KFC Youth Foundation has awarded £90,000 to 15 charities and community groups in London.

This fund is to vulnerable young people while pillaring dance and theatre classes, sports activities and specialist mental health access. 

This decision comes warmly accepted by local communities as they seek to help their causes within the respective communities.

Coinciding with KFC’s 60th anniversary, each of the 15 charities and community groups will receive £6,000 across two years.

Care to Dance CEO and founder Beth Vecchione said: “Since this funding we have managed to sustain our programmes over years, meaning we can build trusting and long-lasting relationships with young people.

“By doing this, young people grow to believe more in themselves, their value and what they could achieve”

Since the launch of the foundation, more than £10million has been donated to grassroots organisations with the mission of making a positive, lasting impact on young people.

The impact of this funding within the local communities that KFC serves is shown in KFC’s first ever economic and community impact report, ‘Believing in chicken since 65’, which explores KFC’s contribution to the UK economy and communities.

The findings demonstrate the positive impact of KFC in London specifically, which includes KFC adding £166m each year to the local economy in London and KFC creating 5,775 jobs in London.

In total, KFC has contributed an estimated £11.6 billion to the UK economy over the last 60 years, through its investment in restaurants, suppliers and jobs. 

KFC PanEurope chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer Jenny Packwood said: “The foundation’s latest round of funding is the biggest yet and forms a crucial part of KFC’s commitment to ing the communities we serve as we mark 60 years in the UK.”

This is another wave of continued nationwide by the chicken brand with almost £500k donated to more than150 local causes this year alone.

Find out more about KFC Youth Foundation here.

Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash

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A major £30 million employment programme has launched across London to help more than 5,000 residents into work, training, or education over the next year.

Part of the Government’s £170m ‘Get Britain Working’ initiative, London is the only region with five trailblazer pilots.

The £30m London scheme targets those not in employment, education, or training (NEET) along with disabled people and carers.

Shadi Brazell, helping deliver one of the pilots through the Central London Forward, said: “Some young people can’t do unpaid work – it’s just not possible for them.

“So this programme covers salaries to help them get real-life work experience, with no cost to the employer.”

Tailored pilots across London boroughs

Each of London’s four sub-regional partnerships is leading a tailored pilot programme designed to meet its community’s specific needs.

For example, South London’s scheme will refer people directly from NHS services into job .

Central London’s pilot s care-experienced young people, providing internet access, laptops, and phones to help them live and work independently.

The programme in West London builds on existing employment initiatives, enhancing and reach.

Finally, the Local London pilot targets inequalities affecting women, carers, and disabled residents.

and resources to overcome barriers in the £30m London scheme

A new digital platform will connect s with real-time job and training opportunities in their local area.

Parents returning to work can access a new Childcare Fund to cover costs not covered by other grants.

Forogh Rahmani, who works with Local London, one of the four sub-regional partnerships, said: “Local London has one of the highest levels of economic inactivity rates in the capital.

“Poor health is a significant contributor to this.”

Success, she added, means residents overcome work and health-related barriers and move into good, sustainable jobs.

Brazell added: “We’re trying to really listen to what people’s requirements are and meet them where they are.

“We don’t want to say: this is what’s on offer, and if it doesn’t work for you, we can’t help.”

She emphasised that building confidence is key – noting that for many young people, unpaid work simply isn’t an option.

London Councils estimates that 1.3 million residents are economically inactive, with nearly one in five young people unemployed.

City Hall, local authorities, and the DWP will track the pilot’s outcomes to help shape long-term employment policy across London and beyond.

Photo credit alice_photo, Adobe Stock.

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The UK has plummeted down the rankings for LGBTQ+ rights for European countries to 22nd out of 49, ILGA data shows. 

ILGA’s rainbow map ranks countries on their legal and policy practices for LGBTQ+ people, ing for things like hate speech, asylum conditions and legal gender recognition. 

The UK was 13th last year and was once ranked first in Europe for four years in the early 2010s, but this fall down the ranking reflects a tumultuous time for the LGBTQ+ community in Britain. 

