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The Profit-Driven Care CrisisChildren in England's care system have become the country's most lucrative commodity, with private providers charging the state astronomical fees while placing vulnerable young people in facilities far from their home communities. This highly profitable market, driven by neoliberal ideology that favors private over public services, has created a system where children are treated as assets rather than vulnerable human beings needing protection and stability.The Financial Scale of ExploitationThe Financial Times investigation reveals that the average charge to the state by a private provider for a child in "care" is now £384,020 a year—six times what Eton College charges. Some providers now levy more than £1m per child per year, with cases reaching over £3m for children with complex needs. This financial windfall has attracted individuals with no care experience, including "plumbers, hairdressers and Airbnb landlords," to open "homes" for profit, while potentially drawing organized crime elements who can make more from children than from drugs.Geographic Displacement and Its ConsequencesWhile there's a shortage of provision in southern England, there's a glut in the north-west where property is cheaper. Lancashire has 17 places for every local child needing care, leading to children from Devon being transported 300 miles across the country. Research published in Child Abuse & Neglect finds a consistent association between profit-making and placing children outside their local authority area, with commercial provision linked to more frequent moves and greater instability. This displacement makes children "more vulnerable to exploitation and grooming," yet those with the greatest needs are often placed furthest from home.The Rise of Illegal and Dangerous PlacementsDesperate councils are sending children to providers who are not only unqualified but in some cases unregistered, breaking the law by using "homes" that haven't met basic regulatory requirements. These private oubliettes are "beyond easy reach of the authorities, where children can be dumped and forgotten." Investigations have found unregistered placements are even more expensive than legal ones, with an estimated 669 young people, mostly with special needs, including some preschoolers, in these illegal facilities. In one case, two "care" workers with seven convictions between them (including four for violent offences) sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in their care.Comparative Analysis and Ideological DriversWhile only 5% of care places in France are run for profit, in England the figure is 84%, a direct result of successive governments' neoliberal ideology that views public services as inherently inferior. This ideological commitment has left local authorities without capital budgets to provide their own care, forcing them into a market that costs far more for a demonstrably worse service. The consequences are stark: though fewer than 1% of all children in England are in care, 62% of people in young offender institutions have been in "care".Toward a Solution: Public Ownership and Child-Centered CareWales has banned profit-making in this sector and is phasing out the practice entirely, offering a contrasting approach to England's continued embrace of the market model. The solution, according to experts, is public ownership of care services—a model that has proven more effective and less costly with other essential services like water, energy, and railways. As journalist and foster carer Martin Barrow notes, "Foster care, children's homes, supported accommodation and adoption are not interchangeable. Each can be the right option for different children at different times in their lives." Children's homes remain essential, but they must be owned and operated by the state, not treated as profit centers in a market that has no place for human vulnerability.

Executive Summary: Masturbation Recognized as Natural Avian BehaviorA collaborative survey of 120 bird species shows that self‑pleasuring is widespread, more frequent in the wild than in captivity, and poses no health risk. The findings challenge long‑standing advice to discourage or punish the behavior and call for a shift in veterinary guidance.Comprehensive Survey Highlights Widespread Onanism Across Diverse SpeciesThe research, led by Dr Chloe Heys (University of Lancashire) and co‑author Dr Matilda Brindle (Oxford University), combined expert interviews, online keeper communities, and published literature. Species documented include parrots, ducks, turkeys, chickens and numerous others, with both males and females engaging in the activity.Quantitative Findings Underscore Higher Incidence in Wild Populations120 bird species examined, spanning captive and wild individuals.Incidence reported as higher in wild birds than in captivity.Male birds were slightly more frequently mentioned, but female participation was notable.Repercussions for Veterinary Practice and Bird WelfareVeterinarians are urged to reassure owners that the behavior is normal and not a sign of distress. Interventions such as perch removal, hormonal treatments, or even surgical de‑sexing are deemed unnecessary except in rare pathological cases. Dr Ana Basto (University of Lancashire) emphasizes that the study will help vets provide evidence‑based advice.Projected Shift Toward Non‑Interventionist Care in Avian HusbandryAs the scientific community accepts masturbation as a natural component of avian sexual repertoires, bird‑keeping guidelines are expected to evolve. Future husbandry practices will likely focus on monitoring for genuine health issues rather than attempting to suppress a harmless behavior, fostering better welfare outcomes for both captive and wild birds.

