From Sudan to Iraq to Afghanistan, self-righteous US and UK policies have more to do with power than peopleIn August 1998, two weeks after a little-known terror outfit called al-Qaida announced itself to the world with bomb attacks on the American emba…
UK food firms beg ministers to let them use prisoners to ease labour shortages
Meat processors and others say they must have more day release workers as they cannot find enough staffDesperate food manufacturers are pleading with the government to be able to call upon prisoners to solve a labour crisis blamed on the double blow of…
‘Cowboy’ providers could lose approval to sell PCR travel tests
More than 80 companies were issued a two-strike warning for displaying lower prices on the government website than are available at checkoutMore than 80 private Covid-19 testing companies could lose government approval to sell PCR travel tests followin…
Labour to pledge shake-up of universal credit as part of wider ‘new deal’
Shadow work and pensions secretary expected to propose taper rate reduction that will be first element of social security overhaulLabour will promise on Monday to overhaul the universal credit system by allowing low-income workers to earn more without …
Council accused of taking ‘rewilding’ too far as weeds take root in Brighton
Older residents reported to be tripping on pavement weeds, but Green council leader praises their biodiversityA Green-led council has been accused of taking rewilding too far by allowing so many weeds to flourish that they have become a health hazard, …
Labour says PPE orders must not go to Xinjiang firms that use forced workers
Exclusive: Emily Thornberry appeals to Sajid Javid to tackle issue of forced labour in Chinese provinceLabour has written to the health secretary, Sajid Javid, urging him to ensure a new £5bn contract for NHS protective equipment including gowns and ma…
It is our moral duty to take in more Afghan refugees | Letters
Readers despair at the Tory government’s treatment of the people who risked their lives to work for it in AfghanistanYou have to admire the genius of the UK’s refugee policy: first, no one who gets here unofficially can be considered for asylum and the…
HS2 eastern leg to Leeds may be scrapped, new leak claims
Tory MPs celebrate demise of a ‘hugely expensive white elephant’ while other northern leaders dismayedNorthern leaders have reacted with dismay to further claims that HS2’s eastern leg to Leeds may be scrapped, while some “red wall” Tory MPs celebrated…
Sturgeon urges Raab to assist Scottish Sikh man allegedly tortured in India
First minister raises ‘deep concerns’ about case of Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been imprisoned for four years awaiting trialNicola Sturgeon has written to the embattled foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, urging him to intervene in the case of a Scottish…
Home working a key battleground in Unite leadership race
Candidates keen to pitch how they would ensure the union protects workers’ rights during change to working patternsWith phrases such as “second-tier workers”, “keystroke surveillance” and “presenteeism” rolling off their tongues, it is clear the three …