News in Brief: 17th – 24th March 2025

Heathrow Airport Closure

On Friday, 21st March, Heathrow Airport halted operations for 18 hours due to a fire at a substation, causing mass disruption. More than 1,300 flights were affected, leaving thousands of passengers stranded worldwide and disrupting the flow of millions of pounds worth of goods.

The National Grid’s chief executive has since confirmed that Heathrow had “enough power” from alternative substations, preventing further disruption. The incident was described as a “unique event,” but questions remain about infrastructure resilience at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Blue Peter Ends Live Episodes

After more than 65 years, Blue Peter has aired its final live episode. The BBC announced that the long-running children’s show will now be entirely pre-recorded, citing changing viewer habits.

The move marks a shift in format but not the end of the iconic show, which will continue to air on CBBC, BBC Two, and iPlayer. Former presenters and fans have expressed disappointment, with many lamenting the loss of the excitement and unpredictability of live television.

Biggest Shake-up to the Welfare System in a Generation

On 18th March, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced sweeping welfare reforms aimed at encouraging sick and disabled individuals into work, while also achieving £5bn in savings.

Key statistics highlight the rapid rise in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims:

• The number of working-age people receiving PIP has more than doubled since the pandemic.
• If no action is taken, claims are projected to rise from 2 million in 2021 to 4.3 million, costing £34.1 billion annually.

Supporters argue the changes are necessary to curb spiralling costs, which are forecast to reach £70 billion a year—more than a third of the NHS budget.

However, campaigners warn that up to 1.2 million people with disabilities could lose thousands of pounds in support, worsening the mental health crisis and pushing more children into poverty. The Institute for Fiscal Studies also warned that 600,000 people could lose £2,400 per year in Universal Credit payments due to stricter eligibility rules.

World Happiness Report 2025 Released

The World Happiness Report 2025 was launched on 20th March to coincide with the International Day of Happiness. The report ranks countries based on life satisfaction, with the top five as follows:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Israel

The United Kingdom was ranked 20th in this year’s report.

UK Speaker Attends European Conference of Parliament Presidents

On 20th-21st March, the Speaker of the UK Parliament attended the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The event, held every two years, marked its 50th anniversary and brought together over 60 parliamentary leaders.

In a keynote speech, the Speaker addressed the issue of violence against politicians, reflecting on the UK’s recent challenges and the steps taken to protect elected representatives from threats and intimidation while maintaining a robust democratic debate.