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Special report
The London Post
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched an ambitious national drive to get every rough sleeper in England off the streets by Christmas, pledging hundreds of millions of pounds to tackle one of the country’s most persistent social problems.
Burnham said the government would provide £442 million for the initiative, including an additional £102 million announced this week. The programme aims to offer every person sleeping rough a route into emergency accommodation and longer-term support.
Speaking during a visit to homelessness services in the north-east, the Prime Minister said government funding alone would not solve the problem and called on councils, charities, faith organisations and community groups to join the effort.
Burnham has drawn on his experience as mayor of Greater Manchester, where his administration introduced the “A Bed Every Night” programme. He has argued that the approach used during the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that large numbers of people sleeping rough could be brought indoors when government and local services worked together. However, the pledge has been met with scepticism among some homelessness charities and rough sleepers. Critics argue that providing emergency beds is only part of the solution, with affordable housing, mental-health services,
addiction treatment and long-term support also needed to prevent people returning to the scale of the challenge is significant. Government figures recorded 4,793 people sleeping rough in England during the latest annual snapshot, one of the highest figures recorded. In London alone, 3,959 people were recorded sleeping rough between April and June 2026.
Burnham’s record in Greater Manchester is also under scrutiny. While the region introduced several major homelessness initiatives during his time as mayor, reports indicate that rough sleeping subsequently increased, raising questions over whether his national pledge can succeed where earlier ambitions were not fully achieved.
The Prime Minister nevertheless insists that ending rough sleeping is achievable if the government adopts a coordinated approach rather than treating homelessness simply as a housing problem.
With Christmas only months away, Burnham now faces a formidable test: whether his promise can translate into enough emergency beds, permanent homes and support services to make a lasting difference to people living on England’s streets.

Tajammul Gurmani
The UK has introduced some of its most significant changes to the asylum system in recent years, with new rules making refugee protection more temporary and giving the government greater powers to remove support from asylum seekers who can support themselves.
The biggest change applies to people who claim asylum on or after 2 March 2026. Adults who are granted refugee status or humanitarian protection will normally receive 30 months of permission to stay, rather than the previous five-year period. Their protection can then be reviewed and renewed where they still need it. Refugee status no longer automatically means five years
Under the new system, an adult whose asylum claim was made from 2 March 2026 and who is recognised as needing protection will normally receive 30 months’ permission to stay.
The Home Office says the change is designed to create a system in which protection lasts only while a person continues to need it. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are granted protection are treated differently and can receive five years’ permission to stay.
Those granted protection under the new system will still have access to the labour market and public funds, as well as the possibility of applying for a refugee integration loan.
Support for asylum seekers faces tougher conditions. The government has also announced measures allowing asylum accommodation and financial support to be withdrawn in certain circumstances. The Home Office says support may be removed from asylum seekers who work illegally, have the ability to support themselves, have permission to work, or have broken the law. The government has presented the policy as part of a wider attempt to make the asylum system stricter and reduce what it describes as incentives to remain dependent on state support.
The Rwanda policy is no longer the government’s main route. The previous government’s Rwanda removal scheme has also been dismantled. Legislation passed in 2025 repealed the Safety of Rwanda Act, and the government confirmed that no enforced removals to Rwanda took place.
This means that references to the old policy of routinely sending asylum seekers to Rwanda should not be treated as describing the current system.
What happens after protection is granted?
People who claimed asylum before 2 March 2026 generally remain under the previous five-year protection arrangements if their claim is successful. Those who claimed from 2 March 2026 are subject to the new 30-month system.
The government is also pursuing wider immigration reforms. A new Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026 was introduced in Parliament on 30 June 2026, showing that further changes to the asylum and immigration system remain under consideration. Asylum claims from 2 March 2026. Refugee protection for adults is normally granted for 30 months.
* Earlier successful claims: generally remain subject to the previous five-year protection period.
* Unaccompanied children: can receive five years’ permission when granted protection.
* Work: recognised refugees under the new system receive unrestricted access to the labour market.
* Public funds: recognised refugees can access public funds.
* Asylum support: the government has introduced tougher measures aimed at removing support in specified circumstances.
* Rwanda scheme: the previous Rwanda removal policy has been repealed.
* Further reforms: additional immigration legislation is progressing through Parliament.
The changes mark a major shift in the UK’s approach: refugee protection is increasingly being treated as temporary and subject to review, rather than as a straightforward five-year route towards permanent residence.
This article reflects UK government rules and announcements available as of 19 August 2026. Individual asylum cases can be affected by transitional provisions and the circumstances of the claimant.

