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Another embarrassing climbdown for Burnham as Angela Rayner says rent controls are NOT happening… days after he insisted they were being considered
Angela Rayner has ruled out introducing rent controls, contradicting Andy Burnham, who had said only days earlier that such measures were being considered. The reversal marks another awkward moment for Burnham and adds to a perception of confusion or disunity within Labour over housing policy, drawing criticism from opponents such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.…
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Angela Rayner refuses to repay £16k severance payout after returning to cabinet
Angela Rayner has said she will not repay a severance payment of almost £17,000 received after leaving government in 2025, despite returning to the Cabinet as Andy Burnham’s housing secretary. The issue matters because Rayner had previously criticised Conservative ministers for accepting similar payments after brief periods in office, prompting Conservative calls for her to…
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Britain ‘in a better place today than we were yesterday’ despite fresh Trump tariffs, minister insists
A UK minister has said Britain is in a better position despite the US renewing a 10% import tariff on British goods, arguing that exemptions for products including whisky and medical technologies reduce the impact. The tariffs matter because the United States is the UK’s largest single export market, while the government seeks to preserve…
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Regional mayors to play key role in national policy decisions under Burnham’s plan for No 10 North
Andy Burnham has announced plans for a new No 10 North office in Manchester, intended to give regional mayors a greater role in national policymaking and accelerate devolution. He said the initiative would help shift power and resources away from Whitehall, supporting regeneration, housebuilding, transport infrastructure, reindustrialisation and economic growth across the UK. Burnham plans…
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‘A small snippet’: what pubs make of Burnham’s £100m rates giveaway
Andy Burnham’s new government has announced a 20% business-rates reduction for pubs, clubs and live music venues, costing £100m, as part of efforts to support high streets and slow pub closures. Publicans welcomed the signal of support but said the relief would make only a limited difference because VAT, wages, employer taxes, energy and other…
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Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as ‘Cockroach’ protesters vow to press on
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a 26-day hunger strike that helped propel a youth-led protest movement calling for education reform and accountability over examination paper leaks. The protest’s continuation despite his decision underlines the scale of public anger and keeps pressure on the government, particularly Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk began fasting on 28…
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Rubio says U.S. is ready to help end war in Ukraine but no quick deal ahead
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is prepared to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine, but that no rapid agreement is in prospect. His comments underline that previous US-mediated efforts have stalled and that any settlement would need terms acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv. Rubio spoke after meeting Russian Foreign…
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Noah Kahan Gets a Fake Call From Congress Ordering Fans to Wear Diapers at Concerts
Noah Kahan jokingly told fans at his Washington, DC concert that Congress had ordered them to wear nappies after reports of people urinating and defecating on venue floors to avoid losing their places. The staged phone call highlighted an apparent concert-etiquette problem and the burden such behaviour places on venue staff. Kahan had already urged…
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Albanese government pledges extra $4.6billion for AUKUS shipyard – but critics warn it will make Australia a nuclear target
Australia’s Albanese government has pledged an additional $4.6 billion for the AUKUS submarine shipyard at Osborne in Adelaide. The investment is intended to support Australia’s role in the security pact with the UK and US, but critics argue that hosting nuclear-powered submarine infrastructure could increase the country’s strategic risk. The funding forms part of the…
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‘Burnham bounce’ and World Cup lift mood in July, says data firm
UK consumer confidence rose sharply in July, helped by expectations that Andy Burnham could become prime minister, England’s World Cup progress and sunny weather, according to GfK. The improvement matters because confidence can influence household spending, but it remains far below pre-Brexit levels and could prove fragile amid weak growth and cost-of-living pressures. GfK’s headline…