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Category: UK
May 12, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
UK

Retired Cop Arrested Over Tweet in Stasi-Style Raid.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Police in the United Kingdom arrested a retired police officer for posts on X (formerly Twitter), held him for eight hours, but admitted later he had not committed a crime.

👥 Who’s Involved: British police, former special constable Julian Foulkes, the British government.

📍 Where & When: The raid and arrest occurred in November 2023, but bodycam footage of the raid was released on May 10.

💬 Key Quote:  “Nobody is really safe… the public needs to see what’s happening, and be shocked.” — Julian Foulkes.

⚠️ Impact: The case is just one of many alleged speech crimes or so-called non-crime hate incidents that have seen British police raid or arrest people based on social media posts.

IN FULL:

A retired British police officer was arrested over a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) and had his home raided by police, who questioned his pro-Brexit books. The former special constable was then taken to a police station, where he was held for eight hours.

Julian Foulkes, from Kent in England, was arrested in November 2023, but body camera footage from the police who raided his home was only published on May 10. The footage shows officers criticising Foulkes’s book collection, which contains pro-Brexit material.

The post that prompted the raid was a tacit defense of then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s description of anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London as “hate marches.” Foulkes said the marchers were “One step away from storming Heathrow [Airport] looking for Jewish arrivals,” in reference to Muslims storming an airport in Russia’s Dagestan region looking for arriving Israelis.

“Free speech is clearly under attack,” Foulkes told British media, adding, “Nobody is really safe… the public needs to see what’s happening, and be shocked.” Along with being raided, police also seized Foulkes’s electronic devices and went through many of his personal belongings.

Despite locking Foulkes in a cell for eight hours, police later admitted he had done nothing wrong and even stated that the caution they gave him had been a mistake.

Mr Foulkes commented on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer telling President Donald J. Trump that the United Kingdom has had free speech for a long time, saying, “I saw Starmer in the White House telling Trump we’ve had it in the UK for a very long time, and I thought, ‘Yeah, right.’ We can see what’s really going on.”

The case is just the latest example of British police showing up at people’s homes or even arresting them over social media posts. A similar incident happened to Telegraph newspaper writer Allison Pearson over a social media post that was declared a “non-crime hate incident.” Police turned up at her home last November to ask about her posts.

As many as 250,000 non-crime hate incidents are reported to police every year in Britain.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report. 

Image by Bob Bob.

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May 12, 2025
Immigration
UK

Far-Left PM Says Mass Migration Turning UK Into ‘Island of Strangers,’ But Farage Warns His Concern Is Insincere.

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❓What Happened: Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to reform immigration rules, including extending the time required for migrants to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom.

👥 Who’s Involved: Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and migrants impacted by the proposed policies.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in Britain, details discussed during an appearance on GB News on May 12.

💬 Key Quote: Farage: “Keir Starmer has spent his whole career campaigning for free movement of people… he’s just basically playing catch up with Reform.”

⚠️ Impact: Proposed changes aim to address public concerns over immigration but face criticism for perceived insincerity and potential loopholes.

IN FULL:

Nigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of insincerity following the Prime Minister’s announcement of new immigration reforms aimed at addressing Britain’s “broken” borders. Speaking on GB News, the Reform Party leader, who is leading Starmer’s Labour in the polls, argued that the government’s proposals are an attempt to “play catch up” on an issue that has long been a priority for his own party.

Starmer’s proposed White Paper includes a significant shift in immigration policy, requiring migrants to reside in Britain for ten years instead of five before applying for settlement or citizenship. Exceptions would be made for those demonstrating a “real and lasting contribution” to the nation’s economy and society.

Farage, however, was quick to point out inconsistencies in Starmer’s approach, stating, “Keir Starmer has spent his whole career campaigning for free movement of people… he’s just basically playing catch up with Reform.” He also noted that Starmer’s repeated use of the phrase “taking back control” during the announcement mirrors a Brexit campaign slogan from 2016, which Farage used as early as 2004.

Starmer claims the “One Nation experiment” in “open borders” is “over,” referring to the liberal “One Nation” wing of the Conservative Party to which former Prime Minister Boris Johnson belonged. Since replacing Labour in government in 2010, Conservative prime ministers David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak all promised to reduce immigration “from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands,” or at least an “overall” reduction—but the party left office having more than quadrupled it.