Staff Reporter
Britain’s drought is showing few signs of ending soon, despite rain returning to parts of the country this week. Almost three-quarters of England has been declared to be in drought after an exceptionally dry summer. England experienced its driest July since records began, receiving only around 10% of its usual rainfall. Forecasters say the arrival of heavy rain will provide some short-term relief, but it is unlikely to end the drought immediately. Reservoirs, rivers and groundwater supplies need sustained rainfall over a much longer period to recover. Some reservoirs in England and Wales are already described as exceptionally low.
Experts warn that a few days of intense rain are not enough. Parched and compacted ground can struggle to absorb sudden downpours, meaning heavy rainfall can cause flooding while doing relatively little to restore underground water supplies. Weeks or even months of steady rain would be more effective. The outlook is particularly concerning for southern and eastern England. A three-month water-resources outlook has indicated an increased likelihood of dry conditions through August to October, while warmer than average temperatures could increase evaporation and reduce the benefits of rainfall. Water restrictions are therefore expected to remain in place in affected areas for some time. The Environment Agency says drought is continuing to put pressure on public water supplies, agriculture, rivers and wildlife.
So when will it end? There is currently no firm date. The drought could begin easing if Britain experiences a sustained period of wet weather, but a complete recovery of reservoirs and groundwater is likely to take considerably longer than the return of rain itself.
For now, forecasters are urging the public not to mistake a few wet days for the end of the drought. Britain needs persistent, widespread rainfall not just a sudden downpour to bring the crisis to an end.

Report Wajahat Ali Khan
The death of former University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has triggered intense public debate, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain the subject of official investigation.
Arday, 41, was found unresponsive at a property in Battersea, south London, on August 14. Emergency services attended the address shortly after 3pm and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police said his death was unexpected but was not being treated as suspicious. A report was being prepared for the coroner.
No confirmed public cause of death
Despite widespread speculation on social media and elsewhere, there has been no publicly established official cause of death in the reliable reports currently available. Claims circulating online about the precise manner or cause of his death should therefore be treated with caution until the coroner or police formally releases that information.
Death came days after Cambridge resignation
Arday’s death came just days after he resigned from Cambridge following mounting scrutiny of his academic record. The university had announced an investigation after receiving what it described as new information concerning his qualifications and career. The controversy included allegations that sections of his 2015 PhD thesis had been plagiarised, as well as questions about other academic work and claims about his background and achievements. Arday denied deliberately plagiarising his thesis. His resignation statement said that the continuing accusations, speculation and public commentary had taken a profound toll on him and those close to him. Family blames sustained harassment
Following his death, Arday’s family said he had been subjected to what they described as a sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation. They said the pressure had become too much for him and asked the media to leave the family alone.
That statement has led to calls for greater scrutiny of the media coverage surrounding Arday. Thousands of people subsequently attended a vigil in London, while a petition calling for a public inquiry gained significant support.
However, there is currently no official finding establishing that media coverage, the Cambridge controversy, or the allegations against Arday caused his death.
Those are questions that remain separate from the medical and legal determination of his cause of death.
A case now surrounded by two different questions
The Arday story therefore involves two distinct issues. The first is the academic controversy and whether the allegations about his qualifications and research were justified. Cambridge’s investigation had not reached a final conclusion when he died. The second is the cause and circumstances of his death, which are matters for the police and coroner.
For now, the most responsible conclusion is simple: Jason Arday’s death was unexpected, police did not initially regard it as suspicious, and the publicly confirmed cause of death remains unresolved. Any claim that definitively links his death to the Cambridge controversy or media scrutiny goes beyond what has been officially established.

City reporter
Pakistan High Commission, London celebrated 80th Independence Day with traditional zeal and enthusiasm. Chairman Kashmir Committee, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon attended the ceremony as guest-of-honour. The event was attended by many members of the Pakistani community, friends of Pakistan, media personnel, and the officials of Pakistan High Commission with families.
High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK, Tipu Usman hoisted Pakistan flag to the tune of National Anthem. The special ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Messages of the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read. High Commissioner Tipu Usman, in his address, commemorated the vision and sacrifices of the nation’s founders. He paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam’s leadership and the courage of all the men and women whose unwavering solidarity, struggle and resilience made independence of Pakistan possible.
The High Commissioner reiterated that Pakistani diaspora in UK are the real ambassadors and appreciated their hard work, dedication & passion who are playing an important role in bridging Pakistan and the UK. Tipu Usman reaffirmed Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) in their just struggle for the right to self-determination as per UN Security Council resolutions. National songs, music performances by British Pakistani Soprano Ms. Saira Peter and participation of children made the Independence Day celebrations more zealous and vibrant. Later, the High Commissioner, along with guests performed cake cutting to celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan.

Bureau Report
Manchester
Senior accountant, Founder Zeeshan & Co and community leader Rasib Khan organised an annual event at his office on Stockport Road, Manchester, to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day. A cake-cutting ceremony was held, followed by the release of helium balloons. Among the prominent guests were senior lawyer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Azhar Siddique, columnist Mazhar Barlas, PTI UK President Malik Imran Khalil, Tahir Nadeem, Sehar Ali, Mishal Aqeel Pinki, Humayun Sahibzada, Faiqa Gul Sahibzada, Tajammul Gurmani, singer Asia Suman, Zahida Sheikh and others. Addressing the gathering, Rasib Khan congratulated the Pakistani nation on Independence Day and stressed the need for political dialogue to strengthen the country’s internal security. “We have been celebrating Independence Day since 1979. We invite people from all walks of life, make special arrangements, serve cultural food, and offer special prayers for the country,” he added.

