Couples are the target market for the cabins, but one of the cabins will be able to accommodate a small family

Proposals to build three self-catered glamping cabins have been approved despite “significant environmental concerns”. Applicants Mr and Mrs Mike & Kate Milne, sought permission to provide “luxury” accommodation on land with grazing deer in Great Gransden.

The development site is on land west of Little Gransden Lane in Great Gransden. A planning statement reads: “The fully self-catered spaces will appeal to guests who enjoy accommodation in the outdoors with the intended audience looking for a back to nature experience.

“The target market will be couples with the ability to accommodate small families in one of the units. The accommodation will have the ability to cater to visitors year-round taking advantage of the full 12-month opportunity.”

This is an expansion of an existing rural business which aims to make a “positive contribution to the sustainability” of the business, planning documents said. The operating business called Red Kite Rural Ltd, which was founded in 2012, is a rural enterprise specialising in forestry, estate and deer management.

The applicants added: “The accommodation will provide an authentic luxury experience to guests wanting to explore the outdoors from a unique perspective set on the land with grazing deer in the foreground.”

They said the site’s close proximity to Cambridge will be a “significant draw for guests”. On site, built-in features such as outdoor bathing and cooking facilities will be provided alongside a communal sauna and car parking.

However, some people lodged formal complaints about the development. One local said the application should have been refused beacuse it “raises significant environmental concerns, and would harm local amenity”.

The neighbour wrote: “The proposal conflicts with the Great Gransden Neighbourhood Plan (Policies G1, G3, G4, G9), as it is located outside the built-up area boundary and represents unsupported greenfield development. The site is unsuitable, being too close to residential areas and valued tranquil spaces such as Gransden Woods.

“The development would introduce noise, light pollution, and increased traffic along a narrow, heavily used public footpath, creating safety risks and disturbance. No adequate mitigation is provided.”

Overall, the objector said the proposal had failed to demonstrate that its “benefits outweigh the clear harm to the environment, local residents, and the character of the area”.

Another objector claimed it is “not appropriate to insert a glamping site into a relatively small agricultural field in the middle of a group of residential properties”. They said that their concerns are in “no way outweighed by the alleged benefits”.

They said that the “small number of properties and the absence of street lighting at this extreme edge of the village mean it is not only very quiet but also totally dark at night”.

Another local, who lives adjacent to the site, said they believe the proposals will “negatively impact our peaceful enjoyment of our property particularly in view of the increased noise disturbance caused by outdoor socialising” as a result of the amenities being installed.

The lodged objection added: “This is also likely to result in late night (as well as daytime) noise disturbance in what is an extremely tranquil location. The very close proximity of the proposed car park to our property and garden will also cause increased noise disturbance.”

On the other hand, others were in support of the development. One person said that the introduction of a small amount of tourism could “help support local amenities, such as the village pub and shop”, adding that the proposal seems to be “relatively low-impact use of the land”.

The proposals, which were submitted in March, have since been approved by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Argentina’s president has issued a fresh warning to the UK over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, saying his country would defend its interests “with tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers”.

Javier Milei said he was preparing to make what he billed as a national announcement on Thursday night, saying the islands were “sacred” to his people and claimed his country’s national sovereignty had been “violated”.

On Tuesday, Downing Street said Britain’s commitment to the Falkland Islands was “unwavering” after Donald Trump suggested the US could review its position on the archipelago.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Argentina’s president wrote: “We announce a national broadcast for Thursday at 9:00 PM on a SACRED topic for Argentinians… a historic claim of the Argentine people that to this day continues to see its national sovereignty violated.”

He added: “What more important and strategic cause for the vital interests of the nation could there be more important than the Malvinas cause?… We will continue defending the interests of the Argentine nation with tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers. LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMMIT…!!!”

James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, hit back at President Milei, saying the Falklands “are British and they will remain British”.

“British soldiers fought and died to defend our sovereignty and the freedom of the Falkland Islanders. That sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we will always stand by the people of the Falklands and their overwhelming desire to remain British,” he said.

