The leader of Hong Kong has celebrated the 20-year jail sentence given to British pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, saying the media tycoon had “poisoned” the city.

John Lee was defiant in the face of criticism from Western nations, including the UK, following the 78-year-old’s sentencing yesterday.

He was found guilty ​of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one ​count of publishing seditious materials last December.

Mr Lai denied all the charges and said he was a “political prisoner” facing persecution from Beijing. His son, Sebastien, told Sky News it was “essentially a life sentence… a death sentence”.

Sir Keir Starmer had been under pressure to raise Mr Lai’s case with China’s Xi Jinping when he visited the country last month.

While the government is seeking closer economic ties with Beijing, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Mr Lai’s prosecution was “politically motivated” and expressed concern for his health.

But China remains defiant despite the criticism, which has also come from the likes of the US and the UN.

China’s London embassy described Ms Cooper’s comments as “erroneous”, and accused the UK of “interfering in Hong Kong’s rule of law”.

Since Mr Lai was sentenced, the Beijing regime has released a white paper outlining plans to further enhance a draconian national security law that has been used to clamp down on free speech and dissent in Hong Kong.

Read more:
What is the China’s national security law?

The city, which Britain handed over in 1997, was the scene of huge pro-democracy protests in 2019. The white paper described the security law as a “legal shield” that had restored order.

Mr Lee said Mr Lai’s sentencing sent a “solemn warning against malicious plots” that endanger national security, and welcomed the white paper’s publication.

Mr Lai’s sentencing came more than five years after he was arrested. The founder of the now defunct Apple Daily newspaper is a long-standing critic of ⁠the Chinese Communist Party.

‘The embodiment of what they fear’

Speaking after the verdict, Sky’s Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith said she spoke to Mr Lai’s biographer Mark Clifford last month.

“He’s really the embodiment of what they fear,” she cited the author and close friend of the jailed tycoon as saying.

“A principled person, absolutely refusing to back down, smart, articulate, and crucially with a platform.”

The site of Tudhoe Grange School, on Durham Road, was transformed into a 1960s police station for the seventh series of Inspector George Gently, the long-running BBC crime drama starring Martin Shaw and Lee Ingelby.

For several months, the disused school building served as the show’s production base while four 90-minute episodes were filmed across County Durham and the wider North East.

Tudhoe Grange School in Spennymoor (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

Classrooms were converted into offices and interview rooms, while the frontage was dressed with period police cars and signage to match the drama’s 1960s setting.

At the time, Inspector George Gently was one of the BBC’s most successful crime dramas, regularly attracting audiences of around seven million viewers when episodes aired on BBC One later that year.

The decision to film in Spennymoor followed the closure of Tudhoe Grange School in 2012, when it merged with Spennymoor School to form Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College.

Martin Shaw (Image: ARCHIVE)

While the future of the 100-year-old building was still undecided, its temporary use by the BBC ensured the site remained occupied and maintained.

Plus, with most of the series of Inspector George Gently already filmed in the region anyway, it gave producers a perfect opportunity to use the former school.

BBC representatives at the time said the school was ideally suited to the series, both visually and practically, offering a period-appropriate exterior alongside enough internal space to house sets and production offices.

Tudhoe Grange School in Spennymoor (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

At the time, the show’s publicist, Deborah Goodman, said: “Period-wise, the school really works for us.

“It has a great frontage to put our sixties police cars out front, and the interior is great; we can make the police station sets work and have enough room for the production team to have its offices there.

“It has made a huge difference to the series to film it where it is supposed to be set, in and around Northumberland.”

Local leaders also welcomed the production, citing economic benefits for nearby businesses and the wider area, as well as the novelty of seeing a familiar local landmark appear on national television.

Now in 2026, the school’s brief transformation remains a notable moment in the town’s recent history.

When they disintegrate, governments often do so slowly, then quickly. Despite dragooned public statements of support from the cabinet, the government of Keir Starmer gives every appearance of entering that second phase.

