6 h. ago Couple expecting their first baby win £4.5million Omaze London home which has incredible views of The Shard and was once Britain's most expensive council house

This 4.5m property used to be the country's most expensive council house but now will house hospitality worker Roger Cana, 37, his pregnant wife Shalini, 33.

Economics

14 h. ago Labour accused of 'ripping off' Tory proposals on migration as it looks to introduce tougher requirements for staying in the UK

An immigration White Paper, due next week, is likely to include measures to raise the level of English required from migrants who apply for a work visa.

Politics

3 d. ago The lesson for Labour? Until it can improve local lives and stop fearing Farage, more losses are coming | Polly Toynbee

Rapid, highly visible action in communities and a forthright attack on the new right – that is what’s needed nowIf you thought these elections were bad, just wait for the locals next May. Expect far worse for Labour, unless they act fast. As they tussle over which way to turn, left or right, stop and consider what’s ahead. They will be challenged by Reform UK in towns such as Barnsley, while their progressive city heartlands will be ravaged by Greens, Liberal Democrats, and pro-Palestine and other independents. Expect shocks in London boroughs that have been forever Labour. (Worth recalling that amid Labour’s landslide, Keir Starmer’s vote share in Holborn and St Pancras dropped by 17% in the general election when challenged by a pro-wealth tax radical.) With council elections in a third of seats in English cities, expect an eruption of local leftward rebellions.Those around Starmer may well be misidentifying the threat that matters most. Heavy vote losses to Lib Dems and Greens in ...

Politics

5 d. ago Student HMOs are ruining our community, say locals furious at one of Britain's top universities

One of Britain's top universities is forcing local families out of affordable housing and 'ruining communities,' furious residents told MailOnline.

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: Labor wins election; Anthony Albanese acknowledges traditional owners; Peter Dutton concedes after losing own seat – latest updates

Prime minister acknowledges traditional owners and says Australians had chosen optimism after Coalition leader loses Dickson. Follow today’s news liveAnthony Albanese wins election with Labor securing majority in ‘win for the ages’Who is Ali France, the Labor candidate who has unseated Peter Dutton in Dickson?Election 2025 results LIVE: Australia votes tracker and federal seat countsListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: Labor wins election; Anthony Albanese to be returned as Australia PM; Peter Dutton set to lose Dickson – latest news and updates

ALP candidate Ali France ousts Coalition leader from his seat. Follow today’s news liveAnthony Albanese wins 2025 federal election with Labor on track for majorityWho is Ali France, the Labor candidate who has unseated Peter Dutton in Dickson?Election 2025 results LIVE: Australia votes tracker and federal seat countsListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: Peter Dutton trailing in Dickson; Antony Green suggests ‘win or big win’ for Labor as Australia votes – latest news and updates

Voting booths have closed across Australia as early counting shows swing towards Labor. Follow today’s news liveElection 2025 results LIVE: Australia votes tracker and federal seat countsListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: vote counting underway after polls close in eastern Australia states – latest news

Voting booths closing across Australia as last polls suggest Albanese to be re-elected as Australian prime minister. Follow today’s news liveElection 2025 results LIVE: Australia votes tracker and federal seat countsListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: polls close in eastern states as Australia vote count begins – latest news

Voting booths closing across Australia as last polls suggest Albanese to be re-elected as Australian prime minister. Follow today’s news liveElection 2025 results LIVE: Australia votes tracker and federal seat countsListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: polls to close at 6pm and results to start coming in as Australia vote count begins – latest news

Voting booths set to close across Australia as last polls suggest Albanese to be re-elected as Australian prime minister. Follow today’s news livePolls tracker; Election guide; Interactive seat explorerParty policies; Micro parties explained; Full election coverageListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Australian federal election 2025 live: Australia polls, voting continues; Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton cast votes on election day – latest news

Voting booths open across Australia as last polls suggest Albanese set to be re-elected as Australian prime minister. Follow today’s news livePolls tracker; Election guide; Interactive seat explorerParty policies; Micro parties explained; Full election coverageListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a perfect blue sky perhaps more reminiscent of home than the customary grey of London, ex-pats in Britain have been queueing up to vote at Australia House.The wait to cast a ballot has been up to 30 minutes with the line snaking out of the entrance and up and down the pavement. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Voices: How can Britain’s housing divide be fixed? Join The Independent Debate

