News

Original reporting and the latest political headlines from across the UK.

Our Articles

Mainstream Headlines

Filtering by:Tag: environment×Source: The Guardian Politics×Clear all

327 headlines found — Page 1 of 28

The Guardian Politics23 Aug 2026

Burnham expected to give mayors new powers over local planning decisions

Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing funding Andy Burnham is expected to give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week. The move would allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them. Continue reading...

DefenceEnvironmentHousing
The Guardian Politics21 Aug 2026

‘We’re not remotely prepared’: Labour MPs fear party has gone soft on climate crisis

Polls suggest growing skepticism around net zero, with politicians left feeling uncertain on how to proceed UK politics live – latest updates Britain has seen a summer of record-breaking wildfires, deadly heat and drought with almost 2, 900 heat associated deaths recorded in England during May and June alone. Homes have been destroyed more recently by the fires in the West Midlands and deadly wildfires have swept across Europe. Despite the ever more visible impacts of the climate crisis, there

PoliticsEnvironmentHousing
The Guardian Politics21 Aug 2026

Proposed London datacentre will have annual carbon footprint of 27,000 flights to New York

Exclusive: Planning documents show datacentre in north Ockendon will be incompatible with UK net zero targets A “hyperscale” datacentre in outer London would generate more than 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, equivalent to the carbon footprint of 27,000 flights from London to New York, planning documents show. The East Havering Data Centre Campus (EHDCC) in north Ockendon would be one of the largest datacentres in Europe if approved by Havering council, using 218 hectares of green belt to ru

Environment
The Guardian Politics20 Aug 2026

‘I worry about our daughters’: Bridget Phillipson on online misogyny – podcast

Racism and misogyny are becoming normalised as a result of rightwing politics and the ‘cesspit’ of social media, says Labour’s Bridget Phillipson. In an extended interview, the minister for women and equalities and new party chair sits down with Kiran Stacey to talk about her fears for British society, the climate crisis, what Burnham is really doing differently from Starmer, and whether her party can beat Reform Please keep sending your comments and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com

PoliticsEnvironmentHousing
The Guardian Politics20 Aug 2026

Working in Keir Starmer’s No 10 ‘unbearable’, says Sue Gray

Former chief of staff tells of fears her conversations were being recorded and leaked to media by colleagues Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff has lifted the lid on how “unbearable” it was working in No 10, revealing she feared her conversations were being recorded by colleagues seeking to leak her remarks to the media. Sue Gray, who was the most powerful adviser in Downing Street before her resignation in 2024, was highly critical of the working environment under Starmer, saying she was “dis

PoliticsEnvironment
The Guardian Politics20 Aug 2026

From bone-dry to soaked to the bone, welcome to the age of climate whiplash | Aditya Chakrabortty

This punishingly hot and dry summer will probably be followed by another wet winter. But it’s nothing compared with what Britain will endure in years to come This summer could be the hottest, driest and deadliest in English history. Successive heatwaves have so far claimed almost 3,000 lives. Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales is in drought, while key reservoirs are parched. Across this brown and stickily unpleasant land, from Grimsby down to St Ives, hosepipe bans are in force, w

Environment
The Guardian Politics20 Aug 2026

Drill Andy drill? Burnham’s North Sea dilemma – podcast

Helena Horton on why the government may decide to allow more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea The government is considering whether to allow new oil and gas drilling at two sites in the North Sea, a move environmental activists warn will accelerate climate chaos. Helen Pidd speaks to reporter Helena Horton about the government’s dilemma – and what it tells us about Andy Burnham’s approach to the green energy transition Continue reading...

DefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics19 Aug 2026

Tice should apologise to firefighters for ‘enjoy it’ remark on extreme heat, says Labour

Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson’s comments show her party feels voters have been alienated by Reform net zero attacks Richard Tice should apologise to firefighters for his comments this week urging British people to “enjoy” this summer’s extreme heat, according to the Labour party chair. Bridget Phillipson has called on Reform’s deputy leader to say sorry to those who have battled wildfires across the country over the last few weeks, forcing evacuations and destroying homes. Continue reading...

EnvironmentReformHousing
The Guardian Politics19 Aug 2026

Labour ‘could lose up to 50 seats’ to Greens if new drilling in North Sea approved

Greens say analysis shows government failure to take bold climate action could lead to big gains for party at election UK politics live – latest updates Labour could lose dozens of seats to the Green party if the government allows new drilling in the North Sea, according to internal research shared with the Guardian. Green party analysis suggests up to 50 Labour MPs – including key Andy Burnham ally Louise Haigh – could lose their seats at the next election if the government fails to make urge

PoliticsEnvironment
The Guardian Politics18 Aug 2026

Rebecca Hendin on Richard Tice and the climate crisis – cartoon

Continue reading...

EnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics18 Aug 2026

Burnham is choosing jobs over climate security. That’s a big risk | Gaby Hinsliff

The PM’s net zero pragmatism may please some voters, but as parts of the country go up in flames, it’s an increasingly hard sell When the siren sounded on Friday night, my first thought was fire. Weeks of unrelenting sun in the normally soggy Peak District, where I was visiting my mum, have bleached green valleys a dangerously dry, crispy blond. One of her neighbours had earlier pointed out an ominous cloud of smoke on the horizon, coming from one of the wildfires raging all summer on the moor.

Environment
The Guardian Politics17 Aug 2026

Reform’s Tice says people should stop tackling climate crisis and ‘enjoy’ heat

Deputy leader says it is ‘arrogant’ to try to stop global heating, despite UK being left reeling by summer firewave Reform’s deputy leader has dismissed efforts to tackle climate breakdown as futile, as he urged British people to “enjoy” the warmth of the recent heatwaves. Richard Tice told a press conference on Monday he believed it was “arrogant” to try to stop the climate emergency and added that politicians should focus instead on adaptation efforts, while encouraging people to focus on upsi

DefenceEnvironmentReform