The Guardian Politics

UK state threats bill could pull British journalists into terror prosecutions – experts

Two independent reviewers of terrorism legislation call for safeguards for NGOs and journalists before bill becomes law this weekBritish foreign correspondents could be at risk of prosecution if they use sources within state-backed groups in countries such as Iran under national security legislation being rushed through parliament this week.David Anderson, the UK’s former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has warned that unless the bill is amended it could accidentally pull journali

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Keir Starmer's attempts to placate big tech were a disaster. Andy Burnham must take a stand | Beeban Kidron

Labour came to power promising to tackle Silicon Valley. But from workers’ rights to online privacy it has failed at almost every turnDuring a recent conversation in the House of Lords, a former senior US government official told me that “democracy was broken”. When I asked why, they pointed to research that showed that governments – regardless of party – represent the interests of the wealthy and not the people who vote for them.Nowhere is this more visible than with the tech lobby, which has e

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham to propose devolution plan in first major policy speech since launching bid for No 10 – UK politics live

Makerfield MP and hopeful prime minister to pledge ‘growth in every postcode’ Good morning. When Keir Starmer became PM, he had published his missions and his first steps, Labour was awash with policy, but some people still felt it was hard to know what his driving motivation was, what was the single big goal he wanted to achieve in politics. Andy Burnham is set to become PM three weeks today and in his case it is easy to answer this question is because he published a book about it in early 2024

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

HMRC scheme that wrongly cut child benefits did not ‘adequately consider’ impact, report finds

NAO inquiry follows suspension of payments after erroneous records that claimants had emigratedAn HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) anti-fraud crackdown that stripped 23,000 families of their child benefit failed to “adequately consider” the policy’s impact on claimants, an official report has found.The report by the National Audit Office followed HMRC’s decision to suspend payments after flight records provided by the Home Office purportedly showed thousands of parents had emigrated. Continue readi

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham to promise devolution in first major speech since launching No 10 bid

The favourite to be the next prime minister will set out his economic vision in a speech in Manchester.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

BBC Politics

White working-class children failed by education system, says inquiry

The inquiry spoke to thousands of young people and their parents, as well as hundreds of teachers.

politics  Jun 29, 2026

The Guardian Politics

London mayor to override opposition to outdoor dining in Soho next summer

Exclusive: Sadiq Khan plans to use new powers after local council opposes city scheme for seasonal pedestrianisationThe mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, plans to override opposition to al fresco dining in Soho after the local council failed to apply to a scheme for seasonal pedestrianisation that is being introduced across the capital this summer.From 2027, restaurants in London’s entertainment district will be allowed to put chairs outside in the warmer months despite a longstanding local row on th

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

British firms to get £3,000 for every long-term jobless youngster they hire

Scheme aims to help 60,000 people aged 18-24 into work as part of push to cut welfare bill and tackle youth jobs crisis Employers in Great Britain will be given £3,000 for every long-term unemployed young person they hire under government plans to reduce the welfare bill and joblessness.The scheme, which will be available to firms from Tuesday, is aimed at helping 60,000 people aged 18-24 enter work over the next three years. Continue reading...

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham to pledge ‘good growth in every postcode’ in devolution plan

Makerfield MP on course to be PM will argue for more decision-making in regions and communities as he sets out platform for governmentAndy Burnham will pledge to deliver “good growth in every postcode” by overseeing a significant transfer of power out of Whitehall to local communities as he sets out his case to become the UK’s next prime minister.In his first major speech since winning the Makerfield byelection, Burnham will argue for decision-making to be devolved to regions and communities to

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Chris Mason: Burnham starts to sketch out his vision as potential prime minister

The new MP for Makerfield will give what his team has called "his first major leadership speech" on Monday morning.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ella Baron on Andy Burnham’s big plans for Britain – cartoon

Continue reading...

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on universities: public confidence in degrees is wavering – ministers should shore it up | Editorial

Unfair changes to student loans and concerns about job prospects must be weighed against the life-changing potential of educationIs going to university financially worthwhile? New research on graduate incomes is unlikely to help the beleaguered sector’s reputation. Even though most benefit from an earnings premium, worth around £100,000 on average over a lifetime (after tax and student loan repayments), the finding that one in four people end up worse off proves that there are no guarantees. The

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Cleverly says he would not have used Badenoch's Gestapo jibe

The Conservative leader has been criticised by Labour for making a Nazi comparison in relation to the education secretary.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Labour should ‘be kind’, a Makerfield voter told me. So how about stopping the relentless closures of precious day centres? | John Harris

Countless spaces for adults with complex needs have been shut down. If Andy Burnham wants to fix social care, keeping them open must be a priorityWellington House is in north Brighton, and known to the people who frequent it as Welly. It has the austere look of an old Victorian school, but what goes on inside is all about care and empathy. The building is the home of the city’s last council-run day centre for adults with complex needs, autism and learning disabilities, 21 of whom are reckoned to

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Senior Labour figures say party is united behind Andy Burnham

Lucy Powell and Steve Reed say Labour MPs are backing a coronation of Burnham rather than a contest.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ed Miliband as chancellor would benefit every part of the UK – and the bond markets | Josh Ryan-Collins

If Andy Burnham chooses the energy secretary, Labour could fully use the benefits of net zero to promote growth and jobsIt should have been a great week for Ed Miliband and his mission to decarbonise the UK economy. Western Europe has experienced one of its worst ever heatwaves, providing powerful evidence of the need to transition away from fossil-fuel-driven energy production to reduce the carbon emissions that are contributing to global warming.Instead, however, he has been attacked by an unh

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘British food will disappear’: trade deal after Brexit is hitting UK farmers hard

Home-grown food may become a niche product for wealthy in our supermarkets as British farmers’ incomes plummetFor Liz Webster, who farms 647 hectares (1600 acres) in Wiltshire, south west England, the latest impact of Brexit has been particularly brutal. About £400 per animal has been wiped off the price she can get for her beef cattle, a hefty blow at a time when all the inputs – feed, energy, fertiliser – are going through the roof.The fall in price, on livestock that typically fetch £2,000 to

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Two prime ministerial resignations, 10 years apart: ‘Brexit represents a kind of faultline in British history’

Keir Starmer’s announcement on Monday was the latest convulsion since the Brexit vote. This week, as we marked 10 years since the referendum, our former national news editor Dan Sabbagh looked back to the start of Britain’s ongoing political chaosOur political sketch writer John Crace has dubbed it the “podium of doom”. Just before a British prime minister steps out of 10 Downing Street to announce their resignation, a lone lectern takes centre stage and casts an ominous shadow across the ground

politics  Jun 28, 2026

BBC Politics

Ex-minister not ruling out leadership bid yet

Carns says he is waiting to hear the contents of an economics speech by Andy Burnham.

politics  Jun 28, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Will Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?

In the first of a series on nationalisation, we look at the critical tests ahead for the PM-in-waiting, from choosing a chancellor to the future of Thames WaterAs he swept towards victory in the Makerfield byelection, Andy Burnham told voters he wanted to see “the essentials of life being run primarily for the public interest, not for the private interests”.Citing the Bee Network of buses and trams across Manchester city region, brought together on his watch, Burnham repeatedly highlighted the n

politics  Jun 28, 2026