The Black Paper

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Summary

The Renters Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026. It is the biggest overhaul of the private rented sector in over thirty years. For Black and African heritage communities, who are disproportionately renting privately, receiving eviction notices, and living in poor conditions, it matters more than for almost any other group in the country. 

This week, we sit down with Linda Cobb OBE, Principal Manager of DASH Services at Derby City Council and a member of the government working group that helped shape this legislation, to explain what changed, what rights renters now have, and what the Act means for community members who are also landlords.

Key resources for renters

• Shelter free housing advice helpline: 0808 800 4444
• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
• DASH Services: dashservices.org.uk
• Official Renters Rights Act tenant guidance: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/private-renting-is-changing/
• First-tier Tribunal (to challenge rent increases): https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-property-chamber
• Deposit protection schemes: https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

Key resources for landlords

• Official Renters Rights Act landlord guidance: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/
• DASH landlord accreditation: dashservices.org.uk
• National Residential Landlords Association: nrla.org.uk
• Section 8 possession grounds: https://www.gov.uk/evicting-tenants

Your new rights from 1 May 2026 at a glance

• You cannot be evicted without a legal reason.
• Your landlord cannot refuse you because you receive benefits or have children.
• Your landlord cannot demand more than one month’s rent upfront.
• Rent can only increase once in any twelve-month period, with two months’ written notice.
• You can challenge a rent increase at the First-tier Tribunal.
• Your landlord must address damp and mould.
• You have the right to request a pet. Your landlord must respond within 28 days.

If you are a landlord: five things to do now

• Stop using fixed-term tenancy agreements.
• Protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme.
• Give every existing tenant the official Renters Rights Act Information Sheet.
• Plan for PRS Database registration from late 2026. Without registration, you cannot legally seek possession.
• If you need to end a tenancy, use a proper Section 8 notice. Seek legal advice.

Awaab’s Law consultation

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-awaabs-law-to-private-rented-tenancies-and-to-licences/extending-awaabs-law-to-private-rented-tenancies-and-to-licences

Chapters

00:00  Welcome: Renting Is Changing
02:06  Why the Renters’ Rights Act Matters
05:21  Section 21 Is Ending
07:07  New Rules on Rent and Tenancies
10:04  Tackling Discrimination in Renting
11:56   What Landlords Can Still Do
16:08  Rent Increases and Tenant Challenges
17:53  Damp, Mould, and Housing Standards
25:01  Informal Lets and Written Agreements
29:23  Key Advice for Tenants
37:12  What Landlords Need to Know
43:09  Final Takeaways

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Summary

What happens when those who claim to be defenders of the Christian faith use it to justify exclusion and racism? In this episode of The Black Paper, we unpack the rise of Christian nationalism in Britain, drawing on a new report by Theos Think Tank to examine the relationship between faith, identity and belonging, and why immigrant communities should be wary of rhetoric that weaponises Christianity to target others.

We also reflect on the tragic deaths of Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters, three sisters who died by suicide together in May 2026. Their story forces us to confront our community’s fragile relationship with mental health discussions and the urgent need for more open, culturally aware conversations about depression, grief, isolation and seeking support.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, grief, depression and mental health crises.

If you or someone you know needs support:

• Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• PAPYRUS: 0800 068 4141
• CALM: 0800 58 58 58
• Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258
• Black Minds Matter UK: blackmindsmatteruk.com
• BAATN (Black, African and Asian Therapy Network): baatn.org.uk

Chapters

00:00: Welcome, UK weather and opening banter

05:45: Today’s topics: Christian nationalism and a difficult conversation on mental health

06:58: Content note and support resources

08:29: What the Theos report says about Christian nationalism

12:27: Christianity, identity, immigration and exclusion

15:23: Racism, public services and the politics behind “Christian values”

19:08: Why African-heritage communities should pay attention to the rise of Reform

22:05: Imported religious divides and geopolitical awareness

26:40: Faith, politics and the danger of exclusionary nationalism

28:08: Break

29:05: The deaths of three sisters and the conversation around mental health

31:53: Grief, isolation and the importance of checking in

36:25: Community networks and barriers to mental-health support

39:14: Why listening can matter more than having an answer

42:25: Prayer, vulnerability and making space to talk

44:36: The value of a safe space to vent

47:24: Supporting children, community and connection

49:09: Support resources revisited

50:45: Next episode preview and closing banter

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Summary

Ndukwe Onuoha is joined by Joseph Ogundemuren — political and trade union activist, community campaigner, former Hackney councillor and Chair of British Nigerian Councillors.

