2024 General Election

Teenagers have gone through enough – Rishi Sunak’s national service is too much to ask

— Rishi Sunak proposes reintroducing national service for 18-year-olds if the Conservatives win the general election. Critics argue it burdens youth already impacted by pandemic disruptions and severe cuts to youth services, worsening social and economic inequalities.

Children's Health

Alarming decline in children’s health and well-being predated pandemic, research reveals

— Research indicates a significant decline in the health and well-being of primary school children from 2014 to 2022, exacerbated by events like Brexit and the pandemic.

Fuel Poverty

Fuel poverty: As government support dries up, communities are taking action

— Over two million people face winter energy cutoffs due to affordability issues. Vulnerable groups, including lone parents and renters, struggle most. As current government support falls short, community-led initiatives prove more effective in addressing fuel poverty.

Cost of Living Crisis

A single person on universal credit now receives 20% less than what it costs just to eat and keep warm

— The UK benefits system does not systematically cater for the basic household needs of healthy eating and domestic energy.

UK Politics

Six books (and one play) to read to understand British politics today

— With a general election on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to curl up with one of these expert political book recommendations.

UK Politics

Suella Braverman: How much of a threat is sacked home secretary from the backbenches?

— Rishi Sunak’s removal of Home Secretary Suella Braverman, known for appealing to the cultural right, and the appointment of former PM David Cameron as foreign secretary reveals his struggle to balance diverse factions within the Conservative Party.

Cost of Living Crisis

The cost of living crisis can’t wait for the next election: Three key issues the UK government needs to tackle now

— Governmental support is failing the country’s most vulnerable households. Politicians need to act now.

UK Economy

The UK economy’s COVID bounceback was stronger than we thought – but here’s why people are still feeling financial pain

— An economist explains why new official figures have eased the gloom surrounding the UK economy, but haven’t fully dispelled all fears.

Energy Bills

Energy price cap: A targeted ‘social tariff’ must be part of a much wider set of reforms

— No more tweaks: let’s replace the energy price cap with something more radical.

Cost of Living Crisis

Channel 4’s shocking Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat owes much to Swift and his gruesome satire

— Channel 4’s stealthy documentary on engineering human meat from the poor parallels Swift’s suggestion that people should eat the children of Ireland’s most destitute.

Cost of Living

Your energy bills are finally about to go down

— A reduction in your energy bills may not provide immediate relief from your financial difficulties, as inflation and interest rates remain high and exert pressure.

UK Politics

How to fly like a foreign secretary: A guide to luxury jets and showers

— Foreign Secretary James Cleverly recently used a luxury business jet for his eight-day tour of the Caribbean and Latin America despite the cost of living crisis.

Right to Strike

Rishi Sunak’s new law could force workers to break strikes

— The strikes bill making its way through parliament potentially means employers will be able to block workers from taking industrial action. Despite his efforts to portray trade unions as out-of-control, is Rishi Sunak misreading the voters’ opinion?

Austerity

The long-term effects of austerity last for generations

— Public spending cuts and the soaring cost of living will not only affect people’s lives now but could trickle down through generations.

Cost of Living Crisis

Universal free school meals would make a huge difference to the cost-of-living crisis

— Widening access to free school meals would be an investment in England’s children.

UK Strikes

UK strikes: Why the government must start mediating talks, according to negotiation experts

— Unions are calling on the government to negotiate on pay, here’s how it could mediate discussions between employers and unions.