Connect with us

Published

on

It’s an icy cold December morning outside a Travelodge in Enfield, north London, when we first meet Nedret Batir.

She’s wearing a T-shirt, but seems oblivious to the temperature – only consumed with her obvious and immediate distress.

Everything she owns, along with her two daughters’ possessions, are packed up into suitcases in the corridor of the hotel.

She has just been evicted from her room and is now officially homeless.

There are dark circles under her eyes, and she looks pale, as she calls the council’s housing department.

She tells them she doesn’t know where she’ll sleep tonight, along with her girls, aged 11 and seven.

Nedret Batir speaks to Sky's Adele Robinson about the housing crisis. Sky News grab
Image:
Nedret Batir was in tears as she spoke to Sky News

The man on the phone reassures her that they are looking for alternative accommodation and that she will have to wait.

But the panic is written all over her face. The clock is ticking.

“But I don’t have no place to leave my luggage,” she says, “because I have to go and pick up my children from school”.

The caseworker simply replies: “Yeah, that’s not my concern.”

Nedret Batir and her daughters, Eda and Ebru, with their possessions. From  Adele Robinson report about the housing crisis
Image:
Nedret Batir and her daughters with everything they own

‘Social cleansing’

Hers is a tale of desperation that has become normalised in England – but with a difference.

She has fallen victim to an out-of-area policy in place in this borough, and apparently across others in the capital, that moves families hours away from everything they know.

If two offers of accommodation are rejected, families are being told they are making themselves “intentionally homeless”.

And that is exactly what has happened to Nedret.

She has rejected a rental property in Hartlepool, five hours away from London. As a result, they have told her that they will be ending their duty to house her.

“I can’t take it anymore,” she tells me sobbing, “I don’t know what to do.”

She says she cannot tear her children away from where their father lives, where they go to school, and where she has support.

Nedret Batir and her daughters, Ebru (C) and Eda were moved from Enfield to Ilford
Image:
Nedret Batir and her daughters, Eda and Ebru, on the bus

But the Enfield policy is written clearly, in an email, stating: “We will be finding homes for homeless families in parts of the country that are affordable to people on low incomes.

“The homes we offer will usually be a long way from Enfield, and outside southeast England.”

Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa calls it “social cleansing”.

I show him the emails, the policy, the wording that is causing sleepless nights across the area, and probably the capital.

“It’s only affecting a certain group, those from low incomes,” he adds.

“Basically if you’re poor, get out. I’ve never seen it so, like in black and white. That is not what housing should be in the sixth richest economy in the world.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Why isn’t housing a bigger election issue?

Sky News has investigated and discovered that this is not just happening in London, it’s across the whole of England.

In every region, there has been a rise in the number of families with children being moved “out of area” into temporary accommodation.

Overall that figure has gone up in recent years by almost a quarter, according to our freedom of information requests.

‘I don’t have anybody here’

Abdullah Ahadi is already experiencing it first-hand, along with the isolation that being sent hours away can bring.

It’s 4.30am on a pitch-black March morning when we knock on his door in Corby, Northamptonshire.

He opens it, balancing on a walking stick, having been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

It’s silent on the estate, a warren of brick homes, and his is the only one with a light on inside.

Abdullah Ahadi takes his children to school. From Adele Robinson report about the housing crisis. Sky News grab
Image:
Abdullah Ahadi, who has muscular dystrophy, walks his children to his car before the long drive to school

He is being temporarily housed here with his wife and four children – who were born in London and grew up in Harrow, in the northwest of the capital.

Abdullah said: “They told me if you don’t accept this house, we will take your name from the list which says you need a house [so] I have no choice.”

But it means he must get up before dawn, to drive his children to school in Harrow, for what often becomes an eight-hour round trip.

As everyone piles into his car, he describes the loneliness.

Abdullah Ahadi drives his children to school. From Adele Robinson report about the housing crisis. Sky News grab
Image:
Mr Ahadi spends up to eight hours a day on the school run

“I don’t have anybody here. I worry about my kids. At the weekend they just stay inside the home.

As his six-year-old triplets, two boys and one girl, fall asleep – Abdullah’s 10-year-old daughter, Laaibah, describes the exhaustion of waking up so early.

“You can tell from my voice,” she says.

Articulate and softly spoken, she says she misses her friends, but admits she hasn’t told them about her living situation.

“They just know that I live far away.”

She also describes how she feels “different from people” in Corby.

“There’s not much Muslims there so every time I walk past, most people stare at me because of my hijab.”