In the wake of the scandal surrounding former Washington ambassador Peter Mandelson and his ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Starmer lost his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who had championed Mandelson for the role. Then the PM lost his press secretary, Tim Allan.

Then, in a live press conference, he lost the leader of the Scottish Labour party, Anas Sarwar. Eighteen months ago, Starmer could not have been closer to Sarwar. Now he has cut his national leader adrift and called for Starmer to resign.

Sarwar is not in Westminster. Sarwar has to fight an election in Scotland in May, and Starmer and the Westminster Labour government has been a liability for Scottish Labour for over a year. Sarwar had to act to have any chance of mounting a challenge against the governing Scottish National Party in those elections.

Sarwar’s actions may be be the most impactful, owing to the political momentum he has now so dramatically accelerated. But McSweeney’s resignation is the more significant development. The last line of defence for a prime minister is their chief of staff, and Sweeney was much more than that.

Party leaders and prime ministers have come not to be able to live without them, but so often are forced to. The chief of staff is part human, part metaphor: a conduit, a pressure valve, a lightning rod.

When forced out, their principal rarely lasts long, albeit as much for the related erosion of their authority as prime minister as in what that chief of staff may personally have provided. But McSweeney, a brilliant electoral tactician and party organiser with no experience of government, was also in the wrong job. And Starmer put him there.

The Mandelson scandal

Much of what is taking place is what takes place when governments are old, or infirm, but much is also new, or at least new in effect. To write a rudimentary historical political equation: Marconi plus Profumo equals Mandelson.

The 1912 Marconi scandal revolved around shady share dealing on the part of those around the chancellor of the exchequer, David Lloyd George. The 1963 Profumo affair involved the minister for war sharing his bed with a woman who also shared hers with the Russian naval attache – and in the year of the Cuban missile crisis.

À lire aussi :
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer

Marconi remains the most serious financial scandal in modern British politics, though Lloyd George survived. John Profumo resigned, but for lying to MPs. No secrets were divulged, but the political establishment was discredited, and the lives of young women were ruined. The Mandelson scandal combines both, and to greater effect. And is still ongoing.

The effect of Epstein continues to corrode. Endless news channel recycling of footage of Starmer and Mandelson roaring with tactile laughter as they approach the cameras at the UK embassy in Washington DC only a year ago has become a visual backdrop to the crisis. The king is now routinely heckled in public over Epstein.

The end of the line?

The history of chiefs of staff is a short one. The first chief, indicative of the move to an increasingly presidential premiership, was Jonathan Powell, who served without personal controversy throughout Tony Blair’s decade as prime minister. Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy provided the political smarts for (another politically dysfunctional) prime minister, Theresa May. They accepted responsibility for the disastrous 2017 general election, but only delayed May’s defenestration.

Harold Wilson had his “kitchen cabinet”, including Marcia Williams, Joe Haines and Gerald Kaufman, who damaged the prime minister by osmosis. Margaret Thatcher was too strong a leader to need one, though she had advisers she relied on.

This is potentially much more damaging for Starmer than for any of his predecessors. It is, almost as much if not more so, McSweeney’s government as it is Starmer’s, and Starmer himself is as much McSweeney’s creation as much as he is his own man. It may have been significant that in his resignation statement McSweeney wrote: “I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.”

The McSweeney project, born in opposition, was to reclaim the Labour party from the Corbynite left, and present it as a competent and moderate alternative to a chaotic and dysfunctional period of Conservative government. Starmer, effectively, was recruited for this job by McSweeney for that purpose. To that extent the 2024 general election revealed the project to have been completely successful. Hundreds of Labour MPs owed their election to McSweeney. But then, what next?

Starmer, as with Tony Blair and David Cameron, became prime minister without any experience of government. Unlike Blair or Cameron, however, he also had no serious experience of politics: hence his need for, and appointment of, McSweeney.

For Starmer, the prime minister is the monarch’s first minister, first lord of the treasury, head of government, minister for civil service; the country’s representative internationally. He has never fully appreciated that the prime minister is also a politician. If they are not, they will soon be found out.

