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Showing posts from February, 2024

Counting begins after polls close in Rochdale by-election

Voters in the Greater Manchester seat are choosing a new MP following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd. from BBC News https://ift.tt/8gwzlVr

Looming election takes centre stage in Budget week

The parties are jostling for voters' attention ahead of this year's poll, amid a stagnant UK economy. from BBC News https://ift.tt/MKzZGJ9

Nineteen councils can sell assets to cover services

Nineteen local authorities have been given extra flexibility to help balance their books next year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/fBcQnsl

Rochdale by-election: Voters go to the polls

The people of Rochdale will have their say on who will be the town's next MP. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/CIyeiw7

UK descending into mob rule, PM warns police

Officers need to demonstrate to the public they will use their powers, Rishi Sunak says. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/nlcLNYu

Infected blood victims step up compensation battle

More than 80 people have died since a public inquiry called for full compensation payments to be made. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/1sVq7Fd

We'll continue to march, say pro-Palestinian group tells James Cleverly

Protest organisers hit back at the home secretary, who said they have made their point and should stop. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/7K9Pdq4

MP Sir Christopher Chope tries to block cat abduction offence

Sir Christopher Chope wants pet abduction laws to be initially limited to dogs potentially delaying the bill. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/bx9uliv

Post Office boss under investigation, claims ex-chair

Henry Staunton makes shock allegation under oath to MPs in hearing about postmasters' compensation. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/17QzSbh

SNP considers 'disengagement' protest in Commons over Gaza debate

It follows a breakdown in relations between the party and House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/xyXQT7U

Liz Truss questioned on 'deep state' comments

Liz Truss faces questions on a range of topics, including claims she made in a US speech. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/8ODRg5S

By-election candidate received death threats - Reform UK

A video purporting to show the threat to Simon Danczuk has been posted on X by Reform UK. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/VaQWhgq

Post Office victims' compensation payouts to be sped up

Legislation aimed at clearing wrongly convicted sub-postmasters is also expected to be brought forward. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/eV54qsa

Paul Scully MP defends saying parts of Tower Hamlets 'no-go' areas

It comes after Paul Scully told BBC Radio London parts of Tower Hamlets are "no-go areas". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/nSzTlKg

Lindsay Hoyle rejects SNP request for emergency Gaza debate

The SNP says Westminster is "failing the people of Gaza" by blocking a vote on a ceasefire. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/FL0CNRd

Kemi Badenoch: Key figure tipped for future leadership

Profile of the business secretary, who has not shied away from public clashes with opponents - and even fellow Tory MPs. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/M9CHaYb

Rishi Sunak urges MPs not to inflame debate amid Lee Anderson row

Rishi Sunak says Lee Anderson was wrong to say London Mayor Sadiq Khan is controlled by "Islamists". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/dk8VUlS

HS2: Midlands and northern England to get 'reallocated' funds

Labour says the plans are a "reannouncement" of funds from scrapping parts of the high-speed line. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/sradHfv

Post Office hires ex-police to check its investigators in Horizon scandal

The Post Office says the team will look into allegations that have emerged during a public inquiry. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/0OjgJGu

Oliver Dowden silent over whether Lee Anderson's comments Islamophobic

The comments from suspended Tory MP Lee Anderson about Sadiq Khan have led to a wave of criticism. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/DtQLifG

SNP to push for fresh Gaza debate after Commons vote chaos

The party wants another debate on the conflict, after a vote on Wednesday descended into chaos. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/bJMIGs3

RMT leader Mick Lynch gives Jeremy Corbyn general election backing

The former Labour leader is the independent MP for Islington North after being suspended from the party. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/vskDWIT

Lee Anderson: Sadiq Khan criticises PM for failing to condemn MP's remarks

Lee Anderson is facing criticism over comments he made about the Mayor of London on GB News. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/FOsp7qv

Rochdale: Is this the most chaotic by-election ever?

