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‘Total class act’: Marie-France van Heel is poised to be a very different PM’s wife
Source: The Guardian
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The Guardian
Labour figures uneasy about Healey’s ‘underpowered’ approach to budget
Chancellor faces challenge of volatile global headwinds and soaring energy costs at home as some insiders worry lack of clarity could trigger fresh market shock Senior Labour figures are privately voicing unease about John Healey’s approach to his crucial first budget this month, against the backdrop of volatile global markets and soaring energy costs. The chancellor’s work has been made significantly harder by the global bond sell-off, which continues to raise the cost of government borrowing, and ever increasing energy prices as Donald Trump continues the US war with Iran. Continue reading...
The Guardian
Flipping public opinion on the triple lock was Burnham magic – he’ll need more of it to see his social care plans through | Polly Toynbee
Rebuilding a complex and broken system into one that’s fair for all, and in the face of steely opposition: that will be the PM’s real challenge Here is rare clearcut proof of the power of political persuasion. Party conference speeches, the lifeblood of political obsessives, rarely reach the public beyond a brief news clip. But this time was different. Andy Burnham’s speech spun the dial on public opinion on several political hot potatoes, defining who he is. The pensions triple lock, which guarantees that pensions rise faster than average incomes, has been a no-go electoral minefield despite a groundswell of economists (and even a Times leader ) calling for reform to prevent pensions skyrocketing. Touching this live rail was an act of bravery – or recklessness. Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit
The Guardian
Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s suggestion that the Brexit question could be revisited – cartoon
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NPR Politics
AI data centers: How much are ratepayers on the hook for?
Data centers consume large amounts of power and require upgrading infrastructure. But it's difficult to determine how much residential customers benefit and how much they actually pay for the benefit.
The Guardian
No 10 clarifies that Andy Burnham not siding with Manchester City over finance scandal – UK politics live
A spokesperson said ‘those responsible should face the appropriate consequences’ if there is wrongdoing Just as a reminder of why prisoners are being released early, here is an explainer by Jamie Grierson which sets out how the scheme works, why it was introduced and the changes made by Burnham’s government: Jamie writes: The Labour government says it inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse, with fewer than 100 spaces left in the summer of 2024. No 10 says a lack of investment in the prison estate, with just 500 net places added over a decade, has led to a situation where adult male prisons are now at 98% capacity. It says the steps are necessary while it builds capacity . Continue reading...
The Guardian
Burnham’s reopening of Brexit debate is ‘biggest boost in my career’, says Farage
Reform UK leader tells supporters PM’s move has ‘opened up a huge flank to us’ UK politics live – latest updates Nigel Farage has claimed that Andy Burnham has given him “the biggest boost in my career” by reviving the Brexit debate , which the Reform UK leader said had reopened a “huge flank” to his party. The prime minister’s pledges to the Labour conference and admission on Wednesday that rejoining the EU was among options the government would look at had put “put me back into the debate”, he said. Continue reading...