4 h. ago To those who question what Labour stands for – look at Best Start. It will change Britain’s future | Polly Toynbee

Sure Start was New Labour’s finest achievement, and the Tories destroyed it. Now it’s back with a mission to put children at the heart of everythingThey hunt high and low for Labour’s missing message, vision, purpose or identity. Well, here it is, where it always was, in the future of children. It’s what Labour does best, what it is for: building a society where children come first and everything else falls into place. The foundations have now been laid by Bridget Phillipson by finally bringing back Sure Start to England – the most successful achievement of the last Labour government – now rebranded as Best Start family hubs.It’s a pity about the new name, but young parents recognise “hubs”, whereas Sure Start is largely gone and forgotten. Its uprooting began the day Michael Gove arrived as education secretary in 2010. He entered the “Department for Children, Schools and Families” – a name chosen to reflect the awareness that children don’t learn without wraparound care for their w...

Politics

16 h. ago Alejandro Garnacho denied obvious Man United transfer exit as bargain £24m deal agreed

Manchester United transfer news as Napoli reach an agreement to sign a new winger to leave Alejandro Garnacho in the dark

Economics

17 h. ago Coronation Street star says 'let's hope not' as she opens up on soap future

Coronation Street star Sally Carman has opened up about her future as Abi Webster

Politics

18 h. ago Coronation Street star Sally Carman addresses soap future after 'six episode' revelation

The actress made her debut in the role of the former drug addict Abi Webster in 2017

Politics

19 h. ago 9 things we spotted at Celtic training as forgotten duo fight for futures and star completes injury comeback

Brendan Rodgers has been putting his squad through their paces ahead of Tuesday's trip to Ireland

Events

22 h. ago Four players who can save Man United millions as stars of the future reach transfer crossroads

Man United are determined to sell players to generate funds this summer, but they also need to be active in finding temporary homes for some of their most promising future stars.

Sport

38 h. ago Partick Thistle FC asks fans to offer their spare rooms to future stars

Partick Thistle has urged its fans to throw open the doors of their homes to provide digs for its future stars.

Politics

54 h. ago Partick Thistle FC asks fans to offer spare room to future footie stars

The fan-owned club has made the appeal to anyone with a spare room in a bid to help out-of-town signings find accommodation.

Politics

3 d. ago The leadership rumours inside Labour that speak volumes about Starmer’s future

Voters are unconvinced they have seen much change after the ‘14 years of Tory failure’ that Starmer so often talks about. Every day that this sentiment is allowed to fester, the likelihood of a coup within the Labour Party increases, writes Millie Cooke

Politics

3 d. ago Inside Tottenham's Danish takeover: Thomas Frank, 'the Brain', the evil genius and how they became the best at spotting future stars

Johan Lange was head coach of Lyngby in the Danish second tier when his old friend Stale Solbakken called to tell him he was in the wrong job.

Politics

3 d. ago John Rentoul answers your questions on Labour’s future – from welfare U

Chief political commentator John Rentoul answers your questions on Labour’s deepening welfare crisis, the rise of a Corbyn-Sultana breakaway party, and what it all means for Keir Starmer’s grip on government

Politics

4 d. ago Can Starmer and Reeves hold the Labour Party together? Ask John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Society

4 d. ago BBC Virdee star gives insight into show future as fans beg for season two

Staz Nairspoke to Reach Screen Time about Virdee on the National Film Awards red carpet.

Politics

4 d. ago Coronation Street star addresses future as fans 'work out' Dee

Channique Sterling-Brown has hinted at what her future could look like as fans predict a baby twist is on the cards

Politics

4 d. ago New NHS plan shows ‘future already looks better’ under Labour – Starmer

Patients will be given more control of their health via the NHS app, while there will be less reliance on hospitals, the plan says.

Politics

4 d. ago Future already looks bright for the NHS under Labour, Starmer says

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made her first appearance since she was seen crying in the Commons on Wednesday.

Politics

5 d. ago Can Labour survive its identity crisis? Ask chief political commentator John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Events

5 d. ago Liverpool transfer news: Luis Diaz decision for Arne Slot to make and Marc Guehi latest

Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi while the future of star winger Luis Diaz remains a big question for Arne Slot

Politics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves: Keir Starmer to give press conference after Chancellor seen crying

Keir Starmer will give a speech on the future of the NHS hours after facing questions about Rachel Reeves' future following her tears in the Commons at PMQs

Politics

5 d. ago DAN HODGES: What one Cabinet minister has told me about what REALLY lies behind Reeves's public breakdown, the truth about Angela Rayner's role

We may never properly learn what finally brought Rachel Reeves to break down in tears in the House of Commons chamber yesterday.

Politics