Abdullah Ahadi's daughter Laaibah from Adele Robinson report about the housing crisis. Sky News grab
Image:
Mr Ahadi’s daughter Laaibah

It also weighs heavy on Abdullah’s mind that his condition is deteriorating – his muscles are “wasting day by day”.

He says: “If something happens to me, who is coming here to take care of the children? We have a lot of support from family and friends in London.”

I ask why he doesn’t move his children to a new school in Corby.

He replies that he doesn’t know how long the family will be there, as it’s supposed to be temporary.

And that hits at the heart of this. School is the only constant in these families’ lives, and they cling to it.

‘I just want to give up’

Nedret and her daughters are the same.

They have now been moved to Ilford, another hotel room; still in London – but a two to three-hour bus journey to their school.

Ebru, 10, says she is struggling to do her homework in a cramped room, and getting up early to do the commute is taking it out of her.

I tell her that her mother has described her as “brave”, and ask her if she feels it.

She replies: “Yes and no. At one point I do, and at one point I don’t, I just want to give up.”

Her sister Eda is also extremely tired.

By the time we reach their school, because of terrible traffic, and missing another bus, it is nearing 11am, or, as Eda says, “nearly playtime”.

None of these families, on low incomes, can find affordable private rentals, even when they do – it’s hard to act fast enough to secure them, such is the market.

A leaflet from Enfield Council explains the “severe shortage of accommodation for private rent” in London and the region.

It describes how it “is especially hard to find affordable homes for people on benefits or a low income”.

Abdullah Ahadi and his family travel from Corby to school in Harrow every day
Image:
The Ahadi family travel long distances every day to get to school

Local Housing Allowance rates and rents elsewhere are apparently “more closely aligned and so are affordable for residents”.

Eventually, six months after they first moved to Corby, Abdullah’s family is brought back to London, to Hounslow in the west of the capital.

With his condition, driving more than an hour to school one way is still taking its toll, but life is much better being closer to support.

But it’s temporary. And that’s the thing. At any point, they could be moved on.

Laaibah looks less tired when I meet her at the new “emergency accommodation”, a light and airy house under Heathrow Airport‘s flight path.

She is worried about where they will be moved to next.

“If I make friends here it will be temporary and if I move you never know if people are going to be rude to me, and it is just going to feel bad if you are lonely. If I move school it is going to be really hard to make friends,” she says.

Abdullah Ahadi was told 'if you don’t accept this house, we will take your name from the list'
Image:
Mr Ahadi says he is worried who will look after his children if something happens to him

Hunger and exhaustion

Seven months after Nedret was moved from Enfield to Ilford, we meet her in the same hotel room. Nothing, for her, has changed since the start of the year.

She says she has been spending money on taxis to school, and two buses back, and has run out.

“I can’t take my kids to school, I can’t buy them any food, my credit cards are full.”

Despite the school suggesting they move closer, Nedret says there are no spaces.

Nedret Batir and her daughters Ebru (L) and Eda now face a two to three-hour bus journey to school
Image:
Nedret Batir and her daughters Ebru (left) and Eda (middle)

At one point she suggests to me she even regrets not accepting the original Hartlepool offer.

Ebru, meanwhile, looks exhausted too – describing the family’s hunger.

“When I’m in bed sometimes me and [my sister] can’t sleep because we’re starving and my mum can’t do anything.”

Her school attendance has also dropped to 51%.

“I can’t do anything about it”, Ebru tells me, looking upset.

She now sees a therapist but says they “just give me kind words, she’s telling me: ‘You’ll get through this’. But I don’t think so. I don’t think so at all”.

Unfortunately, no matter where they are sent the rental market will continue to be volatile – and increasingly inaccessible to the poorest.

Temporary accommodation alone is not the answer to Britain’s housing crisis.

Harrow Council said: “While we can’t comment on individual cases, we understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with the threat of homelessness or the increasing number of families that have become homeless.

“That’s why we ensure the support is there including financial assistance to secure their own accommodation in the private rented sector. We are facing unprecedented demand and currently supporting over 4,000 families a year who are under the threat of becoming homeless, and over 1,200 households in temporary accommodation.

“Like many local authorities we have a high demand for social housing and a shortage of temporary accommodation. Harrow has one the lowest stocks of social housing in London.

“When we can we look to offer accommodation within, or as close as possible to Harrow. However average rents in Harrow have increased by over 10.5% in just the last 12 months so this has made it even harder for families and the council to find affordable accommodation which is suitable for households who approach seeking our help.