The US’s stance is formally neutral, although Washington provided support for Britain’s campaign to retake the islands after the Argentinian invasion in 1982.

However, reports at the weekend suggested the US could revise its position if the UK government does not increase defence spending.

Asked about the reports on Monday, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “I always review every position. That’s just one of many.”

The next day the PM’s official spokesperson said the UK’s position on the Falklands was “long-standing and unwavering”.

“Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islanders’ right to self-determination is paramount,” he said. “The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory.”

Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour – and just three votes against.

But the issue hit the headlines this summer when Argentina’s football team controversially waved a banner in support of their country’s claim to the islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England.

Players held a banner after the semi-final match that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.

A powerful US Senator and top Trump ally has warned Andy Burnham not to implement sanctions against Israel.

Senator Rick Scott told the Prime Minister he needs to be a ‘Churchill, not another Chamberlain’ as expectations grow that the UK will punish goods, services and senior figures linked to planned illegal Israeli settlements.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband pledged yesterday to ‘reset’ Britain’s policy on Israel and called new Israeli expansion efforts ‘the crossing of a red line’.

However, officials will fear that Senator Scott’s public opposition to British sanctions reflects what the Trump administration thinks behind closed doors.

The US State Department has already warned they are ‘tracking [the plans] closely’, with Downing Street reportedly prepared for pushback from Washington.

Senator Scott, chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, told Metro: ‘The U.K. needs a Churchill, not another Chamberlain. Prime Minister Burnham has a chance to either stand with the United States and Israel – or repeat history’s mistakes by appeasing evil regimes and actors.’

The row exploded last month when Israel issued tenders for the construction of some 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area.

The plans have drawn widespread international condemnation because it would in effect divide the West Bank in two and isolate East Jerusalem.

Andy Burnham said yesterday the E1 extension ‘could imperil, if not end, the two-state solution’.

Miliband also told Parliament he would introduce a ‘comprehensive reset’ of policy on Israel ‘in the coming weeks’ and punish British companies involved in the settlements.

The government is reportedly also preparing to announce sanctions against goods and services involving West Bank settlements and target more senior Israeli figures.

A minister also confirmed yesterday they are ‘looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements’.

‘Israel will act against Britain’

The mooted sanctions have sparked outrage from the Israeli government, who has threatened to retailiate.

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told news website Ynet: ‘If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.’

However concern is also growing that President Trump, a strong supporter of Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu, will be angered by any sanctions.

Senator Scott, described as Trump’s ‘fixer’ in the Senate, has fired the first warning shot over the UK’s plans.

Asked about his reaction to the possible sanctions, Scott told Metro: ”Burnham should do everything he can to strengthen Britain’s historic alliances with America and Israel and reject the disgusting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic radicalization growing across the UK.’

He added: ‘Israel is doing what it must to oppose terror and defend itself, and President Trump is working with them to bring peace to the Middle East through strength.

‘Burnham should do everything he can to strengthen Britain’s historic alliances with America and Israel and reject the disgusting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic radicalization growing across the UK.’

Scott’s intervention is significant because he is seen as closely tied to The White House.

Trump’s officials have reportedly described him as ‘our man in the Senate’ and have brokered meetings between officials and powerful Republicans.

Two of Britain’s largest Jewish organisations, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, have also urged Burnham not to go ahead with the sanctions.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, told Miliband on Friday that many British Jews would view the proposed measures with ‘deep dismay’.

However a group of former British diplomats said in May that the Israeli settlements were ‘designed to divide the West Bank in two and destroy Palestine’s viability’.

They warned that E1 was part of Israel’s ‘systemic West Bank annexation’.

All settlements are illegal under international law and Israel had previously held off for decades on plans to build in the area due to international pressure.

The UK has already joined a group of 20 other countries, including France, Germany and Italy, as well as the European Union, to issue a joint statement calling E1 ‘unacceptable’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Meghan Markle‘s former best friend Jessica Mulroney has announced the launch of her own lifestyle brand – six years since the pair’s alleged ‘rift’ following a race row.

She first crossed paths with Meghan while the now duchess was filming Suits in Toronto, Canada, in 2011. 