There has never been anything quite like the contest taking place in Rochdale right now. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/oB5qzFt

Ukraine war: UK reaffirms Ukraine support on war anniversary

Saturday marks two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/9bpqE7h

Bob Stewart: MP's racially aggravated offence conviction quashed

Beckenham MP Bob Stewart was originally convicted after telling an activist to "go back to Bahrain". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/Yg4pxby

UK to sign new deal with EU to tackle small boat crossings

The agreement aims to improve the sharing of information and expertise to tackle illegal migration. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/30ofkiT

Political violence review eyes new police powers

The report will recommend allowing police to shut down protests outside Parliament and in other spaces. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/fZcYyHo

Gaza vote chaos highlights pressure on MPs

Freedom of speech jostles with safety concerns as MPs weigh up the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/u3i0lgx

Conservatives need a bigger bazooka, Truss tells US right-wing event

The UK's shortest-serving PM was speaking at the US's biggest annual gathering of conservatives. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/Ma6K2qD

Watch: Chaos in the Commons over Gaza ceasefire vote

The Speaker of the House of Commons apologises to MPs following a fractious debate over Gaza ceasefire votes. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/0AUgQbe

Libby Squire's mother urges women to report non-contact sex offences

Lisa Squire has been campaigning for women's safety since the rape and murder of her daughter Libby. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/OD8yCHE

Minister says Afghan commandos described 'horrific' SAS war crimes

Johnny Mercer says accounts given by Afghan commandos who supported the SAS 'confirmed my worst fears'. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/x0MHS2s

Henry Staunton: Ex-Post Office chair escalates compensation row

Henry Staunton has released a note of a call with a senior official, amid a row over Horizon payouts. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/tSWi79B

Government finances show big surplus in January

The £16.7bn surplus was double last January's but lower than economists expected. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/qrbJOEZ

Labour pledges to cut red tape for British farmers

The party says it would make it easier to export British produce and cut reliance on imports if it wins power. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/cFsS9g6

Immigration watchdog sacked after critical news stories

Reports about the carers' visa system and security checks on private jets had appeared in newspapers. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/5YMjqAH

'Bankrupt’ Birmingham reveals 21% council tax rise

The rise will be over two years as 'bankrupt' Birmingham City Council makes drastic savings. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/VbdvlFr

Ex-staff demand Labour publish Christina Rees bullying report

MP Christina Rees has accepted the report's findings into bullying allegations but the details have remained secret. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/IJxL8Gw

Ukraine family visa scheme closes to new applicants

Opposition parties say closing the scheme "without warning" is "cruel". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/S5u8DYn

Citizens' assemblies could propose assisted dying laws, says Labour

Wes Streeting says citizens' assemblies could be used to debate difficult and sensitive issues. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/RkMJ5su

New controls on holiday lets to be introduced

From the summer, planning permission will be needed to turn homes into new short-term lets. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/87uphPy

Post Office scandal: Kemi Badenoch hits back at ex-chairman

Business secretary says claims made by Henry Staunton over his dismissal are a "misrepresentation". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/bYguOhD

Rwanda plan will deal with asylum claim loophole, government says

The illegal immigration minister says the bill will fix a loophole costing taxpayers millions. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/6WDbadx

Labour considers backing SNP Gaza ceasefire motion

David Lammy says he will "scrutinise" the text of the SNP motion ahead of a Commons vote on Wednesday. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/POsGW1Z

What happened to Westminster's famous pub division bell?

The chimes that tell MPs in pubs it is time to vote seem to be dying out. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/hILEl3V

Scottish Labour backs motion for 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza

Anas Sarwar has called for the ceasefire, while Sir Keir Starmer says he wants a "sustainable" end. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/AKpnPLt

Labour 'will put Scotland at heart of government' - Anas Sarwar

Anas Sarwar tells the Scottish Labour conference that his party has more ambition for Scotland than the SNP or Tories. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/ckXKOSr

Sir Keir Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in taxes in 2023

The Labour leader's tax bill was lower than Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who paid £508,308 last year. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/83oIGPx

General election: When is the next one and who decides?

