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Labour MP Warns: Watered-Down Environmental Plans Are ‘A Dead End’

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Labour MP Warns: Watered-Down Environmental Plans Are 'A Dead End'

England’s nature is one of the very few things the public is near-unanimous in its affection for. Nature makes 82% of adults happy – approval ratings us politicians could only dream of.

That’s what makes the government’s latest misstep on environmental protections so baffling. An unpopular government picking fights with something the public overwhelmingly loves is a dead end. You won’t win.

Ministers are proposing to weaken the Habitats Regulations following a series of flawed recommendations in the Fingleton Nuclear Regulatory Review.

This follows months of drawn-out rows over the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Ministers initially pitched what amounted to a developers’ charter – ripping up environmental protections and handing developers a licence to pay cash to trash nature.

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Unsurprisingly, attempting to bonfire protections a majority of the public already consider insufficient, while picking a fight with the millions of members of the Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Woodland Trust and others, did not work out.

Ministers begrudgingly accepted concessions, including key points I was suspended for having the temerity to propose, and dropped the “cash to trash” principle.

“We must be clear: our natural environment is already at breaking point.”

It beggars belief that, having learned this lesson the hard way, the government is now seeking to resurrect the same failed logic through the Fingleton Review. It would abandon the long-standing like-for-like principle, allowing environmental damage in one place to be waved through in return for a fixed fee and vague promises of restoration elsewhere.

It sounds like the start of a bad joke: how many ministers does it take to realise you can’t pick up and relocate irreplaceable habitats and at-risk species like a car park or a bus stop?

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Fingleton goes on to recommend removing the duty on Local Authorities to support National Park’s and National Landscape’s. The recommendations rest on a combination of flawed logic and outright nonsense about the development of Hinckley C.

Fingleton overstates the cost of a fish deterrent system by a factor of fourteen. Nature, repeatedly framed by ministers as the cause of spiralling costs, accounts for just 0.1% of the project’s increased budget. And while the review claims only a handful of fish a year would be saved by the deterrent system, the figures rely on analysis from the developer EDF. The Environment Agency’s assessment puts the true figure at 4.6 million fish per year – 182 million fish over the next 60 years.

“We need to start seriously putting our money where our mouth is.”

The truth is that considerable time and expense could have been avoided had the project not been sited on one of our most sensitive and internationally significant habitats and accepted from the outset that protecting our natural heritage is non-negotiable. The answer to that failure is not to rip up environmental protections that exist to prevent ecological disaster. A more honest appraisal might have a little more to say about the role of developer incompetence.

We must be clear: our natural environment is already at breaking point. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with one in six species now at risk of extinction. The Wildlife Trusts are right to warn the government not to turn a nature crisis into a catastrophe.

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I spent years working in the charity sector to protect our green spaces – it always felt like an uphill battle under a Conservative government receiving massive donations from housing developers. The election of a Labour government – a party on the side of people and planet was meant to change that.

As the Office for Environmental Protection sounds the alarm about government failures to meaningfully progress towards statutory targets for restoring the health of our rivers, it could not be clearer that we need to stop wringing our hands in sorrow and then continuing on in the same destructive habits because we lack the will and imagination to do better. We need to start seriously putting our money where our mouth is.

So, it’s time to say enough is enough and set out our red lines for nature:

  • No further weakening of environmental protections
  • No funding cuts to environmental bodies
  • No More Collapsing Biodiversity: A fully funded nature rescue plan to meet legally binding recovery targets

We’ve got to be honest about what we’re up against. The developer lobby is well-organised, deep-pocketed, and wants environmental protections, along with democratic rights in the planning system, filleted for the sake of easier profits.

Our strength lies in the millions of people who understand that nature is the bedrock of our economy, that the nature crisis is inseparable from the climate crisis, and that our green spaces, rivers, national parks, ancient woodlands, every hill and hedgerow brings joy and wellbeing to people every single day. They’ve got millionaires; we’ve got the millions on our side.

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It’s time to silence the broken record blaming wildlife for problems it didn’t create. To boost prosperity, build houses, or deliver energy, we don’t need to cut standards, corrode protections, or silence the voices of those raising concerns. That approach will fail and leave our country trashed. There are no green shoots of growth here – only red lines crossed for nature.

