Society

From the Jaggers and the Stewarts to the Earl of Spencer's sprawling brood, many of Britain's most famous families have morphed into 'powerful clans' that 'span across continents', according to society bible Tatler. The magazine noted that while the children of divorced parents were once pitied, they are now the 'envy' of others thanks to the rise of tight-knit step-families. Particularly desirable are those with enough money to splash out on extravagant holidays, birthdays, and Christmases for the whole gang. Leading the way is a starry line-up of celebrities, aristocrats and entrepreneurs who head up 'step-families' so large and complicated that the family tree seems to criss-cross every which way. The Jagger Murdochs: Mick Jagger, centre, with ex-Jerry Hall and her husband Rupert Murdoch. Also pictured are Mick and Jerry's children Georgia May (left), Lizzie, and James (second from right), and Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert and his second wife Anna 'There isn’t a single … [Read more...] about The rise of the society step-family! From the Murdochs and Jaggers to Rod Stewart’s brood, Tatler tells how Britain’s most famous names are now sprawling ‘clans that span continents’

We cannot stand much more of this. The national blood pressure has reached danger point. Can our political class really not grasp that they are no longer free to behave as if they were playing teenage games in a college debating society? Each repeated failure by Parliament to agree on an orderly exit from the EU puts more strain on our constitution. Faith in the House of Commons as a place of wisdom, experience and responsibility, already weakening, has almost entirely gone. Nor will it quickly recover. As the Prime Minister so rightly said during yesterday’s debate, the behaviour of MPs is corroding the public’s trust. Much more of this, and our whole tradition of parliamentary politics may be in danger. There is a feverish, short-tempered mood abroad in the country and it would be unwise for anyone to ignore it. MPs in the House of Commons debate Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal yesterday Here are some simple points for anyone in Parliament who still thinks the … [Read more...] about MAIL ON SUNDAY COMMENT: Can’t our political class grasp this isn’t a game and they’re not in a college debating society?

Guests of the exclusive Diner en Blanc al fresco dining experience were promised an evening so glamorous it would leave them wondering 'whether it had all been a dream'. But in reality the 'chic picnic' proved to be a nightmare with miserable punters complaining of being crammed into a muddy field and forced to queue for hours for their champagne. Rather than recreating the 'glamour of French high society', the outdoor event in Battersea Park has been branded the 'most underwhelming, over-priced and disorganised event' ever. Miserable punters of the 'glamorous' Diner en Blanc picnic complained of being crammed into a muddy field and forced to queue for hours for their champagne In London on Friday, guests of the annual Diner en Blanc al fresco dining experience were dismayed to find their £25 ticket gained them entry to 'a marquee in a local park' Guests of Diner en Blanc, which has been running for 31 years, are asked to wear elegant white and are only told the location at … [Read more...] about ‘Most underwhelming event ever’: Exclusive outdoor picnic aimed at ‘recreating glamour of French high society’ turns to chaos as guests who paid up to £99 are made to wait hours in muddy field for hampers and champagne

Support offered to families to help with the cost of school uniforms has plummeted, with the vast majority unable to access any help at all, according to new analysis. Financial aid for uniforms has fallen by more than 70% across England since 2010. More than 80% of cash-strapped local councils now offer no assistance, blaming years of cuts. Data collected through the Freedom of Information Act reveals for the first time that the “school uniform grant”, introduced in 1980, has been dramatically scaled back in England over the past decade. While the Department for Education (DfE) still advertises the grant, it is left to struggling councils to find the resources to pay it out. Only 27 out of 149 councils surveyed provide the grant at all. A third of those only do so in cases such as fires, floods or “extreme poverty”. Only three councils offer a grant to low-income children in all school years and in all situations. Many local authorities have cancelled their … [Read more...] about Families in England hit by 70% cut in school uniform grant

Britain’s low income masses, often known as the “left behind”, appear not to be the main cause of rising racial and religious tensions, according to research showing middle income earners are more likely to feel threatened by immigrants, Muslims, Gypsies and Travellers. Nearly four out of 10 people believe immigrants threaten Britain’s future, with 31% worried about Muslim people, 41% believing Gypsies, Roma and Travellers pose a slight or major threat, and 6% concerned about Jewish people, according to a poll. But more of those who express fears about immigrants have a household income of between £25,000 and £50,000 than those who earn least. Far from wanting to “take back control” most people who fear immigrants also declared themselves very or fairly satisfied with life and said they were completely or mostly able to influence decisions that affect their lives. The study concludes: “Many who consider Muslims, immigrants, Roma, … [Read more...] about Middle income earners behind rising racial tensions, research suggests