“It is also hard to find emergency accommodation in neighbouring boroughs for the same reasons.

“We do everything we can to find the most suitable homes for those in need of temporary accommodation, prioritising those with the most urgent need. Where we can’t offer something within the borough, we ensure that accommodation outside of the borough is suitable and meets their needs.”

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “Despite extremely challenging financial conditions, we continue to do all we can to invest in Enfield to deliver positive outcomes for our residents. However, like many London boroughs, we are seeing a number of acute challenges including a shortage of social and affordable homes to rent.

“In line with other councils, we have moved to a national placement policy as a result of the extreme shortage of accommodation in London and the South East. Our priority is to find a suitable, permanent home for families as long-term hotel accommodation is neither appropriate, nor affordable.

“Hotel accommodation is incredibly costly and is damaging to the health and wellbeing of families which is why we must find alternative, suitable options. Given the dwindling supply of housing which is not set to improve in the near future, residents have been advised to be ready at short notice when a placement becomes available.

“Increasing numbers of families are turning to councils for temporary accommodation and financial support as homelessness reaches record highs. The scale of homelessness and impact on councils’ budgets mean we must manage these pressures whilst ensuring that homeless families are provided with appropriate housing, rather than unsuitable hotel accommodation.”

This is a special report in Faultlines, a Sky News series that aims to explore some of the biggest issues facing Britain ahead of the general election.

You can watch Adele Robinson’s full report today at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Sky News or on YouTube.

Continue Reading

UK

Suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge named

Published

on

By

Suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge named

The suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been named as paediatric consultant Kuldeep Stohr.

Eight hundred patients operated on by Ms Stohr are having their cases urgently re-examined, after an external review found nine children whose care fell below expected standards.

The initial review was ordered after concerns were raised by her colleagues.

Sky News has seen a copy of the interim report which details several issues relating to complex hip surgeries performed by the surgeon.

One of the parents whose child was identified in the review showed us a recent letter from the hospital which reported “problems with both judgement and technique” in her child’s surgery.

Ms Stohr, who has been suspended since the end of January, said in a statement: “I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to all my patients.

“I am co-operating fully with the trust investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Tammy Harrison
Image:
Tammy Harrison: ‘It was hell’

Left in agonising pain

Tammy Harrison, 12, has cerebral palsy and had surgeries carried out by Ms Stohr. Her operations didn’t work, leaving her in agonising pain.

She said: “My first one was just like trauma. I couldn’t get out of bed for eight weeks. I was either stuck in bed or stuck on the sofa. It was hell.”

Her mum, Lynn, told Sky News: “There is nothing that can put Tammy back to where she was now and that’s the sad thing.

“If I could just click my fingers and have the child back that I had I would do it with a blink of an eye.”

Lynn Harrison
Image:
Ms Stohr operated on Lynn Harrison’s daughter

So far, there’s been no confirmation of any wrongdoing in Tammy’s care.

But her family have a meeting at the hospital this week to find out more.

Read more from Sky News:
Who are the two MPs deported by Israel?
Father and daughter who died in caravan park fire named

The trust has asked a panel of specialist clinicians to review all the planned operations carried out by Ms Stohr at Addenbrooke’s. One hundred emergency trauma cases will also be looked at.

Addenbrooke’s is a major regional trauma centre and treats serious emergency patients from all over the region.

One clinician at the hospital told Sky News that the review of so many patients was “creating a lot of extra work”, which was “slowing things down” for other patients awaiting treatment.

Addenbrooke's Hospital. File pic: PA
Image:
Addenbrooke’s Hospital. File pic: PA

At least one extra locum consultant has been helping the team, as they work through the caseload.

Trust apologises

Sky News has been told Cambridge University Hospitals Trust had wanted to identify Ms Stohr before but had been threatened with a legal injunction.

The trust has apologised unreservedly to families and patients. But what’s troubling many is the fact concerns were raised about Ms Stohr a decade ago.

Chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, Roland Sinker, has set up another review to examine whether opportunities were missed, and action could have been taken sooner.

The Department of Health described the ongoing situation as “incredibly concerning.”

Continue Reading

UK

Starmer promises ‘bold changes’ to rules over electric cars in wake of Trump’s tariffs

Published

on

By

Starmer promises 'bold changes' to rules over electric cars in wake of Trump's tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer promised “bold changes” as he announced he will relax rules around electric vehicles after carmakers were hit by Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The prime minister said “global trade is being transformed” after the US president‘s 25% levy on imported cars, and 10% tariff on other products, came into force.

