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Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have taken away a number of bags from a search site in southern Portugal.

Officers have been combing a reservoir and surrounding scrubland after receiving “certain tip-offs”.

Police divers entered the water at the Arade dam in Silves municipality on Tuesday.

But it is not known what was in the bags.

The site is about 31 miles from where the British girl went missing during a family holiday in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May 2007. Madeleine was just three years old at the time.

Madeleine McCann

German prosecutor Christian Wolter said: “We are investigating in Portugal on the basis of certain tips [tip-offs].

“I can’t disclose the background at the moment, like why we are searching there and what we hope to find there. That shall remain our secret for the moment.”

A source familiar with the investigation told the Reuters news agency the operation was likely linked to photographs of the reservoir found at the hideout of Christian B.

He was named by German prosecutors last year as an official suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

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Latest Madeleine search will ‘take time’

A boat was also sent into the reservoir with two officers. About 20 to 30 officers could be seen in the area, a dozen of which had sniffer dogs.

Madeleine McCann search
Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Vehicles and officers were first seen at the site of the reservoir on Monday after reports of the new search emerged.

Read more:
The exact area where the search is taking place
How events unfolded in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Local police said they are co-ordinating searches in the Algarve at the request of German police and in the presence of British officers.

It comes after German police announced in June 2020 that they believed Madeleine was dead and that Christian B was likely responsible.

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP
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It is claimed the convicted child abuser and drug dealer used to visit the reservoir, allegedly referring to it as “his paradise”.

Christian B is currently in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve region from where Madeleine went missing, but he has not been charged with any crime related to the disappearance.

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Author on Madeleine search

He has denied any involvement.

Jon Clarke, author of My Search for Madeleine, after he was the first journalist on the scene when Madeleine went missing in 2007, said that Mr Wolter received the tip-off from a “credible source” in April.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Clarke said that police are “optimistic” that they might also find the bodies of three missing children who have never been found, including eight-year-old Joana Cipriano, who went missing in 2004, “very near” to Praia da Luz.

Barragem do Arade dam
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The Arade dam in Portugal
Officers of Portugal's investigative Judicial Police are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where a new search for the body of Madeleine McCann is set to take place, in Silves, Portugal, in this screen grab from a video, May 22, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Ferreira

The waterway was previously searched in 2008 after Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia paid for specialist divers to check the site.

He claimed to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleine’s body was in the reservoir, but nothing was found.

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Sky’s Siobhan Robbins explains what is happening at the dam

A search was also carried out in 2014 of scrubland near where she vanished, after British police were given permission to investigate by Portuguese authorities.

A German court last month threw out additional rape and sexual offence charges against Christian B that were not linked to Madeleine’s case.

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Madeleine went missing in Praia da Luz and the Arade Dam is being searched by police

He had been accused of three offences of aggravated rape and two offences of sexual abuse of children in Portugal between December 2000 and June 2017.

However, the court in Braunschweig ruled it had no jurisdiction in the case.

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Kate and Gerry McCann lose legal battle over detective’s accusations

Vehicles and tents of Portugal's investigative Judicial Police are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where a new search for the body of Madeleine McCann is set to take place, in Silves, Portugal, in this screen grab from a video, May 22, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Ferreira
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Officer’s at the site of the reservoir on Monday

Lawyer Friedrich Fulscher said the decision meant court authorities could not have jurisdiction over any potential case about Madeleine either. The court did not comment on his claim.

Officers of Portugal's investigative Judicial Police are seen at the site of a remote reservoir where a new search for the body of Madeleine McCann is set to take place, in Silves, Portugal, in this screen grab from a video, May 22, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Ferreira
Police officers talk by an operation tent near Barragem do Arade, Portugal 
Pic:AP
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Pic: AP

Last year, on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, Madeleine’s parents said it was “essential” to learn the truth of what happened to their daughter.

Kate and Gerry McCann also marked Madeleine’s 20th birthday earlier this month with a vow that they would “never give up” the search for her.

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An embarrassing but predictable end to Scotland’s National Care Service

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An embarrassing but predictable end to Scotland's National Care Service

The Scottish government is scrapping its plans to create a National Care Service.

It is an embarrassing but perhaps predictable end to years of ambitious talk about finally coming up with a solution to the social care crisis.

In a statement at Holyrood, the government tore up parts of the bill that would require major structural changes to the Scottish social care system.

The downfall of the plan wasn’t money or lack of ambition necessarily.

And there was cross-party agreement on what needed to be done. The problem was a frustrating lack of consensus on how to get there.

