ACTIVIST groups have urged the new home secretary Priti Patel to “scrap hostile environment policies” in order to rebuild trust with migrant communities, as she revealed plans of tougher immigration plans last Sunday (28).
Patel, who was appointed to new prime minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet last week, stressed
her determination to secure the UK’s borders – and to leave the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal.
She has proposed bringing in an Australia-style points-based system to the UK. This would
mean that applicants would be assigned points based on a number of professional and personal characteristics, with higher points awarded for more desirable traits.
A skills-based approach would ensure the country is looking at what people can contribute, instead of where they come from, Patel said.
“We’ll give top priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents, to attract those who add the most value to our economy,” she said.
“These skilled workers will only be able to come here if they have a job offer from an employer registered with the Home Office, and if they can speak English.”
Patel also promised that the government would strive to tackle illegal immigration and keep out terrorists, criminals and “those that wish to do this country harm”.
In response to her appointment, several activist groups hoped that it would provide a “new opportunity” to address issues surrounding immigration. However, some have expressed concerns over Patel’s immigration policies.
Nazek Ramadan, the director of Migrant Voice, believes that Patel’s biggest challenge is tackling the ‘hostile environment policies’ implemented by former prime minister Theresa May, who was home secretary until 2016.
“(Patel’s attempt to) project a new positive image is contradictory to the current context of migration in the UK, created by the previous home secretary, which has divided families and sowed seeds of mistrust between communities,” Ramadan told Eastern Eye on Monday (29).
“So many policies are sending out the message that migrants aren’t welcome here.
“In order to project a new positive message, you need to dismantle the current, established
hostile environment and that should be the starting point.”
Ramadan believes as home secretary, Patel should show that that she is fair and reasonable on migration. She added that the UK needs Patel to speak about migration in a different tone, so that migrant’s contribution to British society is highlighted.
“They are human beings and part of the community,” Ramadan said.
“They work as teachers, doctors and care workers. We need a home secretary who acknowledges this and rebuilds some of the trust which was damaged by the previous administration,” she added.
Responding to Patel’s suggestion of a point-based system, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) confirmed they did not support the policy. Minnie Rahman, the campaign and advocacy manager at JCWI, referred to the pledge as a “distraction” from the way the system currently handled migration.
“Saying that this will fix immigration problems is hugely distracting as the problem with our
system is the way that we treat people here,” she told Eastern Eye.
Although Rahman called Patel’s appointment a “real opportunity” to put in new policies and scrap the hostile environment, she was wary that there seemed to be no indication that this would occur. However, she was hopeful that Patel would recognise the dangers of the current policies. For instance, in February, a key element of May’s hostile environment immigration policies was deemed unlawful by the high court. The right to rent scheme, which required private landlords to check the immigration status of current and potential tenants, was ruled to cause “unacceptable racial discrimination”.
“We hope that the home secretary will take this into account and make efforts to scrap the hostile environment,” Rahman said.
She also raised concerns about the status of EU nationals after Britain leaves the European Union. The government introduced the EU settlement scheme earlier this year, in which individuals can apply to stay in the UK after June 30, 2021.
However, there are concerns that it could stir up a potential Windrush-like scandal, where a
number of citizens were wrongly deported or denied legal rights as they did not hold the correct travel documentation.
“We are concerned the scheme would leave a lot of EU nationals undocumented,” she said.
Campaigner Aditi Bhardwaj hoped that Patel had a “sensible” approach to immigration policies.
Bhardwaj, who is a former protest organiser of campaign group Highly Skilled Migrants, wanted the Home Office to communicate with migrant groups at a grassroots level to bring about change. And though much has been made of the fact that Patel is the first female ethnic minority person to hold such an important role in government, Bhardwaj emphasised
that her ethnic background should not be the focus.
She told Eastern Eye: “I would want anyone who is in the position of home secretary to have
sensible and empathetic rules.”
Jilna Shah, the co-CEO for Migrants' Rights Network, also expressed concern over Patel’s appointment.
“At a time where the UK’s inhumane, racist and discriminatory immigration system has never been so much in the spotlight, since Windrush, the appointment of a minister with such a brazen approach to human rights is alarming,” Shah told Eastern Eye, noting Patel’s voting record in parliament where she supported May’s hostile environment for migrants.
Shah said Migrants' Rights Network was suggesting that the immigration system be “completely and radically overhauled”, with new policies and practices that treat
migrants with respect and dignity.
