Dear Keir

I want to start by first saying that we have worked closely together on Violence Against Women and Girls for many years and I have no doubt you have genuine knowledge and desire to rectify this dreadful social ill. We have started to make steps towards change whilst in government and I have been grateful for your support.

However, it would be remiss of me not to say that real change and direction in this area usually came from threats made by me in light of catastrophic mistakes. The Mandelson saga whenever it bubbled up made Number 10 kick into gear on the subject in order to prove our credentials. I will never waste a crisis to make advancements for women and girls and so demands were made and some were met.

I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough. The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed.

Over a year ago presented solutions, long worked on by brilliant civil servants that would end the ability for children in the UK to take naked images of themselves. 91% of online child sex abuse is self-generated by children groomed, tricked and exploited in to abuse. The technology exists to stop children being able to take naked images of themselves. We could make this possible on every phone and device in the country. We could stop this abuse. It has taken me a year to get you to agree to even threaten to legislate in this space. Not legislate, just threaten. This is the definition of incremental change. Nothing bold about it. The announcement was meant to be in March, I’m still on a promise this will happen in June, I’ve given up believing it. How many children were left without a safety net in the time we dilly dallied and worried about tech bosses?

This is just one example.

Labour governments come around rarely is the constant refrain at the moment. It’s true they are precious. Every Labour government in my and my family’s lifetime has forged progress that changed our country and the world for the better. I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words are what matter. I’m not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that’s needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress.

Decency is vital, calm curiosity is also needed, but so too are fight and drive required. Have a row, push back, make arguments, bring people along. Standing up and being counted can’t always be workshopped. Politics is as much about feelings as policy, especially at the moment.

I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.

Best wishes

Jess Phillips

Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley

The expansion of the BBC licence fee to cover Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming is being discussed to protect the future of the BBC, according to reports

Netflix and Amazon Prime subscribers could be forced to pay the TV licence fee in a bid to safeguard the BBC, according to reports. The potential broadening of the levy is being explored as part of wider plans to secure the future of the broadcasting corporation, the Times has revealed.

Industry insiders told The Times that the Labour government is weighing up whether to extend the licence fee to include streaming platforms such as Netflix, home to Love on the Spectrum, Wednesday and Stranger Things, and Amazon Prime, which hosts The Boys, Fallout and Rings of Power.

One streaming industry source told the paper: “It’s pretty desperate to argue that everyone should be made to pay for the BBC whether they watch it or not.

“The BBC needs to think more radically and creatively about how to generate income in ways that don’t undermine universal access.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has previously voiced reservations about a subscription-based model, warning it could diminish the BBC’s capacity to “unite the nation”, reports Birmingham Live.

She told The House magazine last year: “It is absolutely right that we explore subscriptions, but if you believe, as I do, that one of the greatest strengths of the BBC is its ability to unite the nation that has found multiple ways to divide itself, then I think you’ve got to be cautious about the use of subscriptions and paywalls.”

Ministers are additionally concerned that financing the BBC through advertising revenue could harm commercial competitors, including ITV and Channel 4, both of which are already facing significant financial pressures. The BBC has put forward a proposal that viewers of streaming platforms should be required to pay the licence fee.

“The precise set of rules that require households to be licensed no longer reflect typical audience behaviour among many households in the UK,” it said.

“The TV licence is predicated upon content being consumed via ‘live TV’. But on-demand consumption is not licensable, unless it is BBC content consumed via iPlayer.”

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “The government does not comment on speculation.

“We are reviewing responses to the BBC Charter Review consultation and will set out our decisions in a white paper to be published later this year.”

The incident happened in Mobberly Road, Breightmet on Sunday evening, and residents said cables were hanging down near the road.

Fire crews attended the scene.

The road was closed yesterday (Monday) to replace the fallen pole with a new and more up-to-date one.

A homeowner who lived opposite the incident told The Bolton News: “It caused the kids anxiety because there were wires in the road. The fire service blocked it all.

“I was nervous because all of the wires were hanging down, but thankfully now it’s sorted.”

The road was closed on Monday, 11 May, as a result, while the replacement was underway.

Nobody was reported to be injured in the incident.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “One fire engine was in attendance at the incident for a couple of hours.