The Conservatives’ immigration numbers were so enormous that Labour, which instituted the modern era of mass migration under Tony Blair in the late 1990s, now feels able to position itself to the right on the issue. Starmer has gone so far as to say it is turning Britain into “an island of strangers“—angering some in his own party.

“If he was to succeed with all of this, I’d praise him to the heavens, but he’s not,” Farage said of Starmer’s promises, likening them to former Johnson and Sunak’s “stop the boats” promise on illegal immigration, which only increased under their tenure.

Labour is unlikely to be able to steal a march from Farage on immigration regardless, given Labour’s long history of promoting multiculturalism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) style ideology, with Starmer personally presiding over the draconian crackdown on anti-immigration protestors following the mass murder of a number of young girls in Southport, England, by the son of two African asylum seekers in July 2024.

WATCH:

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 12, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Religion
UK

Young Brits Flock to Catholic Church – DATA.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: England is becoming Catholic once more as young people increasingly turn to the Roman Catholic faith over protestant Anglicanism.

👥 Who’s Involved: Roman Catholic Church, Church of England, young people in Britain.

📍 Where & When: A survey of young practising Christians in England and Wales was released on May 8.

💬 Key Quote: “Ten years ago, numbers might have been half that.” – Catholic priest Father Kensy Joseph on attendance at a London church youth program.

⚠️ Impact: If the trend continues, practising English Catholics will outnumber Anglicans for the first time since the Protestant Reformation.

IN FULL:

An increasing number of young people in England and Wales are joining or practicing the Roman Catholic faith, with the number of practicing Catholics now exceeding the number of practicing Anglicans. A poll from YouGov reveals that young men, particularly, are flocking to the Christian faith.

The poll, commissioned by the Bible Society, shows a 56 percent rise in those attending church at least once a month. Among those aged 18 to 24, regular church attendance jumped from just four percent in 2018 to 16 percent in 2024.

The Church of England, the state religion of England, headed by King Charles III, is not where young people are going. Many are attending Roman Catholic churches to the extent that practising Catholics now outnumber Anglicans among those aged 18 to 54.

If the trend continues, practising Catholics could be a more significant bloc than Anglicans for the first time since England’s Protestant Reformation, sparked by King Henry VIII in the 1500s.

“Ten years ago, numbers might have been half that,” said Catholic priest Father Kensy Joseph, speaking of the attendance at the Farm Street church in London, which normally attracts as many as 180 people for its young adult program.

The interest in Catholicism in England comes amid a surge of adult baptisms in France this year. The country saw a record 10,384 adult baptisms at Easter last month.

Young Catholics are also increasingly interested in the traditional Latin Rite, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), in many parts of the world. A 2023 French survey found 40 percent of young French Catholics like the TLM, while the traditionalist pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres last year saw a record 18,000 attendees.

The rise in popularity of Catholicism in some parts of Western Europe comes amid the election of Pope Leo XIV, who some are optimistic may unify the liberal and traditional wings of the Church.

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May 9, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
News
UK

Prosecutors Claim Man ‘Harassed’ Islam by Burning Quran.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Prosecutors have charged a man for burning a Quran in England, which critics say could introduce blasphemy laws back to the country.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prosecutors, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, Hamit Coskun.

📍 Where & When: Charges were laid after Coskun burned the Quran as part of a protest earlier this year.

💬 Key Quote: “It is not for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or courts to create a blasphemy law in this country by the back door.” — Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Jenrick.

⚠️ Impact: If the prosecution continues and Coskun is found guilty, it could introduce a new de facto blasphemy law into the British legal system.

IN FULL:

British prosecutors have criminally charged a man under the Public Order Act after setting fire to a copy of the Islamic Quran, claiming that he was “harassing” the religion by doing so. Critics have warned that the case could set a precedent for a quasi-blasphemy law in the United Kingdom if the man is convicted.

Hamit Coskun has been charged with harassing the religion, which the prosecutor claims is an “institution” in Britain. It is the first time anyone has been charged with such an offense, as prior to the case, religions like Islam were not considered “persons.”

Shadow Justice Secretary and former Conservative Party leadership contender Robert Jenrick sharply criticised the move to prosecute Coskun. “Burning the Quran, like any religious text, is something that some people find very offensive and few people would condone, but that’s not the point. There are many things in our society that people find offensive, but that doesn’t make them criminal,” Jenrick said. 

