Political news

• Youngest staff to be given UK workplace pensions as qualifying age is cut

  16-12-2017 23:00
  Those aged between 18 and 21 will be automatically enrolled in workplace schemes amid Tory worries about young voters’ prospectsYoung people aged 18 to 21 who are earning £10,000 or more will have to be automatically enrolled into workplace pension schemes for the first time to help them save for retirement, under plans to be announced by ministers .The extension of automatic enrolment to teenagers and those in their early 20s is seen as increasingly necessary as life expectancy grow
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing' Final 2017

  16-12-2017 22:54
  He and partner Katya Jones faced Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the final
  Joe won despite Alexandra topping the leader board with 119 points compared to his 118
  It was the first time the four finalists had danced all three dances
  Judges’ Pick: American Smooth to ‘Wouldn’t It Be Lovely’ from My Fair Lady. Score: 10+10+10+10 = 40 (originally scored 33)
  Showdance: ‘There’s No Business Like Showbusiness’ by Ethel Merman. S
  
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• Outnumbered, defeated … where next for the diehard Brexiters?

  16-12-2017 22:31
  It was the week when Tory ‘mutineers’ helped inflict a dramatic defeat on the government. Now it’s extreme Brexiters who are outmanoeuvredAt 6pm last Wednesday, the Tory MP for Eddisbury, Cheshire, Antoinette Sandbach, rose to her feet in the Commons and called on her Labour counterpart Chuka Umunna, who was progressing serenely through a speech, to offer her some badly needed support. “Does the honourable gentleman agree that it is deeply insulting for those who have tim
  
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• Call off Brexit bullies or face defeat, Tory peers tell Theresa May

  16-12-2017 22:30
  Conservatives in House of Lords warn prime minister party rebellion ‘will spread’ if the whips keep using strong-arm tactics• Dark rumours in Westminster over Tory whips’ behaviourTheresa May was warned on Sunday by Tory peers that she will face a string of parliamentary defeats over Europe in the House of Lords if she tries to “bully” members of the second chamber into backing an extreme form of Brexit.After 11 Conservative MPs joined opposition parties to inf
  
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• Brexiters’ insults and death threats symptoms of toxic atmosphere | Patience Wheatcroft and Ros Altmann

  16-12-2017 22:30
  The abuse that has been heaped upon Tory MPs who voted to enable parliament to have a Brexit deal vote was shockingWe are shocked at the vilification heaped on our Conservative colleagues who voted to ensure that parliament will have a meaningful vote before Britain leaves the EU.Despite the strong-arm tactics of the whips, the MPs followed their consciences and the belief that, before Brexit is finalised, parliament must have the chance to assess the terms of any deal. The resulting appalling i
  
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• Brexit thinktank in dispute over use of ‘institute’ in title

  16-12-2017 22:30
  Companies House says Institute for Free Trade hadn’t asked permissionA hard Brexit-supporting thinktank faces being forced to change its name or pay a fine after describing itself as an “institute” without permission.Use of the title is protected by law and reserved for established organisations “that typically undertake research at the highest level, or are professional bodies of the highest standing”. It can be used only after permission has been granted by Compan
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing' 2017 Winner Announced As Joe McFadden

  16-12-2017 22:27
  Joe McFadden has been announced as the winner of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2017.The ‘Holby City’ actor lifted the Glitterball Trophy with professional partner Katya Jones in Saturday (16 December) night’s grand final.The pair, who were the bookies’ favourite to win going into the final, triumphed over fellow contestants Joe McFadden, Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson.However, their win came despite the fact Alexandra and partner Gorka Marquez actu
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing' Final: Bruno Tonioli Falls Off His Chair Amid Finale Excitement

  16-12-2017 22:21
  Just a few weeks ago, Craig Revel Horwood fell off his chair while doing an impression of his fellow ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Bruno Tonioli.Well, it turns out it was somewhat of a premonition, as during Saturday (16 December) night’s final, it happened for real.“It was quiet, it was small, it was understated, it was classy, it was elegant. In fact it was everything Blackpool is not, darling,” he said.The next moment, a giggling Bruno was seen crashing towa
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing' Final 2017 - HuffPost Verdict

  16-12-2017 22:03
  K E Y   P O I N T SJoe McFadden crowned winner of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2017He and partner Katya Jones faced Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the finalJoe won despite Alexandra topping the leader board with 119 points compared to his 118It was the first time the four finalists had danced all three dancesAt 42, he is the show’s oldest ever winnerS C O R E   B R E A K D O W N 1. Alexandra and Gorka = 119/120Judges’ Pick: Am
  
