Spectator Briefings
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We still can’t agree how big Britain’s illegal tobacco problem is
Britain has an illegal tobacco problem. Our research found that 31 per cent of adults say they have been offered illegal tobacco, 85 per cent have heard of it and 82 per cent think not enough is being done to stop it.[1] Nicky Small, Corporate Affairs and Communications Director, JTI UK In the UK, legal duty-paid tobacco volumes have fallen by 52 per cent since 2021, on HMRC’s own figures[2]. Smoking rates have fallen too, but far more slowly. As shown in the Smoking Toolkit Study, tobacco smoking prevalence fell from 16.9 per cent in 2021 to 14.9 per cent in 2026, representing a 2 percentage point reduction, or an 11.8 per cent relative decline over the period.
Croatia. I hear it’s beautiful
Titan Travel has been creating travel adventures for almost 50 years and its Croatia tours are designed to show you the best of this remarkable country. When it comes to the cities you’re spoilt for choice. Explore Zadar, home to a host of excellent museums and galleries. Along with Roman ruins and the historic Sea Gate, the town has a flight of stark white steps descending into the sea. These are perforated, creating a so-called ‘sea organ’ which seems to sigh and whistle with the motion of the waves. Or tour Diocletian’s Palace, an incredible palace built at the turn of the 4th century, which sprawls across the historic heart of Split.
Individual journeys, extraordinary futures
Clayesmore possesses a quiet magic – a rare combination of warmth, ambition and opportunity that empowers every child to flourish. At its heart is a deep belief that every child should have the confidence and freedom to discover their own path. Academic ambition sits alongside creative, sporting and personal excellence, with opportunities such as Clayesmore’s unique LEX programme, Model United Nations, Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh Award developing character, leadership and resilience. Here, pupils are encouraged to explore widely, challenge themselves and discover talents they never knew they had.
Where ambition has no glass ceiling
For nearly 300 years, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) has been a pioneering force in girls’ education, empowering generations of students to thrive through a forward-thinking approach to learning, opportunity and access. While renowned as London’s oldest independent girls’ school, JAGS continues to look firmly to the future. What began in 1741 in the back room of a Dulwich pub has grown into one of the country’s leading schools, while remaining true to James Allen’s original mission to challenge inequality and expand opportunity. The enduring value of outstanding girls’ schools remains clear The decision to educate girls was a radical one in its day; three centuries later, that spirit continues to shape the school.
Recovering a sense of purpose
The independent school world is changing at pace. Hardly a week passes without news of another closure or merger. The narrative is unrelentingly negative: we blame a hostile government, take defensive action and hope it will all work out, without really believing it will. Managed decline. John Moule There is another way. We should look to ourselves and tell a better story. Practically, we must seize the opportunities that come with challenge and be confident about what we can achieve. Fundamentally, we must remind ourselves what charitable independent education has been — and should be — about. We are assailed by taxation and regulation.
Natural England shouldn’t be above the law
A High Court ruling has found that conditions imposed by Natural England (NE) on game shoots were ‘irrational’ and ‘misinterpreting the scope of their powers’. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) brought the case, arguing that approach had created significant uncertainty for shoots – even forcing some to close. Handing down judgment at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Court found NE had acted unlawfully by adopting an interpretation of ‘release’ that exceeded the meaning of the legislation enacted by Parliament. The Court ruled that NE cannot impose conditions preventing the keeping of gamebirds on site prior to release.
How to watch the World Cup with ExpressVPN
For football fans keen to soak up the atmosphere of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, it’s hard to beat being there. But if travelling to the US, Canada and Mexico is off the cards, there’s a trick to help you get the next best thing at home. With ExpressVPN – an official supporter of the Fifa World Cup – you can watch local coverage of the tournament from anywhere in the world, without leaving the UK. Enjoy America’s commentators, Canada’s half-time discussions or Mexico’s post-match analysis, with no flights, tickets or sky-high hotel bills to deal with. Most broadcast and streaming services are geo-blocked, meaning they can only be accessed from specific locations.
Ettinger’s guide to packing the essentials
A long weekend is a peculiarly British art form: just enough time to escape, but not quite long enough to justify overpacking. The seasoned traveller knows that restraint, paired with the right accessories, is the key to arriving both prepared and unburdened. The secret lies not in how much you bring, but in how well you choose it. Start, as ever, with the bag. A proper weekend holdall sets the tone, and few do it better than the Ettinger Cotswold Weekend Bag. Crafted with a reassuring solidity and understated elegance, it encourages discipline. Its capacity is generous without being cavernous, which is precisely the point — it gently insists that you edit your wardrobe to the essentials.