Rising Drownings Amid the UK HeatwaveEmergency services have recorded nine water‑related deaths in the past few days, seven of them young people, as soaring temperatures push the public into rivers, lakes, reservoirs and coastal spots.Recent Fatal Incidents Highlight Cold‑Water Shock Danger17‑year‑old boy found dead in Pick Mere, Northwich (Cheshire Constabulary).Teenage girl and five boys died in separate incidents across Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Hampshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire.Man in his 60s suffered cardiac arrest while rescuing relatives at Tregirls Beach, Cornwall.72‑year‑old woman died after being pulled from West Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire.Dr Heather Massey, associate professor at the University of Portsmouth, stresses the need for supervised swimming sites and basic rescue knowledge.Statistical Snapshot: Deaths and TrendsNational Water Safety Forum data show a spike in drownings from May through August 2025, with the majority of victims being young men.More than 50% of fatalities occur in inland waterways rather than on the coast.Research from Bournemouth University (2024) found drowning deaths are three times higher on days when temperatures exceed 25 °C, especially among men who have consumed alcohol.Why Cold Water and Heat Combine to Threaten SwimmersCold‑water shock triggers an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and a sharp rise in heart rate. The effect peaks within the first 30 seconds and can last two to three minutes, making sudden immersion in cold water especially hazardous for people whose skin is heated by the sun.Jumping or diving amplifies the risk, as the initial gasp may draw water into the lungs before the swimmer can surface.Preventive Measures and Outlook for Summer SafetyExperts recommend:Choose locations with lifeguards and enter water gradually.Practice the “float‑on‑back” technique and keep the head tilted back to keep airways clear.Follow the “phone, float, throw” protocol when assisting someone in distress.Parents and carers should discuss water risks with children and encourage peer‑to‑peer safety.The National Water Safety Forum’s “Float to Live” campaign and statements from Gavin Ellis, drowning‑prevention lead at the National Fire Chiefs Council, underline that many incidents are preventable with awareness and timely action. As the heatwave persists, continued public education and increased lifeguard coverage will be crucial to curb the rising tide of drownings.

The Historical Detective's QuestIn the spring of 2011, author Raf Nicholson embarked on a PhD journey to document the history of women's cricket, only to find a startling lack of resources at the MCC library at Lord's. The women's cricket section contained merely three books, including Rachael Heyhoe Flint's 1978 autobiography. This discovery sparked a decade-long mission to uncover the hidden history of women's cricket, culminating in his book 'The Women in Whites: A History of Women's Cricket in England' published in June 2026.The Lancashire Cowshed TreasureThe breakthrough came when Nicholson was directed to the Women's Cricket Association archive, stored in a former cowshed in a tiny hamlet eight miles east of Blackpool. There, amidst garden furniture and farming equipment, he discovered historical treasures including minute books dating back to 1926 when the WCA was formed, scrapbooks, letters, tour diaries, and newspaper cuttings. Spending two weeks in the summer, Nicholson made daily six-mile round trips from a nearby B&B; to meticulously document these invaluable materials.Pioneers of the Women's GameThrough his research, Nicholson brought to light key figures in women's cricket history. Betty Archdale, captain of the 1934-35 Australian tour, earned the nickname 'Hitler' for her distinctive leadership style. Myrtle Maclagan, daughter of an army officer, demonstrated exceptional cricket prowess with seven for 10 in the first women's Test and the first Test hundred in women's cricket. Marjorie Pollard, the WCA founder, maintained strict dress codes that required women to play international cricket in skirts until 1997, believing 'trousers are beyond the pale'.Overcoming Financial and Social BarriersResearch revealed the constant financial struggles faced by the WCA and women's cricket players. England batter Chris Watmough described writing hundreds of letters begging for financial support for the 1968-69 tour to Australia and New Zealand, which resulted in sponsorship from lingerie brand Berlei. Coach Ruth Prideaux had so little money for the 1993 World Cup that players slept on blow-up mattresses in her living room and trained by running along Eastbourne beach. Norma Izard famously borrowed a wok from MCC kitchens to burn a miniature bat, creating the first Women's Ashes trophy in 1998.Preserving a LegacyMany of the pioneering women Nicholson researched and interviewed have since passed away, but their stories live on through his book. The research journey also led to the MCC acquiring the complete WCA archive in 2017, moving the historical materials from the Lancashire farm to Lord's. This collection now serves as a valuable resource for future researchers, ensuring that the rich history of women's cricket is preserved and accessible for generations to come.

