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Oxfordshire: Immigrants given legal papers only in English

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The report of prisons in 2025 was released this month, assessing adult prisons, young offender institutions, and immigration detention centres.

Campsfield House IRC reopened in December 2025, following its closure in 2018.

This was despite Independent Monitoring Boards concerns about the expansion of the immigration detention estate – most people are released from detention, and less costly and harmful alternatives exist.

The facility near Kiddlington currently has 160 bed spaces for detained men, and the government is planning to increase this to 400, with a further 240 beds.

The report revealed that when the centre reopened in December individuals were served legal documents in English only.

Information displayed around the centre was only available in English.

The report said: “Despite the possibility of oral interpretation, the absence of written translations was also identified as a challenge, as individuals were served legal documents in English only.

“When Campsfield IRC first opened, information displayed around the centre was only available in English and, despite improvements, the provision of translated information remains inconsistent.”

Around 20 protestors took to Campsfield House in Kidlington over 'slave labour' wages paid to its detaineesPeople regularly protest at the centre (Image: Ed Nix)

Access to garden areas was also identified as beneficial at the newly reopened Campsfield IRC. In contrast, some STHF Boards flagged the lack of access to natural light or fresh air, including in cases where individuals were held for more than 24 hours.

The immigration removal centre is managed by Mitie Care & Custody on behalf of the Home Office

The company was awarded a six-year contract last July with the Home Office to run the centre.

A Mitie spokesperson said : ‘We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those in our care. We provide information in multiple languages, supported by professional translation and interpretation services.

“We continue to develop our approach, including offering materials in additional languages and the use of accessible formats such as pictures, to ensure information is as clear and inclusive as possible.’

Previously known as Campsfield House, the centre was closed in 2018 following years of controversy, during which around 3,600 people passed through the centre, with an average stay of 39 days.

The Home Office closed it as part of a broader government commitment to reduce the UK’s immigration detention estate by 40%.

The site has seen repeated protests in the past year, with campaigners for its closure saying it “rips apart families and destroys lives” and alleging detainee “slave labour”.

The annual report also found force and separation were routinely used without need, many individuals experienced significant distress, many detention centres remained unsafe, and access to healthcare was severely delayed.





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Eynsham ‘murder’ – book of condolence for woman found dea

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A woman in her 50s was found dead in Daisy Crescent, Eynsham at around 11.20am on Sunday June 7.

She died at the scene and in the days following a 58-year-old man from the village was arrested on suspicion of murder.

READ MORE: Arrest made at city Cafe Nero after incident

He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries with the police scene having since been lifted.

The force added that the woman’s death remains “unexplained” and that her next of kin have been informed.

The Oxford Mail has opened up a book of condolence to leave tributes for the woman.





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Man hospitalised with major injuries after Oxford ‘assault’

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Thames Valley Police has said that a man in his 20s was rushed to hospital early this morning (Monday, June 22) after an incident at the junction of Ridgefield Road and Leys Place.

The force added that he had sustained “major, but not life-threatening” injuries and is continuing to receive treatment. No arrests have yet been made.

READ MORE: Woman named and charged after Oxford emergency worker ‘assault’

Police were called to the incident at 11.50pm yesterday (Sunday, June 21) and a section of the road was closed until early this afternoon at 1.40pm.

Around six police vehicles were spotted on the road and eyewitness said they saw a forensic team at the incident.

The police cordon on Ridgefield Road in Oxford on Monday, June 22 (Image: Matthew Evans)

A local, who wished to remain anonymous, told us: “Police have cordoned off the area.

“Officers are guarding the place, and all the vehicles are being turned around. I’m not sure what has happened.”

READ MORE: Oxford landscape gardener found dead after heroin and cocaine use

A spokesperson for the force then said: “Officers were made aware of a report of an assault at around 11.50pm yesterday (June 21) at the junction of Ridgefield Road and Leys Place, Oxford.

“A man in his twenties sustained major, but not life-threatening, injuries and is still in hospital receiving treatment.

“No arrests have been made and anyone with information is urged to call 101, report via our website or call anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 43260313108.”





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UK wholesaler servicing Morrisons closes amid liquidation

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Localist – The Food Merchant, based in East Kilbride, entered liquidation earlier this year, resulting in the loss of 71 jobs.

The company delivered around 4,000 products per week to more than 2,500 retail outlets across the UK, including major retailers such as Morrisons, Co-op, and Waitrose.



Originally launched in 1994 as Food From Scotland Ltd, the business aimed to support independent food producers in Scotland.

It later expanded its reach across the UK under the name Enterprise Foods Ltd before rebranding to Localist – The Food Merchant in 2025.

Update on Localist – The Food Merchant after falling into liquidation

George Lafferty of BTG was appointed provisional liquidator by Hamilton Sheriff Court back on March 18.

In the latest update, Mr Lafferty has now been confirmed as the permanent liquidator.

Earlier this year, the managing partner of BTG in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Thomas McKay, said: “The directors had made efforts to restructure the debt of the company in order to save the business and rescue the jobs, and the loss of the jobs was sadly inevitable when this was not successful.

“There are many small suppliers to the business that are owed money, and the loss of this route to market will also have a serious knock-on effect on these food producers as well.

“We are working to assess all claims and establish whether there will be any dividend paid to unsecured creditors, but it is not likely to be significant, given the level of secured debts in the business.

“Regrettably, the failure of the company has resulted in 71 redundancies and we are working closely with those affected to help them access the financial entitlements and support available to them, including assistance from Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) and the Redundancy Payments Service.”

Mr McKay said the company’s priority is now to maximise returns for creditors and ensure that redundant employees receive the support and guidance they need during the winding-up process.

Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026

It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores, having fallen into administration.



UK fashion retailer Leading Labels is also set to close its remaining 15 stores after falling into liquidation.

Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:

Seven UK travel companies have ceased trading in 2026:

Luxury UK holiday company Salamander Voyages also shut down back in April after entering administration.



Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Plus-size clothing brand Evans has also returned to the UK high street in 2026 after closing all its stores and concessions in December 2020.

Which store closure has impacted you the most in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.





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