Mordaunt takes over from Patel
THOUSANDS of children and teenagers have been flagged up to the Government’s anti-terror programme, official figures show.
The first detailed Home Office analysis of Prevent reveals that 2,127 of those referred to the scheme in 2015/16 were aged under 15, including more than 500 girls.
In one case a nine-year-old boy was helped by the programme after standing up in class at school and declaring that he supported Islamic State. LONGER waiting times for surgery may be putting patients’ welfare at risk, the Royal College of Surgeons warned.
More than 150,000 NHS patients in England had been waiting more than six months for surgery in September, new figures show – up 40% on the previous year.
This could have a “serious impact” on a patient’s quality of life and the effectiveness of their eventual surgery, the RCS said. A FIRST image has been unveiled of Jodie Whittaker in full costume as the incoming Doctor Who.
It shows her in blue cropped trousers with yellow braces, a long trench coat and brown boots, with the famous Tardis in the background.
The picture comes as anticipation grows for her debut as the 13th, and first female, Time Lord.
The Skelmanthorpeborn actress will appear in a 10-week series on BBC One alongside companions played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole.
The picture is released after Christopher Eccleston, who portrayed the Doctor when the programme made its 2005 revival, publicly lauded the new casting choice.
The 53-year-old said: “It had to change. God knows how much money it makes for the BBC – they needed to reinvent it, and they could not have chosen somebody better.”
He added: “We did a play together at the National Theatre – a posh, classical play – about four years ago. So there were two Doctors on stage.”
Asked if he attends sci-fi conventions, Eccleston said: “I’ve never done conventions. I know there’s a lot of money there, but I’ve always wanted to just earn my living by acting.” WORK and Pensions minister Penny Mordaunt has been appointed as the new International Development Secretary.
Ms Mordaunt, the minister for the disabled, has replaced Priti Patel following her resignation on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings with senior Israelis.
Like Ms Patel, she campaigned for Brexit in the EU referendum and her appointment will maintain the balance between Leavers and Remainers in the Cabinet.
Home Office minister Sarah Newton is promoted to take Ms Mordaunt’s place at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Victoria Atkins, who entered Parliament in 2015, joins the Government for the first time as a new Home Office minister.
Ms Mordaunt made no comment to reporters as she left Downing Street following her meeting with Theresa May to head to her new department.
For Labour, shadow international development secretary Kate Osamor said: “The new Secretary of State faces an immediate challenge of restoring integrity to British international development policy after the actions of Priti Patel.
“That means she must unequivocally commit to the spirit, as well as the letter, of Britain’s pledge to spend 0.7% of national income on international development, and face down those in her party who want to merge DfID into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“Unlike Priti Patel, who too often used the department to prop up her personal networks and leadership ambitions, Mordaunt must also quickly commit to the central cause of the department: to help the world’s poorest.”
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson also called on Ms Mordaunt to distance herself from her predecessor.
“Development aid is vital to saving lives, removing people from abject poverty, and improving the lives of others across the globe. The UK should be proud of the role we play.
“Having an International Development Secretary who does not dismiss the entire concept of international aid must be the first qualification for the job. Penny Mordaunt must immediately distance herself from her predecessor in this regard.”
The appointment of Ms Mordaunt – a Royal Naval reservist who famously appeared on ITV’s Splash! – won a warm welcome from Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring.
He said: “I warmly welcome Penny Mordaunt’s appointment and look forward to working with her to ensure that Britain continues to play a leading role in helping the hundreds of millions of people around the world who are without the basics we take for granted such as food, medicines and a place to call home.
“I trust she will be a champion for Britain, ensuring that aid is spent where it is most needed, helping the world’s poorest people. I also hope she can be a strong voice in Government on issues that hurt the world’s poor.”