And Jessica has now launched The Haus of Her – a private members club and community space designed for ‘women in the middle of a defining transition’.

Jessica is a Canadian fashion stylist and marketing consultant, known for her bridal stylist work and guest appearances as a clothing expert on North American morning talk shows. She was the host of reality show I Do, Redo which was cancelled following race row controversy. 

Founded by Jessica and businesswoman Val Bryden ‘in the middle of our own transition’, The Haus of Her club is now open for membership requests and is hosting a Make Your Own Scent event on September 15 at Toronto’s Orris Labs.

For 39 Canadian dollars (£20) per month, members can also enjoy a monthly subscription box which promises to be ‘something to invigorate, something to inspire, something to relax’. 

Jessica’s new wellness venture comes after encouraging her 411,000 Instagram followers last December to sign up as subscribers to receive exclusive content from her, such as styling tips.

Meghan, meanwhile, is certainly no stranger to the wellness and lifestyle scene – having launched her As Ever brand in 2024, which offers products inspired by the duchess’s ‘long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostess-ing with ease’. 

Meghan and Jessica’s lives were once remarkably intertwined – with Jessica widely understood as the Duchess’s staunchest defender, closest confidant and ‘keeper of secrets’ – including when she began secretly dating Prince Harry in 2016. 

But in 2020, Meghan distanced herself after Jessica became embroiled in a race row with blogger Sasha Exeter in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The stylist hasn’t featured in any of Meghan’s public work and the pair do not follow each other on social media. 

Ms Mulroney has released The Haus of Her – a private members club and community space ‘ designed for ‘women in the middle of a defining transition’

For 39 Canadian dollars per month, members can also enjoy a monthly subscription box at which promises to be ‘something to invigorate, something to inspire, something to relax’

Despite their once close relationship, insiders claimed the duchess permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020 after she became embroiled in a ‘feud’ with influencer Sasha Exeter.

At the time, Jessica was said to have ‘taken offence’ to a ‘generic call to action’ post Sasha had shared about the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a follow-up video, Sasha said, ‘I’m by no means calling Jess a racist but what I will say is this: She is very well aware of her wealth, perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin and that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come for my livelihood in writing. Textbook white privilege really, in my personal opinion.’

Following the blogger’s claims, Jessica issued three public apologies, however she still faced consequences and was dropped by numerous television networks.

Last month her husband Ben Mulroney told a podcast how he and his wife were cancelled in June 2020 after Sasha Exeter accused Jessica of white privilege.

In an extraordinary outburst on the No But Seriously Though podcast, Ben said: ‘A racial grifter decided to take advantage of the George Floyd moment and make up a complete fiction about my wife and the country decided to bend over backwards and say: “OK, well, here’s our hero and here’s our villain and everything was taken from my wife overnight”.’

Ben added: ‘What the DMs show is not that this woman was abused by my wife’s white privilege, but that this woman was antagonising my wife and so my wife said, “If you are going to threaten me, I’ll threaten you”.’

Sasha Exeter was previously approached for comment by the Daily Mail. 

It was a dramatic end to a once widely publicised friendship – with Meghan often gushing about Jessica online prior to meeting Harry.

Jessica’s twin sons John and Brian, then seven, even had the honour of carrying the train of Meghan’s dress down the aisle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, while her daughter Ivy was a bridesmaid at the royal wedding alongside Princess Charlotte. 

Founded by Jessica, left, and businesswoman Val Bryden ‘in the middle of our own transition’, The Haus of Her club is now open for membership requests 

Jessica and her daughter Ivy at Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding with Kate and Princess Charlotte

Jessica’s new wellness venture comes after the former television star was seen encouraging her Instagram followers to sign up as subscribers

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In December 2015, the Duchess said that ‘the room stops’ whenever her friend ‘shows up at an event’.

Referencing the Eighties US sitcom Out of This World, Meghan compared Jessica to the show’s heroine Evie (played by Maureen Flannigan) – who has the ability to freeze time.

Gushing about the effect Jessica has on people, Meghan described her as ‘savvy and fashionable and tres cool, and also va va va voom pritaaaay’.

