Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Protests against LGBT lessons spread nationwide

Schools across the country have received letters from parents opposing LGBT equality classes.

In March, hundreds of children, mainly of Muslim faith, were pulled out of Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham over the No Outsiders programme, which teaches students about LGBT people and families.


Conservative Muslim parents claimed these lessons "promoted" homosexuality.

Now, an investigation by the BBC Newsnight programme revealed that letters opposing LGBT lessons were sent to schools not just in Birmingham, but in Bradford, Bristol, Croydon, Ealing, Manchester, Northampton and Nottingham. Also, letters have been sent from Christian parents in Kent as well.

One of the protests' leaders Amir Ahmed told the BBC: "It's not about gay lesbian rights and equality. This is purely about proselytising a homosexual way of life to children."

When asked if he believed children could be "recruited to be gay", Ahmed said: "You can condition them to accept this as being a normal way of life and it makes the children more promiscuous as they grow older."

He added: "Whether they become gay or not, they can still enter into gay relationships. They want to convert you, they want to convert your morality and that's just wrong."

The Department for Education said: "Pupils should be taught about the society in which they are growing up. These subjects are designed to foster respect for others and for difference, and educate pupils about healthy relationships."

More For You

London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

iStock

London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

Kumail Jaffer

Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

Keep ReadingShow less