Party hopes election candidates will all be singing from the same hymn sheet after event in Stratford-on-Avon
Keir Starmer is whisking his top 100 prospective parliamentary candidates to Stratford-on-Avon this weekend for a crash course in message discipline, media training and the art of campaigning.
The Labour leader will be hoping they gain communications inspiration in the birthplace of William Shakespeare as the party trains them in its election strategy.
Continue reading...Education Secretary Gillian Keegan urges BMA to ‘look at’ pay offer as union says proposed increase fails to address years of underpay
Almost 1,000 workers at Gatwick Airport, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, are to strike in a dispute over pay.
Members of Unite employed by four private contractors will walk out for four days from 28 July and again for four days from 4 August, PA reported.
Our members at Gatwick airport undertake incredibly demanding roles and are essential to keeping the airport and airlines working, yet their employers somehow think it is acceptable to pay them a pittance.
As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on the jobs, pay and condition of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport.
It is a good use to have all kids in school.
That’s not what we want headteachers doing all of their days. But to be honest, right now, if that works to get somebody in school, it’s worth it.
Continue reading...Campaign aims to put onus on men to stop violence against women as figures suggest most already feel country safe place for women
A campaign aimed at making young men reflect about violence against women and domestic abuse is being launched in Wales as new figures suggest most already feel the country is a safe place for women and almost 40% believe enough has been done to fill the gender equality gap.
The “Sound” campaign, which the Labour-controlled government hopes will help tackle the crisis of toxic masculinity, is aimed at men between the ages of 18 and 34, and will try to reach them via social media, podcasts, digital television and streaming channels.
75% of men think Wales is a safe place to be a woman.
37% believe the country has gone far enough in closing the gender equality gap.
39% believe efforts to achieve women’s equality have led to discrimination against men.
43% believe traditional masculinity is under threat.
64% underestimate the prevalence of violence against women.
There was a very low understanding of terms such as love-bombing, gaslighting and coercive control.
Younger men were both more likely to agree that traditional masculinity is under threat – and to describe themselves as feminists. They also perceived scenarios involving physical abuse as less harmful and wrong compared with older age groups.
Continue reading...This live blog has now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage here
Civil service chief Simon Case said the last five years had seen a deterioration in relations between officials and politicians, although he added the situation had improved since Rishi Sunak became prime minister, PA News reports.
The cabinet secretary told MPs:
The last five years or so have seen, I think, an increased number of attacks on civil servants individually and collectively by significant political figures which has undoubtedly undermined the good functioning of government.
I’m very happy to say that under this prime minister things have changed very significantly.
Obviously I don’t agree with a characterisation which is insulting, dehumanising, totally unacceptable.
It would surprise me if current ministers were using this language, not least because if they were it would indicate something akin to self-defeating cowardice.
Yes, was aware of those communications and have flagged them to both the chief whip and Speaker of the House.
Continue reading...Exclusive: Data shows policy, deepening poverty among low-income families, affects about 1.5 million children
Labour has come under fresh pressure to vow to scrap the two-child benefit cap after it emerged one in four children in some of England and Wales's poorest parliamentary constituencies live in families left at least £3,000 a year out of pocket as a result of the policy.
The party’s stance on the policy, which critics say has been a major driver of deepening poverty among low-income families, is estimated to affect about 1.5 million children and is seen by some in Labour as an indicator of the strength of its determination to tackle child poverty.
Continue reading...Plans would only supply Britain with fossil fuels for an additional three weeks a year, analysis finds
New oil and gas fields in the North Sea would produce only enough gas to satisfy the UK’s needs for a few weeks a year, with a minimal impact on energy security, analysis has found.
Fields now under consideration would supply at most an additional three weeks of gas a year to the UK, from 2024 to 2050, even if none of the gas was exported.
Continue reading...General secretary of union says party should not treat outcome as ‘blank cheque’ as rift remains with leadership
Keir Starmer has been put “on notice” by the leader of Britain’s biggest trade union, who said that its support should not be treated as a “blank cheque”.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, signalled a rift remained with the Labour leadership despite delegates voting to remain affiliated with the party.
Continue reading...Scheme aims to raise standard of insulation in 19m of the UK’s leakiest homes
Labour has said that job opportunities for almost 4 million workers would be created under its plan to bring 19m of the UK’s leakiest homes up to an acceptable standard of insulation.
While it has previously said that the plan would reduce annual household energy bills by up to £500, the party has set out details of what it said would be a major expansion of the retrofitting workforce.
Continue reading...Shadow foreign secretary to accuse Conservatives of treating international law with cavalier disrespect
Labour will restore the UK’s tarnished global reputation by backing a global anti-corruption court and by reinstating a requirement to follow international law in the ministerial code, the shadow foreign secretary will say in a speech on Monday.
David Lammy says the measures will restore the country’s reputation for keeping its word, as well as going some way to undo the damage caused by Conservative party scandals in recent years.
Continue reading...Former ministers could have their pensions docked, Angela Rayner will say in speech on ‘broken’ standards system
Former government ministers will be fined or have their pensions docked if they breach tough new rules on lobbying, to be proposed by Labour this week.
In a major speech on cleaning up politics, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Angela Rayner, will spell out plans to end the “revolving door” culture that currently allows ministers to switch from government posts into lucrative lobbying roles related to their former ministerial responsibilities.