A Surrealist Masterpiece Emerges from the Depths of Psychiatric ConfinementA recently discovered painting by the surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, made during her confinement in a Spanish psychiatric hospital during the second world war, will go on public display for the first time in London this summer. Known as Villa Pilar, the work was painted in 1940 while Carrington was a patient at sanatorium Morales in Santander, after fleeing Nazi-occupied France following the arrest of her partner, the German artist Max Ernst.The Unveiling of a Hidden Masterpiece from a Turbulent PeriodCarrington suffered a psychological breakdown in Madrid and was admitted to the institution, where she underwent traumatic psychiatric treatments that she later described in her memoir Down Below. But encouraged by her psychiatrist, Dr Luis Morales, Carrington sketched each day, and created two paintings, Down Below and Villa Pilar, which depict the psychiatric hospital as a symbolic underworld. Carrington described her "down below" period as an experience akin to "being dead."A Life Marked by Rebellion and Artistic InnovationBorn into a wealthy Lancashire family in 1917, Carrington rebelled early against the expectations placed on upper-class women. She studied at the Chelsea School of Art before meeting Ernst at a dinner party in London in 1937, when she was 20 and he was 46. The two began a relationship that scandalised their respective social circles and moved together to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche in the south of France, where they lived and worked until the German invasion.She found kindred artistic spirits in renowned surrealists like André Breton, Salvador Dalí, and Man Ray, who, like her, were fascinated by dreams, the subconscious and the occult. When she eventually settled in Mexico in the 1940s, she became one of the country's most celebrated artists and part of an influential community of women creatives working outside the male-dominated European surrealist movement – alongside figures including the Spanish painter Remedios Varo and the photographer Kati Horna.Carrington was later embraced as a feminist icon, and she always resisted attempts to reduce her to her gender, once remarking: "I didn't have time to be anyone's muse ... I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist." She died in Mexico City in 2011, aged 94.The Rediscovery and Symbolic Meaning of Villa PilarCarrington gave Villa Pilar to Dr Morales when she left the sanatorium, and it remained in his family for decades. It was only rediscovered during research for the exhibition by the Faro Santander team, who persuaded the Morales family to loan it publicly for the first time.Vanessa Boni, curator of the exhibition, said Carrington created the work as "a parting gift" to thank Morales for helping her recovery, despite the "brutal" treatments she endured, including cardiazol injections. "As we know from her memoir, it was really traumatic," she said. "Dr Morales kept the painting his entire life, and when he passed away, it was handed down to his daughter."The work depicts the hospital as being populated by hybrid human-animal figures moving through vivid green gardens – imagery that would become central to Carrington's later practice. "It speaks to ideas of inner transformation, metamorphosis and otherness," Boni said. "Both paintings are set in a verdant green landscape, including a green sky, which was a symbolic colour for her."A Transatlantic Exhibition JourneyVilla Pilar will join the exhibition Leonora Carrington – the Symptomatic Surreal at the Freud museum, where Sigmund Freud spent the final year of his life after escaping Nazi-occupied Vienna. To mark the unveiling, the exhibition has been extended until 10 August before travelling to Faro Santander, a new arts centre in the northern Spanish city, in September.Daniel Vega Pérez de Arlucea, director of Faro Santander, said: "This is not simply a matter of showcasing the work of one of the most important surrealist artists, but of recognising and revisiting a chapter of her life deeply rooted in this city."After leaving Santander, Carrington travelled through Lisbon and New York before settling in Mexico, where she became one of the leading figures of surrealism. In 2024, one of her paintings was auctioned for £22.5m, a record for a UK-born female artist.While in New York, Carrington gave her Santander sketchbooks to the surrealist collector Julien Levy, whose collection was sold at auction and dispersed into private collections in 2004. This exhibition marks the first attempts since then to bring the contents together for a major public display.

