The Specials return to 'massively divided' Britain and say nothing has changed

The Specials have told ITV News they believe Britain remains "exactly the same" as in their 1980s heyday - which is "massively divided".

One of Britain's most influential bands, whose mix of Caribbean and punk soundtracked the counterculture to Thatcherism, have released a new record 38 years after their best known hit, Ghost Town, went to number one.

The Coventry pop royalty insist the country in 2019 remains a nation split.

The Specials are addressing knife crime on the new record.

"Injustice is timeless, I'm afraid," bassist Horace Panter told ITV News. "The same problems exist now as did back then."

The Specials address new themes in their latest record, Encore, including knife crime, which touched the group directly after former bandmate Neville Staple's grandson was killed outside a nightclub last September.

Fidel Glasgow, grandson of Specials singer Neville Staple, was stabbed to death in September. Credit: PA/West Midlands Police

"We've got to stop these kids from feeling that the only way they can protect themselves is to go with a knife," guitarist Lynval Golding said. "That is dangerous."

Lead singer Terry Hall said he is also keen to address mental health issues and his trauma at being sexually abused as a child.

Lead singer Terry Hall said he believes his childhood trauma led to him being in his band and having his voice heard.

"I used it. It gave me a lot of fight," he said. "I turned a negative into a positive I think."

His and the band's motivation for writing music in their sixties remains undimmed and their message is clear.

"It's a cry to respect each other and show each other love," Hall said. "Because that's all we've got. That's all we've got."