Statistics from @ONS today show 29.7% of conceptions in Eng/Wales led to abortion in 2022, UP from 26.5% in 2021 and the HIGHEST on record.

The French Interior Ministry is changing its ‘maritime doctrine’ to allow specialist officers to intercept small boats up to 300m from the Calais coast. I understand the policy will be introduced at the beginning of July - regarded as a game changer by the UK.

Police sources say the extra cash in the #CSR will not prevent ‘some ruthless prioritisation’ across the England & Wales. Senior officers reckon most of the 2.3% real terms rise will be swallowed up by police pay rises.

RT @RelMedCentre: Religion Media Festival, Methodist Central Hall, Monday 9 June: Sir Mark Thompson, chief executive of CNN and former dire….

RT @BBCMarkEaston: Political parties should learn from the Papal conclave on how to choose a leader, Robert Harris tells me. .

Political parties should learn from the Papal conclave on how to choose a leader, Robert Harris tells me.

ONS figures on housing starts in England last year illustrate the huge challenge the government has set itself in promising 1.5m new homes by 2029. The lowest number for 12 years, when the target demands double that. Troubling data for @mhclg

Inside the splendid Lancaster House for today’s international immigration crime summit. A large plywood backdrop ensures the PM’s message is undiluted by Georgian opulence.

My lost wallets story from Belfast has had a lot of reaction. If anyone would like to see the full report, it can be found here.

Still ridiculously unaffordable and prompting a crisis in homelessness in Eng/Wales, BUT. median house sale prices UP 1% (2021-2024).average earnings UP 20% (2021-2024). @ONS.

RT @BBCBreakfast: 'I dropped 10 wallets on the streets of Belfast so how many do you think we're offered back to me by kind strangers?'. On….

No Times paywall this weekend, so if you’d like to read about how Argentina introduced me to my wife 43 years ago…

I have Argentina to thank for my marriage — it was only right to finally visit.

The odd aspect of this is the Home Office slipping this change out on Monday when they were very publicly trying to convince voters they were getting tough with ‘illegal’ migration.

I started on my local paper in 1978, so any aspiring journalists who’d like to ask me anything about my career or advice on entering journalism, do come along! And it’s all for a great charity!.

RT @OxfambooksN1: This will also be a great opportunity for all aspiring #journalists to hear from Mark about life in the BBC & as a journa….

This should be great fun. Do come along!.

This is going to be fun!.

My Boxing Day Family Puzzler has a new home - on Substack. If you are after an old-style paper and pen quiz to boggle your household, it's just the thing.