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Trump mass deportations at crossroads with Homeland Security shake-up

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Trump mass deportations at crossroads with Homeland Security shake-up

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security will soon be under new management, an opportunity to reset President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda or to double down on his signature campaign promise to conduct the largest deportation operation in American history.

The White House’s political director recently encouraged party lawmakers during a retreat at the Republican president’s golf club in Florida to focus on immigration enforcement against criminals, a pivot from the mass deportation agenda he ran on. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the aggressive operations have created a “hiccup” for the party, which is now embarking on a “course correction.”

Yet all indications are that Trump’s mass deportation operation is not stalling out but intensifying, with billions of dollars being spent to hire Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, build warehouse detention sites and meet the administration’s goal of rounding up and removing some 1 million immigrants from the U.S. this year.

“We are at an interesting moment where it has been an inflection point — the public has finally seen what mass detention and mass deportation mean,” said Sarah Mehta, who tracks the issue at the American Civil Liberties Union.

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“This is not an agency that’s slowing down,” she said. “They’re really going forward with some of the cruelest policies.”

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the president’s policies have sent immigrants out of the U.S., either through forced deportations or on their own, and sealed up the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Nobody is changing the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda,” she said.

Senators ready to grill Trump’s DHS nominee over deportations

The questions put Homeland Security at a crossroads. Secretary Kristi Noem is on her way out, and Trump’s nominee to replace her, Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, appears this week for Senate confirmation hearings.

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After the intense deportation sweeps in Minneapolis and other cities — and the deaths of at least three U.S. citizens at the hands of officers — Democratic lawmakers are refusing to provide routine funding unless the department changes its policies.

At the same time, those who believe Trump won the White House with his mass deportation agenda are disappointed the administration did not achieve its goals last year and insist he must do better.

“There has been a lot of talk in Congress and now in the White House about kind of backing away from President Trump’s, candidate Trump’s, mass deportation promise,” said Rosemary Jenks, co-founder of the Immigration Accountability Project, which argues for deportations.

“We believe that now is an opportunity,” she said. “We’ve got to get the deportation numbers up.”

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A nation of immigrants no longer?

The debate is playing out as the United States, celebrating its 250th year, squares its founding as a nation of immigrants with images of masked federal agents breaking car windows and detaining people suspected of being in the U.S. without proper legal standing.

The Congress, controlled by Republicans, provided some $170 billion in last year’s tax cuts bill to fuel the effort, more than tripling the budget of ICE.

GOP Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, in a fiery speech, fought back against the Democrats’ proposed restraints. “This question about deporting illegal immigrants was on the ballot. President Trump was not bashful,” he said. “And the American people supported the idea that we are going to deport people.”

Yet there are signs of cracks in the Trump coalition. Some Republicans prefer what one called a more humane approach and are sharing their views with Mullin.

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Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., considered a stalwart against illegal immigration, said in his state it’s immigrants who milk most of the dairy cows, and he’s heard from restaurant groups that rely on immigrants to fill jobs.

“Can we just turn back the clock and have these all these people who came in here illegally, just be back home?” he asked.

“In terms of actually implementing that, it’s a lot tougher — particularly, in fact, when you realize a lot of these people, most of them, came here to seek opportunity, wanting freedom,” he said. “They’re working, supporting their family, contributing to organizations and community.”

Mass deportation group wants more

The Mass Deportation Coalition, a group of conservative organizations including the Heritage Foundation and Erik Prince, founder of the security firm Blackwater, was formed recently to keep the administration on track.

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It calls last year’s focus on removing violent criminal immigrants “phase one” and says “phase two” should focus this year on deporting immigrants beyond those with violent criminal histories.

Mark Morgan, who served as acting head of ICE and Customs and Border Protection during Trump’s first term and is part of the coalition, said that doesn’t mean roving patrols through Home Depot parking lots. It’s about strategic enforcement focused on immigrants at worksites, those who have overstayed visas and who a judge has already ordered removed, he said.

But they’re facing opposition from within the Republican Party, Morgan said, particularly from those who want to narrow deportation to mainly criminals and from business groups that want to ease up on worksite enforcement.

“The Republicans that are saying that their definition of targeted enforcement is only criminal, they’re wrong. They’re on the wrong side of this,” he said.

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“That’s why you see some of the base that’s really becoming apoplectic because they’re like, ‘Wait a minute. You’re talking about only removing criminals now?’ That’s not what you promised,’” Morgan said.