They explore why African and Caribbean communities need to stay engaged in politics, particularly as Labour’s conference agenda signals potential shifts on care, utilities, Brexit and electoral reform.

They also unpack what these policies could mean in practice for Black and migrant communities — from care work and the lessons of Windrush to trade union protection and Obsidian Labour’s role in building a stronger political network.

Chapters

00:00  Introduction to Joseph Ogundemuren and his community political work
03:00  Losing Hackney Wick and staying active after council office
04:15  Meeting King Charles, diaspora work, and Labour conference activity
07:44  Why Joseph stayed in politics instead of walking away
10:01  “If you are not seated at the table, you are on the menu”
12:12   Andy Burnham’s conference speech and the five major announcements
15:04  Why the National Care Service matters to Black workers
16:48  Care work, Windrush echoes, and political education
19:16   Why voting matters even when people feel disillusioned
20:39  What councillors do and why local politics matters
24:47  Learning the system before the system teaches you
27:13   Why Europe and the EU are not simple answers
30:09  Bad governance, elites, and blame politics
33:06  Privilege, climate politics, and global inequality
35:09  Understanding proportional representation and how it works
40:29  Why Joseph opposes proportional representation
44:09  The limits of PR, party lists, and voter participation
49:50  Listening more than speaking in political life
51:41   Why public utilities should not be run only for profit
54:17  Housing associations, waste collection, and accountability
57:37  What Obsidian Labour is and who it is for
61:30  Unison, migrant workers, and the 10-year ILR debate
65:17  Trade unions, exploitation, and defending workers’ rights
67:39  Peace, prosperity, and the case for collective action

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Summary

What happens when a community loses faith in its own institutions?

This week on The Black Paper, we examine the NIUK controversy, our struggles with building organisations that last, and why we keep taking our disputes to the court of social media. A conversation about accountability, trust and building for the long haul.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the discussion on community challenges

01:59 The influence of global powers and political dynamics

04:05 Europe's tech independence and digital sovereignty

05:34 The internal struggles of Nigerian community organisations

07:04 The Nigerian social media landscape and community conflicts

09:00 The importance of legal justice over social media slander

11:06 Case study: NIUK and the impact of money and trust issues

13:07 The recurring problem of petty rivalries in community groups

15:07 The dangers of online trials and mob justice

16:53 The need for proper legal processes and community integrity

18:53 Lessons from other communities and the importance of unity

21:02 The role of internal conflict in community disintegration

23:02 Strategies for internal cohesion and long-term stability

24:15 Call to action: internal conversations and community resilience

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Two major stories this week, both with direct implications for African heritage communities in Britain.

In the first half, we examine the death of Hugo Flint-Cahan, 34, at Newham Mental Health Centre, and the coroner's ruling that unlawful killing was contributed to by neglect. Staff slept on duty, patients were left unsupervised, and records were falsified. We address the uncomfortable truth that some of the named staff are Nigerian, and we do not avoid it. We also connect this to the wider culture of overwork, burnout, and the pressure migrants face to keep working regardless of the toll.

In the second half, we turn to the Cardiff memorandum, signed by the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and what it means for African migrants holding visas, ILR, or citizenship in a country that may not look the same in ten years.

Both halves come back to the same questions: accountability, immigration status, and how professional and political failures shape the perception and safety of our communities.

