Home Office abandons plan to house asylum seekers at military base - EUROPE SAYS
Plans to send up to 300 asylum seekers to a military base in the Scottish Highlands have been abandoned by the Home Secretary in the face of legal objections. Shabana Mahmood hadplanned to house people at. . .
Plans to send up to 300 asylum seekers to a military base in the Scottish Highlands have been abandoned by the Home Secretary in the face of legal objections. Shabana Mahmood hadplanned to house people at Cameron Barracksin Inverness as part of her plan to clear highly controversial asylum hotels that have become flashpoints for sometimes violent anti-migrant protests. But a Government source said Mahmood was now abandoning the plan after resistance from the Scottish National Party (SNP). ShortsScroll to previous shortScroll to next shortscienceHow sperm whales can have different ‘dialects’A sperm whale pod socialise at the surface of the Indian Ocean in BBC’s ‘Asia’ (Photo: BBC Studios / Jeremy Gonsalves)Scientists have discovered that sperm whales, much like humans, use different dialects depending on where they’re from. The types of clicking sperm whales use to vocaliseUsual echolocationThe usual echolocation click type is used to help search for prey. CreaksA creak is a rapid series of high-frequency clicks used for homing in on prey. CodasThe most distinctive vocalizations are codas, which are short, rhythmic sequences of clicks, used in communication. OPINION3 min readWhat you need to knowResearchers at the University of St Andrews discovered that the rhythmic pattern of the codas that certain groups of sperm whales make, known as the dialect, can differ between different matriarchal groups. They found two distinct dialects among Mediterranean sperm whales – a small, endangered population of a few thousand individuals. Why do sperm whales have dialects?Caption: Whale With Steve Backshall – Key Art – JPGPhotographer: Sky UKCopyright: ? Sky UK LTDDr Luke Rendell of the University of St Andrews said dialects are used to form “social structures”. One group of sperm whales will only associate with another if they share the same dialect and belong to the same “vocal clan”. Scientists said that some of the orcas participate, while others observe (Photo: Getty)Surely we can learn to be more direct when we need to – without resorting to barbaric talk. (Photo: Namthip Muanthongthae/ Getty Images)Scientists noted the similarities in how humans might be more comfortable talking with someone who sounds similar to themselves. ADVERTISINGAll the ads banned for misleading ‘recycled’ claimsA rail of clothes in a second hand vintage charity shop – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Ads for Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo have been banned for making misleading claims about the recycled content of their clothing. False advertisingThe Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo used the word “recycled” to describe their fabric or product composition but did not provide any information explaining the claim. Low angle view of smiling man shopping with male friend at clothes store – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)A young man trying on a smart jacket in a vintage clothes shop – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)The watchdog said the ads gave the impression that the products were made entirely from recycled materials, but found that none of the three brands could provide evidence to support this. The ASA ruled that the ads were misleading and ordered that the three brands withdraw them. What did Adidas say?Adidas said it believed consumers would interpret its ad for “recycled running shoes” as meaning they contained materials derived from recycled sources. They explained they did not operate a standalone recycled running shoe range, but said certain products across their collections might incorporate recycled materials. Caption: FILE PHOTO: Logo of Adidas brand is displayed on the store in the center of Warsaw, Poland, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File PhotoPhotographer: Kacper PempelProvider: REUTERSSource: REUTERSRising production costs have dampened the deep discounts that retailers generally offer in January sales (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)What did Calvin Klein say?Caption: A rack of second hand jeansPhotographer: Tendo23Provider: Getty Images/iStockphotoSource: iStockphotoCalvin Klein said it “would not be reasonable” for consumers to interpret its ad for “responsibly sourced collections – recycled, organic & more” as meaning that all products in the women’s tops range contained, in whole or part, recycled, organic or other “environmentally preferred” materials. LIFESTYLE5 min readWhat did Uniqlo say?Uniqlo said its ad for women’s fleece coats and jackets mentioning the term “recycled materials” was intended to mean that the polyester content was recycled. Uniqlo’s owner has defended the decision to keep operating in Russia because clothing is a “necessity”. (Photo: Toru Hanai/File Photo/Reuters)It said the claim did not suggest that every component of the garments, such as the metal zip or the labels, were recycled, but rather the claim referred to the textile materials that made up the fabric of the main body, lining and trim. A lonely and bruised Trump is a far more reckless one (Photo: Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)PoliticsTrump’s loneliness will make him more reckless. I’ve seen him lash out up closeFormer chief of staff of the US Department of Homeland SecurityDonald Trump called the end of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership before Downing Street had said a word. His other allies are no longer playing along – but a cornered Trump is a more dangerous one. How Trump started losing alliesWhen Starmer resigned on Monday, the verdict had already been handed down – not by his party, though it had turned on him, but by the US President, who delivered it from across an ocean a full day early. Caption: Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump speak during a family photograph during the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026. A G7 summit is set to take place June 15 to 17 in the French town of Evian-les-Bains near Switzerland and it will be attended by country leaders as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief and ministers from Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)Photographer: LUDOVIC MARINProvider: POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSource: AFPCaption: Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts as he makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after fewer than two years in office in a term characterised by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)Photographer: HENRY NICHOLLSProvider: AFP via Getty ImagesSource: AFPCopyright: AFP or licensors“Keir Starmer will resign as prime minister,” Trump posted on Sunday, before a syllable had emerged from Downing Street. He blamed immigration and energy, demanded somebody open up the North Sea, and signed off with a breezy, “I wish him well”. Instinct for celebrationThis isn’t how one ally treats another, a nation with which it purports to have a special relationship. When a partner government collapses, the customary American instinct should be a respectful word and quiet hope for continuity. Trump’s instinct was to celebrate, again wading into the domestic politics of a friend in ways that will surely sour the relationship further. WORLD4 min readNone of this surprises me. When I served in Trump’s first term, I saw that he did not regard foreign leaders as counterparts in a shared project. In meetings behind closed doors, he sorted them into perceived “winners” and “losers”. Allies, in this worldview, are not partners to be kept but props to be used and discarded. Miles TaylorCaption: Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump speak during a family photograph during the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026. A G7 summit is set to take place June 15 to 17 in the French town of Evian-les-Bains near Switzerland and it will be attended by country leaders as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief and ministers from Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)Photographer: LUDOVIC MARINProvider: POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSource: AFPTrump’s ire directed at western democraciesCaption: U. S. President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the stage after a media conference at the end of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)Photographer: Vadim GhirdaProvider: AP Photo/Vadim GhirdaSource: APIn particular, his ire was directed at western democracies. Trump seemed to sense their judgement. They favoured the rule of law. He favoured the rule of one. Can following a particular diethelp prevent or delay dementia?Some studies suggest so. These are the eight brain-boosting foods registered dietitian Fareeha Jayrecommends people consume as part of a weekly diet…Foods that can cut dementia riskCaption: A detail of cracked egg falling into the pan as woman holds egg shells in both hands. Photographer: SimpleImagesProvider: Getty ImagesSource: Moment RFEggsThey contain several nutrients thought to support brain health, including choline, vitamin B12 and iodine. CoffeeCaffeine can reduce inflammation andslow the degenerationof brain cells. Barista hand making cappuccino Coffee with espresso machine in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Cooking fruit and vegetables (Photor: GMVozd/Getty Images/E+)BroccoliIt’s packed with antioxidants and high in vitamin K, which is essentially for healthy brain cells. Fibre is overlooked in dementia preventionCaption: Cookie jar, tea, wine, nuts, books, lit candles and Christmas decorations on the table. Cozy Christmas hygge at home. Selective focus. Photographer: Jelena990Provider: Getty ImagesSource: iStockphotoTo increase fibre intake, include wholegrains, nuts, seeds, lentils, and legumes. Fermented foods also support brain health by improving the gut microbiome. LIFESTYLE4 min readFoods that can cut dementia risk(Photo: Joff Lee/Getty Images)Oily fishYour brain uses Omega-3s to build brain and nerve cells – so a diet rich in them may slow age-related mental decline. WalnutsThese improve heart health markers, which is linked to a lower risk of neurological disorders. Health professionals are nuts about nuts – with good reason!Supermarkets report increasing demand for blueberries (Photo: RHS/Guy Harrop)BlueberriesThey contain compounds which have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, cognitive function, and memory. The Mind dietThe diet aims to reduce dementia