What’s coming next

The deportation advocates as well as those working to protect the rights of immigrants see that the Trump administration’s best chance at reaching its goals is creating an environment so unwelcoming for immigrants that they just leave — what’s often called self-deportation.

Mehta, at the ACLU, expects the administration will step up efforts to end temporary permissions that allow immigrants to remain in the U.S. — particularly refugees and asylum-seekers — while their cases are making their way through the system. She called it a “deliberate attempt to make people undocumented — to take away lawful status — and then to be able to enforce against them.”

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said he fears more nonviolent immigrants will be rounded up to fill the new warehouses being equipped as the Trump administration tries to reach its deportation goals.

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That’s unacceptable, he said, and among “the key questions that Senator Mullin will have to answer at his confirmation hearing.”

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NCP: Major UK car park firm collapses into administration

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NCP: Major UK car park firm collapses into administration

NCP, one of the UK’s largest car park operators, has entered administration, placing 682 jobs in jeopardy.

The company, which manages approximately 340 sites nationwide, has struggled with declining occupancy and mounting losses since the Covid-19 pandemic.

PwC has been appointed as administrator for the business.

Despite the move, all NCP car parks will continue to operate as normal, and staff will remain employed while administrators assess the company’s options.

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The firm’s financial difficulties stem from a significant post-pandemic drop in demand for parking, which has failed to rebound to pre-Covid levels.

This downturn has been particularly acute in city centre and commuter locations, attributed to shifts in commuting and consumer driving patterns, which have affected car park occupancy.

NCP also cited challenges posed by the high costs associated with long-term inflexible leases on sites that have become unprofitable.

NCP, which is one of the UK’s biggest operators with around 340 car parks nationwide, appointed administrators at PwC

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NCP, which is one of the UK’s biggest operators with around 340 car parks nationwide, appointed administrators at PwC (PA)

Some or all of NCP may be put up for sale as one of the options to secure its future.

Administrators said NCP will be assessing the viability of each location, and some sites may need to be closed as a result.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and partner for PwC, said: “NCP has faced a challenging trading environment over several years, with changing consumer behaviours impacting volumes, and a high fixed cost base leading to trading losses.

“Our priority on appointment is to ensure continuity of service while we undertake a detailed review of the business.

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“All sites are open, staff remain in post, and trading continues as normal.

“We will be engaging with landlords, employees and other stakeholders as we explore all options, including the potential sale of all or part of the business, to secure the best possible outcome for creditors.”

NCP also cited challenges posed by the high costs associated with long-term inflexible leases on sites that have become unprofitable

NCP also cited challenges posed by the high costs associated with long-term inflexible leases on sites that have become unprofitable (Getty/iStock)

NCP was founded in London in 1931 and is owned by the Japanese firm Park24.

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It operates about 340 car parks across the UK, including in major towns and city centres, airports, hospitals and train stations.

Prices differ at each site, but some central London locations can cost up to £60 for 24 hours of parking.

Latest accounts filed at Companies House show that it made a pre-tax loss of £28.2m in the year to 30 September 2023 and was £22.5m in the red the previous year.

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Graham Price: Wales’ next generation has arrived as players find what was missing

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Wales Online

Wales and Lions legend Graham Price gives his thoughts on the result and performance against Italy

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This was a game that Wales needed to win in order to maintain our level of progress. The response to all the recent adversities mattered most.

Over the past few seasons, Welsh rugby has been through much turbulence because of coaching changes, young players being blooded earlier than expected, and a squad learning how to carry the weight of the red jersey again.

Against Italy, what we saw was a side beginning to understand exactly what that responsibility means.

Italy arrived with genuine confidence. Anyone who has watched them progress over the past couple of championships knows they are no longer the easy fixture they once were. Their attacking structure is sharp, their backs play with ambition and their forwards no longer take a backward step.

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For significant periods of this match, they asked serious questions of Wales.

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But the difference, and it was a crucial one, lay in how Wales answered those questions. We have had a reputation for being slow starters, even during the times of our greatest success, but the Welsh pack set the tone early. There was a clear intent at the breakdown, where the contest was aggressive throughout. Wales targeted the Italian ball carriers, slowing possession and forcing the visitors to play from less comfortable positions.