She added: “A good start would be to put a genuine end to the hostile environment, not just a cosmetic name change, and to enact Boris’ murmurings for an amnesty for undocumented migrants.”
Uber Eats and Deliveroo will tighten ID checks, including facial verification, to curb illegal migrant work after UK government pressure. (Photo: Getty Images)
FOOD delivery companies Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have agreed to strengthen security measures, including facial verification checks, to prevent irregular migrants from working through their platforms, following criticism from the UK government.
The announcement came after the Labour government summoned the three firms for a meeting in response to a report by The Sun which exposed how some migrants were bypassing rules and working illegally in the gig economy sector.
Although the companies already have controls to verify workers’ legal right to work in the UK, the Home Office said "there continues to be abuse in the sector" through account sharing.
Facial verification checks to be expanded
According to the government, many asylum seekers who cross the Channel and await decisions on their asylum claims are using verified delivery driver accounts rented from others to work illegally. These individuals do not have the legal right to work while their claims are pending.
The Home Office said the delivery platforms have “agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks” to ensure “only registered account holders can work off their platforms.” The companies also committed to “combat illegal working”.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal working across the board,” said Border Security and Asylum minister Angela Eagle.
Immigration pressure and proposed legislation
Prime minister Keir Starmer has faced pressure from the anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage to reduce irregular migration. A new immigration bill currently before parliament seeks to expand police powers against smuggling networks and tighten work eligibility controls.
Since January, over 19,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats to reach the UK from France, marking a record number for this point in the year despite efforts to deter such journeys.
French officials, including former interior minister Gerald Darmanin, have said that the availability of illegal work opportunities in the UK continues to act as a pull factor for migrants making the crossing.
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Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.
He began his career in advertising before moving into music, where he held roles in artist development and label management. He became chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK in 2008.
Alongside his commercial career, Joseph has been involved in a number of social and cultural initiatives. In 2019, he launched Universal Music’s Creative Differences initiative, which produced the first industry handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. The handbook has been adopted by more than 200 organisations globally.
He is a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, a group focused on climate issues in the cultural sector, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years. In 2013, he collaborated with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to mark the 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder through the Unity project. He also serves as Chair of the Grenfell Foundation.
Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
RSA Chair Sir Loyd Grossman said: “David’s commitment to effecting social change, his compassion and his commitment to nurturing people is exemplary.
“We are thrilled that David will join us in the autumn, knowing that he will foster a collaborative and caring culture that speaks to our fellows, partners, staff teams and the wider world. These qualities make David superbly placed to lead the RSA into its next vital phase, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential. At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society. I’m excited to join such a talented organisation where we will build a bold new chapter together.”
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People take part in a protest against disability welfare cuts on June 30, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
DOZENS of Labour MPs are expected to vote against the government’s welfare reforms despite recent concessions aimed at easing opposition.
The government had initially planned to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (Pip) but later said the stricter rules would only apply to new claimants from November 2025.
Ministers also promised a review of the Pip assessment process, in partnership with disability organisations, due to conclude by autumn 2026.
More than 120 Labour MPs had signed an amendment to block the legislation, though a revised amendment supported by 39 MPs and backed by disability charities remains active.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC her party would oppose the bill, saying, “The benefits bill is too high. It was £40bn just before Covid. It is now projected to be a £100bn by 2030. And what Labour is doing is not making any savings at all.”
Labour MP Olivia Blake, who opposes the reforms, told BBC Newsnight, “I strongly believe that these kind of punitive measures of cutting welfare are not going to have the outcomes that we've been told they will.”
According to Department for Work and Pensions modelling, the revised proposals could push 150,000 people into poverty by 2030, down from an earlier estimate of 250,000.
Sir Stephen Timms, who will lead the review, told BBC Newsnight the government’s measures would help reduce poverty and make Pip more sustainable.
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Sudha Murthy and Karan Johar
Image Credits: Barkha Dutt / We The Women / Mojo Story
The acclaimed women-led festival We The Women, curated by veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, made its powerful UK debut on June 29 at London’s Riverside Studios. Presented in partnership with Vedanta, the event brought together transformative voices from India and the British-Indian diaspora, showcasing unfiltered, emotional, and often raw storytelling.
Among the standout moments was Rashmika Mandanna’s candid discussion on her values-first approach to fame. The actor received thunderous applause when she shared, “I’ve said no to scripts because they required me to smoke. If I don’t feel good about something, I won’t do it.” Her firm stance echoed the festival’s core ethos, prioritising authenticity over popularity.
Sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar reflected emotionally on one of the most poignant chapters of her life, being Grammy-nominated alongside her legendary father, Pt. Ravi Shankar. Just weeks before the ceremony, he passed away, leaving Anoushka and her sister, Norah Jones, to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, a moment marked by both immense pride and profound loss.
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared an intimate glimpse into the challenges of raising twins as a single father. He moved the audience to tears, recalling how online trolls questioned his parenting. “One night, I asked them, ‘Are you happy?’ They replied, ‘Yes, because you’re our dada.’ That gave me strength,” he revealed.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan opened up about her personal life, including a burglary incident involving her husband Saif Ali Khan and the pressures of being part of Bollywood royalty. “People expect perfection, but I’m learning to be okay with being just me,” she said with grace.
Karan Johar and Smriti Irani
Sudha Murthy, author, philanthropist, and Rajya Sabha MP, shared insights from her multifaceted life rooted in simplicity. “I still carry my own utensils when travelling abroad,” she said, underscoring that true impact comes from empathy, not extravagance.
In his characteristic eloquence, Shashi Tharoor blended literature, diplomacy, and politics. He reflected on India’s recent anti-terror operation, describing “Operation Sindoor” as a culturally resonant yet measured response. Tharoor called for global unity against terrorism through accountability rather than aggression.
The evening concluded with Union Minister Smriti Irani recounting her extraordinary journey from selling perfumes on Delhi’s streets with ₹200 to holding a place in the Union Cabinet. “Resilience above all,” she declared, inspiring the audience with her story of grit and determination.
In Session 1, the changemakers featured were Prav Kaur, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, and Souparnika Nair. TS Anil, Akash Mehta, and Rahi Chadda participated in a fireside chat with Mallika Kapur. Session 2 included Sindhu Vee, Meera Syal, and Priya Agarwal Hebbar. Last but certainly not least, the event was honoured by the special presence of Anil Agrawal, the visionary founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited.
From stories of parenting and politics to advocacy, authenticity, and resilience, We The Women proved more than just a festival, it was a celebration of real lives, struggles, and voices that matter. As Barkha Dutt aptly noted, “This isn’t about celebrities, it’s about courage.”
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Rescue workers look for survivors after an explosion and fire at a chemical factory, in Sangareddy, Telangana, India, June 30, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
THE DEATH toll from the explosion and fire at the Sigachi Industries chemical factory in Sangareddy, Telangana, has risen to at least 39, officials said on Tuesday, as rescue teams continued clearing debris for a second day.
The explosion occurred on Monday and turned large parts of the building into rubble. State authorities confirmed the toll had risen to 39, Reuters reported. Thirty-four others were injured in the incident, according to officials.
Factory building collapsed completely, says fire official
Telangana state chief minister Revanth Reddy visited the site on Tuesday. A video released by his office showed twisted metal and wreckage at the factory site. Reddy’s office said a five-member committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion. The company has not yet disclosed the cause.
GV Narayana Rao, director of the Telangana fire disaster response service, told Reuters, “We are still clearing the debris. Once we are all done with the clearing, only then we will be able to assess if any other body is still remaining under the debris or if it is all clear.” He confirmed that the building had completely collapsed.
District administrative official P Pravinya said more than 140 people were working at the factory when the incident occurred. Twenty-five of the deceased had not been identified.
Eyewitness account of blast and escape
Chandan Gound, 32, who had been working at the factory for six months, said he escaped after hearing a loud blast while outside the building.
“It sounded like a bomb blast. I came out and saw fire. A part of the fire also spread towards me. I jumped the wall and escaped,” he told Reuters. “Many of them managed to escape, but a large number were trapped and could not come out.”
Sigachi shuts plant for 90 days, stock falls 8 per cent
Sigachi Industries supplies microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and specialty chemical sectors, serving clients in countries including the United States and Australia. The Telangana plant contributes a little over a fourth of the company’s total production capacity of 21,700 million metric tons per annum.
In a statement, Sigachi said, “The incident has unfortunately resulted in the loss of human life.” The company said the plant had been shut for 90 days from Monday due to damage to equipment and structures. The facility is fully insured and claims are being initiated.
Shares of Sigachi dropped about 8 per cent on Tuesday and were on track for their sharpest two-day fall on record.
India’s industrial safety record under scrutiny
Industrial accidents are frequent in India, with experts citing poor planning and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, five people died and four others were injured in a fire at a fireworks factory in the Sivakasi manufacturing cluster in Tamil Nadu, a fire department official said.