He added that Britain scrapped blasphemy laws nearly two decades prior, saying it was “right to do so.” He insisted: “It is not for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or courts to create a blasphemy law in this country by the back door.”

The case came just months after another man in Manchester was admonished by a judge for tearing out a page of a Quran and burning it. According to the judge, the book was “sacred” and such actions were not permissible in a “tolerant” society.

Some Muslim lawmakers in Britain, including members of the ruling Labour Party, have called for blasphemy laws to return to the country. Tahir Ali MP urged the government to ban the desecration of religious texts, something Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out at the time.

Image by Frankie Fouganthin.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
Economy
UK

BREAKING: Trump Seals US-UK Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A bilateral trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom was signed on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

📍 Where & When: Announcement from the Oval Office on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “Both countries agree that economic security is national security,” said President Trump, noting that the deal will “bring the United Kingdom into economic security alignment with the United States.”

⚠️ Impact: The deal is seen as a significant move following President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs in the U.S. and Brexit in the United Kingdom, with potential implications for UK-EU relations.

IN FULL:

The United States and the United Kingdom signed a significant trade agreement on Thursday, the first bilateral deal since President Donald J. Trump imposed tariffs on foreign goods in April. Before the signing, President Trump alluded to the agreement, saying the White House would be making a “major” announcement that would be “very big and exciting” for both the U.S. and the UK.

President Trump said the deal will eliminate many tariff and non-tariff barriers to American goods entering the British market, and vice versa, “bring[ing] the United Kingdom into economic security alignment with the United States.” The America First leader’s words suggest his administration is looking to create something of an economic bloc on the world stage, comprised of like-minded allies, as opposed to a system of general free trade, including countries like Communist China, which is notorious for underhanded commercial practices such as currency manipulation and industrial espionage.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “a really fantastic, historic day,” paying tribute to President Trump and his negotiating team and noting the symbolism of the deal being signed of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, when the United States, the British Empire, and other allies declared victory over Nazi Germany. 

Notably, the trade agreement is only possible because of the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote and subsequent departure from the European Union (EU). This move has given British leaders greater maneuverability on the international stage, with the EU controlling trade policy for all of its member states and barring them from making their own bilateral deals.

The British-American agreement is a critical step for both nations, as the two countries are each other’s largest source of foreign direct investment. Additionally, the U.S. is the top export market for British goods, and the UK is the seventh-largest export destination for U.S. exports—with commerce likely to be further uplifted by the new trade agreement.

Last month, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance signalled that a trade deal with the United Kingdom was a priority for the Trump White House. The Vice President stated: “There’s a real cultural affinity. And of course, fundamentally, America is an Anglo country. I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.”

President Trump is set to visit the United Kingdom in September for a second state visit. It is widely expected that the British-American trade deal will serve as a catalyst for other nations to expedite their negotiations with the U.S. and pressure the EU to make concessions, so its former member state does not gain too much of a competitive advantage.

WATCH:

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

This story is developing…

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May 8, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
UK

Counter-Terror Police Raid Migrant Hotels Amid Terror Plot.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: British counter-terrorism police arrested five Iranian nationals living in migrant hotels connected to an alleged terrorist plot.

👥 Who’s Involved: British Counter-Terrorism Police, five Iranian suspects.

📍 Where & When: Arrests took place on May 3 across England, reported on May 7.

💬 Key Quote: “The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation.” — Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.

⚠️ Impact: The report comes as many are also concerned about the staggering costs of housing asylum seekers in hotels across the country.

IN FULL:

Counter-terrorism police in Britain raided hotels housing asylum seekers last weekend, arresting five Iranian nationals over alleged terror plot fears. The arrests took place in London, Manchester, Swindon, Rochdale, and Stockport in the early hours of May 3.

The five men are reported to be aged 24 to 46, with one being released on bail, while the remaining four suspects are still in police custody as of May 7. Some of those arrested are believed to have entered the United Kingdom illegally, but reports did not specify if they came via boat across the English Channel, like many illegal immigrants in recent years.

“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter,” Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said.

While not all asylum seekers in Britain are housed in hotels up and down the country, the sums the government pays for migrant hotels are enormous. A report from March of last year suggested that taxpayers foot the bill to the tune of £15 million (~$20 million) per day to cover the costs.

