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
Assisted dying dead – for now
8 min listen
James Heale joins Patrick Gibbons to react to the news that MPs have voted against Assisted Dying. The vote was close – 286 vs 270 – but not a knife-edge, and several MPs changed their minds compared with previous votes earlier this year. What conclusions can we draw? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Race targets and hormone therapy for all: The Greens’ plan for the NHS
Hormone therapy for all, climate testing medicines and race-based targets for mental-health detentions are among Green Party proposals to reform healthcare in England. A policy document submitted by Zack Polanski’s official Health Policy Working Group, leaked to The Spectator, also reveals ambitions to push the NHS towards veganism and a ban on ‘sustained efforts’ to discourage ‘gender-affirming’ treatments. The document will be put to Green members at the party’s autumn conference in Brighton next month. Its provenance makes it particularly significant – this is not merely a motion from an individual activist, but the work of an official policy group.
Why I changed my mind on the Assisted Dying Bill
Last year I voted to give Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill a second reading in the House of Commons. I had many concerns but thought it was right for Parliament to debate this issue and for the Bill to be able to begin its journey through Parliament. As is often the case, the Bill met stiff opposition under scrutiny in the House of Lords and ran out of time. Today I voted against the same Bill as it was reintroduced. Why? My position on assisted dying hasn’t changed: I support a change to the law to allow doctors to provide patients facing a painful, demeaning and humiliating death in the final stages of a terminal disease to die with dignity.
MPs kill the Assisted Dying Bill
https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/2098410321769574625 MPs have voted to kill off the assisted dying bill by 286 votes to 270, making it highly unlikely that such a policy will become law before at least 2030. The legislation was defeated after a number of its former supporters declined to back it this time around. When MPs last voted on the bill in June 2025, 314 backed it. Today, that number fell dramatically. Labour’s Liam Byrne, who opposed the private member’s bill, called on ministers to ‘urgently’ establish an expert commission to examine how end-of-life care could be improved. He posted on X: ‘My conclusion remains that genuine choice does not exist without universal palliative care.
Lonnie Bunch’s long march through the Smithsonian
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first black head of the Smithsonian Institution, is stepping down after a tenure of some seven years. NPR had the news: “In 2019, Bunch was named secretary of the Smithsonian, becoming the first historian and the first African American to hold the position.” The Wall Street Journal also got the memo: “The first Black historian to lead the world’s largest museum and research complex says he’s retiring and will leave by year’s end.” NBC looked behind the headline. “Bunch, the first Black person and first historian to lead the institution, has said he would have retired a year ago but felt he had to stay to defend the institution from the White House attacks, the person said.
Lord Hermer’s legacy is being rapidly unpicked
Unlike her predecessor, Lord Hermer KC, the new Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP has kept a low profile since becoming the Crown’s first law officer. This is a welcome return to tradition. Her new legal risk guidance, published this week, is another welcome break with the regrettable legacy of Lord Hermer, restoring some measure of balance in this obscure, yet important document. The new Labour government has abandoned the central parts of Lord Hermer’s guidance Attorneys General (and before them heads of the Government Legal Department) have been issuing legal risk guidance to government lawyers since at least the 1990s to guide them in the provision of legal advice to ministers.