She continued: ‘And here’s the other thing – she also happens to be an incredible stylist, clothing the likes of Canada’s First Lady, Sophie Trudeau.’

In her 2022 Netflix documentary, Meghan shared footage of the night Prince Harry proposed in 2017 – where she FaceTimed her friend as she walked the grounds of Kensington Palace.

The day of the royal wedding Jessica shared snaps captioned: ‘Proud friend. Proud mom.’

While she was still living in Toronto, the duchess was regularly pictured at glamorous events with the Canadian mother-of-three.

Meghan was all over the stylist’s social media page years ago, and Jessica is even understood to have helped pick out the wedding dress for Rachel Zane – the Duchess’s character on Suits.

Despite  Meghan and Jessica’s close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020, after she became embroiled in a ‘feud’ with influencer Sasha Exeter

Jessica was also among several famous faces who organised Meghan’s baby shower in New York City, which is understood to have cost a whopping $500,000. 

In 2019, Jessica said her life is an ‘open book’ but when it comes to a certain few things – such as her friendship with Meghan – her lips are completely sealed.

‘This is my first interview that I’ve done since the wedding or anything,’ Jessica told Harper’s Bazaar.

‘Listen, every person has to have a bit of privacy in their life. There are certain things I hold very dear and secret… There are things I’ll never talk about for sure.

‘My life is an open book, but there’s always a few secret pages in the back that nobody will be able to read.’

Meanwhile, as the backlash against Jessica began mounting, Meghan remained quiet and distant on the matter and has not publicly spoken about her friend in years.

One source told Daily Mail their friendship is no longer ‘what it once was,’ adding that this was due to the pair having ‘just grown apart’ and not because of the fallout between Jessica and Sasha.

The insider added: ‘Of course, Meghan has been worried about Jess. She’ll always have love for her.’ Jessica has since tried to rebuild her brand – this time, without Meghan by her side. 

The Canadian mother-of-three has partnered up with Canadian high street label Aritzia and also secured deals with online retailers Revolve and Fwrd. In 2024, Jessica also teased a potential I Do, Redo comeback. 

She wrote on Instagram: ‘If anyone knows me or what I love to do, it involves surprising brides and grooms with the wedding of their dreams. Finally, I’m getting back into the game. Coming to a screen near you.’

The Mirror’s Assistant Political Editor Alexander Brown here….

Andy Burnham speaking at the Despatch Box as Prime Minister is a long time coming for the Makerfield MP.

The former Greater Manchester Mayor had ran twice for leader and lost, including coming second behind Jeremy Corbyn.

Today, much like his first address outside Downing Street, is one of the milestones he will have imagined for years.

Away from Westminster for so long, Mr Burnham’s allies believe his time outside parliament has made him a better politician, more natural, and more sensitive to the public mood.

His mammoth three hour session on Tuesday is a sign of this, with the leader impressing Labour MPs with both his performance and lack of notes.

The challenge for Mr Burnham at PMQs will be to remember he cannot do it alone. The debates are rarely about the actual policy, but more often theatre, with loud support from MPs crucial for how his argument is recieved.

Mr Burnham must manage to deliver answers that not only impress the public, which polling shows he has done, but also answers that generate a strong response from his MPs.

Kemi Badenoch is a strong Commons performer so this wil be no easy test, but Mr Burnham has had years to prepare for it.

The ambulance service has said that six people have been taken to hospital following the collision this morning.

A NIAS spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 08:57 on Wednesday, 2nd September, following reports of an RTC in the Newtownhamilton Road area, Armagh.

“NIAS tasked 5 Emergency Ambulances, 2 HART Teams, an Emergency Planning Officer, an Ambulance Doctor and the Charity Air Ambulance with nHEMS on board, to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was brought to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Ambulance. 1 patient was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital by Air Ambulance. 4 patients were brought to Craigavon Area Hospital by Ambulance.”

All traffic is being temporarily held on the M4 westbound at Bridgend after a crash. Pictures showed a car having hit the central reservation on the stretch near to Sarn services.

