NHS set for billions in budget as Labour plans major reforms: report
Rachel Reeves has agreed to a funding increase aimed at reducing waiting lists and increasing NHS productivity.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard admitted that hospital productivity has declined, and long waiting times have eroded public confidence in the NHS. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeOct 19, 2024
THE NHS is set to receive a significant cash boost in the upcoming budget, targeting winter pressures and the next financial year.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has agreed to a funding increase aimed at reducing waiting lists and increasing NHS productivity, according to The Times.
However, NHS leaders are cautious about meeting Labour’s pre-election promise on waiting times, citing rising costs, staff pay, and an ageing population.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard, writing in The Times, admitted that hospital productivity has declined, and long waiting times have eroded public confidence in the NHS.
The government is planning the "biggest reform" of the health service since its founding in 1948, and Reeves told the cabinet that her budget would focus on "fixing the NHS."
The funding deal has sparked concern in other government departments, as negotiations have centred on a real-term budget increase of 3-4 per cent per year for the NHS, with an estimated cumulative rise of £10 billion annually, though no final figures have been confirmed.
Pritchard acknowledged that NHS productivity took a hit during the pandemic and highlighted the need for modern infrastructure, including buildings and technology, to improve efficiency.
A review by Lord Darzi showed that although the hospital workforce has grown by 17 per cent between 2019 and 2023, the number of surgeries performed by each surgeon dropped by 12 per cent, and A&E doctors or nurses treated 18 per cent fewer patients.
Robert Jenrick, a Tory leadership candidate, criticised Pritchard for not addressing these trends, but Pritchard reaffirmed the NHS's commitment to boosting productivity through better tools for staff. She added that improving productivity does not mean asking staff to do more, but equipping them with the resources they need.
Labour’s ten-year health plan aims to help 2.8 million people with long-term sickness return to work, while also addressing rising demand from an ageing population and long-term illnesses.
THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.
Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists – Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley – to “promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest”. With more than “5.38 million members, 11,000 staff and 61,000 volunteers, it is now Europe’s largest conservation charity, caring for over 250,000 hectares of farmland, 890 miles of coastline and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves, for everyone, for ever”.
It wants more British Asians to apply for jobs with the Trust or offer to become volunteers. Many of its historic properties have Indian connections.
McGrady, who has been with the Trust for 20 years, set out the organisation’s aims: “For 130 years, the National Trust has responded to the crises and challenges of the time. Today, nature is declining before our eyes and climate change is threatening homes and habitats on a colossal scale. Meanwhile, millions of people can’t enjoy the benefits that green space and heritage bring.
“So, we will ramp up our work to restore nature, both on our own land and beyond our boundaries. We’ll work to end inequality of access to green space and cultural heritage. And we will inspire millions more people to take action to protect the things we all need to thrive.
“Our charity’s founders were passionate campaigners who recognised the threats to our natural and cultural heritage, and, against the odds, did something about it. That same boldness is needed today. The Trust is uniquely placed to do something about these challenges and it’s why we are setting ourselves these ambitious but much-needed goals.”
At a recent reception to mark the Trust’s 130th birthday in College Gardens, Westminster, the director general asked guests to close their eyes and imagine their favourite idyllic locations.
“You need to know the National Trust is here to look after it, to support it, to stand up for it, to stand up for the right for everyone to have the kind of access to the beauty and the nature that you’ve been thinking about,” McGrady said.
She was “incredibly proud” of what the Trust had achieved “from the very days where there was just a glint in Octavia’s eyes. But I also want you to think about the legacy – not just what we’ve achieved so far, but the legacy we want to leave for our future, for your children, your children’s children, and far beyond,” she added.
She pointed out: “Our historic fabric in our towns and our cities is under massive threat, because we’ve no money to be able to upkeep them. Local authorities are under real pressure. People living in cities – 40 per cent of them – have no access to green or blue space, and so that connectedness that is so vital for the care of nature is being broken.
“And, of course, climate change is affecting everybody’s life – and anyone who doesn’t think it, please just look at the flooding, look at the heat damage, look at our landscapes. These are new challenges, and the Trust is going to step up and face them again.
” She declared: “We’re going to restore nature. We’re not just going to stop the decline. We’re going to restore it.”
McGrady said: “We’re going to move more and more into cities.” “We’ve just done that at Castlefield,” she added, referring to the transformation of a Victorianera steel viaduct transformed into a green “sky garden” in the heart of Manchester.
She also spoke about a landscape project in Belfast: “We’ve just acquired an amazing bit of divis on the edge of Belfast that will make a massive difference to the north of the city.”
She paid tribute to the people who had built the organisation over 130 years: “I stand on the shoulders of many, many of those giants, and they’re the people who built an institution that is much loved, that is much respected and is really trusted, which in this day and age, is a rare and a precious thing I will fight to protect to the death.