“It looks like a telegraph pole fell and was resting in a dangerous position so our crews helped to establish and maintain a cordon around the area.

“No fire or injuries noted.”

One of BBC’s buzziest comedy-dramas, Film Club, is not coming back for round two, leaving fans (me) devastated.

The six-episode show created by and starring Sex Education breakout and Bafta winner Aimee Lou Wood follows best friends Evie (Aimee) and Noa (Nabhaan Rizwan).

Evie lives at home with her eccentric family, including her eternally worried and well-meaning mum, Suz (Suranne Jones) and is all but housebound after a traumatic event.

Her main interaction with the outside world comes in the shape of local bike-riding miscreant Callum, played by the inimitable Owen Cooper, who himself has a touching storyline.

Oh, and she has a weird boyfriend, Josh (Adam Long), who we’re all immediately hoping she’ll bin.

A movie enthusiast at heart, she and Noa, along with a gaggle of less committed but still supportive friends, host a weekly film club in the shed, capped off with costumes, decorations and a vow from Suz to not interrupt.

When Noa gets a job offer in Bristol, however, the underlying romantic tension finally comes to a head as the pair race against the looming deadline to confess their feelings and figure the whole mess out.

It’s got all the ingredients for the perfect watch – a heartwarming group of characters you’re rooting for, delightful family and friend dynamics, and just enough stakes to keep you hooked while still knowing everything will work out in the end.

With a delicate touch, it explores mental health, the impact of trauma and the beauty of human connection when life is at its hardest.

The impressive cast made it all the more appealing and effortlessly dropped into the shoes of their characters, with Aimee’s portrayal of Evie immediately capturing her heart.

And as someone who is not the biggest fan of the friend-to-lover trope, this was one of the rare occasions where it felt well-executed, brimmed full of chemistry, and their interactions made me equally laugh out loud and groan in exasperation when things weren’t working out.

It had an endearing spark to it that could have been nurtured into a roaring fire had it been given the space to grow beyond one season.

Clearly, the story resonated with others as well, not only landing 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and a slew of rave fan reviews, but also a Bafta nomination.

Which is why I am so heartbroken that Deadline has revealed it won’t have a second outing. According to the publication, it was a mutual decision between Aimee and the broadcaster.

The White Lotus star reportedly wants to prioritise other writing.

Yet Film Club feels as though it has plenty of potential for more. Although we get a somewhat satisfactory ending (a small mercy), there were definitely loose ends that could have been explored.

Has Noa left his job for good to choose Evie? What will it look like to give their relationship a proper go? What’s next for Evie’s recovery as she makes a resolution to work on experiencing life to the fullest?

I want to check back in with Suz and her romantic and not-so-romantic exploits and see Callum grow into a young man who still has a penchant for teasing Evie.

Aimee painted a delightful world that would have been nice to live in for a little while longer, at least.

I’m far from the only one disappointed at the news.

‘Just fell to my knees,’ Josh Carr wrote on X.

‘Literally one of the best series of the last few years, the reviews were great, Aimee is a massive star now, why isn’t this being renewed???????? What are we even doing,’ gaea reflected.

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‘I thought it ended pretty satisfyingly, but I would have liked to have seen more,’ hj agreed.

‘What? Devastated, man. Film Club was an amazing show,’ Edward Burger said.

Still, if it must end, then it remains a wonderful bite-sized limited series to enjoy as a sweet rewatch. And, with her career going from strength to strength, time will tell what’s next for Aimee.

Film Club is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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He will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely

A paedophile who sexually assaulted a young girl under 13 years old over a 12-month period has been jailed. Robert Clark, 47, sexually assaulted the girl over a 12-month period between summer 2020 and 2021.

Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, who investigated, described Clark’s abuse of the young victim as “beyond sickening”. The abuse came to light after the girl told her mum what had happened and she went to the police.

Clark, of Fairfields Crescent, St Ives, was found guilty following a trial of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 years old. He was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, May 8, and jailed for five and a half years.

He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, who investigated, said: “Clark’s abuse of the young victim was beyond sickening. I would like to praise the victim and her family for the bravery and composure they have shown throughout this whole ordeal.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to please come forward and report it to us, you will be taken seriously and we will investigate thoroughly.”

