8 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: By the time she reached the lectern, Dame Andrea

On a day of dizzying politics, nothing quite topped Dame Andrea Jenkyns's arrival on stage at Reform's party conference.

Politics

14 h. ago She was the authentic voice of the snarling Left, but as we now know, the Red Queen was a woman of gluttonous appetites with little between the ears: QUENTIN LETTS

Amid a Cabinet of dull mumblers, Angela Rayner was the eye-flashing exception. Sir Keir Starmer praised her 'working-class background' but actually that wasn't so rare, even in the modern Labour party.

Politics

15 h. ago Equalities watchdog submits formal guidance after UK supreme court transgender ruling

Bridget Phillipson faces choice over document from EHRC, whose chair says it remains ‘difficult’ to shape policiesThe equalities watchdog has submitted its formal guidance about how institutions should respond to the landmark supreme court ruling on transgender people’s rights, with its chair admitting it would be “difficult” for many to shape workable policies.The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has handed its formal guidance to Bridget Phillipson, the minister for women and equalities as well as the education secretary, who must now decide whether to accept it. Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Adapting gender ruling into practical steps difficult for firms – watchdog chair

Chairwoman of the ECHR, Baroness Falkner, emphasised firms should take their own advice as well as adhering to the code.

Politics

35 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: With a voice as soothing as the Psycho soundtrack Bridget Phillipson was dispatched to defend Mrs Rayner

As is the way in political scandals, a Cabinet colleague had to be 'sent out' to defend the stricken minister on the morning round of broadcast interviews.

Science

39 h. ago Gordon Brown says new child poverty report shows ‘urgent need to act’

His comments come ahead of the expected publication of the Government’s child poverty strategy this autumn.

Politics

40 h. ago Ministers defend Rayner in tax row as fresh property purchase details emerge

Sources close to the Deputy Prime Minister said she was given three separate pieces of legal advice before buying an £800,000 property in Hove.

Politics

51 h. ago Up to 7,000 more school nursery places to be rolled out from September 2026

The Department for Education has announced £45 million in funding will create 300 further new or expanded school-based nurseries.

Politics

60 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: For Kemi, here was a prize opportunity. All she had to do was rub their noses in it and Mrs Rayner would be a goner, surely. But no, Kemi goofed it

What a difference a comeuppance makes. Angela Rayner, Westminster's most careless taxpayer, entered the Commons. A full House was hushed, stunned.

Politics

3 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: His jagged, gapped teeth had shades of Hannibal Lecter. Better watch out

The new supremo is Zack Polanski, 42, a smooth-talking vegan and ex-Lib Dem hypnotherapist who used to tell women they could think their way to a bigger bust.

Politics

3 d. ago Esther Ghey says school phone ban ‘would have really helped’ daughter Brianna

Brianna’s mother has launched a campaign calling for the Government to provide funding and implement a statutory phone ban in schools

Politics

4 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Yvette Cooper's parliamentary speech was a public emergency edict delivered by Play School presenter

Yvette Cooper's tactic, in the face of smouldering civil unrest about asylum hotels, was to wobble her head and adopt a damp, disapproving tone. Public-emergency edict delivered by Play School presenter.

Politics

5 d. ago Starmer hails expansion of funded childcare amid nursery workforce warnings

Eligible working parents in England can access 30 hours a week of free childcare for children older than nine months.

Events

5 d. ago Reform UK accused by Cabinet minister of ‘whipping up anger’ over asylum hotels

But deputy leader Richard Tice said it is ‘ridiculous’ to suggest Reform has encouraged the violent scenes at some protests.

Politics

5 d. ago ‘It is about a balance of rights’ Education secretary on community concerns in Epping

Bridget Phillipson was repeatedly asked wether she believed the rights of asylum seekers were more important than the interests of local communities.

Politics

5 d. ago Minister heaps pressure on Rachel Reeves to find money to scrap two

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson admitted there would be a cost to welfare changes but warned of 'serious consequences' if support is not bolstered.

Politics

5 d. ago Farage and Reform ‘whipping up anger’ on migrants, cabinet minister warns

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson claimed Mr Farage has ‘no interest’ in finding solutions to the migrant crisis and small boats

Events

5 d. ago Minister bats away demands for Rayner probe after it emerges deputy PM used top wealth protection firm in house deal

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson insisted the embattled Deputy PM had been 'clear she has followed all the rules and requirements asked of her'.

Economics

5 d. ago Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson ‘ashamed’ of child poverty levels

The minister said the Government was looking at every way of reducing levels of child poverty, including benefits changes.

Society

5 d. ago Phillipson says ‘we all must do more’ to improve school attendance and behaviour

The Department for Education is rolling out new hubs to support schools.

Culture