Unlike criticism in the past from left-wing parties or groups with a vested interest, this damning report was from their own watchdog and said  Universal Credit would “never be able to measure whether it has achieved its stated goal of increasing employment.”

Derek Thomas, a Christian and Conservative MP was asked by Premier about his party’s policy: “I don’t think it is embarrassing. You’re right that it’s taken longer than intended, it has been very complicated…There’s no question that families and individuals have suffered hardship that really should have been avoided.”

He said he is well aware of people who come to his surgery who have had a bad experience in the transition and said: “We do what we can to help people who are caught in that situation.”

Listen to the whole interview with Premier’s Cara Bentley here:

When asked about the practical implication, the Conservative MP for St Ive’s in Cornwall argued that: “we’re hearing that it is a much better system than what we had before.”

He said the previous system was complicated, had been around for a long time and that with UC “people know exactly what they’re getting”.

Thomas pointed out how, previously, people in his constituency found it was not in their own interests to work more than a certain amount hours because their benefits were disrupted: “The minute they go over those…

Christians in Politics have launched a new prayer network for those who work in local politics such as county or borough councillors. 

Responding to call from Christians at this level of government, they say it will be a chance to share experiences and strengthen each other in prayer. 

In a statement, Christians in Politics said: “We regularly hear amazing stories of transformation from those who are involved in these vital (but often thankless) roles. We also hear a cry from those working locally to be part of a bigger, supportive family. Serving within local government can be challenging at the best of times. And for Christians there are often additional tensions to contend with, trying to remain firmly rooted in Christ and living out Kingdom values, whilst working within the political system and trying to best represent the communities they serve.”

The group will be run by Helen Harrison who has served as a councillor for Thornbury Town Council since 2007 and as Mayor for Thornbury from 2016 to 2018. 

Helen said: “I’m delighted to be able to set up this prayer network for councillors and those involved in local councils. Being a Christian in local politics can be a lonely place, and so it’s great to be able to connect folks from similar situations, as well as to pray together across the nation for and with each other. Obviously, all confidentiality is…

Officers confirmed they have received a complaint against Father Gerry Nugent, who died in 2010.

It comes as BBC Scotland reported allegations on Friday from a woman who claimed she was abused by him when she was a teenager.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we have received a complaint and enquiries are ongoing.”

The matter is a live investigation, she confirmed.

File photo dated 02/04/2007 of Peter Tobin who was convicted and jailed for life in 2007 for raping and murdering student Angelika Kluk.

Fr Nugent was a key witness in the trial of serial killer Peter Tobin, who was convicted and jailed for life in 2007 for raping and murdering student Angelika Kluk.

Miss Kluk’s body was found in September 2006 under the floorboards of St Patrick’s Catholic church in Glasgow.

Undated file handout issued by Strathclyde police of Angelika Kluk who was raped and murdered in 2006 by serial killer Peter Tobin, as police are investigating an historical allegation of child sex abuse against Father Gerry Nugent, who was a key witness in the trial.

During the trial, Fr Nugent – who was the priest at the church at the time of the killing – claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Miss Kluk.

The shamed priest was asked to resign from…

British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) held a gathering on Wednesday in honour of Asia Bibi and presented a narration of her arrest and the incident leading up to her blasphemy conviction.

Young boys held signs saying, “Asia Bibi Pakistani Christians are with you,” and “We are praying for Asia Bibi.”

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of BPCA told Premier’s News Hour Bibi has been the victim of intense persecution.

“She spoke about the wonderful sacrifice Christ made of his life for us and asked the simple question, ‘What has Mohammed done for you?’ For that, this torture, this beating, this isolation, attempts to assassinate her…

“We’ve never heard of such animosity that would result in, in essence, the whole country being against her. It has been really awful; she’s been separated from her five children for the whole period of that time.

Chowdry said it’s very unlikely she’ll be set free, but all her supporters are still praying for a miracle.

In an interview from 2015, Bibi’s husband Ashiq talked about her decision to stand firm in her faith.

He said: “Asia believes she will be set free and her face is unquestionable, unshakeable! She is extremely proud of her Christian faith and would never deny the God.

“We have received offers of asylum in several western nations, and I will not regret leaving Pakistan, the land of my ancestors, as we have seen too much…

TV personalities David Walliams and Piers Morgan, musician Nile Rodgers and Professor Brian Cox joined members of the public to celebrate the life of the renowned physicist.

Prof Hawking’s voice will be beamed into space, towards the nearest black hole, as his ashes are interred following the service of thanksgiving.

The late scientist’s words have been set to an original piece of music, composed by Vangelis, offering a message of peace and hope, his daughter Lucy said.

Prof Hawking’s children have expressed their gratitude to Westminster Abbey for allowing their father to have a “distinguished” final resting place between the graves of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

The broadcast in space will take place following a service featuring readings from Benedict Cumberbatch, who played the physicist in a BBC drama, and astronaut Tim Peake.

An address will be given by Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, while Prof Hawking’s collaborator and Nobel prize winner Kip Thorne will give a tribute.

One thousand members of the public, from more than 100 countries, were offered the opportunity to attend the thanksgiving service after a ballot attracted 25,000 applications for tickets.

They were welcomed to the abbey in central London by volunteers from the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

Prof Hawking, who was…

The ten sites also include the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Park, at the artist’s home and studio at St Ives, Cornwall, and the Minack Theatre perched on cliffs at Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall.

They form part of heritage agency Historic England’s campaign and podcast series Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places.

Art, architecture and sculpture is the ninth out of 10 categories unveiled, which also include science and discovery, sport and leisure, faith and belief and industry, trade and commerce, with details about the latest sites in a new podcast.

A final category, “power, protest and progress”, is still yet to be revealed.

The sites which tell the history of England’s art, architecture and sculpture have been selected by BBC arts editor Will Gompertz, from hundreds of public nominations.

They include Anglo-Saxon treasures in a boat burial at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, designer William Morris’ Cotswold retreat and source of inspiration, Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire, and the magnificent…

The National Audit Office (NAO) said the scheme had not delivered value for money, it had caused hardship for many people and its roll out was happening more slowly than intended.

Adding his criticism, policy adviser at The Methodist Church, Paul Morrison said: “What we’ve been watching is a slow car crash of a benefit roll out.

“The problem is that the people who are trapped in that car crash – the people who are being damaged – are not being listened to and are, at times, being straightforwardly ignored.”

A spokesman at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) insisted that UC is “good value for money”, adding that evidence shows claimants are “getting into work faster and staying in work longer”.

Emma Revie from the Trussell Trust charity – which supports hundreds of church-run foodbanks – told Premier 70 per cent of people they spoke to fell into debt making the switch to UC.

 She added: “In our experience, it’s taking too long to sort and – whilst it’s being sorted out – hundreds of thousands of being are being affected adversely.

“Many of them are ending up at our foodbanks requiring emergency food…”

The NAO said UC – which is replacing six payments including job seeker’s allowance, tax credit and housing benefit – cost more to administer than the previous benefits.

The DWP spokesman said: “Previous…