Further pictures at the scene show one vehicle has been involved in the crash and emergency services are at the scene near junction 35 for Pencoed on the westbound side.

Emergency services including police and fire crews are working at the scene. Motorists are being advised to allow extra time for travel.

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The USS Abraham Lincoln has docked at a Thailand resort town following an extended deployment of more than 250 days in which they faced grueling conditions.

The US Navy aircraft carrier stopped in the resort city of Pattaya on Wednesday, where the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board will have the chance to unwind before heading back to the United States, the Navy announced.

‘Our arrival in Laem Chabang provides a well-deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge,’ Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, said in a statement.

‘It also underscores the strong and enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Thailand.’ 

Officials in the city are now hoping it will become an ‘important vacation spot’ for US service members in the future, Newsweek reports. 

‘We welcome more visits of the troops in the future, whether for a drill or a vacation, before they go back to the US,’ Mayor Poramet Ngampichet is said to have told American military officials. 

The trip marks a much-needed break for the American servicemembers, who had been at sea since November 21 amid the war in Iran.

Its deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days. 

But city officials have also implemented a series of rules for the sailors after speaking with American military officials. 

Pattaya had started off as a fishing village, but became a tourism center during the Vietnam War, when US servicemembers were stationed nearby

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Pattaya started off as a fishing village but became a tourism center during the Vietnam War, when US servicemembers were stationed nearby.

It has since developed a reputation for sex tourism but, ahead of the ship’s arrival on Wednesday, authorities in the city launched a crackdown on prostitution. 

Police raids over the weekend saw 40 to 50 people detained with additional patrols in place for the main beachfront and nightlife district, The Independent reports. 

The mayor has denied the crackdown on sex work was related to the arrival of US servicemembers.

But under an agreement with the US, service members docked at Pattaya are barred from engaging in certain recreational activities such as parasailing and cannabis use, which was legalized in Thailand in 2022, according to the Guardian. 

And while famed nightlife area Walking Street will be opened to sailors, they must leave by 2am. 

Any US service member found violating Thai law will be prosecuted accordingly, City Police Chief Anek Srathongyoo vowed.

Officials in the city are now hoping it will become an ‘important vacation spot’ for US service members in the future

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Business owners in Pattaya eagerly awaited the arrival of the US sailors

Unlike in the United States, vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, and anyone caught possessing one can face up to five years in prison. 

The country also has strict laws against insulting the country’s monarchy – which could see violators sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

In preparation for the deluge of US servicemembers, authorities in Pattaya have stepped up security, adding more police officers in popular areas along the beach and in the bustling downtown area. 

Meanwhile, business owners across the city eagerly awaited the arrival of the sailors, with some businesses displaying banners reading: ‘Welcome all US military personnel. Thank you for your service’ and ‘All Welcome’ next to a silhouette of the aircraft carrier.

The ship’s arrival in Thailand comes just weeks after the USS George Washington was forced to abandon its post in the Pacific Ocean to relieve the strained sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The sailors onboard the Lincoln had reportedly experienced horrific conditions that led some service members to experience suicidal ideation due to dwindling morale.

The wife of one of the sailors even described the ship as a ‘floating metal prison’ with appalling conditions as she slammed President Donald Trump for downplaying family members’ concerns.

The unidentified woman said her husband described the experience aboard the aircraft carrier stationed in the Middle East as ‘the worst deployment he’s ever been on.’

‘This is not his first deployment. This is not his first time being out there, and he is saying that it is the worst deployment that he’s ever been on. And he also says that his shipmates say the same,’ she told CNN‘s Jake Tapper.

Sailors have complained about the meager portions they were receiving onboard the ship

Since the beginning of the war in Iran, reports have surfaced of food shortages and rationing aboard the Lincoln, accompanied by photographs of sailors’ meals.

‘It’s not just the quality; it’s the quantity,’ the sailor’s wife told the outlet. ‘It’s the rationing. The portions are awful, so it’s really not good.’ 

Remaining anonymous out of fear of retaliation against her husband, the woman added her spouse, who she said is typically unaffected by work stressors, ‘feels himself being angrier and more frustrated.’