West London Queer Project (WLQP) founder Aubrey Crawley said: “As a gay man, the level of homophobia that we’re getting is increasing, and that’s online and social media.

“It’s still a lot better than a lot of the world, but we’’’re certainly feeling that increase in hostility and hate.”

Crawley described an incident just a few weeks ago where three of WLQP, who are young and vulnerable refugees, were physically targeted at an event.

He claimed incidents like these are on the rise. 

In his inclusion strategy for the city, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “In the past few years, I have marched in solidarity with of our city’s LGBTQ+ community. 

“It has made me realise that a commitment to diversity is at the very core of our identity as Londoners. 

“But I also know that we are not perfect and more needs to be done to build bridges between our communities, and to strengthen the bonds between people from different walks of life.”

The main reason for this ranking drop is April’s Supreme Court ruling the definition of a ‘woman’ under the Equality Act 2010 referred to biological sex assigned at birth.

The ILGA data give the UK a score of 12/15 for the legal gender recognition category.

Crawley said: “I think it’s incredibly short-sighted, it’s very uninformed, it’s very cruel. 

“In my circle of friends, I don’t know one that is comfortable with this ruling. 

“The spotlight is shone on the wrong crowd. It should be sexual predators – that’s the issue.

“People can’t get away from calling LGBTQ+ people paedophiles and groomers.

“It’s a million years away from that, it has nothing to do with that.”

Picture credit: Free to use from iStock

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I started sucking in my stomach at the age of nine. I think about that sometimes and it seems crazy to me that I had such an awareness that I was bigger than my friends before I was ten years old.

The reason I began sucking in my stomach was because I moved schools and that meant I was opening myself up to hundreds of new people who would see me daily.

And I guess I thought that by constantly holding in my tummy I would somehow not look fat, and therefore not be an easy target for cruel jokes.

I’m 25 now and I don’t think I have ever been happy with my weight. 

Even when I was skin and bone after developing gallstones and pancreatitis at 18, when my body shrunk so small my calves were the same width as my thighs.

I’m still thinking about losing weight every day of my life, especially as my dream is to be a presenter which means I would be putting myself out there to (hopefully one day) hundreds of thousands of people.

But believe it or not, the unhappiness with my weight still never makes me want to take ozempic.

Ozempic was developed as a medication to treat type-two diabetes: a chronic condition where a hormone called insulin doesn’t work efficiently or there is not enough of it produced resulting in the level of glucose in your blood becoming too high.

However, it is now the new must-have weight loss medication that is sweeping Hollywood and the catwalks of fashion shows and consequently there has been a return of “heroin chic” body types and the glorification of skinny figures.

Kelly Osbourne, Billie Jean King and Meghan Trainor are just a few of the celebrities who have come forward proclaiming they’ve used ozempic to help them lose and manage their weight.

@enews #KellyOsbourne ♬ original sound – E! News

In the past ten years I felt as though the body positivity campaign had come a long way since I was a teenager as I was seeing more diverse bodies in the media I was consuming.

There has been a growing movement of people referring to themselves as ‘mid-size’ and some creators are trying to show more honesty when it comes to what they actually look like behind filters and good lighting.

Barbie even comes in different shapes and sizes now.

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However, just 0.8% of 8,763 looks presented across 208 shows across New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks were plus-size, Vogue Business’ size inclusivity report revealed.

London was notably the most size inclusive fashion week out of those featured in the report, with London-based designer Katoline Vitto as the only designer to feature 100% mid or plus-size looks.

Out of 39 shows across the four big fashion weeks 18 had 0% plus-size looks.

Plus-size model and fashion consultant Becky Barnes has noticed a difference in her work since the ozempic boom.

Barnes said: “I’ve definitely seen a drop in work for myself and my fellow plus size models. Even plus size specific brands are using smaller models.

“It is a reflection of societal trends, but the fact that casting directors are pandering to said trends is worrying. They have the power to drive positive change and represent all types of bodies.”

