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South West Londoner •

Discovering the illegal trade of UK driving licenses

Due to a shortage of driving test availability, the black market for UK driving licences in London has been on the rise.


Since the pandemic caused a huge backlog in waiting for a test from the DVLA, touts and fake licence makers in the black market have block-booked driving tests to sell at a huge profit: and are even offering full UK driving licences.


Jennifer is a receptionist at a London driving school who offers booking services for driving tests in Morden, Mitcham, and Tolworth.


Sh...
South West Londoner •

Why is London's COVID vaccination rate lower than the rest of England?

London’s COVID spring vaccination rate is significantly lower than the rest of England, NHS data reveals.


Since the NHS began administering the free spring booster in April, more than 200,000 Londoners have taken up the booster (as of 12 May, the most up to date figures).


However, that number pales in comparison to the rest of the country, with both the Midlands and the South East seeing more than half a million jabs.


To be eligible for the booster, you must be 75 or older by 30th June...

How do migrants survive under tough visa rules in the UK

Jo Li, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from Shanghai, China, holds two Masters Degrees from the UK and owns a tech start-up company in London.
She has been living in London for four years and has an Innovator Founder Visa, which allows her to start and run an innovative business in the UK for three years.
Li liked London because the city was tolerant and diverse enough for her. She stated: “The way I dress is very different from others.
“Ev...
Journalism Stories •

A British organ donor donated his kidney to a stranger against Asian cultural stereotypes

In Febuarary 2024, the NHS has annouced a milestone, with 1000 people in the UK having donated a kidney toi a stranger.


Organ donation remains a sensitiveand sometimes taboo topic due to different beliefs and religions.


I spoke with Azeem Ahmad, a 38-year-old donor, donated his kidney, stem cells, and blood to strangers despite Asian cultural barriers.


Since he donated his kidney in 2020, Ahmad has been living with only one kidney. Here are his stories behind his unusual generosity....
South West Londoner •

Alleged victim of Harvey Weinstein said she felt “emotionally small”

An alleged victim of Harvey Weinstein said she felt “emotionally small” when she worked for the media mogul.


Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood film producer, will face a retrial for rape and sexual assault charges in New York in November after the original ruling was overturned in April.


The Miramax film studio co-founder was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment in 2020 and, in a separate trial was also sentenced to 16 years for rape in California.


However, a New York court of appeal...
South West Londoner •

Bangladeshi asylum seekers share concerns over status in UK

Keir Starmer has faced criticism for references made to asylum seekers from Bangladesh before the general election.


Then-opposition leader Starmer referenced the South Asian country in comments about asylum seekers, in a comment that some felt singled the nation out.


In an interview with the Sun, he said: “I’ll make sure we’ve got planes going off, not to Rwanda because that’s an expensive gimmick.


“They will go back to the countries where people come from, that’s what used to happen,”...
South West Londoner •

Opposition MPs call for general election following Budget announcement

Opposition MPs have called for a general election as soon as possible following Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Budget announcement on Wednesday, March 6.


During his address to Parliament, Hunt said the UK economy had turned a corner under his stewardship.


However, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham felt the Budget failed to address core issues for her constituents.


Wilson said: “Our residents are facing spiralling mortgages and bills.


“It’s time for a change – we need a gen...
North West Londoner •

Labour win big in north west London and take Johnson's old seat

Holborn and St Pancras MP Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister, with his Labour Party sweeping across north west London.


The Labour Party leader comfortably secured his re-election with 64.5% of the votes in his constituency, before heading to Downing Street to take over the keys from Rishi Sunak.


Starmer secured 18,884 votes, with independent candidate Andrew Feinstein in second with 7,312 (18.9%).


It was part of a good night for Labour who gained four seats from the Conservatives...
North West Londoner •

How will the general election affect the Jewish community in London | North West Londoner

As the general election approached, Jewish communities in London voiced concerns about how the new government leadership would impact them.


With polls showing that the general election results in constituencies with large Jewish communities are leaning towards Labour, Rabbi Levi Schapiro, founder of the Jewish Community Council, expressed his desires for the changes needed under the new UK government administration.


Schapiro said: ” The General Election means the opportunity for change for...
South West Londoner •

How Chinese residents view the London Mayoral Election

Ahead of the London mayoral election, Chinese residents shared their opinions as the campaign entered its final push.


Over 100,000 people of Chinese ansestry live in the capital, with Chinatown near Leicester Square acting as a famous central point for the community.


Due to fluctuating UK-China relations, many Chinese people we spoke to in Chinatown were cautious about discussing politics.


Mary, 60, is a Malaysian woman who has worked for a Chinese bakery shop for the past 20 years....
South West Londoner •

WATCH: London Craft Week celebrates 10th anniversary

London Craft Week celebrated its 10th anniversary from May 13-19.


This annual event showcased the best craftsmanship from around the world and is held in venues such as art galleries, studios, shops, and museums.


Some artists find it therapeutic to work with clay and create crafts without relying on technology.


Instead, they use oil, clay, and colours to help them live in the present.


Naomi Davenport, Managing Director of London Craft Week, introduced the “Secret Ceramic” project,...
South West Londoner •

WATCH: Hampton Court Palace celebrates arrival of spring

Hampton Court Palace celebrated the arrival of spring with a number of fun family events.


Bunnies were hidden in the palace gardens for guests to find as part of a festive Easter egg hunt, making for a delightful day out for all visitors.


The famous palace also hosted a tulip festival, with 100,000 blooming tulip bulbs on show.


Rachel Mackay, head of Hampton Court Palace, said: “From gold bunny hunts to glorious gardens filled with tulips, the palace will be a sight to behold throughou...
South West Londoner •

Tulips in bloom at Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace has hosted a tulip festival this spring.


The Palace is adorned with over 100,000 bulbs for the annual Tulip Festival, which took place from early April to 29 April.


The tulips’ colourful blooms can be seen in several gardens and historical courtyards, such as the Great Fountain Garden, Fountain Court, The Privy Garden, Base Court Wine Fountain, and Lower Orangery Garden.


Graham Dillamore, Head Gardener at Hampton Court Palace, who has worked at Hampton Court Palace...
South West Londoner •

Discovering luxury sample sales amid the cost-living-crisis in London

With the cost of living hitting hard, and opportunities to splash the cash on luxury clothes and accessories extremely limited, sample sales may be the solution.


One such sale, which sees luxury clothing items sold at discount prices for a variety of business-related reasons, took place in Bond Street on 16th March.


There were more than 800 attendees, sampling a hundred brands from leading fashion designers to independent designers.


David, the fashion sale organizer, said: “People atten...
South West Londoner •

Richmond Underground station has a significant police presence during peak hours

Richmond Underground station started to implement police enforcement during peak hours last month.


Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police are investing 2,500 police officers on public transport and 500 enforcement officers currently to ensure the safety of Transport for London. 


Graham, who works in Richmond station, said: “Today’s the first day that the police officers are here. The transport police cover all London stations during the peak hour.


“The police are mainly here for the fare-do...
South West Londoner •

Photographers documenting New Year's Day for 24 years

In 2004, 24 photography students from Central St Martins committed to documenting New Year’s Day annually for 24 years.


And now, near the end of that project, the “24 Photography” exhibition is held in Soho Square for 24 days, from 24 February to 19 March.


The 576 images so far illustrated political unrest, wars, climate concerns or fundamental human emotions such as family and love.


Claire Spreadbury, the founder of “24 Photography” said: “We were 24 photography students from Central S...