Political skills are not sufficient, but they are necessary. Ted Heath did not have them either, but he at least knew about governing. Starmer was found out some time ago and now a concatenation of circumstance – Mandelson, Allan, Sarwar, the looming byelection in Gorton and Denton (a formally safe seat that Labour looks set to lose), the May elections in Scotland and Wales and in English councils – has provided the moment.

McSweeney’s departure has probably clarified Starmer’s fate – he has never been weaker. But there is still no obvious alternative. This may provide Starmer with the time during which he hopes personnel changes may help provide a reset.

If this is the end for Starmer, a serious and damaging pattern in British politics and public life will have been reinforced. Since David Cameron stepped down in 2016, no prime minister has lasted more than about three years. The impatience and intolerance of voters with the political classes has increased, and will only increase further.

Starmer’s was always a dual leadership, and then premiership, held with someone who effectively saved him the trouble of thinking. He is now on his own.

Lewis Brown was convicted of making indecent images of children in July 2022 and told at the time he would have to tell police if he ever stayed at an address with youngsters present for more than 12 hours.

But he failed to tell police when he stayed at the woman’s home, and she, was shocked when she was later informed of his offending history.

Brown, 24, appeared at Durham Crown Court for sentence having admitted two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and one of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Emily Jo Willis, prosecuting, said Brown was convicted of making indecent images of children in July 2022 and was made subject of registration as a sex offender and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for five years.

Miss Willis said under the notification requirements he had to inform police within three days if he stayed at an address for more than 12 hours where a child was staying.

He was also forbidden from removing files from electronic devices without the permission of his police offender risk manager.

Miss Willis said the defendant met the woman on TikTok and developed a friendship, visiting her in the early hours of November 14, and staying there for two nights.

While he was there, he was said to have spent time with her family, but he did not disclose it to police.

When the police later spoke to her, she provided screenshots showing photos of the defendant in the presence of children.

But the defendant’s device did not include those photos and accompanying conversation, and so he must have deleted them.

The woman who said she knew Brown through friends, but was unaware he was a registered sex offender.

She said she felt ashamed having shared images with him, and she was distressed to learn he was a sex offender and she had not known, adding that she would never have allowed him to stay if she had known.

Miss Willis said although it was, “a deliberate breach”, the phone seized from the defendant contained no “compromising images”, and “no offending material.”

She added: “Although he deleted images of the children, there was no suggestion they were indecent.”

Tyler Plunkett, for Brown, of Margaret Street, Ludworth, said he had a difficult upbringing and disrupted education.

Mr Plunkett said his client’s mental health issues were “relevant” to his commission of the offences, in that he had a fear of rejection, affecting his decision-making.

He said the defendant knew he should not have stayed with the woman, but did it just to progress his friendship with her.

“In hindsight, he accepts it was a foolish thing to do.

“It’s clear he has some deficits with his thinking skills”

Judge Richard Bennett told Brown: “I can imagine the distress that she (the woman) felt when she learned the true picture about your background.”

But he said Brown was “immature” and “emotionally damaged”.

“You have had a period of time in custody to reflect on your behaviour,” he said.

“I believe the most suitable disposal is by way of a lengthy community order.”

He passed a 36-month order, to include 20 days’ attending rehabilitation activity sessions and 26 days’ on an accredited programme, both overseen by the Probation Service.

Brown was warned any further breaches would bring him back to court risking an immediate custodial sentence.

Personal finance expert Gabriel Nussbaum has shared the surprising savings benchmarks that show whether you’re ahead of most Brits – and you might be doing better than you think

Many Brits are concerned about their financial situation, but according to one personal finance expert, they may be better off than expected. Gabriel Nussbaum has revealed a surprising threshold that demonstrates when savers are outperforming the majority of the UK population – and the figures might come as a pleasant surprise.

