Political news

• 'Everything's basically on fire'

  22-04-2017 10:44 via bbc.co.uk
  
  News of a snap poll means many late nights and cancelled weekends for some over the coming weeks.
  
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• We will use EU summit to further unwind Brexit, vows Starmer

  30-01-2026 18:00
  UK prime minister plans to explore ways to tear down trade barriers to boost growth and cut prices
  
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• Chinese whispers - at home and abroad

  30-01-2026 16:18
  Starmer and Xi talk ties and trade while leadership challengers plot and plan in Westminster
  
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• For UK growth, look to the Andys

  30-01-2026 16:00
  Burnham and Street have a keen understanding of the value of empowering local people and places
  
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• China lifts travel ban on British MPs

  30-01-2026 13:02
  Parliamentarians were placed under sanctions in 2021 after criticising Beijing’s human rights record
  
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• Should I hire someone with designs on my job?

  30-01-2026 12:00
  Managing an ambitious subordinate remains one of the great dilemmas of working life
  
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• UK services sector holds out hopes for China boost after Starmer visit

  30-01-2026 11:40
  Finance, banking and professional services seek to grow footprint in mainland market despite past challenges
  
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• Trump warns Starmer against closer business ties with China

  30-01-2026 11:02
  UK prime minister travels to Shanghai seeking to drum up deals after meeting Xi Jinping
  
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• Labour lacks the data and modelling to justify its judicial reforms

  30-01-2026 10:30
  Government’s misunderstanding of operational failures facing courts makes planned juryless trials hard to defend
  
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• Anomaly in UK rental reforms would leave thousands paying stamp duty

  30-01-2026 06:00
  The government said it is ‘aware’ of the issue facing tenants and working on a solution
  
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• Trump warns Starmer against closer China business ties

  30-01-2026 04:48
  UK prime minister to travel to Shanghai seeking to drum up deals after meeting Xi Jinping
  
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• Scotland's first deputy first minister Lord Jim Wallace dies, aged 71

  29-01-2026 23:48 via bbc.com
  The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader was undergoing a procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
  
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• Millions to get £150 off energy bills for further five years

  29-01-2026 23:31 via bbc.com
  The government has confirmed the discount for six million low-income households will continue for the rest of the decade.
  
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• Essex county election going ahead - minister

  29-01-2026 19:49 via bbc.com
  Government minister Steve Reed writes to Essex County Council saying their election will take place.
  
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• Government u-turn over council election

  29-01-2026 19:48 via bbc.com
  Pendle Borough Council will now be allowed to postpone May's local elections.
  
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• Labour scales back new energy efficiency targets for social homes

  29-01-2026 19:24 via bbc.com
  It comes after councils and housing associations warned about the cost to implement new stricter standards.
  
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• 'Damning' evidence of political pressure to open scandal-hit hospital - Sarwar

  29-01-2026 19:23 via bbc.com
  The Scottish Labour leader says documents prove ministers pushed for the country's largest hospital to open early.
  
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• Ex-Labour MP's lobbying firm offered photo with minister and VIP dinner for £30k

  29-01-2026 18:10 via bbc.com
  Jim Murphy's company Arden Strategies apologises for "errors" in promotional material for tech event.
  
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• Labour’s gamble to turn AI threat into opportunity

  29-01-2026 18:01
  Also in this week’s newsletter: Mahmood’s far-reaching police reforms
  
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• Tice's 'suck it up' message reignites Reform scandal

  29-01-2026 17:12 via bbc.com
  An image of Reform UK's deputy leader is said to jokingly reference a former controversy for the party.
  
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• China to relax travel rules for British visitors, UK says

  29-01-2026 16:31 via bbc.com
  It comes as Sir Keir Starmer visits Beijing - the first UK prime minister to do so in eight years.
  
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• Ministers reject Waspi calls for compensation after rethink

  29-01-2026 16:29 via bbc.com
  Women hit by changes to the state pension age say the decision shows "utter contempt" for their situation.
  
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• Assisted dying bill 'no hope' of passing unless Lords change approach, warns peer

  29-01-2026 16:04 via bbc.com
  Lord Falconer said the bill has "absolutely no hope" of passing without a "fundamental change" in approach.
  
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• Homicides in England and Wales at lowest level for nearly 50 years

  29-01-2026 15:20
  Police record rise in shoplifting and big jump in robberies from business properties
  
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• China rolls out the red carpet for Keir Starmer

  29-01-2026 14:51
  PM holds three hours of ‘warm and constructive’ talks with Xi Jinping in bid to revitalise London-Beijing relationship
  
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• Council leader resigns after election postponement

  29-01-2026 14:32 via bbc.com
  The leader and his Labour cabinet majority twice approved decisions opposed by most councillors.
  
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• Police make fifth arrest over arson attacks on properties linked to PM

  29-01-2026 14:05 via bbc.com
  Three men, already charged in connection with attacks on two properties and car, are due to stand trial in April.
  
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• Starmer tells Xi UK wants more ‘sophisticated’ relationship with China

  29-01-2026 14:00
  Two leaders meet in Beijing as both sides seek improved relations
  
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• Emergency loans offered to civil servants waiting on pensions

  29-01-2026 13:54 via bbc.com
  Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds says the waits faced by retired civil servants are unacceptable.
  
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• Labour blocking my MP bid was hard to take, says Burnham

  29-01-2026 13:16 via bbc.com
  The Greater Manchester mayor said he would be campaigning in support of Labour in Gorton and Denton.
  
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