” She concluded: “I hope that Octavia – if she’s looking down on us now – will be pleased to see the spirit of the National Trust remains and that we remain for everyone, forever.”
McGrady was followed by Steve Reed, secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs, who waved his National Trust membership card: “We all have a special place we love to visit. For me, it’s Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. I love the beautiful gardens designed by the writer and poet Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, which remain popular today.”
He expressed the Labour government’s support for the Trust: “I look forward to working with the National Trust to develop this work and open up more of our beautiful countryside for everyone to enjoy.”
He said: “Nature underpins everything: our economy, our communities and our livelihoods. But we have become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Restoring nature is a key pillar of the government’s plan for change.
“I’ve just arrived back this afternoon from the UN Oceans Conference in Nice. I was proud to announce a consultation on banning bottom-trawling in our marine protected areas. We can’t go on wiping out precious marine habitats, just because they’re out of sight beneath the sea.
“And yesterday, my colleague Matthew Pennycook announced that the government will update national planning policy to ensure swift bricks are incorporated into new buildings. They make a massive impact on expanding bird populations. We will make sure that now happens in new developments right across the country.
“We will create nine new national river walks, plant three new national forests and support communities to create new parks and green spaces in their neighbourhoods. We’ve already announced the first new national forest between the Cotswolds and the Mendips which will see 20 million trees planted in the coming years.
“It’s a national scandal that our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by record levels of pollution. We’re cleaning them up with new laws to ban bonuses for water bosses who oversee catastrophic pollution incidents, and bringing in over £100 billion of private funding to fix the broken pipes that are the primary cause of sewage leaks.”
The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, also spoke in support of the Trust, in contrast to some of her predecessors under the Tories who had criticised a report revealing that nearly a hundred of its historic properties were built with money made in India or through the slave trade.
Nandy said she had visited Trust properties with her parents and now, with her 10-year-old son, had been to “hundreds of National Trust properties all over the country”. “What we’ve seen is an organisation that is truly national in the sense that you are rooted locally, standing with communities not just to protect and preserve, but to promote and celebrate the pride, heritage and contribution of those places and their people to our country.”
The volunteers were warmly thanked by the Trust’s chairman, René Olivieri.
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Rishab Shetty battles through flames in new Kantara Chapter 1 poster
Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, releases in cinemas on 2 October 2025.
Poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s 42nd birthday shows him in an intense warrior avatar.
The film explores the divine origins of Panjurli and Guliga, expanding the Kantara mythology.
Massive action sequences filmed with 3,000 participants over 50 days make it one of India’s biggest productions.
Rishab Shetty gave fans a fierce first glimpse into Kantara: Chapter 1 on his 42nd birthday, unveiling a new poster that shows him in full warrior mode. The upcoming prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara is now officially set to release on 2 October 2025. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, the film is expected to dive deep into the spiritual and mythological roots of the original story.
Shetty returns to direct and lead the Kantara prequel
Following the resounding success of Kantara, Rishab Shetty returns to both direct and star in the film’s prequel. Titled Kantara: Chapter 1, the film will trace the origin story of the forest deity Panjurli and its protector Guliga, diving into the lore that shaped the mystical world introduced in the original. The new poster shows Shetty charging through fire, shield pierced with arrows, eyes blazing, and axe in hand, a visual that has already sparked frenzied reactions online.
Fans have flooded social media with praise and speculation, with hashtags like #KantaraChapter1 trending across platforms. Many described the poster as “goosebump-inducing,” while others celebrated Shetty’s birthday by calling him “the pride of Kannada cinema.”
Kantara poster (Image Source: X) Print-160
Massive battle sequence shot with 3,000 people
The makers have spared no effort in scaling up the cinematic experience. One of the biggest highlights of Kantara: Chapter 1 is an elaborate war sequence shot over 45–50 days on a 25-acre set. The sequence involved more than 500 trained fighters and over 3,000 participants, making it one of the most ambitious action scenes ever filmed in Indian cinema. Both Indian and international stunt experts collaborated on the project, ensuring the sequence lives up to the mythology it portrays.
Todor Lazarov, who choreographed action scenes in RRR, has been roped in to design the stunts. The crew, however, faced challenges during production, including accidents, floods, and even the tragic deaths of two cast members, Kalabhavan Niju and Rakesh Poojary, due to health issues earlier this year.
Hombale Films announces multilingual global release
Produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the Hombale Films banner, the studio behind hits like KGF and Salaar, Kantara: Chapter 1 will release in seven languages: Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and English. The team is aiming for a global reach, banking on the spiritual intensity and regional depth that made the first film a crossover success.
