Writing for the Mirror, Shelter CEO Sarah Elliott slams Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s ‘cynical’ plans to ban non-UK nationals from social homes – ‘it is scapegoating, plain and simple’

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Another day, another cynical kick-about, where the basic human need for a safe and secure home is punted around like a political football.

Hot on the heels of Reform, who outlined a similar plan earlier this year, the Conservative Party announced on Thursday that it would ban non-UK nationals from social homes in a bid to ‘free up’ a supposed ‘228,144 homes’ for British families and evict existing tenants who aren’t UK or EU nationals.

It goes without saying that this plan is cruel. There are already strict rules on eligibility for social homes, and they are not simply handed out to people on arrival in the UK.

Many of the families targeted by this scheme have lived in the country for years or even decades. They settled here and built lives for themselves. They are our friends, neighbours, and colleagues. They work jobs and pay into the system. They are a part of the fabric of our country.

If this plan was rolled out, thousands of people would be torn out of the homes and communities they have spent their whole lives in, with just six months to secure a roof over their heads. Worse still, many will be put at risk of homelessness.

It’s important to remember that those evicted under the scheme will not simply disappear from the system. They will be forced into ludicrously expensive private renting, where rents have soared out of reach of local incomes.

Social rents cost on average about a third of private rents and, like anyone who sees their rent more than double overnight, many will be forced to rely on housing benefit to make ends meet. Those who can’t afford it will be made homeless. Councils are already shelling out billions every year on the sticking plaster solution of grotty and unstable temporary accommodation.

Announcing the plan, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said social homes should not be given out as a ‘free ride on the benefits system’ and that ‘Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world’. But far from saving the taxpayer money, this plan will only serve to pile more costs on to already cash-strapped councils and public services that are stretched to breaking point.

And let’s not forget that social tenants pay rent, which goes back to the public purse and into society. It is completely senseless to ruin people’s lives, drive up homelessness and put extreme pressure on councils for a policy that simply cannot work.

Leaving aside the murky waters the Conservatives could find themselves in if they set about evicting people based on their nationality – a protected characteristic under equality law – let’s call this plan what it is: scapegoating, plain and simple. It’s an attempt by politicians to distract the failures of successive governments, including the Conservative Party, to address the root cause of the housing emergency: our dire shortage of social rent homes.

Social rent homes – where rents are pegged to local incomes – are the only genuinely affordable route out of homelessness for struggling families. For years, we have lost more than we’ve built through sales and demolitions and, last year, we only managed to build a measly 12,000 – just 13% of the 90,000 we need every year to end the housing emergency.

When you spell it out, it’s easy to see that the 1.3 million households who are on social housing waiting lists across England are stuck there because of the political failure to build the homes we need, not because of migration. Families who are trapped for months or even years in temporary accommodation are sick of struggling to hold down jobs and settle children in the appalling and insecure conditions they live with every day. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be this way.

There is a clear way for us to ensure everyone has access to a safe, secure and affordable home and that is to build a new generation of social rent homes. Is it possible? Absolutely. Not only that, we have done it before. In 1967, nearly half (46%) of all new homes built in England were for social rent and almost all (97%) were delivered by councils.

The Prime Minister hit the nail on the head when he said the solution to the housing emergency is to deliver the ‘biggest council house-building programme since the post-war period’. Councils know their communities better than anyone. They know the kinds of homes local people need, whether it is families looking for a permanent place for their kids to grow up or people rebuilding their lives after spending time on the streets.

Now the government must get on with the job of delivering on the Prime Minister’s vision by helping councils to get spades in the ground and removing the financial barriers that stand in their way.

Migrants didn’t cause the housing emergency, but like many of us, they have suffered the brunt of it. It’s time for politicians of all stripes to stop scoring cheap political points at the expense of their constituents and get on with the job in front of them. Anything else will be a distraction.

By ED HOLT

Published: 18:40 BST, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 18:41 BST, 8 August 2026

A runway defect at Bristol Airport has caused travel chaos as flights are cancelled or diverted hundreds of miles away.

Hundreds of flyers were stranded on Friday night as the airport was forced to close with dozens of people waiting in crowds at their departure gates.

Although flights did resume at 8am this morning, the airport warned that disruption would continue throughout Saturday.

Many holidaymakers were left with long and expensive journeys home after their planes were diverted to different airports across the country.

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Dave Blackwell, who was travelling from Rhodes, found himself 246 miles away from Bristol after his plane landed in Newcastle.

‘We were in Rhodes Airport for three hours with no information. Now we have all been told our flight is going to Newcastle and then a five or six-hour bus ride – why Newcastle? How appalling,’ he told BBC News.

Other flights were diverted to Bournemouth, Birmingham and Cardiff.