It was not always pretty, but international rugby quite often isn’t when the stakes are high.

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The scrum in particular offered encouragement. In recent years it has frequently been an area of concern, but on Saturday it provided the platform Wales needed. Stability up front allowed the half-backs to manage territory and apply pressure in the right areas of the field.

And pressure, as every forward knows, eventually produces mistakes.

What pleased Welsh supporters most was the composure when opportunities appeared. Too often in the past Wales have built pressure only to squander it through impatience or indiscipline.

The attack was not over ambitious, but it was effective. Direct carrying through the midfield created space wider out, and when the moment came Wales were ready to strike.

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Yet there was also a sense throughout that Wales had another gear if they needed it.

Again, defensively, the organisation was impressive.

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One of the most encouraging aspects from a Welsh viewpoint was the contribution of the younger players. Welsh rugby has spent the last couple of years talking about transition, about building the next generation of internationals. Ellis Mee, Ben Carter, Eddie James, Dan Edwards and Alex Mann man have now arrived. Matches like this show why that process matters.

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You could see the hunger in the way they chased kicks, fought for turnovers and carried into contact. International rugby is a brutal examination, and these players have had to learn what it demands quickly.

Of course, there are still areas Wales will want to sharpen up. We had difficulties in the lineout and there were phases where our attack became a little predictable. Against stronger opposition those details can become costly.

The key difference was composure. When chances appeared in the opposition 22, Wales were clinical enough to convert pressure into points.

That ability and the calmness to finish opportunities under pressure often separates winning teams from nearly teams.

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But progress in Test rugby is rarely perfect.

What matters is the direction of travel. On this evidence Wales are moving in the right way. That is what we have achieved in this year’s tournament.

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Momentum in rugby is a funny thing, sometimes it begins with a single tackle or carry and suddenly the whole perspective of the match can change.

I believe that moment came when Aaron Wainwright scored his first try, or rather the manner in which he scored it so soon after the kick off. No one was going to stop him.

But, perhaps the most telling moment came late in the game when Italy mounted one final surge. The Welsh defence was stretched and momentum briefly swung towards the visitors.

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In years gone by that might have been the point where doubts crept in and we started to lose our composure and discipline.

Instead, Wales held firm. The tackles were made, the ball was turned over, and the pressure released with a clearing kick that brought a roar from the stands that brought the house down.

It was the reaction that resulted from the appreciation of a team rediscovering its resilience.

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Anyone who has experienced a full Principality Stadium during the Six Nations knows it becomes more than just a venue. It’s more like a force of nature.

When Wales began to string phases together and push Italy back, the noise lifted the team to another level.

This performance did not solve every challenge facing Welsh rugby. What this match demonstrated, however, is that the core values of the game in Wales – commitment, pride in wearing the national jersey, and a determination not to yield under pressure – remain intact.

Those are values that have long been associated with Welsh rugby, and it has often been highlighted how crucial they are to the national identity of the game.

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Rugby in Wales has always been about more than results. It is about identity, the belief that when players pull on the red jersey they represent communities, history and expectation in equal measure.

In the long run, that foundation is what victories are built upon.

Welsh rugby has faced a period of uncertainty in recent years, and every performance has been judged against that backdrop.

Of course, there’s still work to be done. The attack, the set pieces and discipline will always be talking points. Against stronger sides later in the year, Wales will need to show even more progress.

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But rugby seasons are rarely about perfection. They’re about building momentum, learning lessons and finding belief.

This victory over Italy felt like a step in that direction.

For Wales, the important thing wasn’t simply that they won it was how they grew into the contest, handled adversity and showed the kind of grit that supporters expect.

If that spirit continues through the rest of the year, Welsh fans might allow themselves a little optimism.

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And in Welsh rugby, optimism can be a powerful thing indeed.

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How Chelsea signed a star team on hidden payments

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Eden Hazard of Chelsea poses with the Premier League trophy

With Chelsea enjoying so much success after signing star players through secret payments, did they get off lightly?

If the club had not been so co-operative they faced a much tougher financial penalty and potentially a points deduction.

The starting point was the aggravating factors – length of time of the wrongdoing, the size of payments, that they were made with the knowledge of senior figures and the seriousness of the breaches.

The Premier League Board concluded Chelsea should be fined of £20m with a transfer ban for two complete and consecutive windows.