risk and the decline in brain health. It was created in 2015 by Dr Martha Clare Morris and colleagues at Rush University Medical Centre and the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. It encourages vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, beans, and poultry. These foods contain nutrients that promote good brain health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The Midlife MOT is open to all and covers three key areas: work, wealth and well-being (Photo: Westend61/Getty)Feeling insecure at workin your 50s? You’re not aloneThe final decades of workThere’s this assumption about being put out to pasture… but now that we’re living and working longer, we have to challenge myths around ageing and remember that over-50s are a crucial part of the workforce…LYNDSEY SIMPSON, AUTHOR OF AGE REBELLION AND FOUNDER OF 55/REDEFINEDThe current situationBy 2030, almost half of all employees in the UK workforce will be over 50. 36%Now one in three workers are over 50. Yet more than a third of those between 50 and 69 believe that their age puts them at a disadvantage when they apply for jobs. 37%The Age Without Limits study from 2024 shows that 37 per cent of workers between 51 to 70 felt badly treated in work because of their age. The things to do, says SimpsonMore and more people are using AI for counselling (Photo: Oscar Wong/Getty/Moment RF)Keep learning new skillsWe need the same level of career planning inour fifties as our twenties. It’s possible to reinvent yourself again. Embrace technologyIt’s nonsense that older people can’t pick up how to use new tech. Caption: John?r Bildbyr? AB+46 8 644 83 30www. johner. seinfo@johner. sesales@johner. sePhotographer: Johner ImagesProvider: Getty Images/Johner RFSource: Johner RFCopyright: John?r Images/Lisa ?bergCaption: This is a photo of a woman clutching a pink piggy bank labelled pension. See PA Feature FINANCE Pension Pots. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FINANCE Pension Pots. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Alamy/PANOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FINANCE Pension PotsPhotographer: Alamy/PAProvider: Alamy/PASource: PAThink about moneyDo you need a pay rise? Could you trade some of that money you earn, to work a bit less, and do more things you enjoy?The things not to doBecome full-time childcareGrandparenting on the horizon? If you don’t want to do childcare, have the conversation early – even before a child becomes pregnant – that you plan to continue working and love your job. Caption: Indoor image of thoughtful puzzled senior woman with gray hair in glasses looking at paycheck holding head in hand, upset with high rent charge, sitting at kitchen table in front of laptopPhotographer: shurkin_sonProvider: Getty ImagesSource: iStockphotoGrandparents and granddaughter gardening together – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Accept redundancy too quicklyIt’s going to be so much harder to get back into work if you don’t have a plan before you take that leap. The things not to doRush into retirementSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Everybody thinks early retirement is the dream but the reality can be different. There can be loneliness, lack of purpose and a sense of invisibility. LIFESTYLE5 min readBy November, UK food prices will be 50 per cent higher than they were at the start of the cost-of-living crisisWith that in mind, food editor Sophie Morris shares how she saves money on her weekly shopEasy ways to save on the weekly shopCaption: NORTHWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Whole chicken sit on display in a Tesco supermarket on July 06, 2022 in Northwich, England. The British Retail Consortium recently said food manufacturers and supermarkets are having to pass on some of the cost of soaring raw materials to consumers, leading to the price of basic goods throughout the UK rising at the fastest pace since September 2008. Fresh food prices increased by 6% in the year to June 2022 coupled with an increase in inflation, and fuel and energy prices to create a cost of living crisis. This is leading to millions of low-income households going without essentials items, falling behind on bills and taking on debt. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)Photographer: Christopher FurlongProvider: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images EuropeAvoid chicken breastBoneless chicken thighs are all meat and a much tastier product. Don’t plan everythingIf you plan every meal all week, there’s no leeway for necessary last-minute changes of plan (or leftovers). Man Cooking By Woman Chopping Carrots In Kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Governments are not all powerful when it comes to huge international forces like those increasing global food prices (Photo: Oscar Wong/Getty Images/Moment RF)Shop aloneThere are so many products that children want to fill the trolley with – all kinds of exciting eye candy. It’s cheaper to go alone. Easy ways to save on the weekly shopConsider a vegetable box deliveryHaving a Riverford box delivery helps Morris avoid impulse buys and go to the shopsless – even though the box is pricey. “It is expensive, but of great quality and organic”. Milk and potatoes prices are expected to increases sharply later this year, say supply chain experts (Photo: Kate Wieser/Getty)Low carb, FODMAP