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 ThomasEditorThe former Tory MP at the centre of the Westminster ‘honeytrap’ scandal said he experienced suicidal thoughts after his involvement was exposed.William Wragg, who admitted to handing over colleagues’ phone numbers to a man who contacted him on Grindr, said he felt “guilt and horror” after the story was first published.The then Tory MP, who gave up the party whip after the scandal emerged, handed over the phone numbers after sending intimate pictures of himself.A number of other MPs, staffers and political journalists were also contacted by senders going by the aliases “Charlie” or “Abi”, with flirtatious messages that in some cases included explicit photos.A police probe began in April after it was suggested at least 12 men with links to Westminster had received the unsolicited messages.The former Tory MP at the centre of the Westminster honeytrap scandal said he experienced suicidal thoughts after his involvement was exposed 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 ThomasEditorParents should not buy smartphones for children under the age of 11, one of Britain’s largest network providers has warned in new guidance.The EE advice recommends that primary school children are not given smartphones with access to the internet and social media sites, but “limited capability devices” which only allow them to text and call.When parents choose to give smartphones to children aged 16 or below, the company advises enabling parental control features and, if under 13, restricting access to social media.EE said these steps aim to “safeguard children in the digital world”.Recent reports have suggested that excessive smartphone use could be linked to mental health issues among teenagers and unrestricted internet access might expose young children to online harm.The new guidance – which will be made public on Sunday – comes as campaigners and MPs have urged tougher action to be taken on the issue.EE said it will also introduce updated in-app controls and has launched a national school campaign aimed at educating young people about responsible digital behaviour.Almost a quarter of five to seven-year-olds now own a smartphone, a study by communications regulator Ofcom found in April.Mat Sears, corporate affairs director for EE, said: “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognise the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers.“They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for under 11s, 11 to 13-year-olds, and 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years.”Children aged 11-13 should have family sharing capabilities installed on their first phone, the guidance says.This allows parents to monitor screen time, track app usage and set time limits for specific applications.Children aged 13-16 should be allowed to join social media, but the guidance suggests this should be linked to a parent or guardian account.Parental controls should also be used to manage access to inappropriate sites, content and platforms, the advice says.Staff will be trained on the new guidance in the coming days and weeks, although smartphone sales will not be age-restricted, EE said.More than four in five (83%) of parents said in a survey by charity Parentkind in April that they feel smartphones are “harmful” to children and young people, and 58% support a mobile phone ban for under-16s.The House of Commons Education Committee said in May that the Government should consider a total ban on phones for under-16s and that tougher action is needed to limit screen time and combat online harm.But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in July that he does not support “simply banning” phones for children under 16, adding that the Government needs “to look again” at what content children are accessing online.Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has campaigned for an age limit to smartphone usage and stricter controls on access to social media apps.In February, the previous government gave schools in England non-statutory guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during school hours.Carolyn Bunting, chief executive of online safety group Internet Matters, said: “This initiative is timely and much-needed.“Parents and guardians want their children to be able to stay connected with them and to experience the benefits of digital technology, but they are also concerned about online safety and wellbeing.“Our recent research showed that parents want to make their own decisions about their children’s use of technology, but that many would value guidance to help them in doing so.“It is fantastic that EE is supporting parents with age-specific advice to support children’s diverse technology needs.” 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 cronyism row engulfing the Labour Party has continued to escalate over the weekend, with the prime minister’s ethics adviser being urged to investigate the chancellor over the appointment of a party donor to a civil service job.Ian Corfield, who has donated £20,000 to Labour politicians over the last decade, was made a temporary director of investment at the Treasury last month after a stint as the party’s senior business adviser.In a letter to the prime minister’s independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, shadow Treasury minister Laura Trott urged him to open an investigation into the chancellor for a potential breach of the ministerial code.She said: “I know you are committed to upholding the very highest standards in public life and will share my belief that the growing scandal of cronyism, linked to political donations, is injurious to those standards.”Shadow Treasury minister Laura Trott said there was a ‘clear conflict’ between Ian Corfield’s donation and his appointment as a Treasury civil servant 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 ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer will warn the British public that things will get worse before they get better in his first keynote speech since walking into Downing Street.Speaking on Tuesday, the prime minister will say the government has also taken on a “societal black hole”.It will come after chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed the government inherited a £22bn black hole in the public finances from the previous Conservative administration last month. “Things are worse than we ever imagined”, he will warn, adding: “And that is why we have to take action and do things differently. Part of that is being honest with people – about the choices we face. And how tough this will be.“Frankly – things will get worse before we get better.”The warnings come as the government prepares for its first Budget, to be unveiled on 30 October, which will force the Treasury to take tough decisions on spending and taxation.Promising to make “unpopular decisions now if it’s the right thing for the country”, Sir Keir will also accuse the Conservatives of not being honest about the state they left the country in.He will say: “They haven’t recognised what they’ve cost the country and they haven’t apologised for what they’ve cost you.”Rachel Reeves is preparing for his first Budget on 30 October 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 ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer has issued a statement of support as Ukraine marks 33 years since it declared independence from the Soviet Union.The prime minister told Ukrainians the UK will back them “today and always”, offering a “crystal clear” message of solidarity to the war-torn nation.Ukraine’s supreme soviet agreed the state should leave the Moscow-based Soviet Union on 24 August 1991, a decision backed by Ukrainian voters at a referendum in December that same year.Sir Keir said: “My message to all Ukrainians, whether on the front line or here in your second home in the UK, is crystal clear: we are with you today and always.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in July 19 (Benjamin Cremel/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 ThomasEditorKemi Badenoch has been handed a boost in the race to take over from Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservatives, after a new poll of party members indicated she would beat all five of the other contenders if she reaches the final two.A YouGov survey published on Friday saw Mrs Badenoch beat James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Dame Priti Patel and Mel Stride in head-to-head votes.The poll, which spoke to 903 party members between Aug 6 and 15, saw 47 per cent of members say they would back Mrs Badenoch in a contest against Mr Cleverly, who was picked by 38 per cent.The former business secretary beat Mr Jenrick by 48 per cent to 33 per cent, Mr Tugendhat by 49 per cent to 31 per cent, Dame Priti by 55 per cent to 26 per cent and Mr Stride by 61 per cent to 14 per cent.Kemi Badenoch began to set out her stall as a leadership contender (Lucy North/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 ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer has been urged to review his decision to scrap winter fuel payments for 10m pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by £150 in October.The prime minister has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes or living in vulnerable circumstances due to ill health. Analysis shows energy bills this winter will be the highest on record for older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, worth up to £300.Campaigners and charities, as well as Tory and Labour politicians, have called on the PM to change course.The PM is under pressure to reverse a decision to make the winter fuel payment means tested 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 Metropolitan Police has dropped its investigation into betting on the date of the general election, saying the bar for misconduct in public office had not been met.The probe was launched after it emerged senior Tory officials and one of Rishi Sunak’s aides had placed bets shortly before the date of the election was announced, allegations which engulfed the Conservative election campaign in June. The Conservatives eventually withdrew support for Mr Sunak’s former parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams as their candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, along with Bristol North West candidate Laura Saunders, who was also alleged to have placed a bet.Craig Williams, who was an aide to the prime minister in the last Parliament, is alleged to have placed a £100 bet on a July election three days before Rishi Sunak announced the date More