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But there were mitigating factors to take into account.

BlueCo, which bought Chelsea out of Abramovich’s ownership, self-reported the breaches once it had looked through the club’s books.

Added to that, BlueCo made voluntary disclosures and showed “exceptional co-operation”.

This saw the fine halved to £10m and the two-window transfer ban suspended.

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The suspension will be activated if they commit a similar breach in the next two years.

The Board also reserved the right to be able to trigger the suspension at any time in the future if the club makes intentionally untrue declarations.

Chelsea were, however, ordered to pay an unpaid transfer levy of £771,288 in connection to Willian and Eto’o. They were banned from signing academy players for nine months, too.

Importantly, there was no breach of profit and sustainability rules.

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When the payments were added to Chelsea‘s accounts they were not in excess of the £105m, three-season spending limit.

If they had been then the prospect of a points deduction would have been real.

The Blues had already been fined 10m euros (£8.6m) by Uefa over the same offences.

And Chelsea still have to face a hearing over 74 Football Association charges, which is likely to be another hefty fine.

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So this is not quite over yet.

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Trump Launches Strongest Attack On Starmer Yet Over ‘Terrible’ Iran Move

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Trump Launches Strongest Attack On Starmer Yet Over 'Terrible' Iran Move

Donald Trump has claimed it was “terrible” of Keir Starmer not to get involved with the US attacks on Iran in his strongest criticism of the prime minister yet.

The US president said he was “very surprised” when Britain refused America’s requests to “send ships over” to the Middle East.

“You’re our oldest ally,” the president said at a press conference while speaking about the UK. “We spent a lot of money on Nato, and all of these things to protect you, we were protecting them, we are working with them to protect Ukraine – that’s thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean.

“We don’t have to do that, but we did it – well, Biden did it,” he said.

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But he insisted the US did not need to help with that war.

“I think it’s terrible,” Trump continued. “No, I was very surprised. I told him. We requested two aircraft carriers which they had. And he didn’t want to do it.

“Then right after the war essentially ended, meaning they were obliterated, he said, ‘I would like to send the aircraft carriers’.

“I said, ‘I don’t need them after the war was ended and won. I need them before the war’.

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“I was very upset with – not upset, I was not happy – with the UK. I think they will be involved, yeah, maybe.

“But they should be involved enthusiastically! We’ve been protecting these countries for years.”

He added: “Putin fears us. He doesn’t fear Nato. There’s no fear of Europe whatsoever.”

Downing Street has been approached for comment.

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Trump has been fuming over Starmer’s reluctance to join the US in its offensive against Iran for weeks.

The UK rejected US requests to use British military bases to launch preemptive strikes against Iran shortly before America and Israel struck Tehran.

A day later, Starmer gave Trump permission to use the sites for “limited and defensive” attacks.

The president has repeatedly insisted the PM is trying to join a war after it has already been “won” – even though hostilities continue.

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On Saturday, Trump also requested international partners sent warships to the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iranian efforts to close the major waterway.

Starmer has resisted such calls, telling reporters today that the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war”.

🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump says it was “terrible” of Keir Starmer to not get involved in the Iran war

“We requested two aircraft carriers which they had and he didn’t really want to do it… I was not happy… they should be involved enthusiastically” pic.twitter.com/syVfSuAleV

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) March 16, 2026

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Trump also used his press conference to criticise Starmer for delaying a decision over sending military aide to the Middle East.

Trump said: “Keir Starmer yesterday told me, ‘I’m meeting with my team to make a determination’.

“I said, ‘you don’t need to meet your team, you’re the prime minister, you can make your own decision.’”

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Uefa freezes Champions League final ticket prices after fan backlash over World Cup costs

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Uefa freezes Champions League final ticket prices after fan backlash over World Cup costs

Tickets for the upcoming Champions League final in Budapest will remain at last year’s prices, Uefa announced on Monday, as part of a more fan-centric approach that stands in stark contrast to the ticketing controversies surrounding the World Cup.

The European football governing body has outlined strict conditions for its resale platform, mandating that tickets must be sold at face value with no fees levied on the seller.

This policy directly challenges Fifa’s resale platform for World Cup tickets in the United States, which has been criticised for allowing unlimited resale prices and imposing a 15 per cent fee on both buyers and sellers, leading some to label it “official scalping.”