A UK general election has to be held by 28 January 2025, but could take place earlier. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/B0yZ2WV

Kingswood and Wellingborough results leave Tories 'with mountain to climb'

Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice says the party will be worried by the scale of its defeats by Labour. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/XfWPS6a

Brianna Ghey's mother and Molly Russell's father join forces to combat online harm

Esther Ghey and Ian Russell want better protection for teenagers on social media. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/eQBcbpn

Lord Cameron urges US Congress to back Ukraine funding package

The UK foreign secretary warns against showing "the weakness displayed against Hitler in the 1930s". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/bPv9lgW

Tory mayor Atiqul Hoque sacked for antisemitic comments

Salisbury mayor Atiqul Hoque is accused of making antisemitic comments, the BBC understands. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/0kL9YgN

Welsh Labour: Lord Kinnock backs Gething to be next FM

Ex-Labour leader says economy minister has "practical purpose, common sense and resilience". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/TRQExbi

Minister urged to exempt the UK's battlefield allies from deportation to Rwanda

Peers also want exemptions for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery from Rwanda Bill. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/6TiWZJs

UK inflation steady as crackers and cake drive monthly food price fall

UK inflation remains at 4% in January, but food prices drop for the first time in more than two years. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/zdRs1aV

Labour will block those not fit to be MPs, says John Healey

The party has suspended two parliamentary candidates over alleged remarks about Israel and Jewish people. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/qd8aDpe

Sadiq Khan says fake AI audio of him nearly led to serious disorder

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the law on deepfakes is not "fit for purpose" after Armistice Day hoax. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/7fCcGsm

Labour suspends second parliamentary candidate after recording emerges

Graham Jones, a former Labour MP, is facing an investigation after allegations he made comments about Israel. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/jiUG1ko

Why can't Labour remove its former candidate from Rochdale ballot papers?

The Labour party has withdrawn support for its former candidate, but he will still appear on voting slips. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/sveFwPW

Pay growth slows but still outpaces rising prices

Pay, excluding bonuses, grew by 6.2% in the last three months of 2023 compared with the year before. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/0xlRIDM

Labour withdraws support for Rochdale candidate

Labour says it has “withdrawn support” for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/1PaHtis

Analysis: Starmer's dilemma over Rochdale by-election candidate

Will the Labour leader pay a political price for sticking by Azhar Ali? from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/n0UwTlb

Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate

Nick Thomas-Symonds says Azhar Ali's words were "unacceptable" but Labour will still campaign for him. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/W41dvTh

Water company bosses could see bonuses stopped over sewage spills

Rule breaches such as sewage spills should cost bosses their bonuses, the environment secretary says. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/7h14Iab

Ex-minister: I wish I asked more questions about Post Office

Labour's Pat McFadden admits MPs' concerns about the Horizon scandal were raised when he was a minister. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/RHwg2Ca

No-fault eviction ban by next election, Gove promises

The housing secretary says courts will be given funding to enforce a ban by the next general election. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/WSpJL2G

Child maintenance enforcement to be sped up, government says

The government also sets a date for removing a £20 application fee for parents seeking intervention. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/6u2EDUX

Housing crisis: Gove eyes quick shop conversions to create more homes

Government expected to announce any empty commercial building can be converted into homes. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/7edOYGb

Fujitsu bosses paid £26m during Horizon contract

Accounts show former execs made millions while sub-postmasters were chased for thousands. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/EymubdB

Renters will still face unfair evictions under 'inadequate' new bill, say campaigners

Campaigners call for stronger legislation to stop people unfairly losing their homes. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/KUnowlz

Ed Miliband: I didn't think of quitting over Labour's green U-turn

The shadow net zero secretary says the party will still make the UK a world leader on green energy. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/9RC2FAy

Rishi Sunak earned £2.2m last year, tax records show

The prime minister paid £508,308 in UK taxes on his income and investment profits, a summary shows. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/U4Ckmsy