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• Tulse Hill Hit And Run Latest: Five Drivers Now Traced Following Police Appeal

  16-12-2017 21:03
  Five drivers who may have been involved in a suspected multiple hit-and-run in which a woman died have been traced, police said.The 29-year-old pedestrian, who was Polish but had been staying in Wandsworth, south London, was hit by a lorry as she used a pedestrian crossing while the traffic lights were green.It is thought she was then struck by another lorry and up to three cars, and officers said none of the drivers stopped at the scene in Tulse Hill, also south London, on Monday morning.A 49-y
  
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• Brexit row leaves voters thinking Tories are more divided than Labour

  16-12-2017 19:52
  New poll shows Jeremy Corbyn’s party overall holding a two point lead on the ConservativesThe Tories are seen as more divided than Labour by voters, according to the final Opinium/Observer poll of 2017. Almost half of voters see the Conservatives as disunited (47%) compared with the 40% who see Labour as split. Continue reading...
  
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• Alex Rowley resigns as Scottish Labour party's deputy leader

  16-12-2017 19:48
  Decision follows Labour investigation into claims of harassment made against MSP, with Lesley Laird taking his placeThe deputy leader of the Scottish Labour party has resigned from from his role.Alex Rowley announced the news in a statement following the outcome of a Labour investigation into claims of harassment made against him. Continue reading...
  
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• Commons Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle Mourns After Daughter Natalie Lewis-Hoyle Dies Suddenly Aged 28

  16-12-2017 19:23
  House of Commons Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has paid tribute to his daughter who has died suddenly, aged 28.Natalie Lewis-Hoyle is believed to have passed away unexpectedly on Thursday evening. Details around her death remained unclear on Saturday.Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley, said in a statement on Twitter: “I am truly devastated by the death of our beautiful daughter Natalie. Our family will never be the same without our loving granddaughter, sister & aunty.“Thank you fo
  
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• Alex Rowley relinquishes Scottish Labour deputy leader role

  16-12-2017 19:04 via bbc.co.uk
  The MSP's announcement follows a Scottish Labour investigation into claims he sent abusive texts to a former partner.
  
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• Single market and customs union essential for a Labour Brexit

  16-12-2017 19:00 via ft.com
  Jeremy Corbyn has to steer public opinion towards putting economics before politics
  
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• Brexit: Tory hardliner accuses chancellor of trying to appease EU

  16-12-2017 18:37
  David Jones berates Philip Hammond for saying that single market and customs union rules will still apply during transition
  A leading Tory Brexiter has accused the chancellor, Philip Hammond, of trying to appease the EU by saying a transition deal would “replicate the status quo” and retain the same rules that apply within the single market and customs union when Britain leaves the bloc.David Jones, a former Brexit minister and board member of the Leave Means Leave campaign, said: &l
  
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• Alex Rowley Resigns As Scottish Labour Party Deputy Leader

  16-12-2017 18:10
  Alex Rowley has announced he won’t resume the role of deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party.It comes after the Fife MSP stepped down from the role over allegations he had sent abusive text messages to a former partner.Rowley confirmed on Saturday that an internal investigation had “discharged” the case, but he said he now intends to work to clear his name over the allegations.In a statement released on Saturday, Rowley said: “Today, I have informed Richard
  
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• David Cameron to lead £750m UK-China investment initiative

  16-12-2017 17:50
  Former prime minister will take charge of £750m fund to improve transport links between China and its trading partnersDavid Cameron has taken a job leading a billion-dollar investment initiative agreed between the UK and China.
  The former prime minister, who played a key role in efforts to boost trade links with Beijing while he was in Downing Street, will take charge of the £750m fund to improve roads, ports and rail networks between China and the countries it trades with. Continue
  
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• Nigel Farage Says 18 Years As A Ukip MEP Has Left Him 'Skint'

  16-12-2017 17:16
  Nigel Farage has said he is “skint” after spending 18 years as a Ukip MEP fighting for Brexit.He told the Daily Mail he was “53, separated and skint” in an interview which also describes how he cannot leave his “midweek home in Chelsea” for a pint for security reasons amid threats and abuse.Farage, who was accused of hypocrisy for saying he would claim his £73,000-a-year pension from the European Parliament after Brexit, told the paper: “There&rsqu
  
