25 h. ago Crying in the Commons: why are women’s workplace tears a source of shame?

Rachel Reeves’s distress may help destigmatise an emotional response to pressure or professional frustrationRachel Reeves’s tears this week triggered a fall in the pound and attracted widespread derision from political columnists, mostly male. “What is wrong with Rachel Reeves?” the Telegraph asked. In an article headlined “The meaning of the chancellor’s tears”, a New Statesman columnist told readers that Reeves’s authority was “beginning to melt away”. The Daily Mail spoke disdainfully of her “waterworks”.But in the longer term the chancellor’s display of distress may prove to have an unexpectedly positive legacy, helpfully normalising a still hugely stigmatised phenomenon: women’s tears in the workplace. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Can Starmer and Reeves hold the Labour Party together? Ask John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Society

53 h. ago Can Labour survive its identity crisis? Ask chief political commentator John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Events

63 h. ago Rachel Reeves admitted 'I'm under so much pressure' before crying in Commons

Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitted feeling 'under so much pressure' minutes before she cried as Keir Starmer spoke on the Labour frontbench - in scenes now being dubbed 'waterworksgate'

Events

69 h. ago 'I'm under so much pressure': What Rachel Reeves said before mystery tears as markets tumble and No10 frantically denies Starmer bust

The Chancellor is said to have made the admission to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle before taking her seat for an extraordinary session of Prime Minister's Questions.

Events

3 d. ago Labour welfare bill latest: Starmer’s benefits climbdown heaps pressure on Reeves as it will deliver ‘no savings’

Rebel Labour MPs have also lost their attempt to halt the Government’s welfare reforms

Economics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer in full retreat as he waters down welfare cuts AGAIN in order to avoid his biggest ever rebellion as Labour MPs rail at 'Dickensian' benefits curbs

The Prime Minister has already humiliatingly weakened the package of welfare reforms by agreeing to only apply them to new claimants, as dozens of his MPs  vowed to defy him this evening.

Economics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves faces increased fiscal pressure after welfare reform U

Chancellor is being pushed to bend her rules on borrowing to fund higher spending

Events

8 d. ago Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climbdown by Labour welfare army

The Prime Minister is said to have handed them 'massive concessions' in a bid to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on benefit cuts next week.

Politics

8 d. ago Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climb

The Prime Minister is said to have handed them 'massive concessions' in a bid to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on benefit cuts next week.

Politics

1 week ago Glasto in style! The £28,999 tipi for glamorous festival goers with helicopters (to avoid the pesky traffic), cutting edge wellness space and IV infusions

Glastonbury is not all cheap tents and knee high mud - luxury glampers can choose to attend the festival in style, staying in tipis that reportedly cost up to £28,999 to book.

Economics

2 w. ago Pressure grows on Reeves to raise taxes as borrowing hits £17.7bn in May

The borrowing was the highest on record for May outside the pandemic

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Oh no! It’s a Gruffalo!’ Julia Donaldson’s 15 best books – ranked!

Her rhyming tales have enchanted children and parents the world over – but which is the best? From a busker’s cat to a greedy rat, it’s time to rate the hits• Parents: what is your child’s favourite Julia Donaldson book?Although Julia Donaldson is best known for her work with Axel Scheffler, her books made with other illustrators yield their own delights. Illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, 2012’s The Paper Dolls has an irresistible sense of childlike wonder, following a string of cut-out dolls as they explore a house while trying to avoid scissors. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Labour’s spending review – five key charts underpinning spending to reboot the economy

What the chancellor has considered when setting out investment to improve services and security through to the next electionRachel Reeves will announce her highly awaited spending review on Wednesday amid pressure on the government to invest in national security and public services and to reboot the UK economy.In what will be a defining policy announcement of the current parliament, the chancellor’s address to the Commons will outline Labour’s day-to-day spending plans for the next three years up to the next general election. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Emily Eavis reveals Glastonbury capacity cut to avoid overcrowding

Festival organiser also shared that staff did not believe the festival suffered from overcrowding last year, despite complaints from some fans

Politics

3 w. ago Unions pile pressure on Reeves to avoid cuts and impose wealth taxes

Exclusive: The TUC has ratcheted up pressure on the government to introduce wealth taxes amid a growing expectation that the chancellor will unveil a swathe of spending cuts next week

Economics