UK news archive

31.12.2004 In an early test of the Freedom of Information Act, The Guardian has filed a request to see the attorney general's controversial advice concerning the legality of the Iraq war.

30.12.2004 Access to knowledge becomes a "right" on 1st January when the Freedom of Information Act 2000 becomes effective in England and Wales. Friends of the Earth is playing a major role is raising awareness of the Act, assisting people to use it, and monitoring its observance by government and companies.

24.12.2004 Thousands of rural homes in poor countries can look forward to receiving a valuable goat, the best selling gift in this year's Christmas catalogues for Oxfam and Cafod.

23.12.2004 As two more Belmarsh detainees are moved to Broadmoor. the Royal College of Psychiatrists warns the government that decline in mental health is likely to be caused by indefinite detention and lack of legal redress.

22.12.2004 The European Commission has abandoned proposals to close selected areas to fishing. The inference is that the UK government has ignored recommendations of a Royal Commission published only 3 weeks ago.
From: WWF-UK

22.12.2004 Noone was too bothered about a small circulation magazine publishing creative articles about religion in Northern Ireland - until the City Council realised that the magazine was financed by its arts budget

21.12.2004 The Home Office continues its annus horribilis. Its latest publication "A Journey to Citizenship" - required reading for new immigrants preparing for their entry test - strays into the history of the British empire and its contribution to nation-building and justice - a subjective minefield at the best of times.

20.12.2004 Campaigners in Edinburgh are warming up for February's referendum on transport policy - a chance for people who do not own a car to have an equal say with the drivers.

17.12.2004 Following the dramatic Law Lords ruling that anti-terror legislation is unlawful, campaigners are calling for the release of detainees in Belmarsh and Woodhill.

17.12.2004 Legislation introduced in response to 9/11 led to the indefinite Belmarsh detention of foreign national terror suspects. In a case judged by Amnesty to be "of central importance to the protection of human rights", the Law Lords have ruled that the UK government is in breach of its international obligations.

16.12.2004 There seems little love lost amongst ethnic minority communities for the departing Home Secretary, David Blunkett, whose policies on asylum-seekers have created a "climate of fear".

15.12.2004 Why are minority ethnic police more likely to face disciplinary action than their colleagues in the Met? Suspicion continues to lie with freemason links as the Bill Morris Inquiry recommends further investigation into discrimination.

14.12.2004 First the fuel duty escalator; now recycling targets - the government persists in its belief that dumping environmental objectives will buy votes.

13.12.2004 Deaths from brain diseases such as Parkinson's are increasing sharply in the UK. It's not just because we are living longer.

10.12.2004 The final court of appeal has ruled that the UK government breached the Geneva Convention and the Race Relations Act in its treatment of Czech Roma gypsies. The case exposes the authorities' racist tactics in handling asylum-seekers.

09.12.2004 An asylum seeker fails in his application to enter the UK. He is deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Does anybody care about what happens next?

08.12.2004 A peer-reviewed scientific report recommends dramatic cutbacks in fishing to prevent collapse of stocks. Now it's over to the politicians. How many times have we been here before? Will this Royal Commission break the mould?

07.12.2004 An African model for people's media has arrived in the UK. Nearly 200 prospective non-profit community radio stations have applied for licences.

06.12.2004 Why is the black community so poorly represented in Parliament? Do the 13 MPs actually stand up for black interests? what are these interests anyway? A search for the answers begins.

03.12.2004 Campaigners renew calls for an International Arms Trade Treaty following the disclosure that the weapon used in the killing of PC Ian Broadhurst was part of an illegal shipment from Croatia.