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has criticised Lamine Yamal for flying a Palestine flag during Barcelona’s La Liga trophy parade.

The newly crowned Spanish champions celebrated their success with an open top bus parade through the streets of the city on Monday evening.

Lamal, who played a major role in his side’s success, was prominent part of the celebrations despite missing Sunday’s win over Real Madrid through injury.

The teenager courted controversy by signaling to a supporter that he was willing to bring the flag on board and wave it above his head in a show of support.

Asked about Yamal’s actions at a press conference on Tuesday, Barcelona head coach Flick suggested he would have advised such an act and revealed he has spoken to his star player.

He said: ‘I don’t usually like that very much, I spoke with him, we have to take into account what people expect from us, but he’s of legal age, he’s 18 years old, it’s his decision.’

Yamal’s show of solidarity with Palestine came a month after he condemned Spain’s fans for anti-Muslim chanting during their friendly against Egypt.

Yamal said at the time: ‘Yesterday at the stadium, a chant was heard: ‘Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim’. I know it was aimed at the opposing team and wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim, this still counts as disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour.

‘I understand that not all the fans are like that, but to those who chant phrases like this: using religion for mockery in the stadium makes you ignorant and racist people.

‘Football was created for enjoyment and cheering, not for insulting people because of who they are or what they believe in.’

Yamal, meanwhile, also appeared to aim a dig at England international Jude Bellingham by by posting on social media a video of himself celebrating Ferran Torres’s goal in Barcelona’s title-clinching 2-0 win over Real along with the caption: ‘Talk is cheap.’

Bellingham had posted the same message following Real’s Claisco win over the eventual champions back in October and the dig was clearly noted by Yamal who also brandished a Barcelona shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Thank God I’m not Madridista’.

‘It was very emotional to see tears in people’s eyes,’Flick, meanwhile, added on the opportunity to celebrate with Barcelona’s supporters.

‘The first thing we have to do is make people happy. And I’m proud of that, and I’ve told the players that because it’s been a difficult season due to injuries.

‘There have been key players who haven’t been available at times, who were in and out of the squad, like Lamine, Pedri, Raphinha, Frenkie.

‘It’s incredible the season we’ve had and how we’ve improved in the last two months in attack and defense. You could see it against Real Madrid. That’s why we won La Liga. We conceded the fewest goals, and nobody expected that.’

Officers want to speak to 25-year-old Sam Watson, who has recent links to Gilesgate, Belmont, and Sherburn Hill.

A spokesman for Durham City Police said: “If you have any information regarding Sam’s whereabouts, please don’t comment below, call us on 101 quoting incident 62 of May 5, alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Jamie Muir, 33, from Dunfermline, attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his deplorable actions.

A creep who sexually assaulted two women on a crowded train to Edinburgh has been jailed.

Jamie Muir, 33, was caged for nine months at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 29. He was sentenced after he previously admitted the deplorable crimes, which took place in November last year.

The court heard how Muir, from Dunfermline in Fife, boarded a train from Inverkeithing to the capital, which was extremely busy due to a rugby match between Scotland and Argentina later in the day at Murrayfield. Muir stood behind two women, and only minutes after the train left Inverkeithing, he began to sexually assault both victims.

Perverted Muir then attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his actions. When one of the women turned to Muir to confront him, he went on to apologise and claim he didn’t know where he was.

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Other passengers on the train intervened and told Muir to get off at the next stop. He then alighted at North Queensferry.

Once the service arrived at Edinburgh Waverley, the two women reported the incident to officers at the station and an urgent investigation was launched. Images of Muir were shared by the British Transport Police (BTP) with other police forces in a drive to identify him, and he was subsequently found and arrested.

Upon being arrested, Muir attempted to excuse his actions by saying he had felt unwell. As well as being jailed for nine months, he was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Speaking after sentencing, BTP’s Detective Constable Crawford Gillies said: “Muir’s actions were opportunistic and sickening, so I’m very pleased with the sentence handed down to him that should provide him ample time to consider his actions. There is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour anywhere on the railway network, and we take every report of this kind of behaviour seriously.

“If you ever need us while you’re travelling on the railway, you can discreetly text us on 61016. Our officers can meet the train at the next station, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders to justice.”

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