35 h. ago Voices: Starmer’s welfare humiliation is a turning point for his government

The prime minister had no choice but to give in to Labour rebels on disability benefits – but this rebellion has been handled particularly badly, and I doubt he will see out this parliament, says John Rentoul

Politics

8 d. ago A woman tried to call her mom in Iran. A robotic voice answered the phone

Some Iranians living abroad are trying to call their families back home, only to have a robotic voice answer

Technology

2 w. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves has bet all our money on Wes Streeting saving the NHS

With the cost of living and immigration being too severely impacted by outside factors, backing the NHS was the right choice – and delivering results on health is Labour’s best chance of winning the next election, writes John Rentoul

Economics

2 w. ago Labour promised people we would rebuild Britain – and that’s what we’re doing | Keir Starmer

This week’s spending review marks a new stage in the mission of national renewal, built on the foundations laid last yearKeir Starmer is the prime minister of the United KingdomThe mandate we received from the British people could not have been clearer. First, we had to stop the chaos and return Britain to economic stability. Second, we had to turn the page on Tory decline with clear Labour choices. Third, we were instructed to rebuild our country.Wednesday’s spending review turbocharged that rebuilding. It is an investment in Britain’s renewal, so working people have more money in their pocket, more pride in their community and more hope for their children’s future. It’s what people voted for. An NHS cutting waiting lists, with care closer to the community. Wealth and opportunity no longer hoarded by only a few towns and cities. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: How Labour’s spending review was shaped by Reform UK

The chancellor insisted her choices were “Labour choices.” But as I watched her deliver her statement, I couldn’t help thinking that much of it was aimed at seeing off the rising threat to Labour from Nigel Farage, writes Andrew Grice

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves says spending review will be about ‘making working people better off’

She told the GMB Union Congress the Government was ‘making Labour choices’ and ‘making progress’.

Economics

2 w. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s tough choices: they are costing the government dearly | Editorial

Austerity-era scepticism runs deep – and Labour’s abstract promises are falling flat as Nigel Farage rises in the pollsThe Labour government’s abrupt U-turn on winter fuel payments – restoring the benefit to more than three-quarters of pensioners – reveals less a change of heart than a sobering realisation in Westminster: after years of austerity, the public no longer gives politicians the benefit of the doubt. The irony is hard to miss. Labour set out to prove that “grown-up” economics means difficult decisions – only to find that once trust is lost, voters won’t accept vague promises without tangible results.It turns out many are sceptical that sacrifices will produce better results for society. That’s why ministers are struggling to justify cuts to disability benefits as a way to “fund” public services – or to convince the public that Britain can’t afford to lift the two-child benefit cap even as ministers claim they will reduce child poverty. There may be more conspicuous retrea...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves hits back at spending review critics claiming ‘my choices are Labour choices’

Exclusive: As a cabinet civil war heats up over her spending review, Rachel Reeves has written for The Independent defending her motivations and choices as chancellor

Events

3 w. ago Voices: With families facing impossible choices, Labour’s should be easy

Editorial: New figures shared with The Independent show the extent to which families are relying on baby banks. The government’s plans to tackle child poverty should start immediately

Politics