Sam Francis

London

Reporter at BBC

Journalist for BBC. Personal account. Views are strictly unprofessional

Articles

Defence plan will ensure UK is ready for war, minister says

4 days ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Defence plan will ensure UK is ready for war, minister saysGetty ImagesThe government will invest billions of pounds to move the UK to "war-fighting readiness" in the face of a new era of threats from nuclear powers like Russia and China, the defence secretary has said.
Defence plan will ensure UK is ready for war, minister says

4 days ago | bbc.co.uk | Sam Francis |Jonathan Beale

The SDR, carried out by former Labour Defence Sectary Lord Robertson, found the UK's armed forces are "not currently equipped" to fight opponents like Russia or China, with inadequate stockpiles of weapons, poor recruitment and crumbling morale. The report warned the UK is already experiencing daily attacks on its critical national infrastructure, testing the economy's vulnerabilities and "and challenging its social cohesion".
UK to sign Chagos deal with Mauritius

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Chris Mason |Sam Francis

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Diego Garcia is the location of a UK-US military airstripSir Keir Starmer is due to sign a deal handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on Thursday. Under the terms of the deal Mauritius would gain sovereignty of the islands from the UK, but allow the US and UK to continue operating a strategically important military base on one of the islands for an initial period of 99 years in exchange for a multi-billion pound payment.
The new UK-EU deal at a glance

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

The new UK-EU deal at a glanceSam FrancisEPAThe UK and the EU have reached a new deal setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence. The full details will be set out later. But here's a look at what we know is in the deal.
Britain should learn from Dubai, says Reform UK's Richard Tice

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Sam Francis

Tice's comments come after his partner, journalist Isabel Oakeshott, recently wrote about her experience of moving to Dubai. Tice said he agreed with her. The practice of standing for the anthem every morning in Dubai schools "educates children about being proud of the country that you are living in," he argued. Dubai is ruled as an absolute monarchy, with a hereditary royal family at the head of government, and was found by Amnesty international to jail political prisoners.
MPs in England and Wales to debate bill after major changes

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

MPs to debate assisted dying bill again after major changesSam FrancisHarry FarleyGetty ImagesMPs will debate a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for the first time since significant changes were made to it. The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then the details have been pored over and dozens of amendments added by both sides. A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.
Assisted dying: MPs in England and Wales to debate bill after major changes

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Sam Francis |Harry Farley

Image source, Getty ImagesMPs will debate a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for the first time since significant changes were made to it. The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then the details have been pored over and dozens of amendments added by both sides. A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.
UK to allow foreign states 15% stake in newspapers

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

UK to allow foreign states 15% stake in newspapersSam FrancisGetty ImagesForeign states will be allowed to own up to 15% of British newspapers and news magazines under new laws. But under a law change announced on Thursday, State Owned Investors (SOIs) - including sovereign wealth funds, public pension or social security schemes - will be able to take a stake in UK newspapers.
Crackdown will lead to significant immigration cut, vows Starmer

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

New proposals will lead to significant immigration cut, vows PMSam FrancisPA MediaSir Keir Starmer has promised the government's new immigration measures will mean net migration falls "significantly" over the next four years. The prime minister unveiled plans to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas, tighten access to skilled worker visas and raise the costs to employers in an effort to curb near record net migration.
PM promises tougher visa rules to fix 'broken' migration system

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

PM promises tougher visa rules to fix 'broken' migration systemSam FrancisEPASir Keir Starmer has promised to overhaul a "broken" immigration system, with plans to tighten English tests for all visa applicants and their adult dependents among the reforms being considered. Migrants will also have to wait 10 years to apply to settle in the UK, instead of automatically gaining settled status after five years, under the plans.