The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on GCSE results: much to celebrate, much to reform | Editorial

Another post-pandemic cohort has shown its resilience and talent. But growing inequalities of outcome must be addressedMost pupils who received their GCSE results this week were in the penultimate year of primary school when Covid struck, disrupting their preparation for secondary education. As with other post-pandemic cohorts, their achievements are therefore a testament to their ability, resilience and determination. A strong set of results, particularly in the core subjects of English and mat

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Trial of facts over ex-mayor's 'bigoted' tweets

Pat Marsh, a long-serving councillor in Harrogate, has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Reform's leader in Scotland Malcolm Offord reveals cancer diagnosis

Malcolm Offord said he had a procedure last week to remove his prostate and was now "clear" and "raring to go".

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Meet the men applying for the 'hardest job in British politics'

Labour MSPs Michael Marra and Joe Fagan are making their pitches as they aim to succeed Anas Sarwar.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Reform suspends councillor ahead of court case

Glenn Gibbins, from Sunderland, is facing a court case over the post about the Nigerian population.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian Politics

‘I worry about our daughters’: Bridget Phillipson on online misogyny – podcast

Racism and misogyny are becoming normalised as a result of rightwing politics and the ‘cesspit’ of social media, says Labour’s Bridget Phillipson. In an extended interview, the minister for women and equalities and new party chair sits down with Kiran Stacey to talk about her fears for British society, the climate crisis, what Burnham is really doing differently from Starmer, and whether her party can beat ReformPlease keep sending your comments and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Reform UK proposes tax rebates for firms to boost apprenticeships

Suella Braverman also advised student's "not to get ripped off by the great university scam".

politics  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Tice defends suspension of Reform UK activist over Farage criticism

Party’s deputy leader makes comments as he unveils new policy to subsidise more apprenticeshipsUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK’s deputy leader has defended the party’s suspension of a senior activist who criticised Nigel Farage, saying internal disagreements should be kept “behind closed doors”.Richard Tice, who is also the party’s business spokesperson, made the comments as he unveiled a new policy of subsidising more apprenticeships, paid for by cutting student loans for foreign nat

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Harry and Meghan's security arrangements a private matter, PM says

Andy Burnham wishes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex well in "the move that they are making".

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Labour leadership: Marra says party must work for stronger Scotland

Scottish Labour leadership candidtate Michael Marra says the party must work for Scotland.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Labour leadership: Fagan says indyref calls and Sturgeon era 'over'

Labour leadership Joe Fagan says the days of calls for an indyref and the Nicola Sturgeon era 'over'.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

John Swinney defends £45,000 business-class flights to World Cup

The Scottish government spent almost £100,000 on official visits to the United States in June.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham announces plans to clean up worst three illegal waste dumps

The government says the sites in Kent, Surrey and West Yorkshire contain 22,000 tonnes of waste.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Greens call for windfall tax on big banks' profits to support small business

Zack Polanski says profits over £800m should be taxed to cut tax bills for a million smaller companies.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

AI will not solve council cash crisis, say experts

Councils across the UK are making cuts of £3bn this financial year, despite recent funding reforms.

politics  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Working in Keir Starmer’s No 10 ‘unbearable’, says Sue Gray

Former chief of staff tells of fears her conversations were being recorded and leaked to media by colleaguesKeir Starmer’s former chief of staff has lifted the lid on how “unbearable” it was working in No 10, revealing she feared her conversations were being recorded by colleagues seeking to leak her remarks to the media.Sue Gray, who was the most powerful adviser in Downing Street before her resignation in 2024, was highly critical of the working environment under Starmer, saying she was “disap

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

Wildfire 'overlooked' as it was in the North - MP

Alison Hume says farmers' losses from the Langdale Moor fire had "slipped through the cracks".

politics  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian Politics

From bone-dry to soaked to the bone, welcome to the age of climate whiplash | Aditya Chakrabortty

This punishingly hot and dry summer will probably be followed by another wet winter. But it’s nothing compared with what Britain will endure in years to comeThis summer could be the hottest, driest and deadliest in English history. Successive heatwaves have so far claimed almost 3,000 lives. Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales is in drought, while key reservoirs are parched. Across this brown and stickily unpleasant land, from Grimsby down to St Ives, hosepipe bans are in force, wh

politics  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Drill Andy drill? Burnham’s North Sea dilemma – podcast

Helena Horton on why the government may decide to allow more oil and gas drilling in the North SeaThe government is considering whether to allow new oil and gas drilling at two sites in the North Sea, a move environmental activists warn will accelerate climate chaos. Helen Pidd speaks to reporter Helena Horton about the government’s dilemma – and what it tells us about Andy Burnham’s approach to the green energy transition Continue reading...

politics  Aug 20, 2026

BBC Politics

The dangers of politicians being "too online" - or not online enough

In an era when reputations can be made or broken with a single post, getting the balance right is tricky.

politics  Aug 20, 2026