January 15, the president of Azerbaijan announced that the organising committee for the COP29 global climate summit – which the country will host in December – would comprise 28 men and no women. The decision was...
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...
Drug consumption rooms could save thousands of British lives
The world’s largest review of drug consumption rooms reveals that they are integral to harm-reduction and could slash the transmission of fatal diseases. In addition, they may help reduce pressure on ambulance callouts and the burden on UK hospitals.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales has risen for the eleventh year in a row, with
Climate change is impacting babies’ birth weight
According to a new study, exposure to cold or heat stress, particularly in the latter stages of pregnancy, leads to children being too large or too small for their gestational age. Last year was the hottest on record by an enormous margin, with the Earth 1.48°C warmer than pre-industrial levels and dangerously close to the 1.5°C limit set during the 2015 Paris Agreement. In 2023, the average...
