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Bridget Phillipson orders review of hidden childcare charges hitting parents

Education secretary asks UK watchdog to look into nursery practices, including non-refundable deposits Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is ordering a competition review of hidden childcare charges amid concerns parents are being hit with extra charges, despite the government’s flagship expansion of funded childcare hours. Phillipson has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asking it to examine practices including non-refundable deposits, compulsory add-ons and restr

Nicola Jennings on Andy Burnham and the forthcoming Labour leadership battle – cartoon

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Farage under mounting pressure to prove Russian hack claim

Reform UK leader claims ‘counter-espionage experts’ suggest state-sponsored hackers are behind the disclosure of £5m gift Nigel Farage is under mounting pressure to provide evidence for his claim that a state-sponsored Russian hack was behind the disclosure of the £5m gift he received from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Reform UK claimed over the weekend that analysis of Farage’s phone by “counter-espionage experts” suggested that “Farage’s phone, email and bank accounts were compr

Europe and US need ‘separate bedrooms’ but not divorce, says David Miliband

Speaking at Hay literary festival, former Labour minister says complete disengagement has potential ‘for us to end up in a very, very difficult position’ Former foreign secretary David Miliband has said Europe should have “separate bedrooms” from the US, but not seek a “divorce” from its traditional alliance, despite the Trump administration’s impact on the relationship. Speaking at the Hay literary festival on Sunday, the former Labour minister, who has served as the president of the Internati

Girl raped by boys spared jail tells BBC judge's decision was like 'rock in my face'

Responding to the interview, Sir Keir Starmer said it was “an appalling case” and that it was right that the sentences are reviewed.

Girl raped by boys spared jail tells BBC judge's decision was like 'rock in my face'

Responding to the interview, Sir Keir Starmer said it was “an appalling case” and that it was right that the sentences are reviewed.

Andy Burnham seeks advice from Sue Gray on forming future Labour government

The discussions highlight how seriously senior Labour figures are treating Burnham’s path back to Westminster Andy Burnham has sought advice from Baroness Sue Gray, Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, on how to manage a potential transition into Downing Street if he returns to Westminster and succeeds the prime minister. Gray is understood to have advised Burnham on how a future government could be formed as Labour’s internal succession chatter intensifies before the Makerfield byelection. Co

'Shameful' more spent on benefits than jobs for young people, says Milburn

Reforms are needed of the welfare system to tackle the high numbers of young people not in work or education, says Alan Milburn.

UK supply chain unprepared for major shocks such as war, report warns

Research by National Preparedness Commission calls for ‘worst-case scenario’ planning by European states Britain’s vital supply chains are unprepared for the prospect of a major shock such as war with Russia, and bold steps are needed to catch up with “worst-case scenario” planning by European states, ministers have been warned. Donald Trump’s “America First” transformation of the US, which has made what was once a trusted UK ally a much less reliable partner, should also feed into that planning

Irish gangland figure fails in Dublin byelection bid for seat in parliament

Gerry ‘the monk’ Hutch comes fourth in contest won by Daniel Ennis of Social Democrats The Irish gangland figure Gerry “the monk” Hutch has failed in his bid for a parliamentary seat in a Dublin byelection. The 63-year-old came fourth in a contest won by Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats, a victory for progressive politics after a campaign dominated by concerns over the cost of living and immigration. Continue reading...

WATCH: Emotional Darren Jones Says Two Girls Gang Raped by Teenage Boys “Deserve Justice”

Darren Jones Unable to Say When New Russian Sanctions Will Come Into Effect

Darren Jones doesn’t know when the UK’s new sanctions on Russia will come into force. On Sky News this morning: “I think there was some confusion around this policy during the week. because what’s actually happened is that sanctions have increased, not decreased.” When asked for a date, Don’t Know Darren said: “I don’t know…