For supporters of the two competing clubs, thousands of the lowest-priced tickets, set at €70 (£60), will be available for the third consecutive year.

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Tickets for disabled spectators are also priced at €70, with a complimentary ticket provided for a companion. Uefa confirmed that each finalist club will receive 17,200 tickets out of the 61,400 available for the 30 May match at Puskas Arena.

Fans have hit out at Fifa over ticket prices for the World Cup

Fans have hit out at Fifa over ticket prices for the World Cup (Reuters)

An additional 4,600 tickets are being offered through a global lottery via Uefa’s website.

Successful applicants will be required to register their mobile phones, which must then be used to access the stadium on match day, as tickets will be non-transferable. Access to purchase resale tickets will be exclusively granted to fans who were unsuccessful in the initial lottery.

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Higher category seats, which saw a price increase for last year’s final in Munich, will also maintain their current rates for Budapest, set at €180 (£156), €650 (£562), and €950 (£821).

Over 22,000 tickets are reserved by Uefa for broadcasters, sponsors, national football federations, and other guests.

Uefa’s ticketing policies for its club finals and major tournaments are developed in consultation with Football Supporters Europe, a recognised fans’ group, a practice not adopted by Fifa for World Cup pricing.

Fifa did respond to widespread criticism in December by making a limited number of $60 seats available for each of the 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico, to be distributed by national federations to loyal fans.

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Trump hits out at UK as Starmer seeks ‘viable’ plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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Trump hits out at UK as Starmer seeks ‘viable’ plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz

But the Prime Minister, who has so far resisted the US president’s demands, said: “We’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts.”

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London’s best pubs for Guinness in 2026

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London’s best pubs for Guinness in 2026

Guinness: still a thing. The once-forgotten pint, the pint of old men with watery eyes and gambling stubs, continues to be the UK’s number one beer.

Why the ongoing popularity? Marketing, for one; it works. Diageo, who own Guinness, have poured millions into advertising the brand — not just at the rugby but getting it in the right pubs, putting it in the right hands of the right influencers, upping the merchadise and so on. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden can be seen, in certain lights, as a huge, £73m advert posing as a microbrewery.

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Emirates issues UK travel update after Dubai airport closure

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Emirates issues UK travel update after Dubai airport closure

Dubai was forced to temporarily close its airport overnight after an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as conflict in the Middle East continues.

As morning broke on Monday, a drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic, causing a large fire.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze and there were no injuries reported but the airport suspended all flights before resuming them a few hours later.

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Emirates gives update on UK Dubai flights after airport closure

Although Emirates has now also resumed Dubai flights, it is offering a “limited schedule” today and some have been cancelled.

The latest announcement from the airline posted on its travel updates page said: “Emirates expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00hrs Dubai local time today.

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“Unfortunately, some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled.

“Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on reaccommodation options.”

It advised: “Please check flight status on emirates.com, to ensure your flight is operating before heading to the airport.

“You can amend bookings and rebook flights online within 72 hours of your original departure date by visiting Manage Booking or “Manage Your Booking” on the Emirates app.

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Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed


“If you are unable to rebook, please contact us. If you booked with a travel agent, please contact the agent for rebooking.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

“Emirates will continue to publish updates as we assess the situation.”

Shortly before this at 09.50am Dubai time (GMT+4), the airline had informed its passengers that all flights to and from the UAE destination were “temporarily suspended”.

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It also told travellers to avoid heading to Dubai airport, at the time of the announcement.

In a statement online, Emirates shared: “All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.

“Please do not go to the airport.

“Emirates will share updates when available.

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“We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Is it safe to travel to Dubai from the UK right now?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) is advising against all but essential travel to the UAE, at the time of writing.

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For British nationals, it explains: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.  

“Stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US or Israeli government facilities.

“Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”

For those currently in Dubai, the FCDO recommends to follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information. 

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Brits should also read the FCDO’s advice on ”if you’re affected by a crisis abroad” which includes suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies (a link to which can be found on the UK government website).

Additionally, you can sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts.


Recommended reading:

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The ‘register your interest in flights from UAE’ scheme has been paused due to commercial flights resuming to the UK from UAE.

However, the FCDO urges if you are still in the UAE and need to get back to the UK, to check availability with the commercial airlines. 