Join KYN at their exclusive London events
For those seeking something beyond the conventional, KYN offers a transformative approach to post-surgery care and later-life living. With residences that feel like private homes, and a philosophy rooted in dignity, autonomy and warmth, KYN sets a new benchmark in care. KYN’s pioneering approach to care is built on a foundation of clinical excellence, holistic wellbeing and advanced nutrition. This is elevated through a life enrichment and wellbeing programme, innovative technology and beautiful, homely interiors delivered with unobtrusive hospitality. Spectator readers are invited to attend one of KYN’s refined and informative specialist events this summer.
Building the future, grounded in the past
While Sherborne Schools have thrived in our honey-coloured buildings for 1,300 years, we have always felt slightly ahead of the curve, happily steering away from any short-term, educational fads. We have educated tens of thousands of forward-thinking pupils, from actors, generals and musicians, to scientists, business leaders and global figures, male and female. But we are especially proud this year to be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the arrival at Sherborne of Alan Turing, who, thanks to his pioneering work in computing, did as much as anyone to influence the world in which we live. To honour him and to further Sherborne Schools Group’s reputation as a first mover in education, we are launching an initiative in Turing’s name to nurture the next generation of technologists.
How a family-owned tailor created fashion’s most famous street
As Henry Poole & Co celebrates its 220th anniversary, we reflect on the people, patronage and craftsmanship that have shaped our house since 1806. James Poole was born in Shropshire, around 1782. In January 1806, he arrived in London at a moment of national mourning. The funeral of Horatio Nelson had just taken place, and the capital was filled with the splendour of naval and military dress. Establishing himself in Everett Street behind Bloomsbury Square as a linen and mantua draper, he quickly turned his attention to military uniforms. The exquisite quality of his work brought him to prominence, and he became known for producing finely cut, regulation-perfect uniforms at a time when precision and presentation were paramount. Henry Poole & Co.
We’re delivering a smoke-free future, today
At Philip Morris International, our mission is clear: To reduce smoking by replacing cigarettes with better smoke-free alternatives for legal-age consumers. Learn more at PMI.
Digital IDs and how ExpressVPN can protect your privacy online
Britain is gearing up for the age of the digital ID. While the government recently backtracked on plans to make digital ID mandatory for everyone working in the UK, the £1.8 billion scheme hasn’t gone away: planning is ongoing for a ‘voluntary’ programme to be rolled out by 2029, with a public consultation expected to take place this year. The government claims that ‘digital identity systems can offer efficiency, fraud reduction and privacy protection’. But critics have warned that they come with significant risks, including data breaches, surveillance, user profiling and function creep (where a ‘voluntary’ digital ID becomes compulsory in more scenarios than expected).
A retirement roadmap
Planning in your thirties and forties Retirement may seem like a lifetime away, but the earlier you can start paying into a pension, the better. Get into the habit of paying into your pension and get to grips with the basics of planning for retirement. If a company employs you, they are legally obliged to pay into a pension for you, and you’ll also have to pay in a set amount too. The government tops up these payments. An Isa can be a tax-efficient way of saving for the future. In particular, stocks and shares Isas can be a powerful way to supplement your pension pot, offering the potential for higher returns over time, without having to pay tax on the growth.
Getting Ahead for Society
GSK is committed to transforming healthcare by focusing on prevention. In collaboration with the NHS and Government, GSK aims to shift the focus from sickness to prevention, aligning with the Government’s 10-year plan. Through science, innovation, and strategic partnerships, GSK is developing medicines and vaccines, advancing research, and investing in early detection and education to help get ahead of illness. Health Challenges Facing the UK Neale Belson, General Manager, GSK in the UK The UK faces a growing burden of preventable illnesses, threatening both lives and NHS sustainability. Conditions like respiratory diseases, cancer, and antimicrobial-resistant infections are increasing pressure on services, costing billions annually and reducing quality of life for millions.