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Plus-size model Bryony Moss is also worried about the return of super skinny models.

Moss said: “It took me years to decide that I wanted to work in the fashion industry.

“I fear that if brands use thinner models that conditions like eating disorders will be on the rise – which I find very scary.”

I began to wonder – if we would be consuming more media that would feature smaller bodies, as well as having weight-loss medication more readily available, how would that affect the body positivity movement and the way that we see ourselves?

Barnes believes the body positivity movement has already been affected.

She said: “There will always be some kind of fad weight loss product to prey on people’s insecurities – it’s a tale as old as time. 

“This one just feels particularly scary, it’s a real unknown, and feels quite drastic. 

“I just hope all these people on it are safe and stay well – I completely understand the reasons why they want to go on it, but it just feels like a disaster waiting to happen.”

Beat is the UK’s leading charity ing those affected by eating disorders, they estimate that at least 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder.

Tom Quinn, Beat’s Director of External Affairs, said: “We are very concerned about the increasing popularity of weight loss injections. 

“Medications that cause weight loss are incredibly attractive to people with eating disorders because they appear to provide quick results.

“‘However, these medications are extremely dangerous to people because they can worsen harmful eating disorder behaviours and thoughts for people who are unwell, or contribute to an eating disorder developing in those who are vulnerable.”

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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) issued a t Enforcement Notice on 11 April making clear that adverts for named prescription-only medicines for weight-management are prohibited.

The notice applies to adverts on social media including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

GPhC has also published guidance that prescribers of weight-loss medication must independently a person’s weight, height and/or body mass index before issuing medication.

The guidance states: “We were pleased to see the General Pharmaceuticals Council had brought in stricter rules around the prescription of weight loss injections. 

“We hope the new rules ensure that these serious medications fall into the hands of fewer vulnerable people. 

“However, we’d like to see further steps being taken, including a mandatory mental health screening to go alongside physical health checks – currently it’s not clear whether the new rules specify this.

“Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions which cannot be properly assessed by looking at BMI alone.”

Whether the medication is being used by A-list celebrities to achieve a smaller figure or everyday people to help manage their weight, it seems like the ozempic boom is here to stay.

I just hope that everyone is safe and well and that eventually we can all come to accept our bodies for what they are – myself included.

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.  

Feature image: Ozempic pen. Image by Dennis Sylvester Hurd via Flickr.  CC BY 2.0

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The director of group dedicated to tackling the UK’s electrical waste problem is cautious over what impact the ban on single-use vapes will have.

The ban, which comes into effect on 1 June, is aimed at halting an estimated 8.2 million vapes being thrown away or improperly recycled each week in the UK, contributing to the world’s fastest-growing waste stream.

Incorrectly disposed vapes can start fires, release toxic substances like battery acid and lead into water and soil, and waste valuable materials such as copper and lithium, yet Material Focus executive director Scott Butler is not convinced the ban is enough address these issues.

Butler said: “I’m not expecting much change.

“I think it sends a strong signal and it’s taking the most environmentally, wasteful, and damaging types of waste off the market. 

“It is a good thing, but it’s just one leg of a long journey that we’re going to have with this product.”

Concerns remain vape producers may attempt to by the ban with new designs which meet the letter of the law but are not fully reusable.

To qualify as reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery, a replaceable coil and be refillable.

However, there is no legal requirement for retailers to sell replacement parts.

Butler said: “We’re seeing new models that are legal under the new definition that look almost identical to the ones that they’re replacing.

“You could have a scenario where you sell legal vapes, but with no ability to buy any of the parts that make them refillable and rechargeable.”

Beyond design loopholes, some concern remains over the adequacy of current Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations and their enforcement.

Any company which produces a significant number of electrical items is required to , report their sales, and finance the cost of their product being recycled.

Although some vape retailers and producers meet their environmental obligations, many are accused of free-riding, which is bringing products to market without complying with regulations.

This effectively transforms avoided fines, plus waste disposal and recycling costs, into profit for producers and retailers.

