Government scheme to replace EU agricultural payments fuelled by ‘blind optimism’ and still lacking crucial details, say MPsThe government’s plans for a post-Brexit scheme to support British farming are based on little more than “blind optimism” and ri…
Tories’ manifesto pledge to build 300,000 houses a year now ‘almost impossible’
Shortages of material, labour and drivers put the party’s mid-2020 target in serious jeopardy, say analystsBoris Johnson’s election pledge to build 300,000 new houses a year is in serious jeopardy in the face of labour and material shortages that are c…
Jailed Saudi aid worker’s sister hits out at Newcastle takeover
Sentence of 20 years for alleged critic of regime was upheld a day after controversial football deal was sealedThe sister of a Saudi aid worker jailed for tweeting criticism of the regime has spoken of her shock and anger after the Saudi-led takeover o…
Facebook is ‘biased against facts’, says Nobel prize winner
Philippines journalist Maria Ressa says social media firm is threat to democracy and failing to halt spread of misinformationThe campaigning Philippines journalist Maria Ressa, who was last week awarded the Nobel peace prize, has launched a stinging at…
Covid and Afghanistan ‘reveal weakness of UK’s security policy’
Cross-party MPs and peers say the response to the two crises has exposed system as inadequateThe rapid fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic have revealed “serious weaknesses” in the government’s approach to deali…
Starmer ‘must win over soft Tory voters for election success’
Study says it is vital for party to prioritise Conservative supporters open to voting LabourSoft Conservative supporters make up the overwhelming majority of voters Keir Starmer will need to win over to have a chance of victory at the next election, ac…
Vulnerable children at risk as England faces shortfall of 25,000 foster families
No support, a broken system and increasing poverty are hampering the recruitment of carers, charities warnEngland faces a 25,000 shortfall in foster families over the next five years, amid complaints of a lack of support for existing carers and a broke…
Afghan journalists win right to come to Britain after media appeal
Foreign secretary agrees to visa waivers for group of 200 but British Council staff still in limbo More than 200 Afghan journalists who worked with the British media are to be granted access to the UK after an appeal by a coalition of British newspaper…
Keir Starmer: my No 1 priority is winning elections
Labour leader says party must modernise to stand a chance of winning over votersKeir Starmer has told Labour that it has to modernise and become “the party of the next 10 or 20 years” if it is to stand a chance of winning the next election, as he vowed…
New Covid variants ‘will set us back a year’, experts warn UK government
Vaccine-beating variant is ‘realistic possibility’, say scientists, amid calls for contingency plans to be revealedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters are being pressed to reveal what contingency plans are in place to …