Move over private members’ clubs: the future of care homes
KYN has set a new benchmark for later life, delivering unrivalled care in beautiful, high-functioning homes filled with warmth and dignity. KYN’s ethos was informed by the founding team’s personal experiences with their families' quest for care. The approach to care means a deep consideration of who residents truly are: what interests them, what has shaped them, what inspires, nurtures and strengthens them. Each team member in each home makes it their mission to know each resident as a biographer would research their subject. Taking its name from the old English saying of one’s ‘kith and kin’ – your friends and family – belonging at KYN means being cared for in a way that makes you feel truly seen and understood as an individual.
‘Let’s be open-minded about hydrogen’
The 2018 film First Man is a spectacular story about Neil Armstrong and how the USA rose to the challenge of putting man on the moon. Humanity thrives on setting challenges and then doing everything possible to meet them. We stretch our technological knowledge, and we invest enormous sums into research and development. Dr Steffen Hoffmann, Managing Director, Bosch UK & Ireland As the film depicts so brilliantly, when these challenges are met, it’s a thrilling moment. When Armstrong walked on the Moon in 1969, millions of people around the world shared the sense of triumph and benefited from the technological innovations that made it possible for decades after.
Latest from Coffee House
Catholic Burnham barred: should the law change?
15 min listen
Andy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The Victorian-era law explicitly bars Catholics like Burnham, as well as Jews – but doesn't prevent those of other Christian denominations, other faiths – like Hindu Rishi Sunak, or atheists like Keir Starmer. So, if the law is going to be changed to address this anomaly, should it allow all Prime Ministers of any faith to provide advice – or should all non-Anglicans be barred? And what does Burnham's interest in the power tell us about his relationship with his faith – and his approach to the job? The Spectator's James Heale and William Moore join Damian Thompson to discuss. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Laura Trott: ‘Labour are kowtowing to the unions’
England's 15-year-olds came eighth in the world for science, ninth for reading and tenth for maths in Tuesday's Pisa results, though it took the education secretary, Lucy Powell, hours to send the congratulatory message. James Heale is joined by Tim Shipman and the shadow education secretary, Laura Trott, to go through the numbers, why Labour wants to unpick the reforms behind them, and whether a vocational route at 14 would help the pupils it is aimed at. Produced by Henry Lloyd.
What exactly was the Republican midterm convention?
At the opening night of the first ever “midterm” Republican convention in Dallas, President Trump is roasting the local Democratic candidate for US Senate, who he calls James “Talafreako.” “He was also somebody that hated eating meat, but he ran a campaign to beat meat. He called it ‘beat meat,’” Trump says, to cackles of laughter from the MAGA faithful. “I don’t know what the hell he meant by that. These people are going to tell me ‘what the hell… he wants to beat meat?’ But it was bad for his image, so he started eating meat, and he recently – it’s getting worse. I’m getting myself in trouble.” The ad lib is the highlight of the President’s almost two-hour-long remarks.
Inside Jared Kushner’s Albanian adventure
19 min listen
What is behind Albania’s so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” and why has Jared Kushner found himself at the center of it? Freddy is joined by Ian Thomson to discuss Kushner’s controversial plans to build luxury resorts on Albania’s coastline, the protests they have sparked, and the country’s long-running battles over land and property. They also explore Albania’s turbulent history, the legacy of communism, and why the country’s ancient traditions and rapid growth as a tourist destination are colliding with Trump-era ambitions for real estate development. Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano Produced by Abigail Brierley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
How real is the ‘Burnham bounce’?
We’re still in the dead zone between Reform UK’s conference and the TUC and Lib Dems' next week, with Labour and the Tories to follow. The main government announcement of the week, the decision by Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband to impose sanctions on Israel, seems demonstrably more likely – to put it politely – to deliver victory in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election than it is to deliver a two-state solution to the Middle East wars. It’s worth taking stock at the end of the week about where British politics stands now. I’m grateful to Luke Tryl of More in Common for insights into his latest polling and focus grouping (none of which, he assures me, was paid for by a secret donor).
Vance is back in the box seat
“We gotta take care of business this November,” said Vice President J.D. Vance, demurely, at the Republican convention last night, “then we’ll worry about what comes next.” He was referring to the chants of “28! 28!” that emanated from the exuberant MAGA crowd – an appeal for him to be the next Republican presidential nominee. The message of the night was clear, though. Following something of a wobble in the early months of 2026, Vance has re-emerged as the clear favorite to succeed Donald Trump. For now, the MAGA inheritance, and all its problems, seems to be his. Trump has reportedly stopped doing his private “Marco or J.D.?” polls among house guests, friends and Rupert Murdoch.