The residents of the hotels have seen their share of criminal behaviour in recent months, including the murder of a woman working at an asylum hotel in Walsall, England, last October. A migrant from South Sudan was accused of killing 27-year-old Rhiannon Skye White at a railway station, stabbing her to death.

Image by Tony Hisgett.

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May 8, 2025
Immigration
UK

Farage Slams Labour for ‘Betraying British Workers’ in India Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nigel Farage has slammed the new trade deal between Britain and India, accusing the ruling Labour Party of betraying British workers.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and John O’Connell of the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA).

📍 Where & When: The trade deal was agreed upon in London and Delhi on May 6.

💬 Key Quote: Nigel Farage stated, “This Government doesn’t give a damn about working people.”

⚠️ Impact: The deal may make it cheaper for companies to hire Indian migrants over British natives, sparking criticism and concerns over increased migration.

IN FULL:

A new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India has sparked controversy, with Reform Party leader Nigel Farage accusing the Labour government under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of betraying the British working class. The agreement, described as the largest post-Brexit trade deal yet, aims to boost bilateral trade by $33.3 billion and potentially add $6.3 billion to British GDP annually. It includes significant tariff reductions on British exports like cars and whisky, while also lowering import taxes on Indian goods such as textiles and seafood.

However, Farage has criticized immigration elements in the deal, as it will make it roughly 20 percent cheaper for companies to employ Indian migrants rather than British workers, citing recent increases in National Insurance payments for British companies. “This Government doesn’t give a damn about working people,” Farage said.

Prime Minister Starmer has hailed the deal, claiming it will improve living standards and strengthen Anglo-Indian ties. However, critics have raised concerns over migration concessions included in the agreement. The deal allows Indian chefs, musicians, and yogis access to the United Kingdom’s contractual services visa route, which was previously restricted. More controversially, a “double contribution convention” exempts some Indian migrant workers from paying National Insurance contributions for three years. This also applies to British workers in India—but migration in this direction is negligible.

“The Labour Party have this time in a big, big way betrayed working Britain, and that’s why many people voted for us last Thursday, but for some reason the Government just doesn’t seem to understand,” Farage said, referencing Reform’s significant gains in last week’s municipal elections.

Indian-heritage former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, of the Conservative Party, echoed these concerns, noting her previous opposition to similar visa concessions. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added that taxpayers would be outraged by the exemptions granted to Indian workers while British workers face higher taxes.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 7, 2025
News
UK

Farage’s Reform Party Surges Ahead of Labour, Tories in Historic Poll.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nigel Farage’s Reform Party achieved a significant polling lead following local election successes in England.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage, Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP, Luke Tryl, and the Labour and Conservative parties.

📍 Where & When: England, following the local elections on May 1, with polling data released shortly after.

💬 Key Quote: “Another record Reform poll… [and] these are before the latest Labour mass immigration blunder.” —  Richard Tice.

⚠️ Impact: Reform is potentially reshaping the political landscape by positioning itself as the primary opposition to Labour, displacing the formerly governing Conservatives on the British right.

IN FULL:

Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has taken a commanding polling lead after a successful showing in England’s municipal elections on May 1. According to recent YouGov data, the party, led by Brexit leader Nigel Farage, is now 12 points ahead of the Conservatives and seven points clear of the ruling Labour Party. Reform is the only major party to have gained ground since the last survey conducted in late April.

The latest figures indicate that 29 percent of Britons would vote for Reform if a General Election were held today, compared to 22 percent for Labour and 17 percent for the Conservatives. Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, highlighted this surge: “Another record Reform poll… [and] these are before the latest Labour mass immigration blunder.”

Luke Tryl, a director at More In Common and polling expert, observed, “Reform UK momentum continues as they hit 27 per cent in our voting intention poll, their highest we have recorded and [their] first lead outside the margin of error.”

A Reform spokesman said that the Conservative Party, which governed largely from the center-left from 2010 to mid-2024, is in “terminal decline,” suggesting that Reform has now positioned itself as the real opposition to Labour.

Reform dominated the local council elections in England, with Farage saying that his party’s triumph was an “apocalypse” for the two-party system in Britain.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 6, 2025
Crime
UK

UK Govt Plans to End Compensation Program for Child Sex Abuse Victims: Report.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Labour government has scrapped a compensation program for child sex abuse victims in England and Wales, originally promised by the former Conservative (Tory) government.

