UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer may be softening his stance on changes to inheritance tax, according to the boss of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).After a meeting in No 10 with the prime minister on Monday, NFU president Tom Bradshaw claimed there was “a more conciliatory tone” regarding the controversial change which some have dubbed a “tractor tax”.Mr Bradshaw added: “We are trying to give it a bit of room to breathe. He hasn’t guaranteed me anything but I think there is a general softening of lines and I don’t want to stoke the fire.”In a video update to NFU members, he said: “I had a great opportunity to be invited into 10 Downing Street by the prime minister. We’ve been able to present outside of the discussion around what the changes… are going to mean for you, your family and your future.Jeremy Clarkson joined farmers protesting over the changes to inheritance tax rules More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreParliament will vote on an assisted dying bill this Friday for the first time in nearly a decade.Labour MP Kim Leadbeater proposed the Private Members Bill in mid-October, which will legalise assisted death under certain conditions for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.The bill would apply to those who are over 18 years old, have mental capacity, and have six months left to live, with the consent of two medical professionals. The bill has generated strong opinions from both sides of the assisted dying movement, while even some of those in favour have voiced concerns over the lack of safeguarding in the bill.A group of MPs have also pushed an amendment which may stop the bill from progressing to a vote this week.The Independent analysed public statements from all 650 MPs, in addition to news reports and other available information, to find which MPs will likely vote for or against the assisted dying bill this week. The analysis will be updated as more MPs come forward.The bill is open to a “free vote”, meaning that the party whips will not dictate whether to support or oppose the bill. Individual MPs are free to vote based on their own values and opinions of their constituents, regardless of whether they are Labour, Tory, or otherwise. Note: the voting intention of MPs is not final until the votes have been cast on Friday. As this is a sensitive issue, many MPs are still deciding and some could change their mind from previous positions.Our analysis found that at least 85 MPs are likely to vote in favour of the bill, while at least 76 are likely to vote against it.Some 489 MPs have either not made their opinion on assisted dying public, said they are still weighing up both possibilities or said they will abstain from the vote. Taking this into consideration, it will be difficult to say exactly whether the vote will pass. There is a significant degree of “unknown”, particularly among first-time MPs who are facing the issue for the first time.Meanwhile, when also including voting intentions shared off-record, ITV reports 146 MPs are planning to vote for the assisted dying bill, and 101 plan to vote against it. Both our analysis and ITV’s analysis indicate that slightly more MPs are leaning in favour of the assisted dying bill than not. Within the parties, our analysis found MPs are divided between voting for and against the bill, according to public declarations, reports, and working group memberships.Labour MPs are more likely than Tories to lean towards supporting the assisted dying bill, which was proposed by a fellow Labour MP.At present, an estimated 50 Labour MPs will support the bill, while 39 will vote against it. Among those against the bill are some of Labour’s most prominent members, including health secretary Wes Streeting, and long-standing MP Diane Abbott. Health secretary Wes Streeting has spoken out against the assisted dying bill More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreFewer than one in five teachers believe a school-wide ban on mobile phones would improve student behaviour, a survey has suggested.More than two in five (41%) teachers agree that mobile phones can be a teaching tool within schools, according to the poll.The survey of 1,001 UK teachers also suggested only 20% said unauthorised mobile phone use disrupts their classrooms most frequently.The most disruptive behaviours cited were student chatter (80%), inattention (75%), inability to sit still (65%) and disrespect towards other students (55%).The findings, shared exclusively with the PA news agency, come after Labour MP and former teacher Josh MacAlister introduced a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament last month on protecting children from harms caused by excessive screen time.Rather than seeing phones as purely disruptive, many teachers recognise they could be useful learning tools when managed wellDuncan Verry, BettMr MacAlister’s Bill calls for a legal requirement to be introduced so all schools in England are mobile-free zones.But the YouGov poll, carried out for education technology exhibition Bett in August, found just 18% of teachers believe a school-wide phone ban is a measure which will improve student behaviour in their school.When asked to select their top measures for improving pupil behaviour the majority pointed to reduced class sizes (57%) and increased support for students with behavioural challenges (50%).Schools in England were given guidance under the former Conservative government in February intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day but it is currently non-statutory.Last month, Downing Street signalled that the Labour Government is unlikely to back Mr MacAlister’s Bill as headteachers can already ban phones from schools at their own discretion.A Department for Education (DfE) blog, published last month, said the use of mobile phones in schools “can lead to distractions, disruption and can increase the risk of online bullying” and they “have no place in classrooms”.Views are clearly mixed about whether mobile phones can be used as learning tools in a manageable wayPepe Di’Iasio, Association of School and College LeadersDuncan Verry, portfolio director at Bett, said: “Our research indicates that teachers take a balanced view of mobile technology in schools.“They’re clear-eyed about both the challenges and benefits of phones in educational settings.“Rather than seeing phones as purely disruptive, many teachers recognise they could be useful learning tools when managed well.”He added: “What’s particularly striking is that teachers view phone-use as a relatively minor disruption compared to traditional classroom management challenges.“This suggests we should consider phone policies as part of a wider conversation about supporting teachers and creating effective learning environments.”Our bigger concern is their use outside of school time, which is where problems such as cyberbullying, addictive behaviour and exposure to inappropriate content generally happenPepe Di’Iasio, Association of School and College LeadersPepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said:  “Views are clearly mixed about whether mobile phones can be used as learning tools in a manageable way.“Some people argue they are part of life and utilising them in supervised circumstances can provide valuable learning opportunities while others feel they are always a potential distraction.