In a recent TikTok video, Nussbaum outlined several indicators suggesting individuals are in a secure financial position. “If you have more than £1,000, you’re doing great. Second, if you have more than £5,594 in savings, that is the median savings currently in the UK, meaning that if you have more than that, you’re in the top 50%, and that’s skewed by the older generation.”

He continued: “So, if you have more than £1,000 under the age of 35, you’re doing better than 50%. If you have more than £3,500, you’re in the top 50%.”

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the typical UK household held approximately £5,500 in savings during 2024, suggesting many Britons may feel financially insecure despite maintaining reasonable savings levels. However, research from the Money and Pensions Service indicates that almost half of UK adults have less than £1,500 in savings, placing them at risk should unforeseen costs or emergencies arise.

The ongoing cost of living crisis has heightened concerns, with energy bills, food costs, and mortgage payments putting pressure on family finances. However, Nussbaum emphasises that modest, regular savings are more important than pursuing a massive balance immediately.

“Even putting aside a few hundred pounds a year can position you ahead of the average,” he says.

The video has sparked numerous responses online. “Who knew how well I was doing?” one user responded, whilst another acknowledged: “I feel like a success at life now, thank you for that.”

Conversely, many are becoming progressively worried: “Noted. I must do better. Less spending and more saving needed,” one person recognised, followed by another who admitted: “Oh okay, okay, so I have actually been doing worse than I first thought.”

Notably, younger savers frequently undervalue their position. ONS figures indicate that under-35s with merely £1,000 in savings are already outperforming half their age group.

By £3,500, they’ve surpassed 50% of the adult population, illustrating the benefit of early, consistent saving.

Financial advisers recommend reviewing your accounts routinely, setting up automatic transfers, and monitoring emergency funds to maximise your money. Whilst inflation may seem intimidating, establishing a buffer now – even a modest one – can make a substantial difference over time.

So, if your bank balance reaches that £3,500 milestone before your 55th birthday, take a moment to pause. According to Gabriel Nussbaum, you’re already faring better than you think – and that’s an achievement worth celebrating.

A rivalry reignites as Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League as Liam Rosenior’s side looks to continue their fine form

Chelsea aim to extend their flawless Premier League record under Liam Rosenior as they host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. Since Rosenior’s arrival, the Blues have secured four consecutive top-flight victories, marking a significant turnaround after failing to win any of their previous five league matches (three draws, two losses). Their resurgence has included impressive wins in a challenging stretch of London derbies—over Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United—culminating in Cole Palmer’s remarkable first-half hat-trick during Saturday’s 3–1 triumph at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That win was the ideal response to their EFL Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Arsenal, with the home and away defeats to the Gunners representing Rosenior’s only setbacks in his first nine matches across all competitions. Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League, just one point shy of the top four and four points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool. A victory on Tuesday would not only bolster their Champions League ambitions but also see Rosenior become the first Chelsea manager since Maurizio Sarri in September 2018 to win his first three home league games in charge.

However, Chelsea will need to overcome their recent struggles in midweek fixtures, having failed to win any of their three such Premier League games this season (two draws, one loss), including a 3–1 defeat at Elland Road in December.

Leeds United, meanwhile, arrive in good spirits following a 3–1 home win over Nottingham Forest last Friday, where early goals from Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the result beyond doubt before Lorenzo Lucca’s late consolation. That victory helped Daniel Farke’s side bounce back after a heavy defeat to league leaders Arsenal, which remains just one of two losses in their last 12 league outings (four wins, six draws)—a notable improvement from their eight defeats in the opening 13 matches (three wins, two draws).

Now 16th in the table and six points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games remaining, Leeds will be eager to further distance themselves from danger with a positive result in London. However, their away form raises concerns, as they have lost seven of their 12 Premier League matches on the road, with only Burnley and Wolves collecting fewer points away from home this season. History is also against them at Stamford Bridge, where Leeds are winless in their last seven league visits, losing the last six, and have not celebrated a top-flight victory there since 1999.

