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    Voices: Should MPs be handed another inflation-busting pay rise? Join The Independent Debate

    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.Read moreMPs are set for another inflation-busting increase, with salaries rising by 2.8 per cent to nearly £94,000.The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which oversees MPs’ pay, argues that the increase reflects both the “vital role” of MPs and wider public sector pay rises. In contrast, as of April 2024, the median annual salary for full-time employees in the UK stood at £37,430.Critics say the rise for MPs is unjustified at a time when taxpayers are facing high inflation, record tax burdens, and struggling public services.Some argue that MPs deserve fair pay for their demanding jobs and that competitive salaries attract capable individuals to Parliament. Others, like John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, believe their pay should be tied to economic performance, ensuring they share the financial realities of the public.Now we want to know your views: should MPs receive an inflation-busting pay rise? Do they deserve a salary increase in line with other public sector workers, or should their pay be frozen in recognition of economic challenges?Share your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the most compelling responses.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

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    Labour WhatsApp scandal: Everything we know about ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ group as more messages exposed

    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.Read moreSir Keir Starmer is struggling to get a grip on the snowballing WhatsApp scandal that has forced an apology from a second MP in his party.The Labour leader is facing calls to widen the investigation into inappropriate messages reportedly shared in the chat, which has already led to the sacking of former health minister Andrew Gwynne and has now embroiled Burnley MP Oliver Ryan.As fresh messages continue to emerge, here is everything we know so far.What is the WhatsApp group? The scandal erupted on Saturday when the Mail on Sunday contacted Downing Street to inform staff of the existence of the group and the messages Mr Gwynne had sent in it. No10 responded quickly, sacking Mr Gwynne as a health minister over the alleged “antisemitic”, “sexist” and “racist” comments in the group, and launched an investigation into the reportedly named “Trigger Me Timbers” WhatsApp group.In a warning to others who have shared messages in the group, a Labour spokesperson said the party would take swift action “if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members”.Andrew Gwynne said he regrets making badly misjudged comments in a WhatsApp group after Sir Keir Starmer sacked him as a minister More

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    Labour minister defends migrant raid videos after being accused of trying to mimic Reform

    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.Read moreLabour has defended its controversial migration plans after allegations the party is aping Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said the government is simply “enforcing the rules” by publishing videos of immigration raids targeting illegal workers. The films have been criticised by human rights groups and MPs for being melodramatic, with the Refugee Council saying the government was using performative stunts to try to promote division.Labour has been accused of aping Nigel Farage’s Reform UK More

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    UK touts a clampdown on illegal working as it seeks to look tough on immigration

    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.Read more The British government on Monday touted its success in raiding businesses that employ unauthorized workers and deporting thousands of migrants with no right to stay in the U.K.What’s billed as a “blitz on illegal working” is part of a pledge by the center-left Labour government to reduce immigration -– a priority for many voters -– and stop the growing popularity of the hard-right party Reform U.K.But for migrants groups, and some Labour Party members, the images uncomfortably recall a previous Conservative government’s pledge to make Britain a “hostile environment” for illegal migration. That led to thousands of long-term legal residents being denied housing, jobs or medical treatment because they could not prove their status. Dozens were detained or deported to countries they had not visited for decades.The government said Monday that immigration enforcement teams have carried out more than 5,000 raids since Labour was elected in July on businesses including nail bars, convenience stores, vape shops, restaurants and car washes, and made almost 4,000 arrests. The figures are significantly higher than the previous year, when the Conservatives were in power.Britain also has deported more than 16,000 people in the same period. The government plans to release video footage of migrants being deported later Monday in a PR move that has been criticized as crass and insensitive.Home Office Minister Angela Eagle defended the government’s tough approach.“We have to have a system where the rules are respected and enforced,” she told the BBC. “It’s important that we show what we are doing and it’s important that we send messages to people who may have been sold lies about what will await them in the U.K. if they get themselves smuggled in.” A new tough immigration bill likely to pass Monday The government says the perception that it’s easy to find work in Britain is a “dangerous draw” for migrants who try to cross the English Channel on small boats. Authorities in the U.K. and France have struggled for years to stop the dangerous crossings, which brought more than 38,000 people to Britain in 2024. More than 70 people perished in the attempts.Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the crime gangs are a threat to global security and should be treated like terror networks. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which faces a key vote in Parliament on Monday, contains new powers including the ability to seize suspected traffickers’ phones before they are arrested.It will also formally scrap the Safety of Rwanda Act, which underpinned the previous Conservative government’s contentious plan to send some asylum-seekers who reach Britain by boat on a one-way trip to Rwanda. Starmer branded the plan an expensive gimmick, and canceled it soon after taking office. The new immigration bill is almost certain to pass because of Labour’s large majority. But some feel uneasy. Human rights group Liberty said the bill sets a “dangerous precedent” in bringing in counterterrorism-style powers for offences that are not terrorism.The Conservatives, meanwhile, called it “a weak bill that won’t stop the boats.” Support for anti-immigrant Reform party on the rise Labour won a landslide election victory just seven months ago, but the government’s popularity has slumped and polls suggest a surge in support for Reform U.K., the populist anti-immigrant party led by Nigel Farage. Reform has only five seats in the 650-seat House of Commons but is vying for top spot in polls with Labour and the main opposition Conservatives, even though an election is likely four years away.Reform’s rise has left both Labour and the Tories scrambling to respond, and is part of the reason for the government talking tough on immigration.But Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, cautioned that “wooing back Reform voters with red meat on Farage’s favorite issues is a strategy with low prospects of success and high risks.”“Labour won last summer with a ruthless focus on issues which united a broad coalition -– growth, public services and the cost of living,” he wrote in The Observer newspaper. “Focusing instead on issues which divide Labour and play to Farage’s strengths is not a great strategy.”____Follow AP’s global migration coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/migration More