“However, we have reached a point where government guidance has fallen on the side of prohibiting their use entirely during the school day, including in lessons.“Given increasing concern about the impact of this technology on young people, that may be a reasonable place to land.“But our bigger concern is their use outside of school time, which is where problems such as cyberbullying, addictive behaviour and exposure to inappropriate content generally happen.“The answer is tougher regulation of online platforms.”Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Individual schools know their pupils and communities, so are best-placed to make decisions on phone use based upon what works for them and for their pupils’ education and wellbeing.”He added: “Schools already have the power to implement their own policies on mobile phones and most have clear guidelines in place which they review regularly.”A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We know that technology can bring many benefits to children’s education, but mobile phones are a distraction from learning and our guidance is clear that it is for headteachers to decide how to prohibit their use in a way that will work in their own schools.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe Royal Shakespeare Company will look at using artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technology in future productions, the Government announced as part of other projects and funding measures for the West Midlands as well as Merseyside.Based at playwright William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, as well as London, the theatre company will lead R&D pilot production projects in collaboration with the US tech and media festival South by Southwest (SXSW).The RSC has previously used motion capture technology in a performance of Dream, inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in 2021, which was aimed at remote audience members during the pandemic.Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled £13.5 million investment in training, research and development for a range of projects in Merseyside and the West Midlands.She said: “Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not. That’s why we are supporting firms, artists and freelancers that are innovating, using new technology and driving growth in creative clusters across the country.“Liverpool and Merseyside hold a special place in our nation’s music landscape, and this funding will support imagination and experimentation across the city and region, as creators explore how we can make gigs more environmentally friendly.“Birmingham and the West Midlands have a rich industrial history, and we are putting them at the forefront of a potential new industry developing the amazing technology that will revolutionise visual effects in film, theatre and gaming.”Of the share of the pot, the West Midlands will get £6.75 million, which will be aimed at businesses specialising in creative tech like video games and immersive reality and industry working with many partners including universities and the RSC.The type of technology has not been decided, but it will look at “AI and immersive technology”.There will also be a consideration of “incorporating VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) technologies for live events; adapting game engines for non-gaming applications in music, theatre, and film; using game design principles to engage audiences; and employing 3D modelling and animation techniques to create high-quality immersive content”.VR simulates an experience for users, usually using headsets, while AR works through creating computer-generated content in the real world.Those involved in the partnership CreaTech Frontiers are places such as the Birmingham Opera Group, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.A fund of £6.75 million has also been allocated by the Government to Liverpool’s combined authority’s academic and private sector programme, called the MusicFutures cluster.Working with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, the cluster will fund training for musicians, teachers and business to use technology such as AI and extended reality (XR) to make the “live music sector more environmentally sustainable”.This could mean building simulated environments as well as having computer-generated creations.It comes as the Music Venue Trust said grassroots music is being hollowed out by the cost-of-living crisis and other factors, with 125 of these type of venues permanently shutting in 2023. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer is in a new row with leading company bosses as his government attempts to force around 2 million young people back into work.As work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall unveiled the “Get Britain Working” plan in the Commons, a major business organisation – the British Chambers of Commerce – warned that Labour’s policies are more likely to lead to job losses.There was similar criticism from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), with both organisations pointing to the impact of employment rights legislation and the rise in national insurance dubbed “the jobs tax”.The government plans to force young people and the long-term sick to take up work or lose their benefits in a dramatic move to end worklessness and increase employment in the UK.Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall insisted that people who ‘can work, must work’ More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer has hit back at Donald Trump’s tariff threats with an apparent warning that 1 million Americans working for British companies stand to be affected.It comes as the president-elect indicated that he will slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he re-enters the White House in January, raising fears that the UK is next.The prime minister is facing continued warnings that the UK will be economically isolated unless it chooses between a trade deal with Trump’s US and closer ties with the EU.But Labour ministers have so far refused to be cowed by the threat from the US, or commit to making further concessions on the Brexit reset, when pressed in the Commons.In a briefing to journalists, No 10 highlighted the £304bn that UK-US trade was worth over the last year.Trump has been warned that any tariffs he introduces could affect 1 million Americans working for UK firms More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreKeir Starmer’s national security adviser will seek to woo Donald Trump’s team over the Chagos islands after The Independent revealed the president-elect fears the controversial deal will be sealed before he even enters the White House.Jonathan Powell, who negotiated the plan to hand over the islands earlier this year, is to travel to Washington in a bid to persuade Mr Trump not to tear up the agreement.He is understood to be looking for ways to cancel the arrangement amid security concerns over the crucial joint UK/US base on one of the islands, Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean.There are also fears the deal, struck by Sir Keir Starmer and foreign secretary David Lammy, will allow China access to the islands to build their own rival base.Donald Trump’s team are seeking assurances that the deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will not be completed before his inauguration More