For example, from April 2024, vape retailers must offer take-back schemes for used vapes, and non-compliance risks prosecution and unlimited fines.

However, only 11% of retailers met these requirements under WEEE regulations, according to research from Material Focus conducted in 2024.

Enforcement is carried out by multiple agencies including the Environment Agency and Trading Standards, but the unique pervasiveness of disposable vapes makes it difficult.

Butler said: “It’s as easy to buy a vape as it is to buy a bag of crisps or a can of coke.

“It’s incredibly challenging to have that many people on the ground, so it’s up to those selling vapes, trade associations, and retailer associations to really make sure that their are fully aware and on board.”

Most waste electrical legislation was designed for large household items like washing machines, microwaves, and televisions.

As a result, it has taken time for legislation to catch up and address smaller, short-life items such as disposable vapes.

All waste electrical equipment must be reported under one of 14 categories, with vapes currently under category seven.

This covers toys, leisure, and sports equipment, but fails to represent the true cost of recycling vaping products.

While other items in category seven cost between £35 and £270 per tonne to recycle, vapes can cost £13,000 and £20,000 per tonne, according to industry estimates, due to the complex mix of materials they contain.

A review of WEEE regulations, proposed by The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), will create a dedicated category for vapes to improve tracking and ability, and is expected to be implemented later this year.

Other incoming legislation, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aims to curb the rising consumption of vapes, which has increased rapidly year on year since their introduction to the UK market.

Material Focus will assess the impact of the single-use vape ban later this year, and although the picture may look bleak, there are reasons to remain optimistic. 

Vapes should not be thrown in general bins, recycling bins or recycled with regular batteries, but should be recycled as electronic waste at vape stores, supermarkets, and designated recycling points.

To find a nearby electrical waste drop-off point, please visit the Recycle Your Electricals website.

Feature image: Image by atlascompany on Freepik

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The hair transplant industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing societal acceptance and high-profile endorsements.

It used to be something people whispered about, but now it’s a booming business. 

From TikTok testimonials to Turkish clinics, hair transplants have entered the mainstream and show no signs of slowing down.

According to data from Precedence Research, the global hair transplant market was valued at $7.62billion (£6billion) in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately $49.06billion (£38.6billion) by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.47%.

Europe, in particular, held a substantial market share of 34% in 2024, indicating a strong regional interest in hair restoration solutions.

Audiences have witnessed high profile celebrities who’ve gone public about undergoing hair restoration at clinics like Wimpole Clinic on Harley Street, London.

One example is England Test cricket captain Ben Stokes, who shared his transformation publicly. 

Stokes, among others, is helping shift the discourse from taboo to transparency and many testimonies point to improved mental health following surgery.

In England’s capital, it’s no surprise prices are typically higher than in Turkish clinics. 

But for many clients visiting a London surgery like Richard Lobb, 27, from Dulwich, security and aftercare outweigh the cost.

Lobb said: “With being in my 20s and seeing my hair fall out week in, week out, it was really tough to accept.

“So many factors played a part in my decision, but it was mainly about my self-esteem.

“Last year, I finally felt less ashamed to go ahead with the operation, after years of fearing what people would think.”

Lobb began noticing more and more ments across the city.

He said: “On the tube, I couldn’t ignore the [Belgravia Centre] poster of a man’s hair transformation.

“And increasingly, my TikTok feed was full of celebrities of before-and-after images.

“I scoured the internet for months to wise up on the topic, and finally booked a consultation at a London clinic. 

“I chose a local one out of convenience – I wanted the ability to return if something ever happened.

“The results are amazing and it has given me a confidence I’d forgotten I once had.

“I’m a lot happier.”

Demand is surging among young men

Data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS, 2022) shows that in 2010, 33,194 surgical restoration procedures were performed in Europe.

In 2021, that number jumped to 112,742, representing a 240% increase.

Social media exposure is a key driver, especially among younger men.

According to recent research, 95% of first-time hair transplant patients in 2024 were aged 25-35, compared with the 2000s, when most were between 30-45.

