20 h. ago Tory opponents of Angela Rayner's strikers charter will celebrate 'Norman Tebbit Day' in honour of Margaret Thatcher's union

Tory peers will use a debate to try to amend Ms Rayner's Employment Rights Bill, which critics say will make it harder to employ workers, and leave businesses vulnerable to strikes.

Events

30 h. ago Voices: I’m against votes at 16, but this is how I could be persuaded

There are good reasons for reducing the voting age – why doesn’t Labour use them, asks John Rentoul

Politics

52 h. ago Angela Rayner tells Labour to ‘step up’ and make case for being in power

Exclusive: Deputy PM defends action against party rebels and says Send system is priority, in Guardian interviewNHS to Send: four key areas Labour wants to improve before next electionAngela Rayner has urged Labour colleagues to “step up” and make the case for why the party should be in power as the government attempts to draw a line under a tumultuous first year in office and shift towards a more upbeat approach.The deputy prime minister urged Labour MPs to focus on the party’s achievements over the last 12 months rather than always thinking about failures, saying they should all be “message carriers” for what had been done well. Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Man's life 'ended' after one tick bite as he's forced to pay £150,000 for private care

Steven Williams was living a "normal" active lifestyle, exercising regularly, working as a civil servant and playing in a rock band - but one week in March 2021, he felt a sudden change

Economics

62 h. ago He was a 'normal, active guy' until one week changed everything

Steven Williams, 39, was a "normal, active guy" working as a civil servant and playing in a rock band - but one week in March 2021 everything changed

Politics

3 d. ago Moves to ban ‘exploitative’ unpaid internships a step closer

The Government has launched a call for evidence into the practice.

Politics

4 d. ago Rather be on holiday already? Starmer is flanked by glum ministers at last PMQs before summer break as he dodges on fears of MORE tax hikes

Flanked by glum ministers including Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, Keir Starmer was pressed to spell out who will be protected from efforts to fill an estimated £30billion hole in the public finances.

Politics

4 d. ago Angela Rayner 'backing local stealth taxes drive': Deputy PM and mayors push for powers to raise huge new revenues from struggling Brits

The Deputy Prime minister is said to be encouraging local elected political leaders to put pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to give them control over taxes collected locally.

Events

4 d. ago Analysis finds devolved tax powers could add £4 billion for local services

A report commissioned by county councils suggests fiscal devolution would boost growth and local government finances.

Economics

5 d. ago Civil servants protest outside Scottish Government building after 'shock' closure of on

The planned closure has left ten nursery staff facing redundancy and parents without childcare

Events

6 d. ago Heatwaves have caused 10,000 excess deaths in England in past four years, says Miliband – UK politics live

Energy secretary addresses MPs, telling them the UK is getting hotter and wetter with three times the number of days above 30 degreesAs Rowena Mason revealed recently, No 10 has issued guidance that in effect bans civil servants from any level of speaking at events where journalists are present.Today the Times has published a letter signed by almost 30 experts – including former senior officials, thinktank leaders, academics and union leader – saying this policy is a mistake because it is having “a chilling effect on public discussion” and that it should be withdrawn. They say:The government’s new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Continue readin...

Politics

6 d. ago Streeting says BMA ‘shockingly irresponsible’ over tactics for doctors’ strikes – UK politics live

Health secretary welcomes talks with union but says members have been told not to inform trusts if they are going to take actionAs Rowena Mason revealed recently, No 10 has issued guidance that in effect bans civil servants from any level of speaking at events where journalists are present.Today the Times has published a letter signed by almost 30 experts – including former senior officials, thinktank leaders, academics and union leader – saying this policy is a mistake because it is having “a chilling effect on public discussion” and that it should be withdrawn. They say:The government’s new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago US man gets life for beheading father as political statement and posting video

Pennsylvania man called for execution of other civil servants in video in which he displayed severed headA Pennsylvania man has been ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting his federal government employee father, decapitating him and brandishing the severed head in an online video that called for the execution of other civil servants.Justin Mohn, 33, was sentenced on Friday after a five-day trial by a judge that found him guilty of murder and terrorism charges, Pennsylvania state prosecutors said. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Starmer to meet Trump in Scotland this month as demonstrations planned against state visit – UK politics live

PM to meet US president during private visit in July as Stop Trump Coalition announces protest planned for SeptemberAs Rowena Mason revealed recently, No 10 has issued guidance that in effect bans civil servants from any level of speaking at events where journalists are present.Today the Times has published a letter signed by almost 30 experts – including former senior officials, thinktank leaders, academics and union leader – saying this policy is a mistake because it is having “a chilling effect on public discussion” and that it should be withdrawn. They say:The government’s new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Labour accused of 'crocodile tears' over junior doctors strike as ministers criticise medical union for low turnout in ballot

Angela Rayner 's radical workers' rights Bill will soon scrap the 50 per cent turnout threshold which unions must meet to hold legal strike action.

Politics

6 d. ago You can hardly blame the union for pushing at a door ministers unbolted: DANIEL HANNAN

Angela Rayner is scrapping the minimum turnout that a trade union needs before launching legal strike action - a threshold that the doctors barely cleared in their recent ballot.

Politics

7 d. ago Top civil servants can now earn up to £174,000 without approval from ministers

Under new Civil Service guidance on 'pay control', only earnings above £174,000 - and bonuses over £25,000 - must be signed off, a hike from £150,000 and £17,500 respectively.

Politics

8 d. ago How Angela Rayner has become the most influential figure in Starmer’s government – for now

The Independent's Political Editor David Maddox says that despite the clash with Unite, the deputy prime minister’s influence is unmatched since the welfare rebellion

Politics

8 d. ago Unite attacks Angela Rayner over ‘abhorrent’ handling of Birmingham bin strikes

Deputy PM accused of refusing to engage as union considers cutting ties with LabourAngela Rayner has been accused of handling the Birmingham bin workers’ strike in a “totally and utterly abhorrent” way by the Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham.Graham told BBC Radio 4 Today’s programme: “Angela Rayner refuses to get involved, and she is directly aiding and abetting the fire-and-rehire of these bin workers, it is totally and utterly abhorrent.” Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Angela Rayner slammed for 'totally and utterly abhorrent' behaviour as Unite suspend her

Unite have suspended Angela Rayner over the Birmingham bin strikes

Politics