diet food background with vegetables, fruits, smoked salmon, chicken fillet, greens, nuts, olives. Menu for healthy eating . – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Track your spendingIt doesn’t need to be an elaborate spreadsheet but without some kind of metric, it’s impossible to spot where youcan or must make cutbacks. Easy ways to save on the weekly shopThe supermarket loyalty schemes vary in their generosity (Photo: Paul Childs/Reuters)Look for yellow stickersYou can save plentyover a year by never buying branded products at full price. Take stockDo a quick cupboard stocktake. You might find you already have three jars of one thing. Mid-Adult Couple Calculating Their Finances On The Laptop In The Kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)“Soft restrictions” aren’t infallible; we can always make the effort to get a ladder and get the biscuit tin down from the highest shelf (Photo: Getty)Avoid packaged snacksPacking fruit, biscuits, and nuts etc into a Tupperware to take out is more cost effective than buying tiny packaged portions. Easy ways to save on the weekly shopBe wary of DIY treats“Faking” a takeaway at home can sound like a cheaper option, but if it’s something you don’t usually cook – that needs new ingredients – it could work out pricier. Whatever you buy, buy British if you can. That will help boost fishermen’s finances (Photo: Betty Laura Zapata/Getty)Caption: A customer looks at packages of chilled chicken cuts in a part-empty refrigerated display unit at a Lidl supermarket store in Walthamstow, west London, on September 21, 2021. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)Photographer: TOLGA AKMENProvider: AFP via Getty ImagesSource: AFPCopyright: AFP or licensorsDo you need it now?Returning a few things to the shelves that you won’t need in the near future can save you a healthy amount. Skip a shopEvery time you make do with what’s at home,you save big. Supermarkets will find ways of holding down the price of the basics, and try to make their money on the fancy lines (Photo: Roy James Shakespeare/Getty)Easy ways to save onthe weekly shopTry a week or a month of shopping local,and you might be surprised at the results,in terms of cost and other benefits like supporting local businesses, andavoiding car journeys and traffic. Defenders of the triple Lock point to the fact pensioners are often asset-rich and income-poor. (Photo: Getty)Go shopping when you’re not in a huge rush so you can make relaxed and informed decisions. Don’t expect to stick to your plan or make great choices when you’re in a hurry. I’ve been a cleaner for 30 years – these are the 10 products I swear byRebecca Jones has tried most cleaning products in herdecades-long career. She shares the ones she can’tlive without. The 10 best cleaning productsBest vacuumHenry is a classic. It has fantastic filters, sucks up pet hair quickly, and is great at cleaning up fine dust. Best mop and bucketThe Vileda H2PrO set is light, manoeuvrable and keeps clean and dirty water separate. A reader has asked whether or not she should sack her cleaner because she isn’t doing a good job anymore (Photo: stock image of a man cleaning a window via Getty Images)Best glass cleanerThe HG Glass andMirror cleaner removes stains without leaving smudges or streaks. The 10 best cleaning productsBest multipurpose cleanerMethod’s multi-surface cleaner is plant-based, cruelty-free, and works great on grease, sinks, sealed wood surfaces, hobs, bins and sealed laminated floors. Deep cleaning glass door handles for Covid-19 disease prevention. alcohol,disinfectant spray on Wipes of Banister in home for safety,infection of Covid-19 virus,contamination, germs – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Best toilet brushUnlike a regular toilet brush, nothing gets stuck in the bristles of Ibergrif M34152 Silicone brush. It also dries quickly, sothere’s less odour. The 10 best cleaning productsBest mould removerJones uses the HG Mould Spray on walls, tiles, grout, windows and outdoor furniture. (Photo: boonchai wedmakawand/Getty/Moment RF)Best clothsThe Seep Eco Bamboo clothes have a streak-free finish and last. Best carpet cleanerEvery home should have a bottle of Dr Beckmann’s stain remover, says Jones. Caption: Dr Beckmann Power Brush Stain RemoverImage from https://www. dr-beckmann. co. uk/products/pre-wash-stain-devils/The 10 best cleaning productsBest stain removerThe Mr Siga Multi-Functional Eraser Sponge acts like fine sandpaper to liftdirt, stains, and scuffs using only water. (Photo: Viktoriya Skorikova/Getty Images/Moment RF)Best kept secretJones uses Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser to polish stainless-steel, scour sinks and clean her fridge and cookware. Around 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 are classed as NEET ie. not in Education, Employment or TrainingBut as youth unemployment rises, not all companiesare looking to universities to find their new recruits. Meet the people who have benefitted. Poorer graduates will be hit hardest by the changes, the National Union of Students says (Photo: Andrew Fox/Getty/Image Bank)For young people unable to attend uniMy whole life was being a carer, so I was very lost…From the age of around 10, Bruce Devlin took responsibility for everything at home – from administering his mother’s medication, to doing the shopping, cooking, cleaning