According to new figures released by Savills, older generations now hold the majority of the UK’s housing wealth – sparking debate over whether the system is fair to younger people struggling to get on the property ladder

Politics

1 week ago The downfall of one of Britain's most powerful dynasties: How reckless spending, debauchery and bigamy brought down the House of Montagu

A new book reveals the downfall of a dynasty - one of Britain's most powerful families. The Fall of the House of Montagu, by Robery Wainwright, details how the family frittered away its fortune.

Politics

1 week ago Kevin McCloud: ‘I never get enraged, though inside I might be seething’

As he gears up for the annual Grand Designs Live event, the Channel 4 stalwart speaks to Adam White about Margaret Thatcher, Rachel Reeves and Britain’s ‘shameful and appalling’ housing standards, his eagerness to keep his private life private, and how he wishes people didn’t fancy him

Politics

2 w. ago Britain's Got Talent's Jonathan and Charlotte 13 years on and what happened after Simon Cowell split them up

Jonathan and Charlotte became household names after their stunning performance on Britain's Got Talent in 2012

Politics

3 w. ago Britain needs houses, and Labour’s bold plan will address that. But it may require more migrants | Polly Toynbee

Ministers are ready to be relentless over planning reform. There is a skills gap though – and they must be brave enough to fill itAmid the shock of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) halving its growth forecast last month, one remarkable finding gets too little attention. It predicts housebuilding will rise to its highest level in 40 years, adding 0.2% growth or £6.8bn by 2029-30, potentially rising to more than 0.4% by 2034-35. The government has said that housing scores the biggest positive growth effect from a “zero-cost policy” the OBR has ever forecast.This is especially remarkable given that 2024 saw the fewest planning permissions granted for new homes for a decade, and the worst on record, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF). Planning applications plummeted when the last government scrapped councils’ mandatory housing targets, but since Labour reimposed a national planning policy framework, applications in the works have risen by more than 160%.Polly Toyn...

Events

3 w. ago In Trumpland, ‘defending free speech’ means one thing: submission to the president | Rafael Behr

By claiming that any regulation is censorship, the White House is bullying Britain to abandon online safety laws and digital taxesCompared with many countries around the world, the US is still a great democracy, but a much lesser one than it was four months ago. The constitution has not been rewritten. Checks and balances have not been dissolved. The difference is a president who ignores those constraints, and the impotence of the institutions that should enforce them.Which is the true US, the one enshrined in law or the one that smirks in contempt of law? If the latter, should Britain welcome its embrace as a kindred nation? That is an existential question lurking in the technical folds of a potential transatlantic trade agreement.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago 'Britain's Chernobyl' with 430 rotting flats set to finally disappear

Clune Park housing estate in Glasgow, which has been dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl', is to finally be pulled down with work underway this week after the council said the buildings were dangerous

Events

4 w. ago UK households issued 'act now' warning over £1.40 supermarket staple

US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs could lead to massive price hikes in Britain - with shoppers expecting household items to increase in supermarkets

Events

4 w. ago Trump is pushing students towards Britain – ministers, don’t let your immigration obsession stand in the way | Polly Toynbee

Beleaguered UK universities have a golden opportunity. If the government passes it up, it risks billions in revenue Shocking stories told at a US universities conference in San Diego described Donald Trump’s assaults on research grants, academics and students. Foreign students face deportation for infractions as minor as parking or speeding tickets. A reported 500 student visas have been suddenly revoked – with some students sent to deportation centres, and others told to “self-deport”. With a million foreign students warned by their universities not to travel abroad for fear of never getting back in, that’s a strong deterrent to others deciding whether to study in the US.Jo Johnson, former minster for universities, King’s College London visiting professor and chair of the Lords education committee, listening to this list of persecutions, spoke to me from San Diego. “The UK should be extending the warmest of welcomes, a safe port in a storm,” he says. Concerns about immigration numb...

Politics