Chelsea vs Leeds Team News

Chelsea are still expected to be without Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo due to hamstring injuries, while Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia continue their recoveries from thigh problems. Levi Colwill remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Filip Jorgensen’s fitness is uncertain, though Robert Sanchez is set to keep his place in goal. Andrey Santos is a doubt after picking up a knock against Wolves, but Rosenior has suggested Reece James could return after missing the last two games. Cole Palmer, fresh from his record-setting first-half hat-trick at Molineux, is likely to play just behind Joao Pedro.

For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to lead the attack, having scored both home and away against Chelsea this season—an achievement matched by teammates Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka. Facundo Buonanotte, whose Chelsea loan ended in January before joining Leeds, was left out of last weekend’s squad for tactical reasons and may miss out again. With Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha back, only Anton Stach is likely to be unavailable, giving manager Daniel Farke an almost fully fit squad.

Chelsea vs Leeds Prediction

• Chelsea to win and both teams to score – 15/8 ( Betfred )
• Joao Pedro to score anytime – 13/10 ( Betfred )

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Construction teams started work on the A1044 Green Lane on Monday, February 9 to build a new path across the major route. 

The scheme – which is expected to take around 20 days – is designed to improve access to and from the likes of Hutchinson Hobbs, Yarm Driving Range, and HMP Kirklevington Grange. 

Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris said many residents had complained about access to Castlelevington Lane and the facilities off the road over the years. 

The plan for a new crossing on Green Lane in Yarm (Image: GOOGLE)

He said he was “really pleased” that the crossing was happening and that Stockton Borough Council had found a solution. 

Cllr Sherris said: “I’m really pleased that this is happening!

“It’s been a regular request from residents over many years, particularly visitors to the farm shop and prison cafés, and also walkers going further afield.

Green Lane in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“The existing path is dangerous, sending people into the middle of a junction. 

“This will be well received and shows that although there are numerous requests throughout the borough, schemes do eventually come to fruition!”

Cllr Sherris admitted that he would also like to see the speed limit on Green Lane reduced from 50mph, and said it was “something we are working on”.

Andrew Sherris (Image: STOCKTON COUNCIL)

The news comes as plans for a new 600 home estate directly off Green Lane – which would see two traffic light junctions added to the road – await a decision from the council. 

The controversial bid is one of several planned estates for Yarm, the others including one in Aislaby, one at Mount Leven Farm, and another further along Green Lane. 

Residents have long argued that the town was already “bursting at the seams” – and town councillor Yvonne Wallace recently saw her petition receive a unanimous backing from councillors at a full meeting last month.

Rosenior reiterated: “I expected it. Look, I don’t know if you’re trying to lead me to say anything. It doesn’t affect me. I’ve been prepared to do this job for years, for decades, and I knew what would come with it. And it actually doesn’t affect me at all, because I know the focus is doing the job and enjoying it.

There’s also concern for Debbie in prison, while Jodie tries to get closer to David

A murder twist is set to rock Betsy Swain in Coronation Street next week – but viewers will have to wait even longer to find out who has actually died.

New spoilers for the ITV soap have revealed how the teenager will be the one to discover a dead body next week as part of a previously confirmed that a special flashforward will see an unknown character dead on the street before revealing the five potential victims it could be, in what has been described as a complicated and intricate storyline.

Now, it’s been revealed that next Monday (February 16), the episode begins with a jittery Betsy being quizzed by the police about finding a dead body, as the detective restarts the tape, it is revealed that the interview is actually happening on a date in April.

The episode alternates between real time and the day of the murder and ends with the reveal of 5 potential victims. Who has been murdered and who is the killer in Weatherfield?

Elsewhere on the cobbles next week, Carl Webster calls a mate, Jez, and talks him through his plans for the Chariot Square hotel fire. Jez calls at the hotel and introduces himself to Ronnie Bailey, making out he’s a handyman looking for work. While Ronnie’s distracted, Jez takes photos of the fire exits and cameras then hurries out.