Last night, passengers reported that there was little communication from the airport with no announcements on the tannoy system for over an hour.

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EasyJet were said to be the only representatives in the departure lounge, which warned people travelling to and from the airport to expect significant disruptions.

Passengers at Bristol Airport have faced travel chaos after a defect was discovered in the runway (file image)

Pictured: Passengers queue outside Bristol Airport. Many flights were cancelled or diverted hundreds of miles away 

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Hundreds of people were pictured waiting inside the airport terminal 

Furious passengers stuck in the chaos complained of being left stranded in the airport and ‘appalling communication’.

One wrote on X: ‘EasyJet holding everyone hostage at Bristol Airport! Let us out! Let us out! Communication is appalling.’

A second added: ‘It’s disgusting. They’ve locked me in the gate 26 toilets. All I did was ask them why it was cancelled.’

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A third wrote: ‘Bristol Airport, what’s happening tonight? We are stuck in the airport with no clear guidance for 3 hours. Any information would be appreciated.’

One concerned parent said: ‘EasyJet I am livid!!!! Your flight from Dubrovnik to Bristol tonight has been cancelled and there are no staff there to assist.

‘My daughter has been told to go on your website and book another flight to Gatwick!! No mention of hotel! Pathetic!! Please dm me now!’

While another enraged passenger said their flight had been diverted hours away from Bristol to Newcastle.

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In a statement, Bristol Airport said: ‘Flights resumed at 8am today after we temporarily suspended operations yesterday. There’s some disruption to flights today. 

‘Customers should contact their airline with flight queries. We’re very sorry for any inconvenience caused while essential runway repairs were carried out.’

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby were suspended from team drills at practice Saturday following their fight the day before, giving rookie QB Fernando Mendoza his first opportunity in training camp to run the starting offense.

“We have very clear expectations about how we want to practice, how you go about our business,” coach Klint Kubiak said in a statement. “We violated that yesterday, so we held those guys out. That’s all I’m going to say about it. We addressed it with the team and we’re moving on.”

Cousins and Crosby had to be separated by teammates after the fight. The 37-year-old quarterback appeared upset that Crosby tipped his pass, forcing an incompletion, and then charged the 6-foot-5, 256-pound defensive end, who is three inches taller and 42 pounds heavier.

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Andrew Davies has been behind bars since 1988, when he received 13 life sentences

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The cause of death of a serial rapist dubbed the ‘Coronation Street rapist’ has been confirmed.

Andrew Davies, who also went by Andrew Longmire and Andrew Barlow was given 13 life sentences for his crimes.

Throughout the 1980s, Barlow, from Bolton – dubbed ‘The Coronation Street Rapist’ – struck mainly in Greater Manchester, but also in four other counties. He targeted women alone often in their terraced homes after waiting for husbands, or fathers to leave the property in the morning.

He was released in 2023 after 34 years in prison, but was recalled just six weeks later, reports the M.E.N..

The predator was taken to a probation service hostel by a police escort on March 6, 2023 following his release. He was returned to prison for breach of his licence conditions and due to his behaviour. At the time it was assessed that the risk he posed was not manageable in the community.

Davies appealed against his recall at a hearing in June 2024. In July that year it was announced by the parole board that his application had been refused.

A panel decided he ‘would present a very high risk of a contact sexual offence at this time’. It added: “His risk of serious harm towards other people was considered to be very high.”

It is understood Davies, 69, died from natural causes in early March.

One of his victims, who was raped at knifepoint by Barlow in her own bed in 1987, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s a relief… but it isn’t. I still relive what he did to me. It is a very difficult feeling to handle.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “These were despicable crimes, and our thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Davies.”

Davies was a prisoner at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, a category C prison. The Prison Service said: “Andrew Davies, previously called Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, died on 28 February 2026. As with all deaths in custody the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

The prospect of his coming out again angered victims and their families who campaigned to keep him behind bars with the help of veteran Manchester MP Graham Stringer.

The relative of one of his victims told the Manchester Evening News in 2024: “A parole hearing took place in regards to his recall last year after being out in the community for just six weeks after he broke some of the 32 license conditions he was given. He is an unsafe rapist who hasn’t changed in my eyes.”

Barlow’s release was delayed after the then Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, asked the Parole Board to reconsider its decision.

Mr Raab described Barlow’s offences as ‘despicable’ and said in January 2023: “My thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Barlow, whose despicable crimes blighted the lives of dozens of women.

“Public protection is my number one priority, which is why I’ve asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release and I am overhauling the parole system to keep prisoners who pose a risk to the public off our streets.”

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After Barlow’s rapid return to prison In April 2023, Mr Stringer said: “It is extraordinary. I think this is another failure of the Parole Board to use common sense and protect the public from a very dangerous man. They were warned by me and the victims. This is institutional failure of the highest order.”

