Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers 21. November 2025 (01:01) Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures that imperils NHS Record numbers of overseas-trained doctors are quitting the UK, leaving the NHS at risk of huge gaps in its workforce, with hostility towards migrants blamed for the exodus.In all, 4,880 doctors who qualified in another country left the UK during 2024 – a rise of 26% on the 3,869 who did so the year before – figures from the General Medical Council reveal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC is losing £1bn a year in potential licence fee revenue, say MPs 21. November 2025 (01:01) Public accounts committee calculates cost of households either evading the fee or saying they do not need TV licenceThe BBC is now losing more than £1bn a year from households either evading the licence fee or deciding they do not need one, according to a cross-party group of MPs who warned the corporation is under “severe pressure”.Attempts to enforce payment of the licence fee are also stalling. The number of visits to unlicensed homes increased by 50% last year, but it did not translate into either higher sales or successful prosecutions. BBC executives have said they face the increasing problem of householders simply refusing to answer the door. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White House announces new oil and gas drilling off California and Florida 21. November 2025 (00:54) But Sunshine state Republicans might oppose drilling off state’s famous beaches that keep tourism dollars coming inThe Trump administration on Thursday announced new oil and gas drilling off California’s and Florida’s coasts, setting the stage for a political showdown – including with Sunshine state Republicans who have largely opposed petroleum development in the Gulf of Mexico.This announcement comes as the US petroleum industry, despite contending with low crude prices, has been pushing for an entree to additional offshore drilling areas. The industry’s move for increased access also marks an effort to increase jobs and US energy independence, according to the Associated Press. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
CDC website altered to reflect RFK Jr’s belief in link between vaccines and autism 21. November 2025 (00:30) Public health and autism specialists roundly condemn alteration to the ‘vaccine safety’ webpageA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has been changed to reflect the belief of Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health and human services secretary, that there is a link between vaccines and autism, a view flatly contradicted by experts and scientifically validated studies.Public health and autism specialists roundly condemned the alteration to the CDC’s “vaccine safety” webpage, after it was changed to read: “The statement ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prozac ‘no better than placebo’ for treating children with depression, experts say 21. November 2025 (00:00) Exclusive: Clinical guidelines should change to avoid exposing young people to potentially harmful side-effects, researchers sayClinical guidelines should no longer recommend Prozac for children, according to experts, after research showed it had no clinical benefit for treating depression in children and adolescents.Globally one in seven 10-19 year olds have a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. In the UK, about a quarter of older teenagers and up to a fifth of younger children have anxiety, depression or other mental health problems. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ofcom at risk of losing public trust over online harms, says Liz Kendall 20. November 2025 (23:30) Technology secretary fears digital frontier may be outpacing regulator, with AI chatbots a particular concernThe UK’s internet regulator, Ofcom, is at risk of losing public trust if it fails to use its powers to tackle online harms, the technology secretary, Liz Kendall, has said.Kendall last week told Ofcom’s chief executive, Melanie Dawes, she was deeply disappointed at the pace of the regulator’s enforcement of parts of the Online Safety Act, which is intended to protect the public from harms caused by a wide range of online platforms, from social media to pornography websites. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