The Lead: Streeting's Tax Equality ProposalFormer health secretary Wes Streeting has set out plans for a "wealth tax that works" by equalizing tax rates on income and capital gains in his pitch for the Labour leadership. Streeting argues the current system unfairly penalizes work while rewarding asset ownership, contributing to widening wealth and opportunity gaps in the UK.The Policy Details: Equalizing Tax RatesStreeting's proposal would mean capital gains tax rates mirror the three bands of income tax: 20%, 40%, and 45%. A person's capital gains tax band would be calculated by combining their income and profits from assets. He used the example of a woman in Lancashire who paid a higher rate of tax on her salary than her landlord paid for the growing value of her rented house."The system is penalising work. It's not fair and it's bad for our economy. We need a wealth tax that works. A pound made from simply owning assets should not be taxed less than a pound made from a hard day's work," Streeting told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast.The Financial Impact: Potential Revenue and Economic EffectsStreeting estimates his plan could raise up to £12bn a year. A 2024 report by the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation estimated that changing capital gains tax could raise £14bn. The proposal includes measures to protect genuine entrepreneurs with lower capital gains tax rates for those taking risks building companies.Streeting argues there is "a good pro-business, pro-growth, pro-productivity argument" in his proposals because the current system encourages investment in less productive businesses. He also called for closing loopholes that allow people to disguise income from work as capital gains, such as setting up personal service companies or taking pay in shares.The Political Context: Labour Leadership and Party UnityStreeting, who quit the Cabinet last week and called on Keir Starmer to stand down, warned in his resignation speech that Labour must change course or risk handing Reform UK power. He has the support of 81 MPs needed to launch a leadership challenge but decided not to proceed after learning that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had found a seat to stand in."It was clear that if we had been plunged straight into a leadership contest by me or for that matter, anyone else, I think it would have been seen as a deliberate attempt to get ahead of Andy Burnham's potential return," Streeting explained. "And if there's one thing that we need to do coming out of a change in leadership, it is to bring the tribes of the Labour party together."The Future Outlook: Potential Policy Shift and Party DirectionStreeting's tax proposal represents a significant potential shift in Labour's economic policy direction if he becomes party leader. By positioning himself as both "pro-worker" and "pro-entrepreneurialism," he attempts to bridge traditional divides within the party. His emphasis on fairness in taxation comes amid growing public concern about wealth inequality and the perceived advantages of capital over labor in the current tax system.The proposal will likely face scrutiny from both economic conservatives who may argue it could discourage investment and progressive elements who may push for more aggressive wealth taxation. Streeting's ability to unite different factions of the Labour party around his economic vision will be crucial in determining the party's direction and electoral prospects.

County Cricket Day Four: Key Scores and Updates Live updates from day four of the County Championship, with several matches underway across the UK. Match Highlights Chelmsford: Essex 293 and 104-3 BEAT Leicestershire 333 and 60 by seven wickets Southampton: Hampshire 214 and 82-4 v Nottinghamshire 229 Taunton: Somerset 526-8dec v Sussex 236-8 Edgbaston: Warwickshire 252 v Glamorgan 360 and 192-5 Headingley: Yorkshire 486 v Surrey 204 and 83-5 Yorkshire vs Surrey Yorkshire's Harry Brook took a crucial three wickets for 11 runs, leaving Surrey under pressure. Essex vs Leicestershire Essex secured a seven-wicket victory over Leicestershire, with Sam Cook and Shane Snater taking key wickets. Other Matches Bristol: Gloucestershire 154 and 221 v Northamptonshire 127 and 144-5 Beckenham: Kent 523 v Durham 173-5 Southport: Lancashire 281-8 v Worcestershire 270 Lord's: Middlesex 177 and 278-8 v Derbyshire 376 Upcoming Matches The next full round of matches starts on June 15, but Surrey will face Hampshire in a one-off match from June 8-11.

