5 h. ago Local government reforms backed by MPs despite ‘power grab’ concerns

Transport, planning and housing will be devolved to new unitary local authorities, under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Politics

7 h. ago The Guardian view on the dental divide: ministers must brush up their policy as well as children’s teeth | Editorial

Gaps in access to dentists mirror other health inequalities. And ‘golden hellos’ won’t solve the problem on their ownDisadvantaged primary school pupils at the government’s first wave of new breakfast clubs can expect to be trained in toothbrushing, as well as fed. Data showing that a fifth of all five-year-olds in England have experienced tooth decay persuaded ministers to make improved oral health part of the early years and reception class curriculum. But the prevalence of decay is not evenly spread across the country. And research showing how much worse the situation is for children in deprived areas is in line with other findings about widening health inequalities.New analysis from the Local Government Association highlights the differing availability of dental care across council areas – a situation sometimes described as a dental divide. It found no specific correlation between the numbers of NHS dentists and young children with tooth decay. But it adds to a body of...

Politics

12 h. ago Jair Bolsonaro faces justice over alleged attempt to usurp Brazilian democracy

Former president in court along with seven others accused of failed power grab after losing 2022 electionBrazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his allies, including four senior members of the military, have gone on trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup – the first time in Brazilian history such powerful figures have faced justice for seeking to topple the country’s democracy.Bolsonaro, a paratrooper turned far-right populist who governed from 2019 until 2023, stands accused of masterminding a failed power grab after losing the 2022 election to the leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Continue reading...

Society

18 h. ago Nigel Farage 'should face MPs probe' instead of flying to US to meet Donald Trump chums

The Reform UK leader will spend the first two sitting days after MPs return from the Summer break in Washington, doubling down on his crusade against migrants and arguing against Britain's online safety laws

Politics

34 h. ago Keir Starmer’s legacy could be electoral reform – or Farage as prime minister | Polly Toynbee

MPs are voting to get rid of first past the post in mayoral elections. Doing the same at a national level would be an antidote to Reform UKWake up to the peril. As MPs return to parliament, they should abandon that self-deluding pretence that it could never happen here in our “moderate” and “tolerant” land. On the contrary, Britain is at more risk of a populist right takeover than many of our European neighbours. With Labour in an electoral slough of despond, and the Tories looking dead already, the reptilian grin of Nigel Farage haunts the political landscape after his satisfactory summer spent stoking division and cynicism.Our first past the post (FPTP) elections make us particularly vulnerable. As Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, notes: “This is now a Farage-friendly electoral system.” Reform UK has reached the tipping point where winning as little as 30% support in our corkscrewed lottery of a voting system could propel him into No 10, however much that ...

Politics

49 h. ago Starmer criticises Reform and Tory ‘scaremongering’ as MPs return to Westminster

Sir Keir has promised a ‘national renewal’ after a summer of anti-migrant protests and troubling Labour poll ratings

Politics

50 h. ago Starmer ‘rolling up sleeves to deliver change’ as MPs return to Westminster

Sir Keir Starmer said the Government was on a ‘drive to deliver national renewal’.

Politics

5 d. ago New Ayrshire cycle path threatens to wreck 'natural habitat', campaigners warn

The project is part of a £26m handout to Scottish local authorities via the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund.

Events

8 d. ago What to know about cashless bail after Trump's executive order

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday threatening to withhold federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety

Politics

1 week ago Thousands of firefighter jobs could go through cuts, says union

Fire Brigades Union leader Steve Wright said 2,300 fire and rescue posts could go.

Events

1 week ago Stella Creasy and Richard Tice call for scrutiny over which EU laws UK ditches

Labour MP says she and Reform MP want a committee set up, after news of UK’s post-Brexit environmental rollbacksStella Creasy and Richard Tice are pushing for Labour to allow a Brexit scrutiny committee to be formed in parliament, after the Guardian revealed environmental protections had been eroded since the UK left the EU.The Labour and Reform UK MPs argue that there is no scrutiny or accountability over how Brexit is being implemented. Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow and chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, said the UK needed a “salvage operation” to clear up the environmental and regulatory havoc caused by Brexit. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Scottish Government failing West Lothian stroke survivors according to leading charity

Figures released by Public Heath Scotland this week as part of their Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme revealed the country is falling unacceptably short of its own target of 80% of stroke patients receiving an inpatient bundle which aims to ensure the best chance of survival and recovery.

Events

2 w. ago Scottish MPs blast Nigel Farage 'hypocrisy' after he requests Reform seats in Lords

The Reform leader has previously called for the abolition of the Lords.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump wants to ‘take back’ DC — but the feds already control most of the land

Huge chunks of the capital are under the federal government’s control. Local officials feel like their hands are tied when it comes to how to run the city

Politics

2 w. ago Brazil's Lula announces $5.5 billion in credits for exporters hit by US tariffs

The Brazilian government has unveiled a plan to support local exporters affected by U.S. tariffs

Economics

2 w. ago Fox News host rages at rising Democrat for accusing him of abruptly ending interview

‘I just went on Fox News to tell the truth about the redistricting power grab in Texas,’ James Talarico tweeted. ‘He refused to answer — and cut the interview early.’

Politics

3 w. ago National guard arrives in DC as mayors warn of Trump power grab

The US president deployed troops after taking control of DC police, sparking fears of similar moves elsewhereUS politics live – latest updatesNational guard troops began to arrive at their headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday as Democratic mayors warned Donald Trump against expanding his law and order power grab in other major cities.The US president announced on Monday that he was sending the national guard into the nation’s capital and putting city police under federal control, even though the violent crime rate is at a 30-year low. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Axing public notices will threaten local democracy, Cleverly tells Rayner

Sir James Cleverly has demanded the Government share its assessments of how the move would hit local newspapers.

Events

3 w. ago Scottish Government 'concerned' over NHS Dumfries and Galloway financial picture

Health chiefs are forecasting an overspend of £28 million in the current financial year.

Politics

3 w. ago Texas redistricting battle live updates: Beto O’Rourke’s group reportedly supporting fleeing Democrats’ expenses

Texas Tribune reports that the former Texas congressman has been a top funder covering the costs of Texas lawmakers’ exodus as they face a $500-a-day fineIn a post on his Truth Social platform, the president said he would “federalize” the city if local authorities failed to address crime, specifically calling for minors as young as 14 to be prosecuted as adults.Trump’s threat could theoretically take several forms. The constitution grants Congress broad authority over the federal district, though completely suspending local governance would likely require congressional legislation. Trump could also deploy federal law enforcement or national guard troops under executive authority, as he did during 2020 protests when federal forces cleared Lafayette Square outside the White House over local officials’ objections.Politically embattled Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, wants the Republicans to pay, as EXTORTION, TWO BILLION DOLLARS in order for the Radical Left Democrats to approve the hun...

Politics