We have put together a round-up of all the latest news, weather, and travel information for Thursday, April 28, to prepare you for the day as the Government expects the number of children in custody in England and Wales to more than double by September 2024, according to a new report.
A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) finds that while the average number of children in custody fell by 73% between 2010-11 and 2020-21, court recovery from the pandemic – alongside the impact of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, and Government plans to recruit extra police officers – will drive up the number of young people in custody.
It is expected that the number of children aged 15 to 17 in young offender institutions will double, from 343 in July 2021 to 700 in July 2025, the report said. This would be similar to pre-pandemic levels (737 children were in custody in March 2019/20), but significantly lower than a decade ago – in 2010/11, 2,027 children were in custody in March.
The report also finds that ethnic minority groups are overrepresented in custody. Over half – 53% – of children in custody in the year ending March 2021 came from ethnic minority backgrounds, up from 32% in 2011. Black children accounted for 29% of children in custody, compared with 18% in the year ending March 2011.
The report found that around one-third of children in custody reported having a known mental health disorder, while many had other health problems and learning difficulties. Boys made up 97% of children in custody in 2021, but the report notes that while the proportion of girls held in custody is low, they have some of the most complex needs, and are likely to have experienced sexual and physical victimisation.
The rate of self-harm incidents per 100 children had increased by 90% among children in custody from March 2015 to March 2021, the report said. Full details of the report can be found here.
Wales news headlines
Tribute paid to much-loved rugby coach who died with Covid
Tributes have been paid to a former rugby coach from Whitchurch. Bryn Evans had no idea he had a heart condition until he fell, broke his femur and shattered his knee. Waiting for an operation to repair the injuries at the University Hospital of Wales, doctors realised Bryn had atrial fibrillation, an irregular and very rapid heart beat.
In the following 30 hours the much-loved family man and member of Whitchurch Rugby Club had three cardiac arrests, two of which were witnessed by his shocked wife Ginny. After that doctors warned surgery would be risky but the lifelong rugby player couldn’t bear the thought of not using his leg again and agreed to go ahead. The operation took place successfully with a cardiologist present and instant access to the cardiology department and intensive care.
After six weeks Bryn was well enough to go home with an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) fitted to keep his heart in a safe rhythm, and a monitor at home. But tragedy struck in November last year last when Bryn was admitted to hospital with coronavirus passing away just two days later.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the tragedy his widow, Virginia, known as Ginny, said the loss has been a huge shock to everyone who loved Bryn: “He went into hospital early one morning and passed two days later.
“We weren’t expecting it all, even Bryn thought he was coming home. It’s just so unfair after what he’d been through. He will be forever missed by everyone, there was still so much we wanted to do together.”
Read the full heartbreaking tribute here.
Visa granted for Ukrainian mum to move to Wales but not her nine-year-old son
A mother has been granted a visa to finally settle in Wales after escaping Russia's invasion of Ukraine but is unable to do so because the same clearance has not been given to her nine-year-old son. Alina and Gleb, from Odesa, managed to escape Ukraine and are currently staying in a hotel in Moldova, however complications from the Home Office's Homes for Ukraine scheme mean they are stuck.
The mother and son are set to move to Rowen, Conwy, with the help of Stuart Kato and his wife, but cannot legally do so. The Katos first connected with the pair in March and hopes that they could move to North Wales were raised when Alina got a visa - but then quickly dashed when Gleb's failed to be secured.
Far right recruiting propaganda is being posted into Cardiff homes
Far right propaganda is being posted through people's front doors in Cardiff.
People in the Splott area of the city have received leaflets displaying openly far right, neo-nazi slogans and messaging. The front of the leaflet carries the title "WHITE BRITAINS TO BE A MINORITY" also with an image of people who are not white.
The back of the leaflet carries a string of far right tropes targeting immigrants as well as conspiracy theories and inflammatory rhetoric about race, colour and migration. It calls on people to join "like minded patriotic people" to "help make a difference".
The leaflet is being distributed by a group called Patriotic Alternative. This group was founded in 2019 by British neo-Nazi Mark Collett. He was formerly chairman of the Young BNP, the youth division of the British National Party (BNP), and was director of publicity for the party.
According to Hope Not Hate, Patriotic Alternative is the largest fascist group operating in the UK today. The group adopts a multi-pronged approach to activism, combining provocative and headline-grabbing stunts with a superficial “family friendly” image of bake sales and community-building activities. The group has successfully united formerly disparate elements from across the fractured British far right.
Hope Not Hate adds that Patriotic Alternative's public output is carefully confected to conceal the true history and beliefs of the group’s leadership. A number of key activists were involved with the now-banned Nazi terror group National Action at different stages, while other members allegedly cut their teeth in violent hooligan gangs like the Scottish Defence League and Pie & Mash squad.
Today's forecast
A dry day with plenty of sunny spells for Wales, according to the Met Office forecast.
Today:
A chilly but sunny morning with any frost soon clearing. A fine day to come with plenty of sunshine, though cloud amounts tends to increase through the afternoon. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 15 °C.
Tonight:
Cloud clearing through the evening and overnight, leading to starry skies for most. Turning chilly, with a slight frost in the countryside. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
Here is how the roads and rail are affected at 7am
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Major disruption between London Paddington and Reading until end of day. This will affect trains to Swansea.
