3 h. ago RCT foodbanks raise fears over impact of benefit cuts on the disabled

The foodbank networks in Rhondda Cynon Taf said the UK Government measures around disability benefits risk pushing more people into poverty

Politics

15 h. ago Gardeners told to use £1.30 breakfast drink to boost plant growth in April

Our gardens could probably use a bit of TLC this spring to spruce them up in time for summer. Luckily, there's an easy way to give your plants a boost that's likely lying in your fridge

Economics

43 h. ago Westminster decisions ‘risk serious social and economic damage’, says Robison

The Finance Secretary said the Scottish Government would push UK ministers to ‘change course’.

Events

43 h. ago Government pushes reforms of ‘green tape’ in bid to boost growth and nature

Review says current system of environmental regulations not working, but conservationists warn of ‘high risk’ to nature in planning reforms.

Politics

5 d. ago Alarm as Florida Republicans move to fill deported workers’ jobs with children: ‘It’s insane, right?’

Governor Ron DeSantis leads push to loosen child labor laws as immigration crackdown leads to workforce shortageBeneath the smugness of Ron DeSantis, at Florida leading the nation in immigration enforcement lies something of a conundrum: how to fill the essential jobs of the scores of immigrant workers targeted for deportation.The answer, according to Florida lawmakers, is the state’s schoolchildren, who as young as 14 could soon be allowed to work overnight shifts without a break – even on school nights. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves says welfare cuts won't push people into poverty, despite government figures saying otherwise

An impact assessment warned that a quarter of a million could fall into financial hardship as a result of the cutbacks.

Politics

7 d. ago Reeves rejects own government’s findings of cuts pushing 250,000 into poverty

An impact assessment, published today by the Department of Work and Pensions, said 3.2 million families will lose an average of £1,720 a year as a result of the changes

Politics

8 d. ago Rachel Reeves' welfare reform will push 250,000 into poverty, Government’s own assessment says

Charities had already reported a surge in calls and visits to their advice pages following welfare reform announcement

Politics

8 d. ago Welfare reform will push 250,000 into poverty, Government’s own assessment says

Charities had already reported a surge in calls and visits to their advice pages following a welfare reform announcement last week.

Politics

8 d. ago Welfare cuts to push 250,000 people into poverty, government assessment shows

Changes will see 800,000 lose disability payments by 2029-30

Politics

8 d. ago Dail adjourned as Irish government pushes through controversial speaking changes

The opposition criticised video footage of Michael Lowry making a gesture to a TD as the Dail was adjourned.

Politics

1 week ago Boost for Reeves as business survey shows strongest growth since September

Flash PMI index shows a strong performance from the services sector in March but manufacturing still struggling

Politics

1 week ago Trump’s executive order to dismantle Department for Education sparks fears for students – live

Eliminating department, which distributes billions in federal money to schools and manages federal student loans, would likely require act of CongressDefense secretary Pete Hegseth said late Thursday that he would be meeting with billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon Friday to discuss “innovation, efficiencies & smarter production.”Musk, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, and his Department of Government Efficiency have played an integral role in the administration’s push to dramatically reduce the size of the government. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration may fire more than 1,000 EPA scientists and scrap research office, Democrats say

The potential layoffs listed in documents reviewed by Democrats are part of the White House'’s broader push to shrink the federal governmentThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eliminate its scientific research office and could fire more than 1,000 scientists and other employees who help provide the scientific foundation for rules safeguarding human health and ecosystems from environmental pollutants.As many as 1,155 chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists – 75% of the research programme’s staff – could be laid off, according to documents reviewed by Democratic staff on the house committee on science, space and technology. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago London insurance market welcomes UK Gov action plan to cut red tape & boost growth

London insurance market welcomes UK Gov action plan to cut red tape & boost growth  Reinsurance News

Politics

2 w. ago Bundestag prepares to vote on historic borrowing package in key test for Merz

Likely next chancellor needs two-thirds majority to back €500bn infrastructure fund and relaxation of debt rulesGermany’s likely next chancellor is to face a key vote on plans to unlock a record level of state borrowing, which he argues is necessary to boost the country’s military spending and inject growth into its ailing economy.Ahead of the crucial Bundestag vote on Tuesday, Friedrich Merz has faced a barrage of complaints from the opposition and from within his own ranks that he is not coupling the historic levels of spending planned – as much as €1tn (£840bn) – to demands for reform. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves launches new bonfire of regulations in bid to boost economic growth

Regulators have been summoned to Downing Street on Monday for meeting with the chancellor amid plans to slim down or abolish the bodies

Economics

2 w. ago Reeves to outline plan to cut regulation costs and boost growth

Chancellor will meet regulators after calling for action to restrict their scope in bid to save businesses billionsRachel Reeves will meet UK regulators on Monday after calling for more action to restrict red tape and spur economic growth.The chancellor argued that government plans would reduce costly delays and disputes, saving businesses billions, and said regulators must accept a more streamlined decision-making process. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Chuck Schumer kills push from Democrats for government shutdown

Senate Democrats are betting voters will know who to blame for a shutdown, Eric Garcia reports

Events

3 w. ago Why Keir Starmer’s government is seeking to cut benefits bill

Labour targeting sickness and disability benefits which have ballooned amid an increasingly ageing and unwell population Keir Starmer’s government is aiming to cut billions of pounds from welfare spending before the spring statement.The prime minister has warned that Britain’s benefits system is the “worst of all worlds”, before the government publishes a green paper on sickness and disability benefit reform next week. Starmer faces the biggest rebellion of his premiership over the plans. Continue reading...

Politics