Later, Carl goes over the details of the fire with Jez but as Carl heads off, Ronnie approaches Jez, takes a picture of him on his phone and warns him that Carl is bad news. Ronnie then confronts Carl and spells out that whatever he was plotting, he can forget it as he’s got Debbie Webster’s back. But when Carl drops that Debbie is his mum and will always put him first, how will Ronnie react?

Meanwhile, in prison, Debbie calls Lou Micahelis ‘Abi’ by mistake and explains that she’s got onset dementia. Also in the prison, another inmate, Paula, recognises Debbie. Lou warns Debbie that Paula is bad news and is best avoided but as Lou heads off, Paula marks Debbie’s card and reminds her that she once barred her from the hotel. Is Debbie in danger?

Later, in her cell, Debbie’s minding her own business when suddenly, Paula barges her way in, bursts into tears and explains to Debbie how her boyfriend has dumped her, and he’s doing time for aggravated burglary. When Debbie tries to comfort her, how will Paula react?

When Ronnie and Kevin visit Debbie, Ronnie reveals that Carl reckons she’s his mum and Debbie admits it’s true. When Ronnie heads back to the street and finds Carl, what will he do? Well, later, Carl tells Kit that he wants to report Ronnie for assault. Meanwhile, in the prison, Debbie’s shocked when the guard reveals that her brother Carl has booked a visit. Once in the prison visiting room, Debbie assures Carl that once she gets out she’ll do everything she can to make it up to him.

Also in Weatherfield, Sam Blakeman tells Daniel Osbourne that with Leanne Battersby away, he’s intending to revise in the salon flat. Meanwhile, Megan Walsh takes a call from Will and informs him that she’s got the flat to herself for a few nights. Will Driscoll lies to his dad, Ben, making out that his mate Ethan has invited him over to stay the night but Ben refuses to let him go.

When Daniel calls at the Rovers and reluctantly apologises to Will, Ben’s impressed by Will’s maturity when he shakes Daniel’s hand and tells him he can stay at his mate’s after all. Will approaches the salon flat carrying his holdall while Sam watches as Megan buzzes him in. Is Sam getting closer to the truth?

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Later, Sam lets himself into the salon flat and startles Megan. Once Megan is gone, Sam clears some space on a shelf. Megan tells Will about Sam, how he let himself into the flat and they need to get him on side, so Will forms a plan.

In the Bistro, Will dismisses Nick Tilsley’s concern about Sam, then later offers Sam vodka to hang out, Sam accepts, hoping to pump him for information. In the precinct, Will assures Sam that his relationship with Megan is purely professional.

Sam doesn’t believe him, but they’re interrupted by Daniel, causing Will to run and leave Sam to take the blame. Later, Sam is thrilled to finally log onto his hidden camera app and see Megan and Will enter the flat.

Later, Nick finally returns Sam’s phone but he’s frustrated to realise the battery’s flat. Eva Price invites Toyah Battersby to join her, Leanne and Megan for a girls night out. Leanne teases Megan and tells Toyah and Eva how she reckons Megan and Daniel have been using the flat as their love nest.

As Megan heads to the bar she grabs a quiet word with Sam and spells out that if he ever decides to blab, nobody will believe him as he’s not as clever as he thinks. Having recharged his phone, Sam watches the video from the hidden camera. Does Sam have his proof?

Next week’s Corrie will also see Mal Roper show Brian Packer a bag of crystals that he’s bought and explains that he’s learning about their healing properties but Bernie Winter’s annoyed, sensing that he’s trying to impress her. When Jodie Ramsay serves Brian with the wrong toastie, Bernie snaps at her. As Jodie clocks Bernie’s irritation at Mal, how will she get her own back?

Later, Mal quizzes Chesney, wanting to know which is Bernie’s favourite crystal, while Lily Platt sets off on her first paper round. But she dumps the newspapers in a bin. Hope Dobbs retrieves the papers and returns them to Rita Tanner and tries to secure her help for her Duke of Edinburgh badge, but is poorly received when she makes a dig at Rita’s age.