A relative of a woman Barlow raped in her own home in Greater Manchester in 1987 said in May 2023 after the Manchester Evening News broke the news of his recall to prison: “I took it on the chin in January and decided to get on with my life when Barlow was released – now this animal is back in our lives again. We told the authorities and they didn’t listen.

“Someone has to be accountable for this. It will mean all the victims and their families are reliving the agony again like we had to in January when we tried in vain to stop his release. We told the authorities he was too high a risk and we have been proven right.”

The daughter of a woman whose mother was raped in Greater Manchester by Barlow in the early 1980s said: “I was shocked when I heard that he was being recalled so soon. But then when I thought about how evil and twisted he was when committing his crimes it doesn’t surprise me.

“When the victim support officer told me I had goosebumps all over my body and then my eyes swelled up with tears, I was thinking who has he attacked this time? The officer told me that he had not hurt anyone but that his behaviour had meant an immediate recall to prison. I am just pleased he has been monitored so closely as his behaviour whatever it was could have escalated.”

READ MORE: Christian convert accused of Scot’s suitcase murder ‘turned his back on religion’ before her death

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Barlow was given 11 life sentences in 1988 for raping 11 women and an additional 56 years for other offences. In 2010, and then again in 2017, he received two more life sentences after rapes he committed in 1981 and 1982 which were linked to him through advances in DNA technology. As he had already surpassed his original 20-year tariff imposed in 1988 just another two years were added to his sentence in each case.

He was dubbed ‘The Coronation Street rapist’ as most of the victims were attacked in their own terraced homes in the north of England, the majority living in Greater Manchester. Two of the attacks took place in the street. He also struck in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire in the early 1980s, and then again from August 1987 until January 1988 when he was arrested.

Barlow was sought by police in the 1980s over 11 of the rapes. During the hunt for him he evaded police at Leeds railway station and went on to shoot at two officers when he was finally arrested in Bebington, Merseyside. The officers were not injured and Longmire was later convicted of their attempted murder.

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Sturgeon also told Dale that she only discovered Murrell was due to plead guilty a week before he appeared in court on 25 May.

It later emerged he had been negotiating his plea for months, a fact which she said “hit me like a tonne of bricks”.

Sturgeon said: “He was still lying to me right up until the day he pled guilty.”

The former first minister added: “He was very isolated over that period, he very rarely left the house, he wasn’t communicative, I was a bit worried about his well-being and his mental health.

“And then, now I think: ‘What a mug, why were you worried about him?’ He didn’t worry about me. He didn’t worry at all about what he was doing.

“What he has subjected me to is beyond anything I could ever have comprehended.

“I don’t understand why he did it, he had no need to do it, I don’t think I will ever understand his motivations.

“But whatever that motivation was, he could not have stopped and ever thought about me.

“But I was, until recently, still worrying about him.”

Sturgeon – who had stepped down as first minister in March 2023 – was arrested In June 2023 but was later told that she was no longer under investigation.

The former first minister announced her separation from Murrell last year.

Crowds packed into the Market Square on Saturday for a full day of free entertainment and live music as well as the annual Pride march.

Shops and businesses along the route joined in the fun with dancing and confetti cannons.

And on the main stage there were performances from Gina Tonic, Nikki, Anarchy & Scarlett, and Tess Tickle & The Dragettes, with the acts greeted by roaring applause.

Temperatures soared into the high twenties, adding to the vibrant atmosphere as the crowd gathered in the sun-drenched square.

The weekend celebration continues on Sunday at Hopetown, with performances by Honeylight, Josh Atkinson, Jade Mia Broadhead, and Stebee.

On Monday, pubs and bars across the town centre will host Pride events from 6pm, including camp karaoke at the Red Lion and themed parties at The Hummingbird featuring tributes to Zara Larsson and Sabrina Carpenter.

Lola McEvoy, Labour MP for Darlington, is supporting the events.

She said: “Darlington Pride is an important demonstration of joy and inclusivity at a time where intolerance is still too common.

“Today was exactly that, so much glitter and colour to say ‘we’re here, we belong and we’re proud of who we are.’

“For me, Pride is for everyone but especially for those who aren’t out, it’s an event that says our town welcomes you, will celebrate you and you can live your truth here.

“Well done to everyone involved but especially to those who stepped in to fill the funding gap left by sponsors who withdrew their support.”

“The unions and many of the town’s best businesses stepped up to show that we’re a town where everyone can be themselves. That’s something we should all be proud of.”

North Yorkshire has no shortage of highly rated chippies, ranging from famous Whitby restaurants to smaller family-run takeaways tucked away from the busiest tourist spots.