Chapters

00:00  Opening the episode and setting up two urgent stories
01:23  The Hugo Flint Cahan case and the coroner’s findings
03:18  Why the story matters for Nigerians and the “do the job” warning
 04:29  Chxta frames it as a wider culture of medical negligence
05:42  What staff allegedly did while patients were left unsupervised
06:41  Coroners, inquests, and why accountability matters in the UK
07:31  Linking the case to broader institutional failure and Nigerian migration
09:14  Understaffing, burnout, and why overworking creates risk
12:32  Why migrants should stop glorifying endless shift work
13:32  Ndukwe on black tax, self-care, and being honest about struggle
15:00  Final warning: the UK system punishes negligence
15:45  Closing thoughts on the death and a quick break
20:51  Why the Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland memo matters
22:52  A quick history of the UK’s four nations
 25:40  Devolution, Scotland’s independence push, and the 2014 referendum
26:39  Brexit as the turning point that kept the union unstable
29:42  Why recent elections boosted separatist parties in Wales and elsewhere
31:39  The leaders who signed the Cardiff memorandum
33:27  Does more devolution now point toward breakup?
33:57  What independence could mean for visas, ILR, and citizenship
 36:55  How immigration rights could be renegotiated after a breakup
38:26  Anti-immigrant politics in Northern Ireland and Wales
39:23  Historical irony for Commonwealth citizens watching the UK fragment
41:36  How a breakup could affect the NHS and migrant labour
42:27  Could Scotland become a new destination for migrants if Reform rises elsewhere?
43:51  Closing warnings about Reform, accountability, and protecting women

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Summary

On 3 September 2026 the UK government announced a change to the Skilled Worker visa rules. For the first time, a worker formally recognised as a victim of modern slavery can leave their abusive employer and work elsewhere without losing their right to remain in the UK.

This matters directly to the tens of thousands of Nigerian, Ghanaian, Zimbabwean and other African workers who came to Britain on Health and Care Worker visas between 2021 and 2025. Many arrived into a system that gave their sponsor legal leverage over their immigration status. Some were underpaid, overworked, threatened, and told they would lose their visa if they complained.

This week on The Black Paper we explain the background, what the new rules actually say, how the National Referral Mechanism works, and what our community needs to know to access this protection.

Important Note on Implementation

The government announced this change on 3 September 2026 but the provisions come into force on staggered dates: 8 October, 29 October and 30 November 2026. If you believe these rules apply to your situation, seek advice before taking action. Contact one of the organisations below or a qualified immigration solicitor.

National Referral Mechanism — Official Government Guidance

The NRM is the government process for identifying victims of modern slavery. You must go through this process to access the new visa protection. The official guidance for adults in England and Wales is at:

gov.uk/government/publications/human-trafficking-victims-referral-and-assessment-forms

If You Need Help Now

•       Modern Slavery Helpline (Unseen UK): 08000 121 700 — free, 24 hours, confidential

•       Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503 — migranthelpuk.org

•       Kalayaan (specialist in migrant worker cases, strong on African worker experience): 020 7243 2942 — kalayaan.org.uk

•       Work Rights Centre: workrightscentre.org

•       Salvation Army: 0300 303 8151 — salvationarmy.org.uk

•       Refugee Council: 020 7346 6700 — refugeecouncil.org.uk

Find The Black Paper

•       Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/0vCzrSrqVEMBvD5WV609SB

•       Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-black-paper/id1817416283

•       Website: theblackpaper.co.uk

•       X: @blackpaperpod

•       Instagram: @blackpaperpod

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the UK visa changes and their significance

02:04 Details of the new visa rule for victims of modern slavery

03:52 Media coverage and public awareness of immigration issues

05:55 Exploitation within the sponsorship system and real-life cases

09:00 Legal processes and support mechanisms for victims

12:14 The role of faith institutions and community organisations

15:03 Challenges and loopholes in the current system

18:08 Statistics on modern slavery cases and vulnerable populations

20:45 The desperation driving exploitation among migrant workers

23:51 Potential abuses and how to protect oneself

26:59 Summary and key takeaways for migrants and advocates

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Summary
Why does the UK feel like it is drifting into a more toxic political information environment? Using Rupert Lowe, Elon Musk, and the rise of outrage monetisation as examples, we discuss what lies ahead if the UK doesn’t immediately put this trend in check. 

