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A social media curfew that would see children made to stop using apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat after 10pm could be made law in Britain, the technology secretary has revealed.Peter Kyle said he is “watching very carefully” TikTok’s move to limit usage of its app for users under 16 after 10pm, and examining tools parents could use to switch off access at set times.“These are things I am looking at,” he told the Daily Telegraph, adding: “I’m not going to act on something that will have a profound impact on every single child in the country without making sure that the evidence supports it.”There is increased pressure on ministers to look at how teens use social media amid expert concerns around ‘addiction’, alongside interrupting sleep schedules and disrupting schooling and family life.Mr Kyle said he was considering enforcement options under the Online Safety Act following regulator Ofcom’s publication of the Children’s Code.Technology secretary Peter Kyle says he is is considering a range of measures to protect young people online (PA) More

A growing chorus of voices – from teachers and parents to politicians and tech experts – is calling for action over children’s access to smartphones. At the heart of the debate is a simple but divisive question: should mobile phones be completely banned in schools, or even entirely for children under a certain age?Supporters of a full ban argue that smartphones are fueling distraction, anxiety, bullying, and even violence. One Independent reader, 49niner, emphasised the need for regulation: “We need far better regulation of the internet at all levels, and especially for under 18s. The opportunity for bad actors to peddle poisonous, often dangerous misinformation online is legion.”But critics warn that bans alone don’t address the root causes of digital harm. Another reader – and former teacher – CScarlett pointed out that “misogyny, misinformation and bullying existed long before smartphones,” and argued children need engaging lessons, better support at home, and safe, educational spaces online.With strong arguments on both sides and nearly all secondary school students using smartphones, is a ban a smart way to protect them or just an easy fix for a bigger issue?We want to hear from you. Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments – we’ll feature the most compelling responses and discuss the results in the coming days.All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the debate. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Thousands of protesters have taken to streets across the UK in outcry against the “betrayal” of the trans community after a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.Amid fears of “massive” consequences for trans people, a major march in central London is estimated by organisers to have drawn at least 5,000 demonstrators on Saturday, while thousands more gathered in towns and cities up and down the country for dozens of other protests, with more planned in the coming days.Trans rights groups, trade unions and community organisations came together for what was billed as an “emergency demonstration” in Parliament Square, with activists demanding “trans liberation” and “trans rights now”. Some waved flags and held banners, with placards stating “trans rights are human rights” and “trans women are women” seen among the signs being held aloft.Campaigners take part in a rally organised by trans rights groups, trade unions, and community organisations at Parliament Square in central London on Saturday More

Government officials and British Steel staff are in a desperate race to save its blast furnaces after what ministers believe was a plot to sabotage the Scunthorpe plant by its Chinese owners. A crucial meeting is scheduled for Monday between the firm’s staff and civil servants aimed at rescuing Britain’s last primary steelmaking plant from permanent closure, costing thousands of jobs.The government dramatically took control of the company on Saturday, kicking off a frantic hunt for the securing essential raw materials, including coking coal and iron ore, needed to keep the two blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant operational. British Steel needs to secure raw materials for its blast furnaces to prevent its Scunthorpe facility from shutting down irrevocably More

Labour has expressed confidence that enough raw materials can be secured to keep British Steel’s blast furnaces running after the government seized operational control from its Chinese owners.Ministers said British Steel’s owners, China’s Jingye Group, had wanted to shut the furnaces at the Scunthorpe plant after they rejected a government funding proposal, which would have forced Britain to import steel instead.The government recalled parliament at the weekend – the first Saturday recall since the 1982 Falklands War – to give it powers to direct the company’s board and workforce and order raw materials.Jingye has not commented, but China called for fair treatment of its companies and resolution through consultation.Experts say the dispute has risked straining ties between London and Beijing, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government had sought to improve. The talks also come at a time when nations around the world are trying to deepen trading cooperation after the US tariff shock.British Steel needs to secure raw materials for its blast furnaces to prevent its Scunthorpe facility from shutting down irrevocably (Danny Lawson/PA) More

A month-long strike by refuse workers in Birmingham has left the city grappling with mounting piles of rubbish, growing public health concerns, and a deepening political divide over who is to blame.What began as a dispute over pay cuts has now escalated into a full-blown crisis, with the government deploying military planners to help manage the city’s waste collection efforts. Meanwhile, residents report rats the size of cats, an overwhelming stench in the streets, and a lack of clarity on when the situation will end.With a new ballot on a potential deal due this week, tensions between Birmingham City Council, the Unite union, and national government continue to rise – and now, public opinion is beginning to harden.Some residents back the striking workers, arguing they’re fighting for fair treatment and decent pay, especially after claims that some face losses of up to £8,000 a year. Others are fed up with the disruption and question whether essential services should ever be used as bargaining chips.Debate is also raging over whether the army’s involvement is a step too far, or a necessary measure to protect public health. And as waste collection services across the UK face similar pressures, bigger questions are being asked about privatisation, council budgets, and whether our current model of public service delivery is still fit for purpose.So, what’s your view? Do you support the bin workers’ strike, or do you think it’s gone too far? Should councils be allowed to outsource these services, or is it time to bring them back in-house? And would you accept a different waste model – or even a rise in council tax – if it meant avoiding scenes like this in the future?We want to hear from you. Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments – we’ll feature the most compelling responses and discuss the results in the coming days.All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the debate. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

The UK economy grew by 0.5 per cent in February in a boost to Labour following several months of almost flatlining, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) pointing to “widespread growth” across multiple sectors.In January, an unexpected 0.1 per cent decline was initially reported before the ONS revised its estimates to a flat month, following just 0.1 per cent growth in the final quarter of 2024 – so February’s change of gears will be welcome news to Rachel Reeves.Commenting on Friday’s GDP figures for February, ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy grew strongly in February with widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries.“Within services, computer programming, telecoms and car dealerships all had strong months, while in manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals led the way and car manufacturing also picked up after its recent poor performance.“Across the last three months as a whole, the economy also grew strongly with broad-based growth across services industries.”Speaking about the data, chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged that the positivity would be tinged with more immediate concerns over tariffs and potential trade wars following a wild week in the stock markets.“These growth figures are an encouraging sign, but we are not complacent. We must keep going further and faster on our Plan for Change,” Ms Reeves said.“The world has changed, and we have witnessed that change in recent weeks. I know this is an anxious time for families who are worried about the cost of living and British businesses who are worried about what this change means for them. This government will remain pragmatic and cool-headed as we seek to secure the best deal with the United States that is in our national interest. At the same time, we will be relentless in our work to kickstart economic growth, provide security for working people and renewal for Britain.”Rachel Reeves acknowledged the positivity would be tinged with more immediate concerns over Donald Trump’s tariffs More

Prime minister Keir Starmer has refused to say if he will let MPs see evidence that Labour’s welfare reforms will help more people into work before they are expected to vote the controversial measures through.Entitled the ‘Pathways to Work’ green paper, the policy package will make £4.8 billion in cuts to spending on health and disability benefits. The changes aim primarily to support more people into work, Labour says, alongside bringing down Britain’s spiralling benefits bill and reducing youth inactivity.However, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said last month that it could not yet provide any evidence that Labour’s reforms would help more people into work.This was because it had not been provided with this analysis by the government, it said, adding that it was also unable to make its own in the limited time available.Sir Keir refused to make ‘timetabling’ commitments over evidence welfare reforms would help people into work More