We have looked through TripAdvisor ratings and recent customer feedback to find seven fish and chip shops across North Yorkshire that diners have rated highly.

Lifeboat Fish Bar, Scarborough

Situated close to Scarborough’s seafront and lifeboat station, Lifeboat Fish Bar is a small, traditional fish and chip café that also offers takeaway food.

The venue has earned a rating of 4.9 out of five from more than 1,160 TripAdvisor reviews, making it one of the highest-rated options on the list.

Reviewers frequently praise the “fresh, flaky fish”, “crispy batter” and “generous portions of chips”. Customers also regularly mention the friendly service and value for money.

The popularity of the fish bar can mean queues at busy times, although a number of reviewers said the food was worth waiting for.

Lifeboat Fish Bar can be found at 76 Eastborough, Scarborough.

Trenchers, Whitby

One of Whitby’s most recognisable fish restaurants, Trenchers has received 4.5 out of five from more than 6,160 reviews on TripAdvisor.

Customers can eat inside the large restaurant or order food to take away. The menu includes traditional cod and haddock, alongside other seafood dishes and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.

Recent reviewers have praised the light batter, sizeable portions and attentive service, with one TripAdvisor contributor describing it simply as “a must visit in Whitby”.

Trenchers was also named Restaurant of the Year at the 2026 National Fish and Chip Awards.

It can be found on New Quay Road, close to Whitby railway station.

The Scrap Box, Dunnington

Located beside the A1079 near Dunnington, The Scrap Box has developed a loyal following despite operating from an unusual converted roadside building.

The chippy has a TripAdvisor score of around 4.5 out of five, with its listing attracting more than 260 customer reviews.

Reviews regularly highlight the freshly cooked fish, crispy batter, substantial portions and welcoming staff. One recent contributor called it the “best chippy in York”.

The Scrap Box’s reputation extends beyond TripAdvisor. It was named Takeaway of the Year at the 2026 National Fish and Chip Awards, putting the business among the most decorated chippies in the country.

It is located off the A1079 at Dunnington, near York.

Magpie Café, Whitby

The Magpie Café is one of the best-known seafood restaurants on the Yorkshire coast and has been serving customers in Whitby for generations.

It has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.4 out of five from more than 10,000 reviews, giving it the largest number of customer reviews of any venue included in this list.

Visitors commonly praise its crisp battered fish, generous servings and wide seafood menu. One reviewer said fish and chips “does not get any better than this”, while others recommend booking or preparing to queue during busy periods.

As well as cod and haddock, the restaurant serves dishes featuring crab, lobster, shellfish and locally landed seafood. Gluten-free choices are also available.

The Magpie Café can be found at 14 Pier Road, overlooking Whitby harbour.

Mister C’s, Selby

Mister C’s, on Micklegate in Selby, offers both takeaway food and restaurant seating.

The business has received 4.2 out of five from approximately 580 TripAdvisor reviews.

Customers frequently mention the quality of the fish, clean surroundings and friendly service. The portions and gluten-free options also receive positive feedback, with the shop offering a dedicated selection for customers with particular dietary requirements.

Mister C’s serves traditional fish and chips alongside items including scampi, fishcakes, pies and children’s meals.

It can be found at 61–63 Micklegate, Selby.

Hadley’s Fish and Chips, Whitby

Hadley’s is another long-established Whitby chippy, situated on Bridge Street near the town’s historic harbour.

It has a rating of 4.3 out of five from more than 1,930 TripAdvisor reviews.

One recent customer praised the restaurant’s Yorkshire meal deal, describing the portions as generous and the fish as perfectly cooked with light, crispy batter. The traditional combination also included chips, bread and butter and a pot of Yorkshire Tea.

Other reviewers highlight the central location, welcoming atmosphere and gluten-free options.

Customers can sit inside the restaurant or order food to take away.

Hadley’s is located at 11 Bridge Street, Whitby.

The Wetherby Whaler, Nether Poppleton

The Wetherby Whaler at York Business Park is a large fish and chip restaurant with takeaway facilities, customer parking and accessible seating.

It has earned a rating of 4.3 out of five from more than 810 TripAdvisor reviews and is listed as one of the highest-rated restaurants in Nether Poppleton.

Reviews often mention the substantial haddock, traditional chips and spacious dining area. Customers also value the availability of gluten-free food and the convenience of having parking outside the restaurant.

Alongside fish and chips, the menu includes scampi, fishcakes, pies and lighter meals.

The restaurant can be found on Ings Lane at York Business Park, Nether Poppleton.

Have we missed your favourite North Yorkshire chippy? Let us know which fish and chip shop you think should have made the list.

TripAdvisor ratings and review totals were checked on August 5, 2026. Figures may change as new reviews are submitted. Reviews represent the opinions of individual TripAdvisor users.

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