News

Wajahat Ali Khan
England Men and England Women will host five international teams across all formats in a bumper 2026. The summer will also see England Women host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on home soil from 12 June to 15 July, bringing the global spotlight to women’s cricket.
Ben Stokes’ England Men’s Test team will welcome New Zealand and Pakistan in two Rothesay Test series, while Harry Brook’s white-ball side will face India and Sri Lanka in Metro Bank ODIs and Vitality IT20s. Meanwhile, either side of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead England Women in a packed home schedule featuring New Zealand, India and Ireland, including a Rothesay Test match against India at Lord’s. International disability fixtures will be announced in due course, with the England Men’s Mixed Disability team recently trialling mixed disability cricket at international level.

Lord Qurban Hussain, member of the British House of Lords, has said that I am deeply saddened by ongoing situation in Azad Kashmir, such situations have never arisen there before, he said Pakistan and Azad Kashmir are one soul and two bodies. He said that the solution to any problem or conflict is negotiations, so the restoration of peace should be our goal at this time. Lord Qurban Hussain said that hundreds of Kashmiris have contacted me and expressed their concern in this regard. I, along with my other colleagues through the platform of the “All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir”, have also raised voice in British Parliament on the current sad situation in Kashmir.
Lord Qurban Hussain said that I have personally requested Maulana Fazl ur Rehman and various political parties in Pakistan, including the Muslim League Nawaz, the Pakistan People’s Party and many political leaders, in this regard, that the military operation should be stopped so that the lives and property of the people can be protected. Along with this, it is necessary that telephone lines and internet services be restored and closed roads be opened. Lord Qurban has emphasised, the important thing is that the government and “Kashmir Awami Joint Action Committee” should sit together and find a lasting solution of the problem.

Staff reporter
Fresh debate has erupted over the cost of supporting people granted asylum in the UK, following renewed discussion about government spending on housing, integration programmes, and financial assistance. Critics have claimed that the overall cost to taxpayers remains significant, with some pointing to figures suggesting that supporting newly recognised refugees can amount to thousands of pounds per person through a combination of accommodation, welfare support, healthcare, education, and resettlement services.
However, experts caution that there is no standard £10,000 payment made to every person granted asylum. Instead, costs vary widely depending on individual circumstances, local authority support, housing arrangements, and the length of time assistance is required. Campaign groups argue that investing in faster decision-making and employment opportunities could reduce long-term costs, while opponents continue to call for tougher immigration controls and lower public spending.
The issue is expected to remain a key political battleground as Parliament debates future reforms to the UK’s asylum system. The government planning that the People granted asylum in the UK face having to pay back around £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, under government plans.
The new measures, which are part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, are aimed at recovering costs from all adults with sufficient funds. Asylum seekers who have the right to work in the UK will have to pay the flat-rate fee before they are eligible to settle permanently. Those whose claims have been rejected and leave the country will have to repay the costs before they can return to the UK. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes would demonstrate “asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility”.
She added: “Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so.” The plans will mean migrants working and earning a specific amount will be required to pay back a flat-rate sum, which is expected to be set at £10,000.
The Home Office has not determined how much people would need to earn before making monthly instalments. The home secretary would have the power to adjust the charge and the repayment thresholds in the future to ensure “they are both fair to the taxpayer and will not force any migrant into destitution”. Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, said the measures would move the immigration system “in a more restrictive direction”.

Tajammul Gurmani
Manchester
Ashoora Muharram was observed with religious harmony across Manchester. Religious scholars paid tribute to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala. Various mosques and Islamic centres organised gatherings to mark the occasion. A peaceful Ashoora procession was also held, while local traders, including Councillor Shahbaz Sarwar, set up food stalls for participants.
The annual Muharram Mehfil in remembrance of Imam Hussain was held at Quba Masjid, Stockport. Mufti Ansar ul Qadri was the chief speaker, while Imam Umair Tayyab and Qari Nasir also addressed the gathering. Hassan Mushtaq and Hafiz Zubair Tayyab presented Salam in honour of Hazrat Imam Hussain. Chairman Nasrallah Khan Moghal, Nasir Aziz, Dr Zahid Fahim, Rab Nawaz, and a large number of local residents attended the event. Food was served after the programme.

Bureau report
Manchester
The by-election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester is going into full swing after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister-elect. The mayoral by-election will be held on 30 July.
The ruling Labour Party has nominated Bev Craig as its candidate for mayor. She is currently a councillor for the Burnage ward and the Leader of Manchester City Council. The Green Party has fielded Geraldine Coggins, while the Liberal Democrats have nominated Richard Kilpatrick. The Workers Party has announced that George Galloway will also stand. Restore Britain, Reform UK and the Conservative Party also hope to participate in the by-election.
The Labour Party earlier lost the parliamentary by-election in Denton and Gorton, where the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer won the election. A large number of Labour councillors were also defeated by the Green Party in the Manchester City Council elections.
According to political observers and local media reports, Labour has once again become a strong force after former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won the parliamentary seat of Makerfield in the recent by-election. He is expected to take the oath as the next Prime Minister of the UK in July. According to recent survey reports, Reform UK is in second place, while the Green Party is in third place in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election race.

Saif Ali Khan
London
Labour Asians Society has been recognised with the prestigious Labour Friends Group of the Year Award 2026 at the 9th SME Labour Awards, held in Central London last week. The award marks another significant milestone for the organisation and recognises its continued engagement with communities and its support for Labour Party initiatives.
This is the third time that Labour Asians Society has received the Labour Friends Group of the Year Award, reflecting its ongoing work to engage communities from diverse backgrounds and encourage greater participation in public and community life.
Over the years, Labour Asians Society has organised numerous community events, policy discussions, fundraising initiatives, cultural celebrations, youth engagement programmes, women’s empowerment activities, and networking opportunities. The organisation says its aim is to strengthen relationships between communities, encourage civic participation, and promote equality, inclusion, and social cohesion across Britain.
Receiving the award, a spokesperson for Labour Asians Society said, “We are deeply honoured to receive the Labour Friends Group of the Year Award 2026 for the third time. This recognition belongs to every volunteer, supporter, member, and community leader who has worked tirelessly throughout the year. We remain committed to bringing people together, strengthening community relations, promoting equality, and encouraging unity across all communities, including those with links to Commonwealth nations.”

The spokesperson added that “We will continue working hard to support our communities, contribute wherever our help is needed, and encourage people from all backgrounds to engage positively in public life. Our focus remains on unity, inclusion, equality, and creating opportunities for future generations through partnership and community service.”
Labour Asians Society also expressed its appreciation to the organisers of the 9th SME Labour Awards for recognising the contribution of community organisations and volunteers who dedicate their time to serving others. The organisation highlighted that its work extends beyond political engagement and includes supporting charitable initiatives, promoting cultural understanding, encouraging youth leadership, empowering women, and working alongside community organisations to address local challenges and strengthen social cohesion.
As Labour Asians Society looks ahead, it says it will continue expanding its programmes, building stronger partnerships, and creating opportunities that bring communities together through dialogue, mutual respect, and collaboration.
The organisation also thanked its executive committee, volunteers, supporters, elected representatives, community leaders, and partner organisations for their continued commitment and dedication, stating that their collective efforts have been instrumental in achieving this recognition.
Labour Asians Society has invited individuals from all backgrounds who share its commitment to community engagement, equality, and inclusion to become involved in its future activities and initiatives as it continues its work across the United Kingdom.