Later, David Platt returns home to find Jodie and Carl in a state of undress. David’s horrified and orders Carl out of the house but Jodie’s pleased to have David’s attention. Meanwhile, Brian tells David and Shona he needs a word about Lily. Jodie steers Lily into the Kabin and prompts her to apologise to Brian. But when a remorseless Lily asks for her job back, Brian refuses.

As the week draws to a close, Jodie tells Hope how appallingly Brian and Rita treated Lily. When Hope sticks up for them, Jodie sews the seed that whilst they might be nice to her face, they’re probably slagging her off behind her back. In the Kabin, Hope listens as Brian and Rita discuss her troubled past. How will Hope get her payback?

Questions like “will getting a pet benefit our child’s mental health?” are increasingly common and pertinent. In Spain, for instance, more than half of all households now have one or more pets.

Attachment is the name for the emotional bond between a developing child and the caregiver who provides them with security and comfort. This kind of bond can also, to a certain extent, also be formed with animals, and these relationships have been shown to have a range of beneficial effects:

But beyond these benefits, how does living alongside an animal impact children’s mental health? We can answer this question by looking at issues categorised as either internalising (such as depression, anxiety and their related physical symptoms) and externalising (a child’s behaviour and relationship with their environment: agression, rulebreaking, and so on).

The INMA study

We analysed data provided by the INMA Project (Infancia y Medio Ambiente, Children and Environment). This was a cohort study, meaning it involved periodic monitoring of a group of participants – in this case, from pregnancy to 6-7 years of age – through questionnaires, environmental measurements and clinical tests.

Our work included around 1,900 households in Spain, located in Asturias, Gipuzkoa (Basque Country), Sabadell (Barcelona) and Valencia. Of these, 52.3% had or had had one or more pets. 19.1% lived or had lived with dogs, 8.7% with cats, 14.8% with birds, and 28.6% with other animals such as hamsters, rabbits, turtles or fish.

When we evaluated the relationship between the presence of animals and mental health, we observed that children who had never had a pet showed the most positive scores. Some trends, although they cannot be considered significant, showed slightly more negative results among children who had always lived with pets. Those who had only had pets intermittently had higher risks of experiencing problems, though this pattern was only significant for cats.

To account for other factors that might influence this relationship, we performed additional analyses to adjust the results according to social class, sex, age, cohort, and so on. We found no difference between those who had never lived with animals and those who had had them always or only intermittently. This applied to the variable that studied any type of pet, as well as the specific ones that evaluated the relationship with dogs and birds.

The most interesting finding was that having a cat at age 4-5 was associated with more mental health problems. Having other animals – such as hamsters, rabbits, turtles or fish – consistently throughout early childhood seemed to have a protective effect on boys and girls alike.

Unpacking our findings

In the early years of life, emotional bonds may not be fully formed. Therefore, the presence of dogs or birds may not have a major effect on mental health. It is also possible that variables not included in our study may have influenced the results.

In the case of cats, their way of interacting with people could explain the effects observed. They are more independent, which limits emotional bonding, and some families may choose this animal as a pet because their children have emotional needs of their own.

In addition, toxoplasmosis is more common in cats than in other animals. This infection – caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii which can be transmitted to humans – is linked to behavioural problems, as well as serious mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Having fish, turtles and hamsters on a constant basis does seem to protect children from mental health problems. These pets demand stable and easy contact, and help kids to learn responsibility, empathy and self-control.

Constant bonds are better

Our study did not clearly associate the presence of some pets, such as dogs and birds, with benefits or harm to childrens’ mental health. This could be because our work focused on exposure to pets in very early life – further studies focusing on older children are required.

In addition, children who lived with animals such as hamsters, rabbits, fish or turtles on a regular basis achieved better results than those who only had them intermittently. This suggests that a continuous link may be more beneficial than sporadic exposure.

While living with a pet can promote responsibility, empathy and emotional self-regulation, its real impact depends on factors such as the nature of the bond, age and style of upbringing.

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