‘You’re stuck in a floating metal prison essentially, in the middle of the water, eating prison-like food with the same people in the same bunk beds in the same small quarters for 200 days, 250 days, you start to go a little insane working 12 hours, getting four or five hours of sleep,’ she continued.

Sailors aboard the Lincoln are said to have endured moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry outages, food shortages and long stretches without hot water. 

Some sailors even reportedly tried to jump ship amid the extended deployment, with one 19-year-old father-of-two now facing non-judicial punishment from the Trump administration for hurling himself overboard in an apparent attempt to drown.

Navy documents accuse the servicemember of ‘intentionally faking an illness or hurting themselves to avoid work, duty or service,’ while a separate charge claims he failed to report to his required place of duty during the mental-health crisis. 

‘I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,’ the sailor’s wife told MS NOW. ‘Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor.’

Crew members are pictured standing on the flight deck as the USS Abraham Lincoln approached Thailand on Wednesday

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The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is pictured in April carrying out blockade operations in the Arabian Sea

His wife said he repeatedly requested paternity leave to meet his newborn daughter for the first time but was denied each time. His fate will be decided at a ‘captain’s mast,’ where his commanding officer could dock as much as half his pay, according to the charging documents.

The sailor was rescued after going overboard on August 3 and medically evacuated before returning to San Diego ten days later, according to his wife.

He then spent five days at Naval Medical Center San Diego, known locally as Balboa, where staff monitored his vital signs but never had him evaluated by a psychiatrist or therapist, she said.

He was ordered back to work immediately after his release and did not receive his first therapy session until this Wednesday, nearly two weeks after arriving home.

The Navy is pursuing the case through non-judicial punishment, an internal disciplinary process generally used for lower-level misconduct that avoids a formal court-martial and criminal conviction.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers has demanded greater oversight and transparency over living conditions aboard the carrier. 

Four family members died after being pulled from the sea off the Sussex coast, an inquest has heard.

Hussam El-Khawas, 55, his wife Zeina Alayan, 37, older daughter Sara El-Khawas, 14, and youngest daughter Saja El-Khawas, six, died after members of the public reported them ‘getting into trouble in the sea’.

Saja was rescued from the water at Shoreham-by-Sea and resuscitated, but died on August 21 in hospital after showing signs of a brain injury throughout treatment.

An inquest into the deaths of all four family members opened at Horsham on Tuesday.

The hearing heard that the RNLI was called after reports of ‘members of the public getting into trouble in the sea’.

Mr El-Khawas, Ms Alayan and Sara were brought ashore by lifeboat crews at Kingston Beach before being pronounced dead at the RNLI lifeboat station.

Saja was taken to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton in a critical condition before being transferred to Evelina London Children’s Hospital at St Thomas’ Hospital.

Coroner’s officer Kelly Truss told the hearing that Saja showed signs of a brain injury throughout her time in hospital.

‘All clinical signs throughout her admission showed evidence of a hypoxic brain injury,’ she said.

Saja was pronounced dead on August 21, with a provisional cause of death given as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and drowning.

The cause of death for the other three family members has not yet been established.

Michael, spent most of his life in care. However, after he returned home from university his relationship broke down with his foster parents – forcing him into sofa surfing and eventually on to the streets.

After a few months, he got in contact with Centrepoint, who were able to place him into accommodation and help him find a job. It was here that Michael started working at The Co-operative Bank, through it’s Brick by Brick scheme, and he hasn’t looked back since.

He said: “Over two years I applied for 400 jobs. It was demoralising because I really wanted to work but couldn’t as employers would either say I was too experienced or not experienced enough.

“Thankfully, Centrepoint and The Co-operative Bank were able to support me into this job now and I love it. Everyone’s friendly and supportive and it’s given me a purpose, as opposed to just existing.”

Brick by Brick, launched earlier this year, is a pioneering early careers programme, designed to support young people into sustainable work and move on from homelessness for good.

