First minister unveils legislative programme including referendum and policies agreed with GreensNicola Sturgeon has told civil servants to start making a new case for independence, which offers people “an informed choice on Scotland’s future” in the S…
Sewage discharge rules eased over fears of chemical shortage
Wastewater plants in England and Wales offered waiver because of impact of lorry driver crisisSewage treatment chemicals have been added to the growing list of products in short supply because of the UK’s chronic lorry driver shortage, it has emerged.T…
Rishi Sunak confirms autumn budget to take place on 27 October
Ministers lobby chancellor for their departments before announcement of £140bn in extra spendingRishi Sunak has given the date of 27 October for his autumn budget, announcing plans to support public services and revive the economy with £140bn of extra …
‘It’s unfair’: Stoke-on-Trent voters see social care tax rise as unjust but necessary
People in the newly Tory seat react to the national insurance hike with a mix of realism and resentment at the effect on the low-paidIn the former red wall seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central, which the Conservatives won for the first time in 2019 with a ma…
Afghan failures show ‘global Britain’ is just an empty slogan | Letters
Mark Newbury highlights the lack of support for refugees, David Beswick writes of the mismanagement of Afghanistan evacuations and Dr Richard Carter draws attention to the UK’s diminishing influenceNesrine Malik’s excellent article (For Afghan refugees…
Suspending the pensions triple lock is bad news for young people | Craig Berry
A one-off boost to pensions now isn’t unfair if it means greater security in retirement for generations to comeThe “triple lock” is the most high-profile and contested area of pensions policy. It is also the most misunderstood. The lock, which ensures …
Boris Johnson has created a ‘social care plan’ without any plan for social care | Frances Ryan
The prime minister had a chance to effect real reform. Instead, he chose the Tory base over disabled people and care workersTwo years after Boris Johnson promised a plan for social care, it can hardly be said that today’s announcement was “worth the wa…
No 10 not ruling out ‘firebreak’ lockdown if Covid cases rise
Government denies plan for October half-term lockdown but says option remains open if NHS overwhelmedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDowning Street has not ruled out a “firebreak” lockdown as a last resort if the NHS were to…
Pensions triple lock to be suspended next year, government says
Work and pensions secretary tells MPs temporary move will prevent a hike in payments of 8%Today’s politics news – live updatesThe work and pensions secretary has announced the triple lock on the state pension will be temporarily suspended next year, to…
The prince, his valet and a Saudi billionaire: meritocracy in action | Marina Hyde
Poor HRH. Why must misfortune dog him, when his only crime is a passion for lovely things paid for by other people?One of my favourite modern curiosities is the “diversity and inclusion” page on the official website of the British royal family. “We are…