Chapters

00:00 Intro and why Chxta is in Abuja for political work 

02:31 Why UK political expression worries Chxta 

03:47 The Citizens United effect and dark money in politics 

05:23 Rupert Lowe, outrage content, and Twitter payouts 

08:17 How media ownership helps politicians bypass scrutiny 

10:24 The incentive to post inflammatory content for money 

11:23 How outrage politics targets immigrants and communities 

13:18 Billionaires as "job creators" and the wealth tax narrative 

14:53 Inherited wealth versus the myth of pure hard work 

18:18 Twitter as a public square before the outrage economy 

19:34 How algorithms shifted from voices to wrath 

21:39 The four-layer billionaire propaganda framework 

22:08 How benefits debate shifted into anti-immigrant rhetoric 

24:28 Sharia law panic and imported talking points 

26:28 When online outrage becomes offline community tension 

27:16 Mehdi Hasan and the contradictions of the extreme right 

28:37 Why most people do not interrogate the narratives they absorb 

29:15 Rupert Lowe's earnings as proof of the incentive problem 

30:58 Why direct social media earnings bypass normal donation rules 

32:47 How politicians can be incentivised by algorithm changes 

34:06 The US and Nigeria as warnings for where this can lead 

35:06 Final warning to UK listeners to stay vigilant

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Summary
In this episode, we discuss the recent fallout from the death of Professor Jason Arde, exploring themes of racism, education, and immigration policy. We reflect on the societal implications of Arde's hounding by the press, the achievements of Brampton Manor Academy students, and the cultural perspectives surrounding education and meritocracy. 

The conversation also delves into changes in immigration policy, focusing on the framing of speed in legal processes and the public's perception of these issues. 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation

02:08 The Fallout of Professor Jason Arde's Death

09:57 Racism and Its Impact on Education

20:00 Cultural Perspectives on Education and Achievement

26:05 Immigration Policy Changes and Their Implications

27:47 Political Coalitions and Strategies

29:04 Immigration and Asylum Changes

30:03 Impact of Immigration Policies

35:54 Concerns Over Appeals Process

41:07 Legal System and Public Perception

43:21 Systematic Closure of Immigration Doors

44:41 Political Football: Immigration as a Tool

45:05 Light-hearted Banter on Football

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The resignation of Cambridge professor Jason Arday raises difficult questions about race, excellence, representation and the burden placed on Black success. Meanwhile, a new NHS report exposes a rise in racist abuse against Black and migrant healthcare workers, many of whom keep Britain's health service running.

What connects these stories? A society that celebrates Black achievement when it's convenient, depends on Black labour when it's necessary, yet too often fails to protect either.

This week, we ask what these stories tell us about Britain—and what they should mean for African heritage communities.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes

02:01 Background of Prof. Jason Hardy and his rise at Cambridge

04:08 The investigation into his credentials and the fallout

07:48 The role of societal narratives and political rhetoric

12:05 The rise of racist abuse against NHS staff

20:04 Institutional failures and community responses

30:11 Historical context of racism and societal progress

39:55 Preparing the next generation for societal challenges

43:01 Conclusion and call to action

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Summary
Andy Burnham wants to put apprenticeships on the same footing as university. But will African families buy into the vision? This week, we explore why university education has long been seen as the safest path to success in many African heritage households, and the likelihood of the community buying into Britain's education reforms.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the UK’s Education Policy Shift

02:08 Cultural Attitudes Toward Labour and Education in Nigeria

03:56 UK’s New Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Plans

06:00 The Value of Technical Skills and Labour Markets

08:07 Concerns About Educational Stratification and Bias

09:56 The Role of University Education in Society

11:56 Impacts of AI and Automation on Future Jobs

13:50 Cultural and Systemic Barriers to Vocational Training

15:58 Migration, Education, and Economic Opportunities

18:03 The Nigerian Context and Brain Drain

20:09 Implementation Risks and Community Concerns

21:57 The Role of Encouragement and Opportunity in Education

23:50 The Future of Work and Skills Development

25:48 Global Trends in Education and Employment

28:10 Conclusion and Community Perspectives

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