The original Kantara won multiple awards, including National Awards for Best Actor and Best Sound Design. It was praised for its storytelling rooted in coastal Karnataka’s Bhoota Kola tradition. The prequel promises to build on that legacy with even greater visual ambition and cultural depth.
While detailed plot points are under wraps, Kantara: Chapter 1 will focus on the spiritual foundations of the first film’s mythology. The teaser and trailer are expected to drop later this year, and with fans already counting down to the 2 October release, anticipation is sky-high.
The film’s music is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, and cinematography is by Arvind S. Kashyap. Actor Jisshu Sengupta also joins the cast in a pivotal role. With its mix of mysticism, action, and cultural storytelling, Kantara: Chapter 1 is poised to be one of the most awaited films of 2025.
Lando Norris wins the British Grand Prix at Silverstone for the first time
Celebrations briefly disrupted after he was hit in the nose by trophy
McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri penalised, costing him potential victory
Norris moves to four wins in 2025, just one behind Piastri
Drivers now head into a two-week summer break before Belgian GP
Lando Norris fulfils dream with British GP victory
Lando Norris described winning his home race at Silverstone as a “very, very special” moment, despite picking up a minor injury during the post-race celebrations. The McLaren driver delivered a brilliant performance in constantly changing weather conditions to secure his first British Grand Prix win and fourth of the season.
The race also highlighted the strength of the McLaren team, with both Norris and Oscar Piastri showing exceptional pace. However, a controversial penalty handed to Piastri during a safety car period ended hopes of a 1-2 finish for the team.
Trophy mishap after win
Norris’s joy was briefly interrupted when a photographer accidentally knocked the winner’s trophy into his face, cutting his nose. The 25-year-old has already sustained a similar scar in 2024 after a glass injury, and now has a second mark to show for his latest victory.
That didn’t stop him from joining fans on stage shortly afterwards, donning medical tape and celebrating with team-mate Piastri and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. The trio took part in multiple ‘shoeys’ – a tradition started by former McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo – in front of an enthusiastic Silverstone crowd.
A childhood dream realised
Lando Norris spoke emotionally about achieving a childhood dream, recalling his early days as a Formula 1 fan when he watched Lewis Hamilton win at Silverstone in 2008.
“Being on top in your home race is very, very special,” he said. “I remember watching Lewis win in the wet, seeing the fans all stand, and I dreamt of that. Today, I got to live that feeling myself.”
Surrounded by family, including his parents and siblings, Norris described the experience as one of the most meaningful moments of his career so far.
McLaren domination, but penalty mars Piastri’s race
Both Norris and Piastri were in a league of their own throughout the race. Their McLaren cars looked strong in both wet and dry phases, but Piastri was hit with a 10-second penalty for braking hard ahead of a safety car restart. Stewards ruled that this forced Max Verstappen behind him to take evasive action.
Norris capitalised on the incident to take the lead and hold on for victory. But the team felt the penalty was undeserved, especially given similar situations in recent races that went unpunished.
Norris capitalised on the incident to take the lead and hold on for victory. Getty Images
Piastri frustrated but cautious in criticism
Oscar Piastri was clearly disappointed but careful with his words after the race, aware of the FIA’s current position on driver comments.
“Apparently you can’t brake behind the safety car any more,” he said. “I did it for five laps before that. I’m not going to say too much in case I get myself in trouble.”
Piastri argued that his actions were consistent throughout the race, and said the safety car’s lights went out unusually late just as he braked, which contributed to the confusion.
Confusion over penalty compared to Canada
Piastri pointed to an incident in Canada involving George Russell and Max Verstappen, where no penalty was issued and a Red Bull protest was dismissed. He said the move in Montreal was arguably more dangerous.
Team principal Andrea Stella echoed the criticism, describing the decision as “very harsh” and suggesting Verstappen might have exaggerated the situation to influence the outcome.
“We know some competitors have the ability to make others look like they are causing severe infringements when they are not,” Stella said.
Even Verstappen expressed surprise: “It’s happened a few times now, and suddenly Oscar is the first to get a 10-second penalty.”
Momentum for Norris, but focus remains on consistency
Lando Norris’s Silverstone win was his second in a row and narrows the gap to Piastri in the championship to just eight points. However, he was careful not to overstate the momentum.
“It’s two wins, but they’ve not come easy. You’re fighting for hundredths and thousandths of a second every session. These are exhausting weekends,” Norris said.
“I’d love to continue this form, but two weekends don’t mean anything unless I stay consistent. I need to keep it up and keep working hard.”
Summer break and a title fight brewing
With both McLaren drivers now firmly in the title mix, the Formula 1 season heads into a two-week summer break. The Belgian Grand Prix will mark the start of the second half of the season, with Norris just one victory behind Piastri.
