Anglican Communion supports fleeing refugees
The CofE's Diocese in Europe has joined forces with mission agency USPG to launch an emergency appeal to support Christian charities and churches carrying out humanitarian work both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. They have partners on the ground providing food, medicine, shelter, care for children and people internally displaced in Ukraine. With refugees they are supplying care at the border and beyond, including attention to those from Africa and Asia as well as Ukrainians who are fleeing the war. The archbishop of Tanzania has called on the UN to take urgent action to support over two million displaced people, particularly children, the elderly, and those most vulnerable. He has urged all member states to do what they can to support the UN in its vital work caring for those forced to flee.
Britain increases weapons shipments to Ukraine
Defence secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the UK had delivered 3,615 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, and will provide a ‘small consignment’ of Javelin anti-tank missiles. ‘The international community has donated 900+ manned portable air defence missiles, thousands of anti-tank guided weapons of varying type and various small arms, but the capability needs strengthening,’ he told MPs. Britain will now consider the donation of Starstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles at the request of the Ukrainian government. Supplies of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid is also being stepped up. Mr Wallace added, ‘President Zelensky's people are fighting for their very survival and are united against the aggression, it is indeed Ukraine’s darkest hour.’ He continues to rule out a no-fly zone over Ukraine on the grounds that it would disadvantage its military. But Ukraine's president said the international community will be responsible for a ‘mass humanitarian catastrophe’ if it does not agree a no-fly zone to protect his country.
Inflation and household bills
With inflation rising, young people are feeling the pinch more than ever. In a national poll conducted at the beginning of 2022, which involved more than 11,000 people, London came out bottom - with just 37% of Londoners saying they felt their rent was affordable. There is also a gender gap, with 1/3 of women in London spending over 50% of their salary on rent, compared with 1/4 of men. See The Resolution Foundation said the dramatic increase in global oil and gas prices was forecast to push UK inflation above 8% this spring, causing average incomes across Britain to fall by 4% in the coming financial year. That is worth £1,000 per household, the biggest annual decline since 1975. It warned chancellor Rishi Sunak that urgent steps were required to help the poorest families in Britain with soaring living costs, adding that weak wage growth and high inflation would drive more children into poverty.
Technology must tackle scam advertisements
The Government is failing to tackle an alarming growth in fraud nationwide. An updated draft of the Online Safety Bill will address laws covering harmful user-generated posts, adverts, and promotions. Images of celebrities are regularly used to advertise fraudulent scams, and a consultation is being launched over rules for online advertising to end the increase of consumer harm; there could be a new online advertising regulator to block and ban advertisers that repeatedly break the rules. The Government will leave it to Ofcom to decide whether the systems and processes are proportionate. Search engines may have to pay compensation to people duped by scams advertised through their platforms.
