Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Starmer warns Athwal amid concerns over ‘unsafe’ care home

The Labout MP rented the property to Daljit Johal's firm.

Starmer warns Athwal amid concerns over ‘unsafe’ care home

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has urged Labour MP Jas Athwal to “take his responsibilities seriously” following reports that the lawmaker is the landlord of a children’s care home flagged as unsafe, reported the Sun.

Ofsted’s recent investigation found “serious and widespread failures” at the home, raising concerns about children being at risk of exploitation and incidents of kids going missing.


Athwal, who is reportedly friends with Daljit Johal, the owner of Heartwood Care Group, rented the property to Johal’s firm.

“I am not across the full details although I have seen the story. I would expect anyone in a situation like that to take their responsibilities seriously," Starmer was quoted as saying.

According to a report in the Londoner, Heartwood’s funding from Redbridge Council rose significantly after Athwal took over as council leader, although both parties deny any conflict of interest.

In a statement, Athwal defended his role, asserting that his only connection to the home is as a landlord and that he has “no further commercial relationship” with the operators. He affirmed his support for Ofsted’s regulatory oversight of care homes.

Heartwood added that most of its council-funded services did not involve the care home in question, focusing instead on outreach programmes for older teens and young adults. However, the company admitted to receiving £155,000 from Redbridge Council for services provided to children at the home.

Despite Athwal's assertions, scrutiny has intensified as Ofsted inspections reported “serious and widespread failures” at the home, with issues ranging from poor conditions to risks of criminal exploitation. Although improvements have since been made, recent reports have placed Heartwood among some of the UK’s lowest-rated care providers.

The Tory party has urged a full inquiry, criticising Athwal for an apparent lack of transparency.

Athwal should explain these issues openly, especially given past concerns over his rental properties,” said a spokesperson. This follows criticism from former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield, who called the situation a “clear conflict of interest” and argued that any financial connections should be disclosed transparently.

Public records show Redbridge Council paid Heartwood £3.3 million since 2013, with annual payments jumping significantly after Athwal took over.

Redbridge Council, however, claims there was no conflict of interest, saying councillors do not influence provider decisions.

More For You

Harshita Brella: High court blasts Delhi police inaction
Brella's body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on 14 November. (Photo: Northamptonshire Police)

Harshita Brella: High court blasts Delhi police inaction

INDIAN authorities are under intense scrutiny after the Delhi high court criticised police efforts to locate Pankaj Lamba, the prime suspect in the murder of his wife Harshita Brella. The ongoing international manhunt has revealed a series of investigative failures, with the court describing the Delhi Police's approach as "utterly incompetent".

Brella was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London, in November 2024. Her husband was charged in absentia with murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behaviour shortly after her death.

Keep ReadingShow less
Polar vortex linked to clusters of severe UK winter storms

Understanding the drivers behind extreme events like winter storms becomes increasingly important

Getty Images

Polar vortex linked to clusters of severe UK winter storms

Researchers have uncovered a connection between powerful clusters of winter storms in the UK and an intense swirling polar vortex miles above the Arctic. The findings, made by a team from the University of Leeds and the UK Met Office, offer fresh insights into why the UK experienced a series of severe storms within a short period in February 2022.

The cluster of storms, named Dudley, Eunice, and Franklin, all occurred within a single week and caused significant damage across the country. These storms, alongside others that followed, wreaked havoc with strong winds, heavy rain, and widespread power outages.

Keep ReadingShow less
Coeliac Disease: What to Know After Rebecca Adlington’s Diagnosis

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has recently revealed about her condition

Getty Images

Key things to know about Coeliac disease after Rebecca Adlington’s diagnosis

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has recently revealed her diagnosis of coeliac disease and has called for greater awareness of the condition. In a video shared on Coeliac UK’s Instagram, Adlington discussed the importance of gluten-free prescriptions and urged the government to protect access to these prescriptions, which have been cut in some areas.

Her diagnosis shines a light on coeliac disease, a condition that affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK. However, due to the difficulty in recognising the symptoms, only around 36% of people living with the condition have been officially diagnosed.

Keep ReadingShow less
CSK vs RCB

CSK and RCB-tune in for this blockbuster clash between two IPL heavyweights

Getty Images

IPL 2025 - CSK vs RCB: Chennai and Bengaluru's clash of titans

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back with another highly anticipated encounter as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 8th match of the 2025 season. The match will take place at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 28th at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams are coming off strong wins in their previous matches and are eager to extend their winning streaks, making this clash one that fans won’t want to miss.

Team analysis: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, comes into this game with confidence after a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians. Although the chase wasn’t entirely smooth, CSK managed to pull off a win with 4 wickets in hand. Their bowling unit, led by the young sensation Noor Ahmad, was instrumental in restricting Mumbai to a modest total of 155/9. Noor’s outstanding spell of 4 wickets for just 18 runs earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match title, while Khaleel Ahmed also chipped in with 3 wickets.

Keep ReadingShow less