Today, just 2.8% of first-time patients fall into the 36-45 age group.

Medical expertise and London’s clinics

Hair transplant surgeon Dr Mary Lopresti said: “Let’s be clear, the rise in patient numbers isn’t because people are suddenly more vain, it’s because they’re more educated.

“They’re focused on finding qualified surgeons who perform their own surgeries, not handing them off to unlicensed techs at shady clinics overseas.”

The Wimpole Clinic reports success rates between 97% and 100%, scoring above the industry standard.

Such stats help boost public confidence in the procedure.

Influencer visibility and changing perceptions

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have made hair transplant journeys more visible than ever. 

Influencers now document every stage – from pre-op nerves to hairline reveals.

The TikTok below, for instance, has over 26 million views:

Wayne Rooney is widely credited with kickstarting the UK trend back in 2011 when he tweeted openly about getting his transplant.

Since then, influencers, YouTubers and reality TV stars have followed suit, from Love Island’s Jack Fincham to YouTuber Mike Majlak (3M subscribers), whose transplant video has racked up nearly two million views.

Comments under the video show a shift in public curiosity, where questions about cost, pain, and recovery dominate. 

This visibility is mirrored in Google Trends data, with the search term ‘hair transplant’ displaying a consistent upward trajectory and a notable spike around 2011, when Rooney went public.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS, 2018) report noted social media as a key driver behind people’s decision making.

The report outlined the effects it had on people’s self-perception both on and off camera, with a large impact on surgery and cosmetic practice rates.

AAFPRS president Dr Mary Lynn Moran said: “The technology is improving at an accelerated pace, making less invasive options with little downtime more accessible and enticing.”

Innovation: From hair plugs to high-tech precision

In the past, most transplants were performed using FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation), where a strip of hair is surgically removed.

While groundbreaking at the time, it’s now seen as invasive and dated, and the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method has since become the standard. 

This involves extracting individual follicle units using a specialist tool and re-implanting them to bald areas of the scalp, offering better precision and reduced scarring.

Some London clinics now incorporate robotic assistance to reduce human error and minimise surgeon fatigue.

London: The UK capital of hair transplants

In the UK, 39% of all hair transplant clinics are based in London.

Of these, 26% are on Harley Street, the street famous for its specialist medical care.

Gone are the days of patchy hair plugs from the 1970s, and using large grafts which produced a peculiar looking outcome. 

Patients now know they can receive treatment from surgeons with experience in the profesion, to ensure natural-looking results.

London offers what many overseas clinics cannot in continuity of care, proximity and regulation.

Many Brits opt for cheap medical tourism, but this can disappoint with cases of people seeking repair surgery when returning to England’s capital.

In line with this, a recent survey by the Wimpole Clinic found that of 57 clinics listed on Google, only 28 had ed surgeons with the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery, a leading professional body for ethical and qualified practitioners.

Yet with social media visibility, improved techniques, and growing public acceptance, the industry is seeing its most significant expansion to date.

Once a niche or stigmatised procedure, hair transplantation is now a multi-billion pound market and London sits at the heart of it.

Featured image credit: All-Pro Reels via Flickr under CC BY-SA 2.0

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The Ivy’s Chelsea restaurant won gold at the Chelsea in Bloom awards ceremony on 20 May after entering the competition for the first time.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden partnered with previous Chelsea in Bloom-winning florist PHOHM to create a ‘Sloane Ranger’ floral installation which celebrates the fashion identifier synonymous with the locals of Chelsea and Sloane Square.

The iconic show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with the theme of ‘Flowers in Fashion’.

Santino Cicciari, General Manager at The Ivy Chelsea Garden said: “Every year at The Ivy Chelsea Garden, we celebrate the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with an installation, however this year we wanted to go that step further and take part in its associated show, Chelsea in Bloom.

“We are delighted to win gold and are thrilled with the the installation has received so far.

“Many ersby have interacted with the immersive elements we have included, such as the hay-bale seating, to invite the public to step into our floral world and become part of the story.”