Bureau Report
Manchester
To celebrate Pakistan Independence Day, Carvan-e-Adab organised “Istehkam-e-Pakistan Conference” and a Mehfil-e-Mushaira at the Pakistani Community Centre, Stockport Road, Manchester. Senior journalist and TV anchor Suhail Warraich was the chief guest, while prominent poets and writers from Pakistan and the UK participated in the colourful event. Sabir Raza, President of Carvan-e-Adab, and Ch Sakindar Nawaz, Chairman of Carvan-e-Adab UK, hosted the event.
Chairman Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, Abdul Razza Sajid, in his address, congratulated the Pakistani nation on Independence Day. He said the day reminds us of the sacrifices of our forefathers and the importance of unity. He urged people to pray for love, dignity and unity among the nation. He said Pakistan was established after a long struggle and that Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal, Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Abdul Rab Nishtar and other leaders of the Pakistan Movement were highly qualified and dedicated leaders. He said Pakistan needed to overcome political conflicts and that the people of the country were patriotic. He called on the political leadership to create harmony in the country. “The people of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir are patriotic, but unfortunately, they are protesting against the regime. We need to listen to their demands and resolve their issues peacefully,” he stressed.

Tajammul Gurmani
Manchester
Pakistani community celebrated the Independence Day of Pakistan in Manchester. The largest event was hosted by the Consulate General of Pakistan. The renowned people who attended the event included Consul General Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, MP Afzal Khan, MP Adnan Khan, MP Yasmin Qureshi, Lord Mayor of Manchester Shoukat Ali, business tycoon Tariq Ghani, Father Falak Sher, Ch Tahir Siddique, Ch Mussarat, Abdul Ghaffar, Dr Younas Perwaz, Yasmin Dar, Pakistani senior anchor person Sohail Warriach, Sajjad Karim, Cllr Naeemul Hassan and a large number of business and social leaders, local councillors and others.
The participants wore colourful dresses and set up cultural stalls, while refreshments were also served on the occasion.

The event started with a flag-hoisting ceremony and the national anthem of Pakistan. Later, community leaders delivered speeches and acknowledged the sacrifices of the people who contributed to the independence of Pakistan. MP Afzal Khan, in his address, welcomed the Consul General for organising such a wonderful event. He said there were three important things to remember: looking back at history and how independence was achieved, remembering the sacrifices of those individuals who gave everything for their country, and recognising the contribution of the present generation. “Today, you can see on my right-hand side, I’m wearing these medals. They are my father’s. My father served in the British Indian Army and then served Pakistan. He served in three wars, and this is the sacrifice that we remember,” he said.
MP Afzal Khan said the sacrifices were not limited to his father, adding that tens of thousands of Pakistanis, Indians and Bangladeshis were part of the British Indian Army. He also praised British Pakistanis who are serving in all walks of life. He criticised far-right activities in the UK and said that although there may be people on the far right who contribute nothing, every nation has people who are not good, while majority of people in every nation are good. “Those who want to spread the message of hate, we should always spread the message of love, because those are our values,” he said. MP Afzal Khan said he was proud of the strong relationship between Britain and Pakistan and hoped that the relationship would continue for a long time. “I feel proud that we have a strong relationship between Britain and Pakistan, and long may that continue. We have always been that strong bridge between two countries and we will continue to do that,” he said. He also praised the Pakistan government and Pakistan armed forces for signing the “Mecca Accord”, describing it as a significant achievement and saying that the agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could have great potential. “There is a powerful message in this. We can look after ourselves. The Muslim world has seen its fair share of problems. So, when you have a strong pact like this, which I have no doubt is going to grow, and as a Briton, I think we should be proud that throughout the world there are other sources and powers who can bring these countries together and work for peace,” he said. Concluding his address, MP Afzal Khan said he was proud to be present with the Pakistani community to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Raja Faiz Sultan
A procession was organised on the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi by Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre located on Townsend Road in Southall London, which was led by Pir Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, while the procession was under the patronage of Allama Qari Khadim Hussain Chishti and supervised by Qari Muhammad Amin Chishti Al-Saidi.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Mosque, Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq, Vice Chairman Waris Ali, other scholars, including Allama Abdul Haq Hashmi, Allama Syed Mujtaba Shah, Allama Hafiz Nawaz Chishti, Allama Jafar Bilal Barkati, Qari Suhail Qadri, Qari Zulkifl Sabir, Hafiz Matinuddin, Allama Abdul Wahid Alimi and a large number of scholars and Muslims participated.