It is also the end of the process that has been costly too.

More than £30m has already been spent on planning the policy cover the last three years.

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It was one of the boldest public service reforms of the SNP’s 17 years in power, with the scheme forming a key policy of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s administration.

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In 2021, Ms Sturgeon branded the National Care Service the “most ambitious reform since devolution”.

Now, the plan is in tatters, and it tells us a lot about how difficult social care reform is and what might lie in store for the Westminster government.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled plans to reform the social care system with his own version of a National Care Service, designed to bring it closer to the National Health Service.

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Streeting challenged on social care cuts

Mr Streeting announced the formation of an independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, to develop comprehensive proposals for organising and funding social care.

But the past is littered with broken promises when it comes to social care reform.

Successive governments from Tony Blair right through to Boris Johnson have failed to grasp the nettle and implement plans.

It is in part due to the billions of pounds that would be needed to pay for it – likely raised through taxes – but it has also failed because political parties haven’t been able to work together to make reform a reality.

The failure of the Scottish plan does not bode well for future social care reforms across the rest of the UK.

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‘It feels like we don’t exist’: The human cost of social care cuts

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'It feels like we don't exist': The human cost of social care cuts

Angela Carson struggles to pull the damp laundry out of her washing machine. Her hands are so weak she can barely stop them from shaking.

The 65-year-old places the wet clothes onto her lap and slowly moves herself in a wheelchair through the small kitchen to another room, so they can dry.

Angela suffers from the lingering after-effects of a rare condition, Guillain-Barre syndrome, that attacks her nerves. It means she struggles to walk without two sticks by her side. Her husband Graham, who is in a motorised wheelchair, can only look on.

The 67-year-old was born with the muscle-wasting disease muscular dystrophy and now has limited movements – just in his hands – to operate the chair.

Angela Carson Graham Carson Scotland social care
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Angela struggles to walk without two sticks by her side

Angela Carson Graham Carson Scotland social care
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Angela suffers from the after-effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome, while Graham has muscular dystrophy

For the last seven years, the pair have relied on carers to come into their home several times a day to help with their everyday needs, including getting Graham in and out of bed using a hoist, personal hygiene, and preparing meals.

It was a week before Christmas when they received the devastating news: their local council was cancelling all of Angela’s care, and reducing Graham’s support. The decision was non-negotiable and came as a big shock to them both.

“They just said it was being stopped,” says Angela tearfully. “They said it was to promote independence. But I don’t see how, when I can’t do the things they say I can do.”

The council says Angela can prepare meals, walk, and shop – tasks she says are a struggle.

Angela Carson Graham Carson Scotland social care
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West Lothian Council took the decision to stop their care

‘Urgent action needed’

A few weeks earlier, their local authority, West Lothian Council, issued a downbeat but honest public statement about its finances, saying that the crisis facing councils was of a “magnitude never experienced” and that “urgent action” was needed.

Graham and Angela’s care is paid for by the council. It posted on Facebook about having an £8.1m overspend, fuelled in part by rising social care costs. It said it needs to make savings.

Not long after, social workers knocked on the door of Graham and Angela’s bungalow in Livingston to review their care package. The council said these reviews are done annually and are based on need, not cost.

A spokesperson for the West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership said: “This process is critical to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the care being provided to individuals and ensures that assessed and essential care needs are met.”

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Angela and Graham on their wedding day

They added: “A consistent and fair approach is applied when reviewing or assessing an individual’s care, with any changes to a care plan being made on the basis of assessed need and not to address financial pressures. “

‘Social care is broken’

But Angela and Graham aren’t so sure.

“The social care system is broken”, says Graham.

“The council has overspent by millions of pounds. They’re cutting back and it’s hard to see it any other way.”

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Graham Carson says the social care system ‘is broken’

Graham is right – councils are struggling to pay for social care. This financial pressure means the demand for care has outstripped the ability to provide it.

In England, 2.6 million people over 50 cannot currently access the care they need, according to the charity Age UK. Social care is devolved – the governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all spend more per capita on social care than the Westminster government spends in England.

Angela Carson Graham Carson Scotland social care
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The council just said her care ‘was being stopped’, Angela Carson says

In response to Graham and Angela’s situation, the Scottish government said it “understands the importance of social care support for those who need help living independently and we know the concerns changes to these services cause”.

It acknowledged that while it has overall control of social care, it is up to local authorities to ensure people have the right support.

A Sky News survey of homecare providers across England, Scotland and Wales indicates a worrying trend of cuts to these vital services in the last two years.