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The Ivy and PHOHM worked with stylist Moss Omey to source second-hand, original British heritage brand clothing to develop a cast of character archetypes inspired by the evolution of the Sloane Ranger.

On top of the fashion dedicated to the Sloane Ranger the display also includes the iconic green Ivy uniform.

Phoebe Mulrooney from PHOHM said: “Every outfit has been carefully considered to reflect different Sloane archetypes, from nostalgic to modern, and the flowers have been styled to echo those fashion choices.

“We hope people will connect with the familiarity of our display and feel a sense of nostalgia.

“A moment of fashion, flowers and storytelling, all wrapped up in a very Chelsea kind of nostalgia.”

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In addition to the theme at Chelsea in Bloom, the installation also nods to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show theme of ‘Your Space Your Story’ due to the space on The Kings Road being synonymous with Sloane Ranger fashion and lifestyle.

Alongside the ‘Ode to the Sloane Ranger’ at The Ivy Chelsea Garden, the celebration of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has travelled nationwide across the restaurant’s branches with a fruity and floral cocktail menu crafted in partnership with Lillet.

The cocktails on offer champion floral flavours including Lavender, Hibiscus and Jasmine.

The menu pays tribute to the beauty of nature and the imaginative spirit of the multitude of entries to both Chelsea in Bloom and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

A beekeeper is featured in the display and pays homage to the restaurant’s newest dessert launched exclusively for the May floral celebrations; the Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake.

The Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake and cocktail list that was created in partnership with Lillet will be available at The Ivy Chelsea garden until 31 May.

Bee-friendly plants have also been chosen for the display to celebrate pollinators with planted materials being chosen wherever possible to make the installation more sustainable.

Many of the plants will be donated after the festival concludes.

The award-winning installation will feature at The Ivy Chelsea Garden until Sunday.

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Residents in Shepherd’s Bush are feeling increasingly unsafe in their own neighbourhood as anti-social behaviour reports are increase.

Despite a fall in crime as claimed by Hammersmith and Fulham council, residents claim they are not seeing the results on their streets, with one house having their doorstep defecated on twice in as many months.

A group of residents have mobilised a petition in Shepherd’s Bush to try and address what they see as a black mark on the West London borough.

Nigel Singh, a resident of Shepherd’s Bush for three years, said: “It’s just not safe.

“I thought I was the only person of that opinion but we quickly found many people with the same view.

“We believe the council have neglected this area, and focused on other areas within the borough.”

The council stated crime is falling, with 845 fewer victims of crime in the borough in 2024 compared to 2023.

However, there has been a rise in reports of anti-social behaviour as illustrated below.

While it is early in the year, there does not seem to be a falloff in anti-social behaviour reports in 2025 so far.

Angela, a resident of Shepherd’s Bush for 28 years, said: “If people are being cautioned and then turning up the next day, there should be another level of enforcement or action that the police can take.

“It’s the same group of people and they come to Shepherds Bush because they know they can get away with it, and they have been doing it for years.”

Problems residents frequently complain about are public urination, open drug dealing and harassment.

Hammersmith and Fulham employ 72 law enforcement team officers who operate 24/7 in an effort to work alongside the police and discourage anti-social behaviour.

However, residents don’t feel that they have enough powers bestowed on them and simply do not work as intended.

Noor, who recently bought a flat in the area, said: “They might be pleasant as people, but they’re not effective.

“They’re kind individuals and they empathise with how we’re feeling, but actually the impact is very minimal.”

She added she was proud of her achievement of buying in London, but felt let down by the constant anti-social behaviour she had to endure, making her feel unsafe.

Resident Nigel Singh said: “We need to cure the cause, which is neglect from the council.

“If we can cure that, we don’t need as many police or LET officers in our area.”

The residents whose house which was defecated on wanted to remain anonymous due to fear of further attacks.

They said: “I’ve barely ever seen a police officer or law enforcement team in the area.

“The police need to do more.”

The petition doesn’t just address crime itself, but what it sees as the causes of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The signatories are calling on the council to do more to improve the high-street visually by incentivising landlords to fill empty lets, investing in better lighting, and more focused networks for vulnerable people.

