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123 headlines found — Page 3 of 11

The Guardian Politics23 Apr 2026

‘Apprenticeship penalty’ on benefits forces young people from poorer UK families to quit

Government advisers call for review of rules that cause loss of household income when a child takes up job training Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are abandoning valuable job training opportunities because of a little-known welfare “apprenticeship penalty” that can leave their families out of pocket by as much as £340 a week. The problem is caused by benefit rules that classify a 16-year-old apprentice as an “independent worker” who no longer requires parental support. As a result,

ReformHousing
The Guardian Politics21 Apr 2026

It’s a nightmare on Downing Street: Starmer has no one left to blame for this Mandelson horror show | Marina Hyde

Olly Robbins’s testimony will have been painful for the PM. The No 10 omnishambles was publicly laid bare – and Keir’s fresh out of scapegoats ‘How dare Olly Robbins not have made me look like a chaotic, unprincipled plonker?” is an interesting defence for a prime minister to go for. But we are where we are. Never mind “this is the future liberals want”: this is the past that Keir Starmer wants. What follows is the alternative branch of history the endlessly victimised PM apparently wishes we’d

PoliticsDefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics20 Apr 2026

The Guardian view on social care shortages: housing charities could help England’s ‘hidden children’ | Editorial

New rules and extra foster carers should ease the pressure on councils. But unregistered placements remain a grave concern It is incumbent on everyone with an interest in social policy to pay attention to the most vulnerable children and young people. When those who have been neglected, abused or exploited fall through the cracks in the welfare state because local councils are unable to meet their needs, this reflects poorly on wider society and risks causing harm in the long term as well as imm

Housing
The Guardian Politics20 Apr 2026

Is Richard Tice’s picture AI-manipulated? Here are five giveaways

Experts and social media detectives take a closer look at Reform deputy leader’s image of an apparent campaign event *** After Richard Tice posted a picture of an apparent Reform campaign event on Sunday, experts and social media detectives took a closer look – and concluded from a variety of telltale signs that the image had either been edited or generated by artificial intelligence. Here are some of the clues that critics called into question. Continue reading...

ReformHousing
The Guardian Politics20 Apr 2026

Greens ‘have welcomed’ people expelled by Labour for antisemitism, Steve Reed claims

Housing secretary also targets Reform as May elections loom, saying Farage more interested in Trump than own constituency The Greens have welcomed activists kicked out of Labour for antisemitic views and people should be “very careful” who they vote for next month, one of Keir Starmer’s most senior ministers has said in a notable stepping-up of attacks on Zack Polanski’s party. In a double-pronged attack on the two parties expected to make big gains in the elections on 7 May, Steve Reed also acc

PoliticsEnvironmentReformHousing
The Guardian Politics20 Apr 2026

Cabinet secretary apparently advised Starmer to wait for vetting before appointing Mandelson

Documents also show PM’s choice for US ambassador was offered ‘higher tiers’ briefing before vetting was finalised UK politics live – latest updates The then cabinet secretary, Simon Case, appeared to advise Keir Starmer to complete security vetting for Peter Mandelson before announcing an appointment, documents reveal. The documents released last month by the Cabinet Office as part of the disclosures over the US ambassadorial appointment also show Mandelson was offered a “higher tiers” briefi

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics20 Apr 2026

The UK’s radical ‘Preston model’ faces an uncertain future with local elections looming | Andy Beckett

A Lancashire council tries hard to keep wealth and power in the area, despite such ideas being out of fashion in Westminster. But Reform could unravel it all What legacy will Labour leave when it loses power? For its ministers and MPs, that question looms in the far distance, with the next general election probably not for three years and the current political fragmentation making its outcome almost impossible to predict. But for many Labour councils, facing the electorate in less than three wee

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics19 Apr 2026

Starmer is facing his judgment day over Mandelson missteps

Ahead of a showdown with MPs, prime minister looks like a man who is not really in control Keir Starmer has spent much of the last 24 hours working on a plan for what senior government figures are already describing as his “judgment day”: his showdown with MPs on Monday over the latest Peter Mandelson revelations. That the prime minister was apparently not told of Mandelson’s vetting failure has provoked incredulity across Westminster and accusations he sacked a senior civil servant to save his

PoliticsHousing
The Guardian Politics17 Apr 2026

Digested week: Hungary’s election result is rare good news in a depressing and surreal world | John Crace

Not least because JD Vance’s show of support for Viktor Orbán appears to have had opposite of desired effect So much of the news is depressing these days. The wars in Iran, Lebanon and Ukraine. The cost of living crisis. At times it feels as if the world has tipped into the surreal. Donald Trump posting photos of himself on his Truth Social account as the Risen Christ. A step too far even for Nigel Farage. And the US president picking a fight with the pope. Leo is a terrible man, apparently, for

PoliticsEconomyDefenceReformHousing
The Guardian Politics16 Apr 2026

London primary schools see 3.5% drop in children entering reception

Capital’s schools hardest hit in England and Wales by rising housing costs and falling birthrate, with further falls predicted in coming years Schools in London continue to be hardest hit by housing costs and the falling birthrate. Further closures and mergers of primary schools are expected after a sharp fall in the number of children entering reception classes in the capital. London’s boroughs will have nearly 3,000 fewer infants aged four enrolling at the start of the next school year in Sept

EducationHousing
The Guardian Politics16 Apr 2026

Contingency plans in place for possible food shortages if Iran war continues, minister confirms – UK politics live

Peter Kyle did not dispute Times’ report that under a ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ supermarkets might start running out of some items The SNP is to bring in a national ban on smartphones in classes if it wins May’s Holyrood election, John Swinney has pledged. As the Press Association reports, the first minister and SNP leader insisted the devices were “a distraction from learning” pledging legislation after the election to ban them across Scotland. PA says: Currently head teachers have the p

PoliticsDefenceEducationHousing
The Guardian Politics15 Apr 2026

MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s a second time

Commons rejects proposal by 256 to 150 to side with government on plan to tackle online harms affecting children MPs have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media for the second time, as the prime minister summoned tech bosses to demand tougher action on internet safety. The House of Commons rejected a Lords amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill that imposed a new age limit on using social media platforms, amid pressure from parents and campaign groups

PoliticsEducationHousing