Environment

Why Westminster’s new backbench MPs may unlock progress on climate change

— Climate policy differences between Labour and Conservative MPs reveal Labour’s pro-climate stance. The new Labour government swiftly removed windfarm restrictions. However, Labour faces challenges in implementing its climate plans, including opposition from rural MPs and unions.

UK Politics

Keir Starmer: What we know about Britain’s new prime minister and how he will lead

— Keir Starmer, known for his methodical, professional, and pragmatic approach, contrasts with visionary leaders. With experience as director of public prosecutions, he prioritises outcomes, focusing on delivering solutions amidst high expectations.

UK Politics

Rachel Reeves is the UK’s first female chancellor. Why that’s so significant

— Rachel Reeves has become the UK’s first female chancellor, promising transformative economic policies. Her goals include closing the gender pay gap, promoting flexible working, and boosting economic growth through women’s empowerment.

Lobbying

Lovebombed by lobbyists: How Labour became the party of Big Business

— A year before its historic election win, Labour engaged with major corporate lobbyists, including arms, oil, and financial sectors. This unprecedented access influenced Labour’s policies, risking a significant corporate sway over future government decisions, potentially harming public interests.

OPINION

They’re gone – but we won’t be shedding any tears

— Fourteen years of Tory rule have caused incalculable harm. This morning we can breathe a sigh of relief. But Labour won’t be able to fix all the problems. We’ve been thinking hard about our work under a new government.

COMMENT

Tories lacking transparency: 14 years of undermining Freedom of Information

— Freedom of Information in the UK is declining, with full request approvals dropping from 55% in 2013 to 34% recently. Successive Conservative governments have increasingly restricted it, undermining transparency and accountability.

Education

Why UK government policies have failed to recruit enough teachers for years

— England’s secondary teacher shortage persists despite recruitment efforts and financial incentives. Systemic issues, political influences, and low acceptance rates for ethnic minorities hinder effective teacher supply planning.

2024 General Election

How Sunak came up with disputed Labour tax figures – and what’s wrong with them

— In the first televised debate, Rishi Sunak claimed every working family would pay £2,000 more in tax under Labour. This figure, based on dubious Conservative calculations, has been widely discredited.

2024 General Election

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

Immigration

New data shows net migration falling − What’s actually behind the numbers

— Making election promises about migration numbers is much easier than keeping them.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: Up to 8 million people are not properly registered to vote

— The general election on 4 July faces challenges, with 8 million potentially unregistered voters. Because of the Tory Government, voter ID is now required for the first time in a general election, and young people, especially students, are at risk of being excluded.

China

Chinese nationalist groups are launching cyber-attacks – often against the wishes of the government

— The Chinese Communist Party has inadvertently given the country’s nationalist movement influence that it’s struggling to contain.

Austerity

Rising knife crime in London is linked to austerity cuts to youth services

— In 2023, London saw a sharp increase in knife and gun crime, primarily attributed to significant police funding cuts and austerity measures by the Conservative government, which undermined efforts to tackle the escalating violence effectively.

Voter ID

If even the prime minister who introduced voter ID can forget his, do we need a rethink?

— Ironically, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who implemented the voter ID laws, was turned away from voting in the local elections due to not having proper identification, spotlighting significant flaws in the policy as a general election looms.

Children's Health

Alarming decline in children’s health and well-being predated pandemic, research reveals

— Research indicates a significant decline in the health and well-being of primary school children from 2014 to 2022, exacerbated by events like Brexit and the pandemic.

Long-Read

(Still not) facing up to Brexit

— The Brexit process caused significant shifts. Two recent announcements — one about a delayed Brexit-related import control, another on a potential EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme — highlight the ongoing complexities and political strategies surrounding Brexit negotiations and their impacts.