The Lead: Day Three Action Across the County ChampionshipAs day three of the County Championship unfolded across England, several matches reached critical stages with notable performances emerging from various grounds. From Yorkshire's batting collapse against Surrey to Hampshire's strong position against Nottinghamshire, the championship is taking shape with some surprising outcomes and standout individual performances.The Event Details: Key Match DevelopmentsAt Headingley, Yorkshire's batting woes continued as they were bowled out for 486, with Surrey's Matt Fisher taking four wickets including that of centurion Jonny Bairstow. In contrast, Somerset's Tom Abell continued his impressive season with his third century, reaching 100 alongside Craig Overton's aggressive batting, leading to a declaration of 525 for eight.Hampshire gained a strong advantage against Nottinghamshire, with Kyle Abbott taking a 500th wicket for the county and Sonny Baker making an immediate impact by removing key batsmen. Baker's performance earned him an England call-up, which he described as a "dream come true."The Data Analysis: Statistical HighlightsBen Aitchison scored his maiden first-class century for Derbyshire at Lord's, following his five-wicket haulEssex recovered from 39 for four to reach 281-8, thanks to Jamie Porter's first-class fifty and a 96-run partnership with Charlie AllisonKent amassed 523 at Beckenham, with Matthew Potts taking six for 92 for DurhamWarwickshire struggled against Glamorgan, reaching only 123-6, trailing by 237 runsNorthamptonshire were skittled for 127 at Bristol, with Matt Taylor taking five wicketsThe Impact Analysis: Championship ImplicationsThe results of day three have significant implications for the County Championship standings. Somerset's strong performance with the bat and aggressive declaration puts them in a commanding position against Sussex. Yorkshire's batting collapse against Surrey has weakened their position in the title race, while Glamorgan's strong showing against Warwickshire demonstrates their improving form.The weather interruptions at Southport and Bristol have affected the flow of matches, potentially leading to draws that could impact the final standings. The emergence of young talents like Sonny Baker for England recognition highlights the depth of talent in the county system.The Prediction: Final Day ScenariosLooking ahead to the final day of matches, several contests remain finely balanced. Somerset appears well-positioned to secure a victory against Sussex, while Hampshire will be confident of wrapping up a win against Nottinghamshire. Yorkshire will need to fight back with their bowling to limit Surrey's first-innings lead, while Glamorgan could potentially enforce a follow-on against Warwickshire.The weather forecast will play a crucial role, particularly at Southport where no play was possible on day three. If conditions improve, Lancashire could still stage a comeback against Worcestershire, but time is running out for them to secure a positive result.

The Journey Through TimeStephen Butler, now 69, recently completed a collection that began when he was just 13 years old in 1970. The story began five years ago when Butler discovered his old Panini World Cup sticker book while moving house. Tucked away in a box with his school cap, exercise books, and photos, the album brought back a flood of memories from a time when the World Cup meant everything to a young boy in Ribble valley, Lancashire.A Collector's QuestThe 1970 World Cup was a significant event in Butler's life. He recalls watching England play in color for the first time, from Mexico City, on his family's new color television. The tournament held special significance as England entered as cup holders, having won in 1966. As he flicked through the pages of his sticker book, he remembered his favorite players – Pelé and Jairzinho from Brazil, and Italian players like Boninsegna and Facchetti.The Missing PieceUpon examining the album as an adult, Butler noticed something was missing: a sticker for Chile, which had hosted the 1962 World Cup in Santiago. This one sticker had eluded him for 56 years. The collection remained unfinished until recently, when Butler heard on the radio that Panini would be ending its partnership with FIFA in 2030. Concerned about losing this heritage, he decided to complete his collection.The Value of MemoriesButler went online and found someone selling the missing Chile sticker for £150 – a price he considered high but acceptable for completing his lifelong collection. While complete 1970s sticker books have auctioned for £7,000-£10,000, Butler has no interest in selling his. "It's a part of my life – it brings back interesting memories," he says. "My memories are not someone else's, you know?"A Legacy for Future GenerationsButler and his wife Helen have three adult children who would love to get their hands on the completed sticker book. "They'll have to bid for it, won't they?" he jokes. The completed album represents more than just a valuable collectible; it's a tangible connection to a significant moment in sports history and a personal journey that spans nearly six decades.