69 h. ago Education spending plans will struggle to narrow gaps in outcomes – report

The Institute for Government has warned the Government’s budget falls short of matching its ambitions for schools.

Politics

5 d. ago The Lost Boys of Mercury review – heartbreaking film on the enduring wounds of church

Clémence Davigo’s uncompromising film gives voice to three survivors of a French correctional school, and the difficult path towards healingGreat courage, physical and moral, is shown by the three principal interviewees in this heartbreaking French documentary. André, Michel and Daniel are former wards of the church-run Belle Étoile correctional school in the Savoie town of Mercury and, now in their 60s and 70s, they recount a barrage of abuse at the hands of Abbot Garin and his lackeys: beatings that inflicted permanent damage, sleep deprivation, cold-water baths, starvation, nocturnal molestation.As director Clémence Davigo sits in on their long reminiscence sessions, the damage is clear. Michel weeps at the memory of his humiliations: deprived of a nurturing education, André became a career criminal, spending decades in prison; the alert-eyed Daniel, sexually abused and trapped in “hell”, speaks of later being emotionally crippled, unable to tell anyone he loves them. Michel and ...

Politics

6 d. ago Live updates on crucial Welsh Government budget as key details emerge

What money will be available to spend on health, education and housing in Wales will become clearer today

Politics

8 d. ago From struggles to future plans to the best decision of his life

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was in good spirits as he reflected on his first 12 months in charge at Old Trafford.

Politics

9 d. ago Just 2% of councils think Labour funding plan for struggling households is enough

Exclusive: The government’s spending pledge to support local authorities in England amounts to a real-terms cut

Politics

1 week ago Newark airport grounds planes as government shutdown staffing shortage leaves FAA struggling

The ground delay will remain in effect until 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday

Events

1 week ago ‘The novelty will wear off’: Labour hopes publicity will be Farage’s downfall

Government still struggling to win the agenda from Reform, leaving planners trusting voters will sour on what they seeAfter Nigel Farage dominated the summer headlines with weekly press conferences while his rivals were on their sunloungers and the news agenda was light, Labour strategists swore they would never let it happen again.Labour MPs had returned to Westminster after recess, fuming that the government had vacated the public arena and allowed Reform UK to shape the narrative, to the extent that the mood hardened against Keir Starmer. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Newark airport grounds planes as government shutdown staffing shortage leave FAA struggling

The ground delay will remain in effect until 11 pm ET on Wednesday

Events

1 week ago The Guardian view on state failure: Britain’s crisis is not just one of investment, but also of upkeep | Editorial

Fixing prisons, hospitals and local councils means rejecting austerity’s logic and recognising that state spending builds competence, not wasteThe fiasco over the accidental release of Hadush Kebatu, who was serving a sentence for sexual assault and due to be deported from HMP Chelmsford, is a symptom of a wider problem. What ails the British state is that it has built, and is building, what it cannot seem to maintain.A decade of attrition has hollowed out public services to the extent that they struggle to function coherently or plan beyond the next crisis. Under the Tories, state spending grew by just over 1% a year – well below the long-run trend of 2.6% per year. This hides the fact that Britain’s fiscal story since 2010 has been an emphasis on capital spending that sends ministers reaching for hard hats, but doesn’t keep the lights on. However, investment without maintenance is just decay.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you wo...

Events

2 w. ago 5 house plants that can help tackle mould problems this autumn and are easy to care for

If you are struggling to deal with mould in your home, these common plants could lend a helping hand.

Politics

3 w. ago William not satisfied with Andrew outcome and will ban from coronation – report

Heir to the throne William was consulted on the decision that led to Andrew relinquishing his dukedom on Friday.

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves plans to help struggling households in the Budget 'by cutting VAT on fuel bills' 

Rachel Reeves (pictured) said she was planning 'targeted action to deal with cost of living challenges' as she battles to reduce soaring inflation while balancing the books.

Economics