Rishi Sunak has used his first new year’s message as British Prime Minister to double down on his pledge to tackle illegal immigration and “stop criminals from abusing our asylum system”.
In a video message rounding up the “tough” year of 2022, Mr Sunak reflected on the challenges Britain has faced and sought to paint an optimistic view of the year ahead.
Sorting out the migrant crisis is considered crucial for the Conservative government going forward, as record numbers arrived in the UK over the past 12 months, seeking help.
“Three months ago, I stood at the steps of Downing Street and promised I would work relentlessly on the things that matter most to you,” Mr Sunak said.
“Since then, this government has taken decisive action to back our NHS with record resources to tackle the backlogs — more funding, more doctors, and more nurses.
“We're also tackling illegal migration and stopping criminals from abusing our asylum system.”
The Prime Minister said Russia’s “barbaric and illegal invasion across Ukraine” had a profound economic impact around the world, “which the UK is not immune to”.
He said his administration had taken “difficult but fair decisions to get borrowing and debt under control”.
“And it's because of those decisions that we've been able to help the most vulnerable with the rising cost of energy bills,” he added.
Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was ushered into No 11 on a damage control mission after Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget unleashed chaos on financial markets and caused the pound to tank to a 37-year low. Mr Hunt, who was reappointed by Mr Sunak, reversed almost all of the measures in the package.
Mr Sunak, the first UK leader of Asian origin, said he would not “pretend that all our problems will go away in the new year” but instead said 2023 would present an opportunity “to showcase the very best of Britain on the world stage”.
He said the government would continue to support Ukraine “against Putin’s brutality” and defend freedom and democracy wherever these values are threatened.
He also looked ahead to the coronation of King Charles III, scheduled for May 6, as an occasion when the UK “will come together with pride in everything that makes this country great.”
“Yes, 2023 will have its challenges, but the government I lead is putting your priorities first,” he added, before wishing the country a happy new year.
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UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
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Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