Police Sergeant Alex Orme spoke to residents of the ward and sympathised with many of the residents’ issues.

He frequently addressed the lack of funding afforded to his team to fight this sort of crime and stressed the importance of residents reporting issues.

Sergeant Orme said: “There is difficulty inside the [Metropolitan Police] asg people to different areas, there is a gap that exists.”

“[The ward is] a through-road meeting point for people who want to do this [anti-social behaviour].”

The Metropolitan Police also pointed to the fact their figures were different to ones that the council might possess, and they were not able to man the area all hours of the day as their shift finished at midnight.

Hammersmith and Fulham council were ed for comment.

Residents can sign the petition here.

Feature image: News Associates

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Salary costs of BBC staff working in diversity and inclusion have doubled in the last three years, according to new figures.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed the total amount spent on salaries increased from £830,599 in 2021/22 to £1,688,758 in 2023/24.

The costs detail the total amount spent on salaries for people whose primary role is promoting, planning, or enhancing diversity and inclusion initiatives over the past.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Diversity and inclusion are part of the BBC’s public purposes as set out in our Royal Charter to ensure we serve and reflect all audiences.

“Our workforce diversity and inclusion colleagues work to ensure that we have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK and our creative diversity colleagues work to improve on and off-air diversity within productions, ultimately leading to greater representation and authenticity in our content.”

The broadcaster’s three-year diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy – set out in 2021 – saw £243 million worth of TV and radio budgets spent on content from 2021 to 2024.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance – who campaign for lower tax rates for the British taxpayer – believes such roles in workplaces are not necessary.

Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “License fee payers will be furious that the BBC has splashed millions on diversity managers. 

“BBC bosses are always pleading poverty when it comes to cuts to services, but seem to have no problem finding more cash for bloated backroom bureaucracies.

“EDI roles inside the public broadcaster should be scrapped.”

The point of scrapping diversity roles is now being echoed in a wider context as Reform UK have pledged to cut jobs in and diversity and inclusion within councils and bring in auditors, with Nigel Farage telling current DEI officers to ‘look for another job’.

In an interview with Channel 4, former Derby County Council Conservative leader Barry Lewis said Reform’s pledges could backfire on themselves.

He said: “Local government auditors are as rare as hen’s teeth, so if Reform can even find them, pay for them to put them in the organisation and do what they think they’re going to be able to do, I would think this would be a monumental waste of cash.”

Featured Image Credit: Alexander Svensson, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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A deep and moving autobiographical comedy reflecting the experiences of refugees and OCD sufferers is being showcased at Bush Theatre.

Insane Asylum Seekers is an of growing up developing obsessive-compulsive-disorder (OCD) with Iraqi parents who resettled in the UK, and explores the pain of war and displacement in comedic ways.

The play at the Shepherd’s Bush venue, which runs until 7 June with tickets costing £15, is based on the true story of Laith Elzubaidi and is performed by Tommy Sim’aan.

Throughout his performance, Sim’ann switches between Laith’s father and mother, showcasing their experiences to the audience.

The most notable point of the play comes when Laith accompanies his mother back to Baghdad 30 years later.

The story highlights the struggles of refugees, an issue that has undoubtedly become a sensitive and controversial topic in recent months.

Last week, prime minister Keir Starmer was accused of invoking Enoch Powell in describing the UK as at risk of becoming an “Island of Strangers.”

Hammersmith and Fulham Council announced on their website that they plan to introduce a local Refugee Week, starting with a fun-day on Saturday 14 June on Brook Green.

Refugee Week claims to be the world’s largest festival which celebrates the achievements of refugees across the world.

The movement is international, with events sparked all over the globe.

Insane Asylum Seekers also aims to draw on the experiences of people with OCD, a debilitating condition which affects roughly 750,000 people in the UK.

Resources available for anyone affected by the themes in this article include ocduk.org and refugeecouncil.org.

Picture credit: Alex Powell

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