These articles were first published in our October edition of the newspaper, click here for more.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing problems with gambling, a new report reveals.
GambleAware publish annual reports on treatment of gambling-related harms, and their latest report for 2024 shows 16% of gamblers experience some kind of gambling-related harm. This higher incidence of gambling-related problems has been largely driven by men aged 18–34.
CARE / Christian Institute
Broadcasting and internet regulator OFCOM has launched an investigation into five companies operating at least 22 pornographic websites, amid concerns they are failing to meet new UK age verification laws introduced in July.
The Online Safety Act requires users to prove their age – typically via ID or a selfie – before accessing adult content. Non-compliance could lead to significant fines or websites being blocked in the UK. The regulator said the 22 sites are being “prioritised” due to their large UK user base – around 8 million visitors per month – and the risk they pose to children.
CARE
Many gender-confused children in the state care system are being allowed to transition to a new gender identity by their state guardians, a new report warns.
Policy Exchange argues that the care system “has become captured by Gender Ideology”, leading councils to adopt a trans-affirming approach with vulnerable children for whom they have “parental responsibility”. The findings of the report “In Absentia Parentis: How the care system has become captured by Gender Ideology” are based upon 128 replies to the think tank’s Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all 129 county councils, unitary authorities, and London boroughs with care responsibilities.
Christian Institute, en staff
Peers have warned that the government’s proposed home education register would be like surveillance of home-schooled children.
According to the bill, parents would have to provide names, addresses and the amount of time each child receives education from each parent. Many Christian parents today home school their children. Top lawyer Aidan O’Neill KC said there was “no evidence to suggest that all homeschooled children and their families require to be a particular focus of concern by the State”. The bill will now be examined at Committee Stage.
James Patterson