UK Politics

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorHampshire Tory police and crime commissioner Donna Jones has stubbornly refused to back down over a controversial statement that appeared to justify the activities of the far right and riots up and down the UK.Ms Jones had said in the statement posted online on Saturday night that arresting thugs was “treating the symptom and not the cause” before it was deleted after attracting widespread criticism. She put the statement back on the official website for Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner but with a clarification statement underlining she does not condone the violent scenes.It appeared Ms Jones had decided to take it down, or had been ordered to do so, because of its provocative language at a time of heightened tensions in the UK, with violent civil unrest in Southport, Liverpool, Hull, Hartlepool, London, Belfast and Rotherham.Police and crime commissioner for Hampshire Donna Jones More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThousands of new parliamentary staff are at risk from crumbling buildings, fire, asbestos and vermin as the restoration of the Palace of Westminster remains in limbo.The massive turnover of MPs and their staff at the general election means many of those working on the estate are unaware of the risks they face, parliament’s leading unions have warned.And the GMB, which represents thousands of employees working in the Commons, Lords and members’ staffers, said that “we cannot afford for the can to be kicked down the street any longer”.The Palace of Westminster is undergoing a multibillion-pound restoration and renewal project to ensure it is safe for future generations of MPs and staff across the estate.The cost of simply keeping the site safe and running is currently £1.4m a week, with the decision about a larger restoration project having been repeatedly pushed back.The official restoration and renewal project has identified asbestos in 2,500 places on the estate, as well as the risk of fire, flooding and falling stones. Hundreds of miles of cables and pipes need replacing, outdated water and sewage systems need updating and the project is estimated to take a team of 300 people several years. Another major problem is the lack of disability accessibility, with the estate covering 65 different levels, having more than 100 staircases and only one lift that meets modern-day standards for accessibility.A full decant of parliament would be the cheapest and quickest option for the restoration project More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorA senior Tory’s statement on an official website, which appeared to justify some of the activities of the far-right rioters in recent days, has been branded “totally unacceptable” by former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal.The statement by Donna Jones, the Tory police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire, was a response to the rioting that has taken place in Southport, Sunderland, Hull, London and Hartlepool since the murder of three girls in Southport. It was removed on Saturday night without any explanation but not before it attracted widespread condemnation on social media.In it, Ms Jones acknowledged the rioting and civil unrest “has escalated to a worrying level”. She also noted that “the behaviour of some of those protesting has been extremely violent, highly distressing and absolutely criminal”.Police and crime commissioner for Hampshire Donna Jones More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorRobert Jenrick made himself the leading candidate of the Tory right with a series of hardline policies designed to take on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK including bringing back the Rwanda plan.The former home office minister and communities secretary was surrounded by leading figures from the Tory right including former minister Esther McVey, who introduced him at the launch, and Common Sense Group chairman Sir John Hayes.In a pitch made directly to the Tory membership which many believe is more rightwing than the party’s MPs, Mr Jenrick promised to create a party “which my good friend Suella Braverman is comfortable in”.The Newark MP chose his own constituency for the launch to prove that the party wants to reach out to the towns and countryside from “the metropolitan bubble” of London. But it was his collection of rightwing policies which set him apart from his rivals.Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick speaking during his Conservative Party leadership campaign launch at the YMCA Community and Activity Village, in Newark, Nottinghamshire (Jacob King/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorCleaners in the Houses of Parliament are facing cuts of up to 25 per cent of the workforce and are complaining of uncertain and chaotic conditions, despite Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to “serve working people”. In May 2024, the Churchill Group was awarded the contract to clean the Houses of Parliament. But since then, Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU) claim they have faced “chaos and uncertainty”.The group is planning to cut staffing by 25 per cent, a total of between 30 to 50 people. The decision was announced on 8 July, with redundancies set to start on 2 September. The union has said its members, which make up 90 per cent of the workforce, are “preparing to fight back”.Sir Keir has repeatedly said his plan in government is to put Britain “back in the service of working people”. But a CAIWU spokesperson said: “Members of CAIWU have faced chaos and uncertainty: pressure to sign new contracts, changed pay structure and plans to cut the workforce by 25 per cent.“Despite promises from the incumbent Government to create real change for working people, Keir Starmer has ridden back on several pledges regarding an end to outsourcing since his election as Labour Party leader in 2019.“But a key question remains: if Keir Starmer and the incumbent Labour Party can’t even ensure the fair and equal treatment of those in their own house, what does it say about the future of workers across the country?”It said its workers are facing “increased workloads, leading to physical and mental health issues, while the private sector reaps the rewards”, adding that the outsourcing process has created a “two-tier workforce where those unlucky enough to be outsourced lack the same rights and allowances as their peers.”Sir Keir has repeatedly said his plan in government is to put Britain “back in the service of working people” More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe boss of a major housing giant has warned ministers of the real cost of achieving their ambitious housing targets. Rob Perrins, the chief executive of Berkeley Group, said his organisation welcomed the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes in five years. But in an article for The Independent he said the “rub” was “the cost. And, in one word, what our country needs is investment”.He also warned that charging homebuilders up to £75,000 for every flat they build was not part of the solution.Ministers want 1.5 million new homes in five years (Gareth Fuller/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorMembers of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet have had housing targets in their constituencies slashed, despite a government push to build hundreds of thousands of new homes across the UK.Announcing new targets for housebuilding, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner this week told MPs that “we must all play our part” in the plan to build more homes.She unveiled a major overhaul of the planning system last week, which will see all councils in England given mandatory housing targets as part of a plan to deliver 1.5 million more homes in the UK.Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has set out an overhaul of planning rules (Andy Buchanan/PA) More