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    Minister admits UK will have to ‘wait and see’ as Trump announces first tariffs to affect major industry

    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.Read moreA minister has admitted the UK will have to “wait and see” after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to the US.In comments made on the way to the Super Bowl late on Sunday, Mr Trump announced plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on “any steel coming into the United States”, adding that aluminium will also be subject to additional duties.He did not offer any details but did confirm he plans to announce on Tuesday or Wednesday other “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that have their own duties on US products.But asked about his comments, Dame Angela Eagle said it is “in the best interests” of both the UK and US that the two countries carry on with their “balanced trade”.Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle admitted the UK will have to “wait and see” regarding tariffs More

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    Elon Musk hits out at Keir Starmer in row over Apple users’ data

    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.Read moreElon Musk has reignited his feud with Keir Starmer – hitting out at the government’s controversial attempt to get access to Apple users’ data. The tech billionaire and ‘first buddy’ of Donald Trump called the decision “crazy” and also retweeted a social media post that dubbed it a “global privacy nightmare”.Mr Musk threw the government into chaos last month, when he triggered an explosive over politicians handling of child grooming gangs. Mr Musk has again attacked the Labour prime minister More

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    Watch: Keir Starmer makes history as he becomes first prime minister to get public HIV test

    Sir Keir Starmer has become the first western prime minister to take a public HIV  test in an effort to destigmatise testing for the virus.The prime minister took an at-home test at 10 Downing Street alongside soul singer Beverley Knight, to mark HIV Testing Week which starts today (10 February)Sir Keir said: “It’s really important to do it and I’m really pleased to be able to do it. It’s very easy, very quick.”During HIV Testing Week, which runs from February 10 to 17, members of the public can order one of 20,000 free, confidential, at-home tests which Sir Keir and singer Beverley Knight demonstrated in Downing Street. The test provides a result in 15 minutes. More

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    Labour accused of trying to outdo Farage with migrant deportation videos

    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.Read moreSir Keir Starmer’s government has been accused of trying to mimic Nigel Farage’s Reform party by publishing videos of raids on migrants accused of working illegally in Britain.Release of the footage is part of a crackdown on those entering the country illegally, but echoes similar initiatives by Rishi Sunak’s Tory government that were criticised by Labour and others.The raids are being publicised as home secretary Yvette Cooper’s landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to parliament for its second reading in the Commons today.But the films have been criticised by human rights groups and MPs for being “melodramatic”. The Refugee Council said the government was using “performative” stunts to try to promote division, while former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said it was “sickening” to see Labour try to appease Reform.Veteran Labour MP and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott accused Sir Keir of turning Labour into “Reform-lite”.The footage is part of a crackdown on people entering the country illegally and an attempt to ratchet up action to protect UK borders More