Continue reading...Keir Starmer’s party believes it can topple Conservative rural strongholds as it competes with the Liberal Democrats in North Yorkshire
Labour is “throwing the kitchen sink” at claiming the Conservative stronghold of Selby and Ainsty, amid growing optimism that it can pull off a shock win that would show its progress in Tory-held rural seats.
The North Yorkshire constituency, which was recently vacated by Boris Johnson ally Nigel Adams, returned a majority of more than 20,000 for the Tories at the last election. Labour had been targeting a strong second place in the seat, to fend off claims that only the Liberal Democrats can take on the Tories in their heartlands.
Continue reading...Robert Halfon says government cannot promise to accept pay review body recommendation, as NEU members strike again
Q: My fear is that sewage in water could lead to a typhoid problem?
Ferrari asks if Labour favours water nationalisation.
Continue reading...Government plans to abolish section 40 law under which news publishers are liable for libel trial legal costs
Labour is heading for a potentially bruising clash with UK news publishers over a controversial piece of post-Leveson press regulation.
Shadow ministers are set to incur the wrath of some of Britain’s most powerful press bosses, including Rupert Murdoch, by opposing the repeal of a rule designed to force news publishers to sign up to the government-backed regulator.
Continue reading...Latest updates: group complains about Labour’s lack of commitment to green new deal as leader speaks about extending opportunity
Starmer is now being heckled by someone complaining about his lack of commitment to a green new deal.
He says he has already given a speech on this. He offers to speak to the protesters later.
Keir Starmer asked two protesters holding a banner saying “Green New Deal now” to “let me finish” as they interrupted his speech.
The Labour leader told the pair he would “speak to you after” as they accused of him of U-turning on his £28bn green prosperity plan before being led off stage by security.
I promise you this, wherever there are obstacles to opportunity, wherever there are the barriers to hope, my Labour government will tear them down.
Continue reading...Labour leader says ‘money is a big factor’ as he also declines to promise 6.5% pay rise for teachers
Keir Starmer has refused to commit to supporting free school meals for all primary school children, as he stuck to a tough fiscal position despite pressure from inside and outside of his party.
The Labour leader also declined to commit to a 6.5% pay rise for teachers as he urged the government to resolve the dispute at the centre of strike action.
Continue reading...Focus group compares first minister with Sturgeon and discusses appeal of Labour as cost of living crisis continues
Scottish voters overwhelmed by the cost of living want Humza Yousaf to “get a grip and listen” to their struggles, as previous SNP supporters discuss the appeal of revitalised Scottish Labour.
As Yousaf reaches 100 days as first minister this week, members of a focus group convened by More in Common UK agree his public profile is not as strong as his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, despite divergent views on her recent arrest.
Continue reading...Civil inquiry finds official’s talks over role without telling bosses is ‘prima facie’ breach of code
A Cabinet Office investigation has said Sue Gray apparently breached the civil service code by discussing a role with Keir Starmer without telling her Whitehall bosses, prompting a vehement fightback by Gray’s allies, who said the inquiry was arbitrary and politically motivated.
Jeremy Quin, a Cabinet Office minister, said a civil inquiry found a “prima facie” breach of the code about outside interests to be clear and transparent – meaning an apparent contravention of the rules based on first impressions.
Continue reading...Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson says early-years education key to improving life chances
More graduate teachers would be parachuted into nurseries under plans being considered by Labour to improve education for under-fours, the Guardian has learned.
There could also be more nursery places in primary school settings as the opposition works up proposals to drive up standards and formally integrate early years into the English education system.
Continue reading...In today’s newsletter: the Labour leader may well win the next election – but why are so many of his policies being ditched?
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Good morning.
Keir Starmer has undergone a political transformation since he became leader of the Labour party. During the leadership contest, he positioned himself as a “colleague and friend” of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, in whose shadow cabinet he had served. His list of policy pledges presented him as a more competent version of Corbyn, with none of the political baggage.
NHS | Seven in 10 people in the UK believe charges for NHS care will creep in over the next decade, ending the health service’s record of being free at the point of use, polling has found. Ahead of the service’s 75th birthday this week the Guardian also asked five experts for their ideas on how to make the NHS thrive again.
House of Lords | Two British peers were among 50 people who attended a party organised by the Russian ambassador to the UK at his opulent residence in west London last month. The event was to mark the creation of a Russia independent of the Soviet Union.
Scotland | Orkney could leave the UK to become a self-governing territory of Norway after its council opted to explore “alternative forms of governance”. The archipelago off the north coast of Scotland will also consider changing its legal status within Britain as it seeks to provide more economic opportunities.
Israel | As many as 50 Conservative MPs are threatening to rebel against a government proposal that would impose fines on public bodies, including local councils, that seek to mount boycotts against Israel. The scale of the unease on a foreign policy issue has caught government whips by surprise.
France | The riots over the police shooting of teenager Nahel M appeared to ease after five nights of unrest that have seen thousands arrested and widespread destruction. French media reported that police made 49 arrests nationwide yesterday, down significantly from more than 2,000 over the previous two days.
Continue reading...Rebel group of 50 have voiced objections to the bill designed to stop public bodies boycotting Israel
As many as 50 Conservative MPs are threatening to rebel against a government measure due to be debated on Monday that would impose fines on public bodies, including local councils, that seek to mount boycotts against Israel.
The proposal – piloted by the communities secretary, Michael Gove – is a Conservative manifesto commitment, and has caused divisions in both main parties, highlighting the controversy surrounding the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.
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