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• These Are The UK's Worst Airlines, According To Passengers

  16-12-2017 17:05
  British Airways has slumped to third from bottom in an annual survey of short-haul airlines.The carrier achieved a customer score of just 52% in research by consumer group Which?, down from 67% in 2016.In a year when BA ended free catering for economy passengers on short-haul flights, the airline was given just two stars for its food and drink.The same poor rating was given for seat comfort and value for money.Ryanair came in joint last place with Vueling – owned by BA’s parent compa
  
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• Schools On Ofsted 'Name And Shame' List Suffer Huge Staff Exodus, Union Claims

  16-12-2017 16:52
  Schools included on a so-called “name and shame” list by the education watchdog have lost almost 600 staff since 2015, a union has said.Research by the National Education Union (NEU) found 216 classroom teachers and 133 teaching assistants were among the 599 positions no longer filled over a two-year period at 124 schools highlighted by Ofsted, according to the Government’s own workforce figures.More than 500 primary schools and about 200 secondaries have been judged as requiri
  
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• The Nation's Favourite Tipple Has Been Revealed

  16-12-2017 15:47
  It’s a quintessentially British favourite and quite the perfect mix with a tonic.But now it’s revealed Britons bought a record 47 million bottles of gin over the last year, up by seven million on 2016 as consumers named the G&T their favourite drink.Gin moved up from third place last year as 29% of consumers named it their favourite spirit, ahead of whisky (25%) and vodka (23%), the annual poll by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) found.Sales of the spirit have doubled
  
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• Royal Wedding Day: These Three Couples Explain How They Feel

  16-12-2017 15:01
  How did you meet?We’ve known each other from our local area since we were 17 but met again at 24, our train was cancelled so we went for a drink, call it fate but we bumped into each other twice more that week and the rest was history.Where are you getting married and what are you most looking forward to about your wedding?We are getting married in the stunning Barbican Conservatory, London. For us, being surrounded by our friends and family is very important, sharing our day with those we
  
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• Heinz Wolff Dead: Great Egg Race Presenter And Prominent Scientist Dies Aged 89

  16-12-2017 14:27
  Heinz Wolff, a prominent scientist best known for his role as the presenter of the BBC’s Great Egg Race television programme has died, aged 89.The German-born inventor and scholar passed away on Friday of heart failure, his family said.Wolff was most recently professor emeritus at Brunel University London, where colleagues described him as an “inventive and inspirational leader”.His unique hairstyle and bow tie became legendary among television viewers, most notably on BBC2&pri
  
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• Nigel Farage claims he is 'skint' and says 'there's no money in politics'

  16-12-2017 12:57
  Former Ukip leader discusses personal life but social media users quick to point out he lives in £4m townhouseNigel Farage, the former leader of Ukip, has bemoaned being “53, separated and skint” in an interview, adding “there’s no money in politics”.In an interview in the Daily Mail, Farage discusses his personal life and his 24-year political career, while claiming his “contempt for career politicians knows no bounds”. Continue reading...
  
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• David Cameron takes senior role in China infrastructure fund

  16-12-2017 12:25 via ft.com
  UK former prime minister appointed to $1bn Belt and Road initiative
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing' Final Odds Predict Joe McFadden Will Lift Glitterball Trophy

  16-12-2017 11:52
  Joe McFadden will emerge as this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ winner, according to the latest bookies odds.The former ‘Holby City’ actor is the firm favourite to be crowned the 15th winner of the BBC ballroom show on Saturday (16 December) night.Joe and his professional partner Katya Jones are currently pegged at 8/11 to life the Glitterball Trophy with bookmakers Ladbrokes.Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice follow in second place at 9/4, while Alexandra Burke and
  
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• Tony Blair Calls Brexit 'Tory Psychodrama' That Leaves No Time For Other Issues

  16-12-2017 11:36
  Tony Blair has said Brexit is a “Tory psychodrama” that leaves the country with “no time to deal with the problems of inequality”.In an interview with The Guardian, the former prime minister, who has previously urged Britons to “rise up” against Brexit, said it was “not the answer” to the country’s problems and said it had a “distractive impact” that prevented politicians focussing on burning issues.He said: “That distractio
  
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• 'EastEnders' Christmas Spoilers Laid Bare In Explosive Max Branning Trailer

