33 h. ago Immigration concerns hit highest level since just before Brexit vote, poll finds

Nearly half the public view immigration as one of the biggest problems in the country, the highest proportion since just before the historic Brexit vote, pollsters at Ipsos found.

Politics

42 h. ago Don’t think Nigel Farage will kill off the Tories? Just look at Reform UK’s surge in Scotland | Owen Jones

The party is making inroads among people who once chose not to vote. But as Zia Yusuf’s resignation shows, chaos still reignsIf you were doubting that Nigel Farage had a serious chance of heading a hard-right British government in 2029, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse just poured a bucket of particularly icy water over your head. Though Labour won the Scottish parliamentary byelection, defying predictions it would be beaten into third place, Reform UK chalked up more than a quarter of the vote – trailing the victors by an unsubstantial 1,500 voters.This tells a devastating story. Nigel Farage’s outfit seriously outperformed the level of support indicated by Scottish polling: the last four surveys had Reform on between 12% and 19%, yet it secured 26% of the vote after standing here for the first time. This suggests it is mobilising previous non-voters whom pollsters are not picking up. The latest UK-wide YouGov poll, which asked people how they would vote if there wer...

Events

59 h. ago Eradicating child poverty must become Labour’s central mission

Editorial: After years when the party seemed to be undeclared disciples of austerity, the government’s conscience – prompted by some shocking electoral setbacks – has been awoken. For the country's sake, as well as its own, children must now be at the heart of everything it does, starting with free school meals

Events

61 h. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves: I saw first hand what the Tories did to kids of my generation

Conservative governments did not care about schools or communities like mine, says the chancellor, as she reveals her motivation behind Labour’s announcement to roll out free school meals for half a million children

Politics

63 h. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves: I saw firsthand what the Tories did to kids of my generation

Conservative governments did not care about schools like mine, communities like mine or the kids I grew up with, reflects Chancellor Rachel Reeves – as she reveals her very personal motivation behind Labour’s announcement to roll out free school meals for half a million of England’s poorest children

Politics

65 h. ago Should all children be given free school meals? Vote in our poll

Keir Starmer has announced plans to extend free school meals to all children in families receiving Universal Credit in England in a bid to tackle child hunger in the classroom - and we want to hear your thoughts

Politics

68 h. ago 'Thousands of children' in Manchester will benefit from major free school meal change

The changes will come into effect next year

Politics

68 h. ago 'Free school meals were a part of my childhood': Zayn Malik 'beyond elated' at reforms

The 32 year-old One Direction star has shared his joy at the news that free school meals will be expanded to children from households on Universal Credit

Politics

69 h. ago Handing free school meals to all children from households that claim Universal Credit WON'T drag 100,000 out of poverty next year, says IFS

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will soon have an entitlement to free school meals.

Society

3 d. ago Free school meals for half a million of England’s poorest children

The move, which comes after a major campaign by The Independent, said the expansion will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty

Politics

3 d. ago Major change for families on Universal Credit announced as parents set to save £500 a year

The government has announced that hundreds of thousands more children will now be eligible for free school meals

Society

4 d. ago Should Prince Harry change his surname to Spencer? Vote in our poll

The Duke of Sussex has reportedly been exploring ways to change his surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer - and we want to hear your thoughts on Prince Harry's latest move

Politics

2 w. ago Who will win the Europa League final? Have your say as Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United

Vote in our match predictor poll as Tottenham and Manchester United face off in a high-stakes Europa League final at San Mamés

Sport