DWP warns carers they could face greater penalties if they appeal against fines
Government officials use threatening tactics towards unpaid carers with benefit fines, discouraging appeals by warning of potential increased penalties. [ more ]
Labour plans review of carer's allowance after thousands forced to repay
Labour plans to review the carer's allowance system if they win the general election, aiming to address the unjust penalties faced by unpaid carers. [ more ]
Tata would push on with Port Talbot job losses even with Labour subsidy'
Tata Steel plans to move forward with significant job cuts at Port Talbot despite promised subsidies from Labour.
Shadow ministers' proposal of keeping one blast furnace open while building an electric one at Port Talbot is deemed almost impossible by sources close to Tata Steel. [ more ]
Sunak braces for backlash as smoking ban bill to be introduced in Commons
Sunak's public health policy banning the next generation from buying cigarettes faces rebellion from some Conservative MPs, possibly relying on Labour for support.
The proposed bill aims to increase the legal smoking age incrementally, raising concerns about practicality and implementation from rebellious Tory MPs. [ more ]
Labour tells China it will act on interference in UK democracy
Labour warns China against interference in UK democracy and announces fresh sanctions against Beijing-linked hackers.
Labour's shadow Asia minister, Catherine West, raised concerns about Chinese interference in British democracy, committing to a clear-eyed approach and conducting an audit of UK-China relations. [ more ]
Senior Labour figures seeking to water down plans to decriminalise abortion
Senior Labour figures want to water down proposed legislation decriminalizing abortion in England and Wales.
Support exists from MPs on both sides of the house and senior doctors' groups for Diana Johnson's proposal to abolish the criminal offence associated with abortion. [ more ]
Pushed on rising mobile, broadband, and car insurance costs, Mr Sunak acknowledged there were still "challenges", but argued the UK was "in a far better place than we were when I became prime minister because of our plan".
Vaughan Gething's win in Wales is cause for celebration but he still has tough questions to answer | Richard Wyn Jones
Vaughan Gething won the Welsh Labour leadership election with 51.7% of the vote, becoming Wales's first Black head of government in Europe.
His victory has caused unease within the party due to backroom machinations and acceptance of a controversial donation from a businessman with environmental offenses. [ more ]
Who is Vaughan Gething, the new Welsh Labour leader?
Vaughan Gething's upbringing and career highlight a journey from Zambia to Wales, facing racism and becoming a prominent figure in governance and politics.
Gething emphasizes being judged by his abilities rather than his skin color, acknowledging the historic significance of being potentially the first black leader of a European nation. [ more ]
Lib Dems to open conference with call to copy Biden's tax on share buybacks
The Liberal Democrats are proposing a 4% tax on share buybacks by big corporations, inspired by Joe Biden's similar policy.
The tax on share buybacks aims to generate around 2bn annually, appealing to critics who view buybacks as inflating share prices at the expense of other investments. [ more ]
The threat to MPs is real. But Michael Gove's empty extremism plans will do nothing to tackle it | Gaby Hinsliff
Politicians face serious threats in public life, including death threats and verbal abuse.
The increasing tensions around the Israel-Gaza war have made certain politicians, like Zarah Sultana, more vulnerable to targeted hate and threats. [ more ]