Israel-Hamas Conflict 2023-24
— The UK government has received advice that Israel is breaking international law in its assault on Gaza, so has an obligation to stop supplying it with arms.
2024 General Election
— British elections are pencil and papers affairs, which makes them difficult to hack. But the breach of millions of people’s details is still a deeply serious matter.
NHS England
— The Good Law Project has revealed NHS England’s opaque contract with Palantir, sparking concerns over privacy and transparency. The deal, lacking open tender, raises questions about data ethics and governmental accountability.
Austerity
— Children are bearing the brunt of austerity. From obesity to infant mortality, child health is affected by sustained under-investment. What can be done to reverse the decline?
UK Politics
— The UK government’s new extremism definition, aimed at curbing violence and intolerance, raises concerns. It is non-statutory, potentially politicised, lacks clarity on its role in counter-terrorism, and risks targeting specific communities unfairly.
UK Politics
— Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election budget prioritises short-term political gains, aiming to appease voters with key measures. However, this strategy delays crucial investment, sparking concerns about potential public service cuts. The budget also contains multiple traps for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.
Analysis
— Degrowthers advocate cutting investment as a way to reduce the use of precious resources, which is exactly what the UK government has been doing for the last 40 years.
Budget 2024
— The 2024 spring budget aimed to boost UK economic optimism before the general election. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut national insurance, but it only partially offset rising tax burden. Mixed reviews indicate the budget fell short of high expectations for pre-election economic moves.
Healthcare
— The NHS faces critical challenges post-pandemic, with long waits and increasing privatisation. Though outsourcing may cut costs, a review reveals worse patient care and outcomes, advocating for public funding and management instead.
Immigration
— Media coverage of the government’s migration policies, notably the plan to send undocumented migrants to Rwanda, focuses more on political aspects than policy implications and human rights. Scrutiny should prioritise policy over politics for informed public understanding.
Long-Read
— Brexit was expected to end the blame on the EU and foster political accountability. Yet, Brexiters like Truss, Anderson, and Braverman shift blame to globalism and wokeism, fuelling radical Brexitism, seeking new targets, and desiring to “smash the system.”
Budget 2024
— Jeremy Hunt faces challenges in delivering tax cuts before the election due to a weak economy and a reduced budget deficit. The political impact remains uncertain. Can the chancellor move the dial on the Tories’ grim polling?
Long-Read
— Brexit’s repercussions on UK-EU ties, notably in defence, are evident amid recent events like Navalny’s death and Russian threats. Despite challenges, closer integration seems unavoidable, exposing Brexiters’ impractical expectations.
Climate Change
— Green MP Caroline Lucas pulls the curtain back on the UK Government’s net-zero strategy, revealing a plan riddled with “inherent uncertainties and risk,” reliant on unproven technologies, and lacking concrete policies.
Homelessness
— The government is contemplating discontinuing the release of vital statistics on homeless deaths as part of a mortality data review, exacerbating the invisibility and challenges confronting the unhoused.
UK Politics
— Chaos unfolded in the House of Commons as Conservative and SNP MPs walked out during a Gaza ceasefire debate due to the Speaker’s decision to accept a Labour amendment – a procedural issue that eventually overshadowed the discussion on the conflict in Gaza.