It provides a steady, structured journey starting with employability workshops, and then progressing to the Get Set Go Programme which provides six days classroom learning, mock interviews, professional behaviour guidance, and an introduction to the Bank’s values.

After this, a young person will then complete work experience at the Bank which, if successful, is followed by an employment offer, removing the pressure of formal interviews. The program ends with an optional apprenticeship and keep in touch days, designed to improve preparedness between a job offer and start date.

The initiative has had 35 young people participating in various steps so far with several securing permanent employment in the Bank’s Contact Centre.

Michael is one of these, and discussing the skills it has given him, he said: “Communication, multitasking, timekeeping, but most importantly, confidence.

“I’ve gone from thinking ‘Why would a company want me’ to now thinking ‘Why wouldn’t they’.”

With over one million young people currently not in education or employment, Brick by Brick is reshaping conversations about homelessness by refusing to define young people by their experiences, instead investing in their potential and honouring their needs.

“By meeting young people where they’re at, we can close the opportunity gap that holds too many back from reaching their potential,” said Anna Cuskin, the Bank’s Social Impact Lead. “Everyone deserves the chance to succeed. With the right support, young people can gain confidence, find meaningful employment and build a future beyond homelessness.”

HMO has given me ‘sense of purpose’ says man at risk of homelessness

A man who was at risk of homelessness has told us how a new home gave him a ‘sense of purpose.’

Kai, 22, was living with his dad before overcrowding at home forced him to find somewhere else to live, he said: “It was a really worrying time. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to.”

Fortunately, Kai was able to get in contact with Centrepoint where through the Rent Deposits Scheme, funded by Nationwide Building Society, he was able to find a place in a House In Multiple Occupation (HMO). 

“It’s given me the stability to rebuild my life and slowly I’m getting back on track.

“One day I’d like to live in a house of my own, by a river, on my own plot of land, and do what I want with it.

“That’s my dream and I feel like if I keep sticking at it, I’ll be able to eventually achieve it.”

However, young people in Kai’s situation may not be so fortunate – research by Centrepoint has found there has been a 10% fall in HMOs since 2019, with 458,000 in 24/25 compared to 510, 776 in 19/20.

When asked if he had any advice for young people going through something similar, Kai said: “Don’t give up. It might be hard, but right now, your best bet is to keep pushing forward and look for any form of help where you possibly can. Just keep going.”

PM’s pledge to end rough sleeping gets early boost

(Image: Centrepoint)

The Prime Minister’s pledge to end rough sleeping has been given an early boost after the number of young people sleeping rough in London dropped by almost half.

Between April and June 2026, 202 18–25-year-olds in London were recorded as sleeping rough. This was a 45% decrease from the same quarter last year when 368 young people were reported.

The youth homelessness charity Centrepoint said this was cause for celebration and called the number proof that the Prime Minister’s pledge could be achieved.

Lisa Doyle, the charity’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “London is providing the blueprint for what can be achieved when political leaders has the vision and intent to end street homelessness.

“These figures are a real cause for celebration, but the job is not done. The Mayor of London and the Government must continue these efforts until rough sleeping is reduced to as close to zero as possible, and anyone forced onto the streets is helped off them quickly.

However, the charity warned that ending street sleeping alone is not enough. “We must also remember that homelessness does not begin and end with rough sleeping.” Lisa said, “For every person on the streets, many thousands more are living in insecure or unsafe situations. To avoid reversing this positive trend, the Government must now also address the causes and consequences of those experiences too, and step up efforts to prevent homelessness.”

Months of heat ‘life threatening’ for homeless people says charity

A charity has warned that homeless people’s lives are ‘at risk’ due to the past few months of high temperatures.

It comes after August saw another flurry of heatwaves – regularly rising over 30 degrees across the country. The UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, believes council should do more to protect those sleeping rough when it’s this hot.

Lisa Doyle, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “This weather is life threatening for those forced to sleep on the streets.

“And while many councils do activate protocols to protect those sleeping rough, there is no legal requirement for local authorities to provide shelter for everyone during severe weather. This must change.”

“Ultimately, street homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg – the best way to keep people safe is to reduce homelessness however it is experienced.”