Are you a meant to be heading to Dubai soon or are you a currently in the UAE trying to get back to the UK? Let us know in the comments below.

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Best Paysafecard Casinos: Paysafecard Deposits

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Best Paysafecard Casinos: Paysafecard Deposits

Casinos continue to innovate in order to attract more customers, and the availability of a variety of payment methods has become an important draw for casino sites in the UK.

This has contributed to the emergence of Paysafecard casinos, offering deposits through prepaid cards. Paysafecard is a prepaid card that allows players to make secure deposits without linking a bank account or debit card.

Paysafecard is a safe and secure way of depositing funds into casino sites. It offers a simple way to deposit that avoids having to enter financial information and enables users to add a small amount of funds quickly, thereby promoting privacy, control and speed. This makes it an ideal option for players who value budget and security for their online transactions.

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Below we’ve created a guide on this payment method, including a rundown of casinos that accept Paysafecard, how to use it, its benefits and drawbacks and how it compares to other payment methods.

New rules for gambling promotions

Regulations governing UK gambling promotions have changed as of Monday, 19 January 2026.

As a result, promotional offers have altered across a number of brands. The most up-to-date offers, along with their full terms and conditions, are displayed at the top of this page.

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Wagering requirements on casino offers are now capped at a maximum of 10x, representing a significant reduction compared with many existing promotions currently available on the market.

Furthermore, mixed offers combining sports betting and casino bonuses are also banned. Readers are advised to review the terms carefully before signing up with any operator.

Best Paysafecard casinos for 2025

Below, we have compiled a list of the best Paysafecard casinos available, while providing some additional detail on their standout features, such as welcome bonus, promotions and game selection.

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Betway

Betway is one of the most recognisable gambling brands, and it accepts deposits through Paysafecard.

New users can access their welcome offer of 125 free spins on Big Bass Hold or Spinner after depositing and playing £10 online. There are plenty of other promotions on hand for existing customers.

Betway has a user-friendly interface and one of the best casino apps on the market. It also provides a top selection of casino games, including live dealer options, which makes it among the best online casinos that accept Paysafecard.

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Monster Casino

Monster Casino provides a valuable casino sign up bonus for new customers, who can receive up to £50 in a matched deposit and 30 free spins, and new customers can deposit funds using Paysafecard.

Monster Casino offers a wide array of slots and ample table-based games to satisfy all users. Plenty of promotions are on hand too, including free spins for existing customers.

WinoMania

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WinoMania is one of the standout new casinos that accepts Paysafecard payments. It has a diverse range of slot and table games on its impressive casino product, and new customers can claim a casino welcome offer worth £50 in a deposit match along with 50 bonus spins for Big Bass Splash using the WinoMania bonus code WINO100.

WinoMania has plenty to offer existing customers too, with weekly cashback, free spins and drop & wins promotions. It also rewards loyalty with its exclusive VIP Club, featuring a range of casino bonuses to use online.

Voodoo Dreams

Voodoo Dreams allows customers to use Paysafecard to unlock its casino welcome offer, worth 140 free spins for users who deposit and play £25 online.

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Free spins are unlocked over a seven-day period with a tranche of 20 free spins per day. Paysafecard deposits are straightforward and can be accessed through the cashier.

Voodoo Dreams has a wide catalogue of online slots and table games, with weekly promotions and tournament games also available.

Casilando

Casilando stands out for the quality of its welcome offer for customers using Paysafecard to make their qualifying deposit. New customers can claim 70 bonus spins for signing up for this Paysafecard casino after depositing £15 online.

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Free spins are available to use on the popular online slot Rich Wilde and Book of the Dead and they are available for 10 days, which is one of the best eligibilty periods online.

There’s plenty more to enjoy using this online casino too, including an impressive live casino product for blackjack, roulette and more.

Casushi

New Casushi customers can claim 100 free spins for signing up and depositing £10 using Paysafecard. Once you’ve wagered £10 on eligible slots your 100 free spins will be released to use on Big Bass Splash.

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Casushi is easy on the eye with clear aesthetics and offers a simple system for making deposits using Paysafecard. Beyond that, there’s a complete casino product to use such as table games, live casino, instant games and jackpots for high-rollers along with an extensive list of slot games.

