The UK’s Covid inquiry has heard that there is only “weak evidence” that high-grade face masks, such as FFP3 respirators, provided significantly better protection for healthcare workers compared to standard surgical masks during the pandemic. Prof Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at
Nigel Farage has pledged to steer Reform UK towards a more professional future, distancing the party from extremism and bigotry. Speaking at the party’s annual conference in Birmingham, Farage highlighted the party’s evolution after winning its first MPs in July, noting that
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – An online commitment to withhold smartphones from children until they are at least 14 has been inscribed by parents at 20% of schools across the UK, according to a campaign group. A “parent pact” collected by Smartphone
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK economy is to expand faster than Japan, Italy and Germany this year. The global economy is “turning a corner”, according to the latest perspective from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as it
Manchester (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Mayor Andy Burnham tells the Treasury it is required to invest more in transport plans if it wants growth in all regions. Andy Burnham has expressed stopping HS2 at Birmingham will leave the railway as a “monument
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour ministers encounter warnings that their housebuilding project for London risks costing an astronomical £54 billion just for affordable homes unless housing associations can attract more private investment. The G15 group, which represents major not-for-profit housing associations,
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The IFS warned Labour faces tough fiscal challenges, noting potential tax increases on capital gains, inheritance, and stamp duty. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) stated Labour had promised not to increase income tax, national insurance, VAT
During a visit to Iran’s eastern border, Sirus Amanollahi emphasized that the border closure initiative aims to enhance security within Iran. The commander of the Iranian Army’s ground forces noted, “As interactions between Iran and Afghanistan increase, we are observing daily improvements
The UK is set to experience the joint-second highest economic growth among wealthy nations in 2024, with a 1.1% increase, matching Canada and France, according to a prediction by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This marks a significant improvement
London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – The Bank of England has maintained interest rates intact at 5% as it put its steps to ease the strain on household budgets on hold. The Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a bulk of eight
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – General practitioners (GPs) have been employing ChatGPT to treat patients, a Harvard study has cautioned. Researchers at the American university discovered one in five family doctors in the United Kingdom had used artificial intelligence means while treating
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Sales of some new hybrid cars will be authorised until 2035, the government has stated, but it rejected that this was a change to a manifesto commitment to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Ministers scheme
London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Former PM Boris Johnson has urged PM Sir Keir Starmer to shatter the impasse over allowing Ukraine to shoot long-range missiles into Russia – cautioning that every day’s delay is costing lives. British Labour Prime Minister Keir
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A man is alleged to have sexually attacked a woman on the day he was released from prison under the government’s early discharge scheme. The contentious scheme, which allows some prisoners to be freed after serving 40%
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Bank of England has relaxed new capital rules pointed to shock-proof the banking system from another 2008-style crash, in a motion the Labour government states will bolster its economic growth plans. The regulator stated it had
London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – The NHS fails the old in their hour of need, a landmark report has discovered. The study by Lord Darzi, a surgeon and an ex-health minister, will lay bare the lack of care provided to the most
Great Manchester (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed that more pensioners should be able to maintain their winter fuel allowance. The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester stated Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, must not rule out altering the proposed threshold
Today the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer will promise the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that his government will work to bring unions and business together with a shared purpose to deliver national renewal. Addressing TUC delegates in Brighton, he will say he
Despite not featuring in the King’s Speech, the government still plans to introduce a mandatory retirement age of 80 for House of Lords members. This follows the introduction of legislation on Thursday to expel the 92 remaining hereditary peers by the end
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barratt and Lloyds Banking Group have undertaken a £150m joint venture with the government body Homes England that will conduct to the UK’s largest housebuilder and mortgage provider capitalising on Labour’s objectives to build 1.5m new homes.