Jaguar Land Rover has said the firm will “pause” shipments to the US as it looks to “address the new trading terms”.

Trump adviser explains why tariffs put on island inhabited only by penguins

Labour made a manifesto pledge to restore a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars after it had been rolled back to 2035 by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.

Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Starmer promises to ‘back British business’. Pic: Reuters

Sir Keir will officially confirm the ban in an announcement on Monday but regulations around manufacturing targets on electric cars and vans will be altered, to help firms in the transition.

Luxury supercar firms such as Aston Martin and McLaren will still be allowed to keep producing petrol cars beyond the 2030 date, because they only manufacture a small number of vehicles per year.

More on Tariffs

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘Nothing off the table’ over tariffs

Petrol and diesel vans will also be allowed to be sold until 2035, along with hybrids and plug-in hybrid cars.

The government is also going to make it easier for manufacturers who do not comply with the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets sales targets, to avoid fines, and the levies will be reduced.

Sir Keir said: “I am determined to back British brilliance.

“Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a government that steps up, not stands aside.

“That means action, not words.”

Officials have said support for the car industry will continue to be kept under review as the full impact of the tariffs announced last week becomes clear.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the industry deserves “clarity” in the economic context.

She said: “Our ambitious package of strengthening reforms will protect and create jobs, making the UK a global automotive leader in the switch to EVs, all the while meeting our core manifesto commitment to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.”

Read more:
Starmer pledges to shelter UK business from tariff storm
Jaguar Land Rover decision sparks anxiety in car-making hub

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the government had “recognised the intense pressure manufacturers are under”, while Colin Walker, a transport analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said the ZEV mandate is a “global success story” in driving a surge in sales of electric vehicles.

Tariff impact on UK businesses revealed

Some 62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the US are being negatively impacted by Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

Its survey of more than 600 businesses also found 32% of firms with trade exposure to the US said they will increase prices in response.

The survey also found 41% of firms with no exposure to the USA said they would be negatively impacted by the tariffs.

Some 44% of firms with exposure to the US said the UK should seek to negotiate a closer trade relationship with the US, while 43% said they wanted closer trade with other markets.

Just under a quarter (21%) said they thought the UK should impose retaliatory tariffs.

The survey also found that 40% of firms considered the 10% tariffs to be better than they had expected.

It comes as KPMG warned US tariffs on UK exports could see GDP growth fall to 0.8% in 2025 and 2026.

The accountancy firm said higher tariffs on specific categories, such as cars, aluminium and steel, would more than offset the exemption on pharmaceutical exports, leaving the effective tariffs imposed on UK exports at around 12%.

Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said: “Given the economic impact that tariffs would cause, there is a strong incentive to seek a negotiated settlement that diminishes the need for tariffs. The UK automotive manufacturing sector is particularly exposed given the complex supply chains of some producers.”

Continue Reading

UK

Girl, 10, and father, who died in caravan park fire in Lincolnshire named

Published

on

By

Girl, 10, and father, who died in caravan park fire in Lincolnshire named

Two people who died following a fire at a caravan site near Skegness have been named by police.

Lincolnshire Police said 48-year-old Lee Baker and his 10-year-old daughter Esme Baker, both from the Nottingham area, were killed in the blaze.

However, formal identification is still yet to take place and “could take some time”, the force said.

Emergency services were alerted to a fire at Golden Beach Holiday Park, in the village of Ingoldmells, at 3.53am on Saturday.

In a statement issued through police, a member of the Baker family said: “Lee and Esme were excited to be spending the first weekend of the holidays together.

“We are all utterly devastated at what’s happened.

“This loss is incomprehensible at the moment, and we ask for people to give us space to process this utterly heartbreaking loss.”

A GoFundMe page set up for the victims’ family described the father and daughter as “two peas in a pod” who were “both happy-go-lucky people who loved life”. It has so far raised more than £3,000.

The police force, together with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Detective Inspector Lee Nixon said: “We believe we might be close to arriving at a working hypothesis.

“We are working hard to validate the facts available to us to be able to provide answers for the family and loved ones of those who were very tragically taken by this fire.

“Yet the evident intensity of the fire has made this task incredibly challenging.”

Dan Moss, from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family at this time.

“Our Fire Investigation Team is working with colleagues from Lincolnshire Police, and a full investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

“Once investigations are complete, local fire crews and our community fire safety team will be on hand to talk to people in the area and address any fire safety concerns they may have, at what will be an upsetting time.”

Continue Reading

Trending