👥 Who’s Involved: The decision involves the Labour Party government, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Britain’s Home Office. Victims of child sexual abuse and survivors of Muslim grooming gangs are affected.

📍 Where & When: The decision affects England and Wales, with the report emerging recently.

💬 Key Quote: Sarah Wilson, a survivor, stated, “They never cared, and they never will. [They] totally dismissed survivors and our experiences of being groomed.”

⚠️ Impact: Canceling the compensation scheme leaves victims without promised redress and raises concerns about accountability for past failures in protecting young girls.

IN FULL:

Britain’s leftist Labour government has reportedly decided to cancel a compensation scheme for victims of child sexual abuse in England and Wales. This program, initially promised by the previous Conservative government, was intended to provide financial redress to survivors.

The Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in its report titled Tackling Child Sexual Abuse: Progress Update, cited financial constraints as the reason for halting further steps on the proposal, stating that “in the current fiscal environment, this recommendation is very difficult to take forward”—despite vast sums being found to lavish on hotels and other accommodation for illegal aliens.

The scheme was first suggested following recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) led by Alexis Jay. While similar redress programs have been implemented in Northern Ireland and Scotland, victims in England and Wales are left without this avenue for compensation.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s administration defends its decision not to conduct a national inquiry into the grooming scandals involving predominantly Muslim, Pakistani-heritage gangs preying on predominantly white, working-class victims. The government claims that existing reports, like the Jay report, provide sufficient insight, even though they do not cover many grooming gang hotspots. Most believe a full national inquiry with statutory powers is necessary to compel witness testimony and ensure accountability for the scandal.

Cabinet minister Lucy Powell recently dismissed concerns about the grooming gangs as “dog whistle” politics. This response has drawn criticism from survivors like Sarah Wilson, who expressed frustration over the lack of attention to their experiences, saying, “They never cared, and they never will. [They] totally dismissed survivors and our experiences of being groomed.”

The issue of accountability remains pressing, particularly in Labour-run areas like Rotherham, where an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded without any police officers being punished, despite acknowledging that police ignored grooming gangs to avoid stoking racial tensions. An unnamed police chief inspector reportedly said, “With it being [South] Asians, we can’t afford for this to be coming out as Rotherham would erupt.”

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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May 5, 2025
Health
UK

Surge in Self-Identified Autism, ‘Neurodivergence’ in Brits.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A leading psychologist says a majority of Britons might now identify as “neurodivergent,” with increased self-identification as well as medical diagnoses.

👥 Who’s Involved: Francesca Happé, a King’s College London professor, and people seeking neurodivergent diagnoses.

📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, ongoing; notable data from August 2024.

💬 Key Quote: “An increasing number of people are choosing to self-identify [as neurodivergent] without seeking a diagnosis,” said Francesca Happé.

⚠️ Impact: The surge in diagnosis requests has led to a significant backlog, with 90 percent of referrals waiting beyond the recommended assessment period.

IN FULL:

A growing number of Britons are identifying as neurodivergent, according to Francesca Happé, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London. This trend is attributed to both an increase in medical diagnoses for conditions such as autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, as well as a rise in self-identification.

Happé highlighted the societal shift, particularly among younger generations. However, she cautioned that behaviors once seen as mere eccentricities are now often labeled with medical terms, raising questions about the appropriateness of such classifications.

“An increasing number of people are choosing to self-identify [as neurodivergent] without seeking a diagnosis,” Happé said. She suggested that society might already have more self-identified neurodivergent individuals than those considered “neurotypical.”

The demand for autism assessments in Britain has soared, with requests increasing by 22 percent year over year, reaching 200,000 in August 2024. According to National Health Service (NHS) data, this surge has resulted in a significant backlog, with 90 percent of referrals exceeding the recommended 13-week assessment period.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of challenges, including difficulties with social interaction, communication, and rigid adherence to routines. Despite these challenges, Happé emphasized the benefits of a diagnosis, such as access to care and improved social communication.

Britain has noted a surge in cases of reported autism since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half of those waiting to see an autism specialist are teenagers or younger.

It remains unknown whether the rise in reported autism cases is linked to social isolation or other external factors. Some claim that vaccines may also be related to the increase. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last month that new studies will be undertaken to determine the cause of the explosion in autism diagnoses.

Image by Kirst O’Connor / Treasury.

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