The Guardian Politics

Government vows to make business rate valuations for pubs and hotels fairer

Review will look at improving system for English and Welsh hospitality venues before next revaluation date in 2029 The government has promised that business rate valuations will be “made fairer” for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, as Andy Burnham faces growing calls to help the UK’s struggling hospitality sector.An independent review for England and Wales will look at improving the system for hospitality venues, which were hit by higher business rate bills this year after the end of pandem

politics  Aug 23, 2026

BBC Politics

Reform says it will prioritise British-born young workers for social housing

Labour called the plan "unserious and unworkable" and accused Reform of pushing "gimmicks and division".

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Reform says it would put foreign-born UK citizens lower on social housing list

UK-born married couples under 35 with children would get priority under proposals to be outlined by Farage’s partyBritish citizens who were born abroad would be made to wait longer for social housing under proposals to be announced by Reform UK on Monday.Nigel Farage’s party will announce the policy at a press conference in London. Under the policy, people born in the UK and young married couples with children would be given priority for social housing. Continue reading...

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on Andy Burnham’s foreign policy: work in progress | Editorial

The prime minister has focused on domestic affairs since coming to office. But at a time of global disruption, he will need to define Britain’s place in the worldA run of volatility in domestic British politics in recent years has tracked a period of global turbulence, and yet foreign policy over the same period has been an area of relative stability. What little is known about Andy Burnham’s approach to international relations expresses more continuity with Sir Keir Starmer’s administration tha

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The PM is promising to fix our everyday annoyances – and I have a list to get him started | Emma Beddington

Andy Burnham hopes we’ll forget the big stuff if he sorts out our minor frustrations and low-level gripes. Pothole politics hasn’t won me over yet, but I know some changes that couldThis is a vulnerable confession, but I spend way too much time on the social media of the New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Whether he is seemingly effortlessly speaking Mandarin, hanging out with kids or charmingly accepting that he should wear a cycle helmet, the man with the million-watt smile is my antidepress

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Russia withdraws ambassador to UK as Kremlin ratchets pressure over Ukraine support

Andrey Kelin left last month after seven years in diplomatic postRussia has withdrawn its ambassador to the UK, it has emerged, as the Kremlin continues to try to put pressure on Britain over its support for Ukraine.Andrey Kelin left last month after seven years in the diplomatic post, with no indication about whether he will be replaced. Continue reading...

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Iran-linked hackers blamed for cyber-attack that shut down UK power plant

Incident marks apparent escalation by Tehran in its in retaliation against UK over allowing US to use British basesHackers linked to Iran have been blamed for a cyber-attack that caused a British power plant to be temporarily shut down.The incident involved a small-scale energy generator, according to the UK government and at no point was there there risk to the wider energy system. Continue reading...

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

When I first moved to Glasgow from India, I felt welcomed and included. Now I just feel scrutinised | Sanghmitra Singh

The city that used to be full of kind strangers is increasingly witnessing racist disorder. I hope it can find its way back to its old friendlinessScottish people have always been known for their friendliness. “We’re not like the south of us,” they say, referring to England. The official slogan of Scotland’s largest city, “People make Glasgow”, appears everywhere – on T-shirts, buildings, bus stops and mugs. And when I first moved to Scotland from India in 2018, I was immediately welcomed by kin

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘Pretty shambolic’: new EU border checks cause stress for UK travellers

Britons report that EES digital entry and exit system has led to frustration, visa mix-ups and long queuesOn top of fears about extreme heat and possible jet fuel shortages, Britons planning summer holidays in the EU this year had another thing to worry about – long queues and waiting times caused by the bloc’s new border checks.The EU digital entry and exit system (EES), which requires non-EU citizens to register and be photographed and fingerprinted on arrival and departure from the Schengen z

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Onshore windfarm applications hit 10-year high in England

Surge in proposals follows Labour’s lifting of de facto ban, with about 45 plans submitted in the year to MarchPlans for new onshore windfarms in England have reached their highest annual level in a decade, after the government overturned the Conservatives’ de facto ban in 2015.About 45 applications for new onshore windfarms were submitted in the year to March,according to a Guardian analysis of government data. Continue reading...

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Burnham expected to give mayors new powers over local planning decisions

Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing fundingAndy Burnham is expected to give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week.The move would allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them. Continue reading...

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Drill, Burnham, drill? The oil basin that is a totem for Trump - and a headache for Britain’s new PM

North Sea oil, once the driving force of the UK economy, may be dwindling but it remains a symbol of prestige and a rich resource for political debateWhen oil was first discovered off the north-east coast of Scotland in September 1969, industry folklore has it that the duty superintendent on the rig carefully poured it into a pickle jar commandeered from the canteen and took it back to Amoco’s Great Yarmouth office in Norfolk. There, it was emptied into an ash tray, sniffed and then set alight.F

politics  Aug 23, 2026

BBC Politics

Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the change was "essential" for helping mayors "effectively deliver new homes".

politics  Aug 23, 2026

BBC Politics

Restriction zone scheme for offenders to start in October

Serious violent and sexual offenders may be confined to areas of just a few miles after leaving prison on probation.

politics  Aug 23, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’

Tory leader rules out coalition with Farage’s party and says ‘drama queens’ who left will not be welcomed backKemi Badenoch has called defectors who left for Reform “some of the most dishonest people” she has ever met, as she ruled out allowing “drama queens” to return to the party.Speaking at the Edinburgh festival fringe, the Conservative party leader again ruled out any prospect of an election deal with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, insisting there would be no coalition between the parties. Conti

politics  Aug 22, 2026

BBC Politics

From Our Own Correspondent

Authorities are frustrated by the absence of victory as drone strikes bring the war home.

politics  Aug 22, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham economic adviser O'Neill rules out government job

Lord O'Neill, former chief economist at Goldman Sachs, was tipped to become Andy Burnham's chief economic adviser.

politics  Aug 22, 2026

BBC Politics

'Quiet, quiet, quiet!' - What triggers Trump to shut down reporters?

As the US president insults a journalist again, the BBC looks at the questions he does not like to answer.

politics  Aug 22, 2026

BBC Politics

Ofcom investigating Sky News over Farage harassment claims

The Reform UK leader has accused Sky News of sending reporters to a house where his adult daughter lives.

politics  Aug 21, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on Andy Burnham’s buses: a blueprint for governing Britain | Editorial

The prime minister is right to think that taking Manchester’s model national could widen opportunity, clean the air and rebuild state capacity. Other public services could be nextBarely a month into his premiership, Andy Burnham is already taking the lessons of Manchester’s buses national. This week his government backed the West Midlands mayor Richard Parker’s move to bring the region’s main bus operation into public control. In July, he announced that he would reinstate a £2 national bus fare

politics  Aug 21, 2026