and supporting his mother’s mental health. He scraped through school, leaving with the lowest grades. Now, aged 26, he has secured a job by pursuing an unconventional route. The charities helping themBruce followed an unconventional route. Getting a foot in the door seemed impossible with his qualifications, lack of experience and connections. His Job Centre work coach put him in touch with Generation, a non-profit which partners with companies to identify roles which they are struggling to fill. He landed a place on Generation’s first IT support boot camp and benefited from CV and interview coaching. Bruce is now a level three senior quality engineer with 2i Testing, a company which tests other companies’ software. The resultGetting a full-time salary and being a contributing member of society is an amazing achievement. Without this, I’d be just another person on jobseeker’s allowance, wasting any potential I had. BRUCE DEVLIN, 26, GLASGOWThe apprenticeship routeJessica Andrea Carvalho had an offer to start a media and marketing degree but she rejected it at the last minute to avoid huge debt and years of classroom learning. Avoiding increasingNEET numbersYoung woman at her first job interview with the owner of a coffee shop – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)Generation placed 700 peoplelike Bruce in jobs last year. The number of placements has jumped 20 per cent from last year. 42 per cent of their learners come from the UK’s most deprived areas. Big Read10 min readPlan 5 applies to students who began university courses on or after August 2023(Photo: Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez/Getty Images/Source: Moment RF)What do employers think?Creating more routes in is not just about opportunity – it helps bring in talent with different experiences. Paula Cunnington, the chief talent officer for Publicis Groupe UK, a network of marketing agencies that has hired 79 apprentices, says curiosity and real-world experience are far better indicators of future success. It is understood the Home Secretary will nevertheless announce new military sites for asylum accommodation later this week as she accelerates hotel closures across the country to meet a pledge to end their use by 2029, with 12 currently in operation in Scotland housing more than 670 people. ‘Wrong plan in the wrong place’The abandonment of the plan to use Cameron Barracks to house asylum seekers came after the Highland Council, run by a coalition of SNP and independent councillors, objected because the site does not have a multiple occupancy (HMO) licence. Separately, High Court judges ruled last month that forcing torture victims to share rooms was unlawful, in a blow to Mahmood’s plans to move more asylum seekers into ex-army barracks. The Home Secretary is nevertheless set to push ahead with the announcement of new military sites later this week. The Government blames the SNP for scuppering the Cameron Barracks plan due to its demands for an HMO licence, which the Home Office had argued was unnecessary given the base was used for broadly the same purpose under the Afghan resettlement scheme. A Government source said: “The Cameron Barracks will not be progressed. “The SNP would rather have asylum hotels costing millions a year, rather than moving illegal migrants into more basic accommodation like military sites. ”The Home Office had wanted to move up to 300 single, male asylum seekers into Cameron Barracks in Inverness in early December, planning to use the site for 12 months. Cameron Barracks in Inverness, Scotland. The Government blames the SNP for scrapping the Cameron Barracks plan due to its demands for an HMO licence (Photo: Paul Campbell/Getty)Earlier this month, The i Paper reported that SNP council leader Raymond Bremner and Lib Dem opposition leader Alasdair Christie wrote to the Home Office citing the potentially negative impact on “community cohesion”, and made clear that a HMO licence was needed. Isabelle MacKenzie, a Conservative councillor in Inverness, said at the time placing up to 300 asylum seekers in the site on the edge of the city centre was “the wrong plan in the wrong place”. Voter anger over asylum hotelsInverness has seen both anti-migrant protests and counter-demonstrations by anti-racism activists over the barracks plan in recent months. Some charities have urged the Home Office to U-turn on using military barracks for asylum accommodation entirely, given Labour previously argued against the idea when in opposition. The i Paper previously reported howpeople living in barracks at RAF Wethersfield in Essex have had to cope with outside showers, rats and leaking toilets. But Mahmood is pushing ahead with the policy as part of the solution to quell voter anger over asylum hotels, moving around 350 people into Crowborough army camp in East Sussex earlier this year. There were 93,653 people in asylum accommodation as of March 2026, with around 22 per cent (20,885) in hotels. In April, the Government subsequently said there were around 185 hotels in operation after the closure of 11 sites. Andy Burnham, who is on course to take over as prime minister next month, is believed to back proposals to rip up multibillion-pound asylum hotel contracts and make councils house migrants,despite warnings this could be unworkabledue to the difficulty of finding accommodation. The SNP have been approached for comment.