Reporter @independent | Social affairs, politics, policy | Views my own | https://teapaw.org/t.co/iQoL0dY3S0 | Get in touch: [email protected]
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Joined October 2010
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Another Reform candidate resigns after vetting failure – and councils are forced to pick up the bill
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
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Leading charities tell the PM: freeze on housing benefit will "undermine" rough sleeping pledge.
Signatories include @genrentuk, @jrf_uk and @Shelter.
My story for @Independent today:
Exclusive: 200,000 families will be pushed into poverty or deeper poverty due to Labour’s decision not to end the freeze on housing benefits at the Budget, leading charities have warned.
Read more: independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
Want to know what today's Budget could mean for your bills? Here's a preview by me ahead of the event, for @Independent
The first Budget under new prime minister Andy Burnham is just around the corner, with households across the country waiting to find out what the planned fiscal changes could mean for them.
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Holborn and St Pancras, short results 🧵
Labour has retained the North London at 45pc to Green's 33. A victory, yes, but Lab was recording 70 in just 2017.
Today's result marks a lowest-ever majority and second lowest share (43pc in 2005)...
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Greens won't be happy with result, of course, but Polanski also points out that it is the party's second best ever by-election result.
Hannah Spencer won G&D with 40.7pc vote share while Lab and Reform both trailed in the 20s.
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The key difference is likely the Burnham effect. Support amongst young voters for Labour has skyrocketed post-Starmer, as the new cabinet marks a decisive move to the left on some key issues.
My coverage of today's result for @Independent:
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
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UPDATE on my @Independent story from earlier in the year
Sandra and Colin were losing £1000s a year after a miscomm between DWP and their council forced them to take incorrect advice. Neither accepted blame...
independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho…
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Burnham reiterated his promise for a "generation of council homes" under Labour. Also touched on new powers for authorities to take over empty and poor quality private properties.
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But hundreds of councils barely have the teams in place to begin this work. Experts and leaders told me recently what more needs to be done:
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Albert Toth retweeted
Ayisha Carroll and Danielle Morley, his two daughters, are also fundraising for a headstone to remember their dad, who they described as a “beloved father, grandfather, and friend of many”. @hundredfamilies @CPhilpOfficial
independent.co.uk/news/uk/cr…
The government has said its £10bn housing plan will kickstart an "historic council housebuilding comeback" – but the detail tells a different story.
New from me, for @Independent:
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
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ICYMI: The housing crisis. Explained in light of Burnham's £10bn funding announcement, for @Independent
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
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Albert Toth retweeted
Andy Burnham was handed a guitar by a Ukrainian soldier and played a Smiths song as he continued his visit to Kyiv. He said music can help “lift spirits” on the frontline and was serenaded by soldiers from the Cultural Forces group singing Oasis
This would, of course, be a nightmare scenario for the millions of people who rely on these benefits, in many cases to support them into work or at work.
The economic consequences would far outweigh the benefits – disabled people being able to live independently and work is good for society. Worth around £12,300 pp annually according to @Z2K_trust and @ProBonoEcon
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Not to mention that removing these benefits outright would have a disastrous and far more costly knock-on effect on the NHS.
Here is one of the more recent stories I've written on why PIP is essential to claimants:
independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho…
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Farage, predictably, has won in Clacton. But Binface's near 27% share means he outperformed Lab, LDs and Greens in 2024, and nearly equalled the Tories.
Was this a victory for the Reform leader – and would he win if he had to stand again?
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
Nigel Farage’s party continues to drop in popularity as the new prime minister’s boost holds steady
Could Burnham call an early election - and who would be his main competition? My analysis for @Independent:
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…
The new prime minister begins his term as one of the UK’s most popular politicians, but will the ‘Burnham bounce’ last?
Me for @Independent
independent.co.uk/news/uk/po…