London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Industry insiders have insisted the UK government uncover a solution to post-Brexit regulations on live music touring after EU documents presented Brussels was “not prepared” to change regulations. In Labour’s manifesto, Keir Starmer vowed to improve trade
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Labour MP Rosie Duffield states ditching the winter fuel payment for all pensioners in England and Wales is a “brutal” action, which, she worries, could lead to people dying. The government reported in July plans to
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The London Museum has been granted a £50 million growth towards creating its latest home in Smithfield markets. The City of London Corporation and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan have both committed £25 million towards the
London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The family of James Kirby, a World Central Kitchen support worker killed in Gaza, have called for an independent inquiry into his death and expressed neither British nor Israeli diplomats had been in contact, even though an
Thousands flocked to the annual Sundown Festival at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich, enjoying a weekend filled with music and sunshine. The festival, now in its 12th year, featured over 80 artists across five stages, showcasing a diverse lineup that included Tom
The British Business Bank, the UK government’s economic development bank, is celebrating ten years of enhancing financial access for smaller businesses during Business Finance Week 2024. Running from September 26 to October 3, the week is dedicated to informing entrepreneurs about various
To prevent a broader conflict in the Middle East, the United States has been steadily positioning its Navy forces closer to the region. This deployment includes two aircraft carrier groups and a guided-missile submarine. American officials are openly communicating these moves to
Recent statistics reveal a significant rise in the number of individuals returned from the UK following comments from the Prime Minister. Notably, between July 5 and August 31, 2024, there were 1,240 enforced returns for individuals lacking legal rights to stay, a
The next government is being urged to pass critical legislation within the first 100 days following the general election, aiming to eliminate child poverty in the UK, according to five leading children’s charities. This coalition, which includes NSPCC, Action for Children, Barnardo’s,
The EU Red Sea naval mission Aspides reported on Monday that the Sounion oil tanker, which has been on fire since August 23, shows no signs of an oil spill. Despite this, the ship remains ablaze, according to the mission. “All vessels
As Keir Starmer approaches two months in office as Prime Minister, public opinion is beginning to take shape regarding the performance of the new Labour government. Recent YouGov political trackers indicate that while the public’s attitude toward the new administration is more
How Zelenskyy’s Independence Day Speech Resonates Amid Ukraine’s War Against Russia In a video recorded in the Sumy region, which connects Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Ukrainians that war has ‘returned’ to Russia. “Those who seek to sow evil on our land
The call for a ceasefire in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasizing that “the time for a Gaza ceasefire deal is now.” This statement comes during a significant visit to Israel alongside French Foreign Minister
The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance has unveiled an important collaboration for Black History Month, focused on enriching cultural engagement within communities. This initiative offers individuals the chance to explore and celebrate the rich history and contributions of Black culture through a
In a significant development in UK politics, suspended Labour councillor Ricky Jones has been remanded in custody following his charge of encouraging violent disorder. The charge is linked to comments he made during a counter-protest in Walthamstow, London, raising concerns about the
Over 8,200 complaints have been filed with Ofcom regarding a controversial episode of ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB), which raised serious questions about impartiality. The episode featured presenter Ed Balls interviewing his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, during a discussion on the
In a significant shift in labor policy, the Labour government has commenced the process of dismantling Conservative-era rules that imposed stringent restrictions on strike actions by various public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters, and train staff. This move comes as part of
China has issued a warning to NATO against “provoking confrontation” over its relationship with Russia, following NATO’s allegations that Beijing is a “decisive enabler” of Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The warning came as NATO leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., where they pledged
On Wednesday, members of the United Nations Security Council called for increased diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East following the assassinations of two militant leaders, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s military commander. Haniyeh was killed in
An enthusiastic spokesperson expressed pride in the festival’s evolution into one of the UK’s leading literature festivals, highlighting its status as a global cultural destination for both artists and audiences. “I am incredibly proud of the festival’s growth into one of the
Oil prices dropped nearly 2% on Monday following comments from Israeli officials indicating a desire to avoid escalating conflict in the Middle East after a deadly rocket strike in the Golan Heights. Brent crude futures settled at $79.78 per barrel, down $1.35
Ukraine’s air force announced on Wednesday that it successfully repelled one of the largest aerial assaults from Russia in recent months, downing 89 drones and one missile. The attack primarily targeted the central region of Kyiv, with over 40 drones intercepted above
Valley Fest, set to take place from August 1-4 on an organic farm in Chew Magna near Bristol, is gearing up for its 10th birthday with an impressive lineup. Artists Don Letts, Badger, Jaguar Skills, and OKO will perform on a takeover
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that inflation in countries like the UK and the US is proving “persistent,” potentially requiring interest rates to remain elevated for a prolonged period. This persistence in inflation, particularly in the services sector, continues to
The UK economy grew by 0.4% in May, twice the forecasted rate, driven by strong performances in retail and construction, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This growth marked a rebound from zero growth in April, which had been affected
LONDON — The U.K.’s opposition Labour Party has achieved a significant parliamentary majority in the general election, unseating the Conservative Party after 14 years in power. In the early hours of Friday, Labour surpassed the threshold needed to govern independently as outgoing
The UK’s pandemic planning failures and weaknesses are expected to be revealed in the first report from the Covid inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett. This highly anticipated report will be released at lunchtime and will address the state of the healthcare system,
The UK Research and Innovation programme, “Mobilising Community Assets to Tackle Health Inequalities,” is advancing into its third phase, marking a significant step in addressing health disparities within some of the most underserved communities in Britain. This phase will see the initiation
On July 4, registered voters across the UK’s 650 parliamentary constituencies will vote for their preferred candidates in a general election called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The UK employs a first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes
Recent developments have put UK companies at risk of prosecution due to the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) failure to investigate cotton imports that may involve forced labour from the Uyghur region of China. A pivotal Court of Appeal judgment on 27 June