“I felt like I drove a really strong race,” Piastri reflected. “When you don’t get the result you think you deserve, it hurts. I’ll use the frustration to make sure I win more races later.”
McLaren’s pace has now made them genuine contenders, and with Lando Norris riding high on confidence and form, the championship battle looks set to intensify in the weeks ahead.
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The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.
On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.
Events are being held across London to commemorate the anniversary. Members of the royal family are expected to join survivors and families of the victims.
The King said the public should draw on the "extraordinary courage and compassion" shown in response to the attacks.
"We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil -- and the enduring grief of their loved ones," he said in a statement published by the Press Association.
"In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day.
"The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst."
‘We stood together then, and we stand together now’
Starmer said, "Those who tried to divide us failed."
"We stood together then, and we stand together now -- against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
He added, "We honour the courage shown that day -- the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror."
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a National Service of Commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral. A separate service will also take place at the memorial in Hyde Park for survivors and families of the victims.
Call for unity and vigilance
Charles said, "While the horrors will never be forgotten", the country "may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together".
"It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal," he said.
"Let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding."
Home secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking ahead of the anniversary, said Islamist and right-wing extremism remained the most significant threats to the UK.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Zayn Malik shares a moody preview of his upcoming song Fuchsia Sea
Zayn Malik previewed a new track, Fuchsia Sea, on Instagram, touching on racism he experienced during his One Direction years.
“They still laughed at the Asian,” he raps, alluding to feeling othered despite success.
Malik was the only South Asian member of the band, which included Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and the late Liam Payne.
The track marks a rare public reflection on the racial dynamics behind his 2015 departure from the group.
Zayn Malik is turning to music to process the discrimination he says he experienced during his time with One Direction. On Saturday, 5 July, the 32-year-old singer previewed a raw and emotional rap song titled Fuchsia Sea, sharing a clip and lyrics on Instagram that many fans believe directly address racism he faced as the only South Asian member of the global boy band.
In the verse, Malik raps: “I worked hard in a White band, and they still laughed at the Asian.” The line immediately sparked intense conversation online, with listeners pointing out how it echoed long-suspected tensions about racial identity and representation during his tenure in One Direction.
Zayn Malik attends the Off-White fashion show during the September 2024 Getty Images
Zayn Malik lyrics reference race and exclusion
The lyrics Malik shared are among his most direct yet, touching on themes of alienation, generational struggle, and identity. In Fuchsia Sea, he paints a picture of emotional burden and resilience, rapping:
“Got my back against the wall so much they think I got a brick fascination... I’m a convert to the concert, and I did that for inflation… Left a blue mark on a white flag, then used blood for their painting.”
While Malik has previously opened up about mental health and needing space from fame, this is one of the first times he has publicly linked his departure from One Direction to experiences of racism and marginalisation. The lyrics suggest that while he contributed to the band’s global rise, he often felt side-lined because of his ethnicity.
Zayn Malik on InstagramInstagram screengrab
Fans rally around Malik’s message
The track preview struck a chord particularly with South Asian fans, many of whom have long felt that Malik’s race was glossed over during One Direction’s peak. Online reactions ranged from gratitude to reflection, with many calling the lyrics “long overdue” and “painfully relatable.”
For British Asian listeners, Malik’s words were especially significant, as representation in mainstream Western pop music remains rare. “He said what we’ve been feeling for years,” one user wrote on X. “Zayn’s experience mirrors what so many of us go through in workplaces that were never built for us.”
Fans react to Zayn Malik's song Twitter Screengrab
Reflecting on One Direction and Liam Payne’s passing
Malik’s musical revelation arrives just months after he revisited his boy band roots. During a March concert in Mexico City, he performed Night Changes, a One Direction song, for the first time in a decade. The performance was emotionally charged, with Malik telling the crowd: “I almost cried.”
Later that year, Malik reunited with Styles, Tomlinson, and Horan at Liam Payne’s funeral in November 2024, their first public appearance as a group since he left in 2015. Payne passed away unexpectedly at 31. Malik had previously honoured Payne at a show by dedicating his solo ballad It’s You to his late bandmate.
Former One Direction band member Zayn Malik leaves following the funeral of singer Liam PayneGetty Images
Fuchsia Sea marks a turning point for Zayn Malik
Though the full track is yet to be released, Fuchsia Sea signals a more personal and unfiltered direction in Malik’s music. It’s a clear departure from his earlier solo work, which leaned heavily into R&B and pop.
This time, the focus isn’t fame or relationships, but identity. And by addressing his past with unflinching honesty, Malik seems ready to reclaim his voice on his own terms.
One Direction Band members Getty Images
Whether Fuchsia Sea becomes a viral hit or not, it has already succeeded in sparking long-overdue conversations about race, fame, and belonging in the pop world.