National news headlines
Ofcom to be given powers to regulate streaming platforms
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has revealed new plans for Ofcom to regulate streaming platforms to “protect audiences” from “harmful material”. The Government will give the UK media watchdog the power to draft and enforce a new video-on-demand code, aimed at setting standards for “larger TV-like services” such as Netflix, ITV Hub and Now TV to level the rules with traditional broadcasters.
The maximum fine for a breach of the code will be £250,000 or an amount up to five per cent of their revenue – whichever is higher. Ofcom will also be given a “strengthened duty” to assess protection such as age ratings and viewer guidance, with powers to force change under the new proposal.
The Government said the plans will include measures to protect audiences from a wider range of harmful material, citing unchallenged health claims and pseudoscience documentaries.
The white paper, released on Thursday, signals the framework for the privatisation of Channel 4. Under private ownership, Channel 4 will have access to capital and the freedom to make its own content, allowing it to diversify its revenue stream, it said. It will look to use some of the proceeds from the sale of Channel 4 to deliver a new creative dividend for the sector.
A consultation will also be launched on new rules to ensure broadcasters such BBC, ITV and Channel 4 make “distinctively British” programmes. The Government cited period-drama Downton Abbey, sci-fi series Doctor Who and searing rape drama I May Destroy You as examples that “reflect a vision of a modern UK”.
The white paper also proposes the opportunity to secure rights to air TV’s major sporting events, such as the Fifa World Cup and Wimbledon, be made an exclusive public service broadcasters (PSB) benefit through reforms to the listed events regime.
Similarly, the Government will update prominence rules so online TV platforms are legally required to offer PSB on-demand services, such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, and give them prominence so they are easy to find on the platform. It will also set out a new remit for PSB quota, which currently requires broadcasters to air a minimum amount and variety of public service content.
Prince Andrew stripped of honorary 'freedom of York' title
Prince Andrew has been stripped of his 'freedom of York' title, after York City Council voted to remove the honorary title. The decision was passed following a unanimous vote.
The move is the latest blow for Prince Andrew, who recently reached an out of court settlement with Virginia Giuffre. She had filed a civil sex claim against him in the US. The settlement is rumoured to have been £12m. While Prince Andrew has denied the allegations against him the payout means he has avoided a trial.
Councillors at York City Council held an Extraordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday evening at York Racecourse to discuss and vote on the honour it had granted to Prince Andrew, reports The Mirror. Many of the councillors noted that the move was nearly a starting point for the changes that should be made.
As it stands, Andrew continues to hold the Duke of York Title. But councillors called on either the Queen or the Government to strip him of the title.
Labour councillor Aisling Musson said the title was a "stain of an association" with the city. Prince Andrew is the first person ever to have the Freedom of the City removed, councillors were told.
While the vote passed unanimously, there were two formal abstentions, from the Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor elect. Full details here.
Sport headlines
Welsh Varsity results as Swansea University win rugby finale but Cardiff take overall crown
Swansea University's rugby team wrestled the Welsh Varsity Cup back from Cardiff in dramatic style, but it was the visiting University that won the overall shield.
The highlight of the Welsh student sporting calendar was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but was back and better than ever on Wednesday as thousands of students descended on Swansea. While Cardiff claimed the overall Varsity Shield for the fourth year in a row, Swansea came out on top with a 20-13 victory in the day’s showpiece rugby finale, with the men’s side winning the cup and shaking off the 78-7 defeat they suffered in 2019 after being forced to effectively field a second string side due to a fixture clash.
There would be no such rout this time around, however, with a tight, physical opening 10 minutes at the Swansea.com Stadium setting the tone for the rest of the game.
There was more luck for Cardiff’s women's side, who blew Swansea away with a sensational ten-try victory. Ellie Morgan, Ffion Revill and hat-trick hero Karolina Thomas shone for the visitors in a comprehensive 13-56 win. Swansea also claimed victories in the men’s fencing, golf, squash, ultimate frisbee and fresher rugby, but it wasn’t enough to take the shield off Cardiff, who won 28-15 overall after coming out on top in American Football, hockey, tennis and netball.
Full details of how the Varsity events played out can be found here.
French giants make contact in audacious bid to sign Wales and Lions star
Wales international Ross Moriarty is being courted by Top 14 outfit Stade Francais.
The Parisians — Heineken Cup runners-up in 2001 and 2005 and Challenge Cup winners in 2016 — have made contact with the teak-hard Dragons back-rower.
Stade has been active in the recruitment stakes with scrum-half Morgan Parra among a host of players joining for next season. Reports in the French press say they have Moriarty in their sights, as well, with the club undertaking a major rebuild as they head towards the end of a challenging campaign that has left them placed eleventh out of 14 in the French top flight.
So keen are they on the 6ft 2in, 16st 3lb Moriarty that they are said to be willing to buy him out of the remaining year he has left on his contract with the Dragons.
But there are major stumbling blocks to the move going through.
Quitting regional rugby at this point would leave the 54-cap Moriarty ineligible for Wales as he doesn’t have the 60 appearances he’d need to figure for his country as an exiled player. And despite the Dragons’ ongoing struggles, the 28-year-old has given no indication that he’s unhappy at the east Wales region. Indeed, he has captained them and was playing well prior to the nerve injury that has sidelined him since April 1. You can read about some good news for Moriarty here.
The assumption is, too, that he wouldn’t want to do anything that might jeopardise his place in the Wales set-up heading towards the next World Cup.
