The Church of Englandʼs handling of abuse cases draws strong criticism in recent correspondence. John Smythʼs case shows how church leaders focused on the abuser instead of victims — a choice that let abuse continue unchecked (its a pattern that many survivors know too-well). The departure of Justin Welby ends what writers describe as a troubling period for the institution which lost trust during covid-19 lockdowns
A proposed assisted-dying law raises concerns based on other countries experiences. Canadaʼs system — started in 2016 — shows how initial strict rules can change: by 27 theyʼll allow mental illness as sole reason for requests. Critics point out that no safeguards can fully stop inheritance-motivated coercion
New research paints a worrying picture of Britainʼs gambling scene:
- Most lenient ad rules in Europe
- Youth problem rates doubled since last year
- 1.65 million kids live with problem gamblers
- Social media and sports full of betting ads
The postal service gets unexpected praise from charity workers who note that real mail helps elderly veterans mental health. Meanwhile energy-policy writers suggest that 5-year election cycles make long-term planning hard; dont expect quick fixes
Farming tax policies draw criticism from cheese exporters who face multiple challenges:
- Inheritance tax pressure
- Possible US tariffs
- Supply chain risks
A historical note discusses Dutch resistance during WW2 — including a massive strike in 41 that saw 300‚000 people protest Nazi actions (though it ended with brutal response and heavy fines)
The Dutch also hid 25‚000 Jews‚ 18‚000 successfully