Surge in no-fault evictions by bailiffs in England

The number of renters being removed from their homes by bailiffs rose by almost 50% in 2023. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/DQdigJp

Keir Starmer 'shocked' by Rishi Sunak trans jibe in Commons

Sir Keir Starmer says that prime ministers have a duty to make every person in the UK "feel safe". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/KbiXJEc

Keir Starmer confirms Labour U-turn on £28bn green spending

The Labour leader blamed "huge" economic damage under the Tories, as he scaled back the plan. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/zKwbDF4

Starmer confirms end of Labour's £28bn green policy plan

After weeks of speculation, the Labour leader says the party is dropping its flagship green spending commitment. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/9rSTdPV

Brianna Ghey's mum wants mindfulness taught in schools

Esther Ghey is part of a campaign to put mindfulness onto the national curriculum. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/OCSK93w

Nickie Aiken becomes latest London Tory MP to stand down at election

The Cities of London and Westminster MP will move overseas to support her husband in a new job. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/y8AhLp2

Will voters unhappy with the Conservatives be attracted to Reform?

The party says it targets Labour supporters, but it is the Tories who are most worried about Reform UK's polling. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/YDqOygs

Mike Freer: Man charged over threatening call made to MP

Tory MP Mike Freer has said he plans to stand down at the next general election over safety fears. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/XOCGEKm

Birmingham's 10% tax rise approved amid financial crisis

The government says it will not block the increase, but that responsibility lies with the council. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/1rJ08uP

Dentists to get cash incentives for NHS patients

The move is expected to be part of a wider dental reform plan to boost access for patients in England. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/hpnQG7t

Assistance dog refusal to be tackled by government

The long-awaited Disability Action Plan also includes support for "aspiring disabled politicians". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/ESYlnk0

Fines for missing heat pump targets could be dropped, Downing Street hints

Plans to penalise boiler makers for missing heat pump installation targets are reportedly being scrapped. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/Kcj0unp

Houthis believe they are the region’s Robin Hood - Shapps

The UK defence secretary says Houthi actions are damaging international economies, affecting food prices and have “rocketed” insurance costs. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/2qSo6RJ

Abuse of councillors and staff putting democracy at risk, say local government groups

Stalking, threats and assaults are putting people off standing for election, local government groups warn. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/bOWluEQ

Chris Mason: NI power-sharing affords Rishi Sunak chance for a victory lap

BBC political editor Chris Mason looks ahead to Rishi Sunak's trip to Belfast as Northern Ireland's executive returns. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/AcPlCbt

Protesters climbing war memorials could face jail and £1,000 fine

The home secretary said the law would punish activists "insulting those who paid the ultimate price". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/BArv1HL

Laura Kuenssberg: When will politicians make their minds up on key plans?

No wonder voters are unconvinced when politicians may seem unclear on economic plans, writes Laura Kuenssberg. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/mtqQT5M

UK armed forces not ready for high-intensity war, MPs warn

The Commons defence committee says the services are losing people faster than they can recruit them. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/v2AlTQX

Can 'super libraries' survive spending cuts?

Libraries are transforming what they offer, but will that be enough to save them? from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/4N8uRVp

Eleven candidates announced for Rochdale by-election

Two former MP, a councillor and eight others will stand in a poll that follows Sir Tony Lloyd's death. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/BdwcmKf

MPs back plans to tackle dog attacks on livestock

Proposed legislation would give police greater powers to prosecute dog owners for attacks on farm animals. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/WnMZajU

Sadiq Khan: Mayor accused as London question event moved online

City Hall says people's safety is at risk but the Tories allege Sadiq Khan is "scared of scrutiny". from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/cOMwF8K

Penny Mordaunt 'shocked' by Senedd expansion plan

The Commons leader said that such changes, applied in Westminster, would mean more than 2,000 MPs. from BBC News - UK Politics https://ift.tt/ahBgVAo