How to use Paysafecard at online casinos

It is simple, fast, and secure to use Paysafecard for casino deposits. The process should only take a matter of minutes. Here we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to make a deposit using Paysafecard at an online casino:

Step 1: Purchase a Paysafecard.

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Step 2: Sign up for an online casino account through one of our links.

Step 3: Go to the deposit section and select Paysafecard as the payment option.

Step 4: Enter the 16-digit PIN from your Paysafecard voucher.

Step 5: Confirm the transaction, and the funds will be instantly available in your casino account.

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Benefits of using Paysafecard at casinos

Paysafecard is a great option for online casino players to place deposits – below are the main advantages.

Privacy: Paysafecard doesn’t require personal bank or credit card details, making transactions secure and anonymous.

Security: Transactions are protected by a unique 16-digit PIN, ensuring your funds are safe. You don’t have to enter any payment details into the online casino.

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Control: Since Paysafecard is prepaid, players can only spend the amount loaded onto the card, helping with responsible gambling and budget control.

Instant deposits: Deposits via Paysafecard are usually processed instantly, allowing players to get down to business playing online.

Drawbacks of Paysafecard casinos

There are some potential downsides of using Paysafecard casinos as there are all with all payment methods. The most common drawbacks of using a Paysafecard include:

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No withdrawals: Most casinos do not allow withdrawals via Paysafecard, meaning players will need to choose an alternative withdrawal method (such as bank transfer or e-wallet).

Fees: Casinos may charge small fees for using Paysafecard when depositing funds. This is not across all casinos, but please check.

Limited deposit amounts: Paysafecard comes in fixed payment amounts, which might limit how much you can deposit at once.

Bonus: Some casinos may prevent users that deposit using a Paysafecard from claiming their welcome bonus. Check the terms and conditions of casino sign up offers.

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How to withdraw from Paysafecard casinos

Deposits are straightforward using Paysafecard casinos, but as mentioned above, players will need to use a different method for withdrawals: 

Bank transfer: This is the most common method for withdrawing funds. These transactions are safe and secure, although they will take longer than other methods.

Debit card: Customers can also withdraw funds using debit card. This transaction is smoother than bank transfers, offering the same level of security, but with added speed. They can take up to 24 hours to process.

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E-wallets: PayPal casino sites are widely available, offering customers a fast and secure method for depositing and withdrawing funds. Neteller and Skrill are also effective e-wallets.

Paysafecard vs other payment methods

Below, we have compared Paysafecard with other popular casino payment methods to see how it stacks up:

E-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller): These offer a similar speed of use but they often require linking a bank account. Although you’re not sharing financial details, Paysafecard removes all form of contact with the online casino. These are not widely accepted for welcome bonuses.

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Debit cards: While debit cards are widely accepted, Paysafecard offers better security for players who don’t want to share their financial details.

Pay by mobile: Pay by mobile casino sites allow users to deposit through their mobile using either pay-as-you-go credit or as an add-on to their mobile phone bill.

Overall, Paysafecard stands out due to the fact that it is prepaid, which makes it more secure. Paysafecard offers wide availability across casino sites, and it is accepted as an eligible payment method to unlock welcome bonuses.

Responsible gambling

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Remember to gamble responsibly. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Never wager more than you can afford to lose, never chase your losses, and take steps to remain in control of your budget from the second you sign up.

It’s particularly important not to get carried away by casino bonuses and free bet offers, both of which are available in abundance.

It can help to make use of responsible gambling tools offered by gambling sites, such as self-assessment calculators, deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs.

If you need to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are several charities and healthcare providers who offer support and information, including:

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Paysafecard Casinos FAQs

What are Paysafecard casinos?

Paysafecard casinos are online casinos that permit customers to make deposits via Paysafecard, offering a fast and safe way of adding funds to their accounts.

Can you make withdrawals with Paysafecard?

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No. Users cannot make withdrawals from online casinos using Paysafecard. Customers must choose an alternative method such as a debit card or bank transfer.

Are Paysafecard casinos safe?

Yes. We only recommend Paysafecard casinos that are licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that customers’ personal and financial details are protected.

What are the benefits of Paysafecards?

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Using Paysafecards comes with several benefits, including more privacy and better security, as well as the ability to make instant deposits and more control for users, with no need to enter any personal payment details.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

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