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£2.5bn Chelsea fund could help children globally if Ed Miliband secures its release | Letters

18 October 2026 at 12:18

George Graham of Save the Children UK says the government has a clear opportunity to act and ensure that victims of conflict are helped

Amid allegations about advisers dealing with Roman Abramovich’s business affairs (Roman Abramovich aides falsified paperwork to disguise assets and dodge tax, records suggest, 12 October), another issue demands urgent government action – the £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea FC, which has remained stuck in a Barclays bank account since May 2022.

The money was originally pledged to help victims of the war in Ukraine, no matter where they are in the world. Yet for over four years this huge sum of money has sat in limbo, accruing interest while victims of conflict go without desperately needed support. At a time of global aid cuts, rising food insecurity and growing humanitarian needs, the £2.5bn could make a transformative difference to the children and families we serve around the world.

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© Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

© Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

© Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’

17 October 2026 at 07:33

Westminster appears to be waking up to warnings over AI safety, with concerns over its use by extremist groups and bad actors

“I have this sense that, within a few months, AI is going to be all anyone is talking about,” said one cabinet minister, with an ominous stare.

It was Labour conference, with everyone from ministers to activists jubilant at Andy Burnham’s takeover and a bounce in the polls after the change of leader.

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© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

© Photograph: MASTER/Getty Images

New UK sanctions powers will enable action against supporters of illegal Israeli settlements

14 October 2026 at 12:51

Global human rights commitments adopted by government extend reach to enablers of unlawful activity

The UK is expanding its sanctions powers to freeze assets and target entities enabling illegal Israeli settlements, obstructing humanitarian aid or unlawfully holding prisoners.

The statutory instrument introducing the global human rights and international humanitarian law sanctions adds three new grounds to the 2020 regime: serious violations of international humanitarian law, obstruction of humanitarian assistance and serious violations of the right to liberty and security of person.

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© Photograph: Atef Safadi/EPA

© Photograph: Atef Safadi/EPA

© Photograph: Atef Safadi/EPA

Global financial system is failing developing countries, says Ed Miliband

14 October 2026 at 01:00

UK foreign secretary will call for World Bank and others to help governments trapped by hefty borrowing costs

The foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, will claim the global financial system is failing developing countries, as he calls for a “new deal” for governments struggling under the burden of debt.

Promising to throw the UK’s diplomatic weight behind urgent reform, he will evoke the example of the Gleneagles summit under the last Labour government in 2005 – the culmination of the Make Poverty History campaign.

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© Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

© Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

© Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

Wildlife park confirms tiger will not be euthanised after man mauled to death

11 October 2026 at 09:48

Ed Miliband, MP for nearby Doncaster North, offers ‘deepest condolences’ to family of visitor who entered enclosure on Saturday

A wildlife park in Yorkshire has confirmed the tiger that mauled to death a man who entered its enclosure will not be euthanised.

A man, who has not yet been named, was seen entering a tiger enclosure at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, before police were called at 1.35pm on Saturday.

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© Photograph: Yorkshire Wildlife Park/SWNS

© Photograph: Yorkshire Wildlife Park/SWNS

© Photograph: Yorkshire Wildlife Park/SWNS

British consulate in East Jerusalem will stay open as UK mission, says Ed Miliband

8 October 2026 at 03:17

Foreign secretary says former consulate general will remain independent, operational ⁠and serving Palestinian people

The foreign secretary, ⁠Ed Miliband, has said Britain’s consulate general ⁠building in ⁠East Jerusalem ​will not be closing but will ⁠be known as a UK mission, remaining independent, operational ⁠and serving Palestinian people.

Israel had ​ordered the ‌British consulate ‌in East Jerusalem to close ‌on Thursday over the UK’s plans to impose sanctions on settlements in the West Bank.

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© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

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