17 h. ago Lib Dems take aim at Tory place as ‘party of Middle England’ in local elections

The Liberal Democrats are hoping to erode the Conservative vote at the local elections in May.

Politics

6 d. ago England and Wales's most and least affordable towns revealed

Our analysis shows 93 of 318 local authorities across England and Wales have housing affordability ratios above 10, while in Kensingon and Chelsea it is a huge 27.

Politics

6 d. ago Living in the poorest areas of England could cut five years off your life

The report highlights a ‘deadly postcode lottery’ revealing the country’s poorest fifth local authority areas are overwhelmingly in the north of England

Politics

7 d. ago Full list of housing affordability in 2024 by local area in England and Wales

The most affordable local authority in 2024 was Blaenau Gwent in Wales.

Politics

2 w. ago Gregory Alldritt says France ‘all motivated’ for Six Nations glory

France could even be crowned champions before their match kicks off at 9pm local time in the unlikely event that both England and Ireland slip up.

Politics

3 w. ago English and Welsh councils to have greater powers to seize land for affordable housing

Exclusive: Compulsory purchase orders will no longer need Whitehall permission under shake-up of planning rulesCouncils and mayors will be granted greater powers to seize land to build affordable housing under the Labour government’s shake-up of planning rules this week.Local authorities in England and Wales will no longer need permission from central government to make compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), in a change that ministers hope will unlock vacant and derelict land. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago China vows action over ‘arbitrary’ tariffs as Trump pauses measures against Canada and Mexico – US politics live

Foreign minister calls measures ‘two-faced acts’ Staff on hundreds of foreign aid projects left in limbo by the Trump administration’s funding freeze have received a survey that asks them to justify their work under an eccentric list of criteria that meet the White House’s new national security priorities.The survey, copies of which have been obtained by the Guardian, asks foreign aid programme staff to detail whether they contribute to limiting illegal immigration or securing US borders, “combatting Christian prosecution”,and whether they help the US secure access to rare earth minerals.Trump told his cabinet secretaries that they are in charge of hiring and firings at their agencies, not Elon Musk.The House has voted to censure Democratic congressman Al Green for disrupting Trump’s address to this week’s joint session of Congress. The motion was approved with 224 votes in favor and 198 opposed, with 10 Democrats in support.In an escalation of his pressure campaign, Trump said the ...

Politics

3 w. ago US foreign aid projects asked to justify their work in White House survey

Staff questioned on eccentric list of criteria that meet Trump administration’s new national security prioritiesStaff on hundreds of foreign aid projects left in limbo by the Trump administration’s funding freeze have received a survey that asks them to justify their work under an eccentric list of criteria that meet the White House’s new national security priorities.The survey, copies of which have been obtained by the Guardian, asks foreign aid programme staff to detail whether they contribute to limiting illegal immigration or securing US borders, “combatting Christian prosecution”,and whether they help the US secure access to rare earth minerals. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago White House directs officials to draft proposal to lift US sanctions on Russia

Sources say work on so-called ‘options paper’ comes as Trump seeks to restore Moscow ties and end Ukraine warThe United States is drawing up a plan to potentially give Russia sanctions relief as Donald Trump seeks to restore ties with Moscow and stop the war in Ukraine, a US official and another person familiar with the matter told Reuters.The White House has asked the state and treasury departments to draft a list of sanctions that could be eased for US officials to discuss with Russian representatives in the coming days as part of the administration’s broad talks with Moscow on improving diplomatic and economic relations, the sources said. Continue reading...

Politics