  16-12-2017 11:05
  ‘EastEnders’ has unveiled a brand new trailer revealing the explosive drama ahead in their Christmas episodes. Viewers already know this year’s festivities revolve around the downfall of Max Branning, but the new promo shows how he will go head-to-head with Phil Mitchell and Ian Beale. The dramatic advert shows Ian bloodied, Max going on the rampage in the Vic and fighting in the street, before Phil warns him “it is over”. We also see the voicemail Ja
  
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• UK chancellor reassures business about Brexit

  16-12-2017 10:54 via ft.com
  Hammond commits to maintain status quo after EU leaders give go ahead for trade talks
  
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• 'I'm A Celebrity': Iain Lee Backtracks On Denial He Was Bullied After Discovering What Campmates Said Behind His Back

  16-12-2017 10:26
  Iain Lee has been forced to reconsider his denial he was bullied on ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!’ after finding out what some of his campmates said behind his back.The radio presenter took to Twitter as Friday (15 December) night’s ‘Coming Out’ special aired, which showed extra jungle footage and followed the celebrities as they left camp.It showed what his fellow contestants had been saying about him, and viewers also saw Amir Khan and Dennis Wise
  
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• 'Strictly Come Dancing': Alexandra Burke Credits Show With Helping Her Find Happiness After Mum's Death

  16-12-2017 09:52
  Alexandra Burke has credited ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for helping her to find joy again after her mother’s death. The former ‘X Factor’ winner was left distraught when her mum, Melissa Bell, died just days before the current series launched in September, but claimed doing the BBC ballroom show has been a “blessing in disguise”. Speaking to HuffPost UK and other journalists at a press conference ahead of Saturday (16 December) night’s final
  
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• Homeless Man Who Guarded Open Car ‘Overwhelmed’ By Thousands Raised For Him

  16-12-2017 09:30
  A homeless man who stood guard by an open car to make sure a handbag and money was not stolen has been overwhelmed by a campaign that has raised thousands of pounds for him.James McGeown noticed that John McMonagle had left the window down of his car outside Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday morning with a handbag and cash on display, The Press Association reports.After waiting two-and-a-half hours, he took out the bag – which belonged to Mr McMonagle’s colleague Alyshia Orford &ndas
  
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• Tony Blair: ‘The whole country has been pulled into this Tory psychodrama over Europe’

  16-12-2017 09:00
  The former prime minister says stopping Brexit is more important than getting a Labour government. Corbyn has ‘genuine personal charm’, he says, but his team have placed pragmatism over principleThe last time I met Tony Blair in person, I got quite a shock. It was two years after he had left Downing Street, and the former prime minister resembled nothing so much as Francis Maude done up as a drag queen. Plucked and buffed, caked in makeup, his whole face gurned and twitched, the eyeb
  
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• Brexit: UK must not be EU 'colony' after Brexit

  16-12-2017 08:53 via bbc.co.uk
  Conservative backbenchers are split over the terms of a transition period once the UK leaves the EU.
  
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• Former PM takes on UK-China investment role

  16-12-2017 08:32 via bbc.co.uk
  David Cameron is to lead a £750m fund to improve links between Britain and China, the government says.
  
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• 'I Lost My Mind': Teenage Girl Tells HuffPost UK How Syrian Soldiers Slaughtered Her Family

  16-12-2017 08:30
  The war in Syria has produced many harrowing tales of bloodshed and loss – but few are more heartbreaking than that of Aiysha’s.Her entire family – father, mother and brother - were gunned down in a raid on her home by Syrian army soldiers.Despite Aiysha being only eight years old, Assad’s troops shot her too - but, unlike her loved ones, the schoolgirl survived.  The 14-year-old opened up to HuffPost UK about a trauma from which she may never recover. &ldq
  
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• Modern life is lonely. We all need someone to help | Deborah Orr

  16-12-2017 07:00
  You can feel it on the bus, in school, at the shops: the threat of isolation, hardwired into our livesHopping on the bus home on Wednesday night, I was greeted by the sight of a young woman hunched over her phone, alone in a seat, bawling for England. Or, as it turned out, Scotland. As I plonked myself down beside her and asked her what was wrong, various slumped passengers burst into animation as if a switch had been thrown, and started beseeching me to tell her that she must stay on this bus u
  
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• Phase One is complete, and can the Tory party reinvent itself?

  16-12-2017 05:31 via ft.com
  Now that the UK has a divorce settlement with the EU, how difficult is phase two going to be? Plus, can the Conservative party find a way to reinvent itself while guiding the country through Brexit?
  
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