Of the care providers who responded, 83% told Sky News their local council had cut the number of care packages. And 81% of care providers in the survey said councils had cut the number of hours they’re willing to fund, suggesting carers spend less time in people’s homes.

‘We’ve really got to crack on’

The UK government has published plans to reform the social care system, aiming to establish a National Care Service designed to bring it closer to the National Health Service.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced the formation of an independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, to develop comprehensive proposals for organising and funding social care. Her full recommendations are expected in 2028.

When Sky News asked Mr Streeting about why the survey of care providers indicates such worrying cuts when plans for reforms are years away, the minister said in Labour’s first six months in power “we’ve delivered the biggest expansion of carers allowance since the 1970s”.

“We’ve made sure that we’re delivering real improvements through the disabled facilities grants, people’s homes,” he added.

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He also pointed to additional funding from the chancellor and said the first findings of the Casey Commission will come next year.

When pressed on what action is being taken to help people without care in their homes right now, Mr Streeting said: “I know we’ve really got to crack on.”

In response to the survey, Councillor David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said councils are acutely aware of the challenges facing social care providers.

“As of March 2024, over 400,000 older and disabled people were waiting for care to start, their care needs assessed, or direct payments. Without immediate government funding, vital services face significant risks, impacting those who rely on care and their families,” he said.

Dr Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, says around half of care providers are operating at a loss, with many withdrawing from council contracts due to inadequate funding.

“The consequences are stark,” she said.

“Unlike other businesses in the economy, homecare providers cannot simply raise their prices. This is because almost 80% of homecare services are purchased by councils and the NHS, who fix fee rates.

“Ethical homecare providers want to reward care workers fairly and provide safe, good quality care. The government is making it more difficult to do so.

“This means older and disabled people face having their care reduced or stopped.”

Read more from Sky News:
How a vulnerable man was failed by his carer

Starmer vows to ‘take on NIMBYs’
Reeves indicates she will overrule objections to Heathrow expansion

Angela Carson Graham Carson Scotland social care
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Graham and Angela’s care is paid for by the council

Scotland’s National Care Service plan scrapped

Plans for a National Care Service in Scotland were well under way until last Thursday, when the government there said it would be scrapped.

More than £30m has already been spent on the policy over the last three years. It was one of the boldest public service reforms of the SNP’s 17 years in power.

Following the announcement, Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane accused the government of being a “shower of charlatans”. He wrote on social media: “Let’s call this what it is: £30million of taxpayers’ money flushed down the drain by a government with a proven track record of failure.”

The reality for Angela is that no one is coming to care for her right now. She has to do everything herself.

“It is terrible. I go to bed and that’s all I can think about. I feel I don’t exist – that if I wasn’t here anymore it wouldn’t matter.”

The exclusive data in this article was collected via an online survey between 14-17 January sent to domiciliary care providers that are members of the Homecare Association, Scottish Care and Care Forum Wales. The survey went out to 2,650 home care providers in England, Scotland and Wales. There were 336 responses.

Have you been affected by cuts to social care? We’d like to hear from you. Email nick.martin@sky.uk

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Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer speak on phone and ‘agree to meet soon’

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Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer speak on phone and 'agree to meet soon'

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump “stressed the importance of the close and warm ties” between their countries and “agreed to meet soon” in a phone call, Downing Street has said.

During the conversation on Sunday, the prime minister congratulated the president on his inauguration and paid tribute to his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza“, according to a Number 10 spokesperson.

The two leaders “discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East” as well as “trade and the economy”.

Sir Keir told the US leader how he plans to deregulate the UK economy to boost growth, and the president spoke of his “respect and affection for the Royal Family“.

Mr Trump also gave his condolences to Sir Keir over the loss of his brother, who died on Boxing Day.

Earlier this weekend, the president said he thinks Sir Keir has “done a very good job” so far.

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He and the prime minister “get along well” despite Sir Keir being “liberal, which is a little bit different from me”, he told reporters travelling with him on Air Force One.

“He’s represented his country in terms of his philosophy. I may not agree with his philosophy but I have a very good relationship with him.”

Sir Keir previously met Mr Trump for dinner at Trump Tower in New York in September, before he was elected president for a second time.

He held two pre-inauguration calls with the new US president.

Mr Trump said his first international trip could be to the UK or Saudi Arabia – the first country he travelled to as president during his first term.

He said “traditionally” it could be the UK – but last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia because it agreed to buy billions of dollars of US merchandise.

“If that offer were right, I’d do that again,” he said.

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