Andy Burnham assumes the UK premiership amidst economic shocks and weak growth, pledging "good growth in every postcode" by reindustrialising, devolving power, tackling the cost of living, addressing youth unemployment, boosting social housing, and navigating defence spending and fiscal rules.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor attacked Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, calling it a "column of smoke" incapable of solving Australia's problems. He warned their policies could cost a trillion dollars, increase inflation, and risk a debt crisis, while Hanson met with controversial British activist Tommy Robinson in London.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has strongly criticized Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, calling it a 'column of smoke' incapable of solving Australia's problems. Taylor warned that One Nation's policies could cost a trillion dollars, increase inflation, and risk a sovereign debt crisis, while Hanson is in London meeting with controversial British activist Tommy Robinson.
Australia is expected to avoid a recession despite substandard growth, while living standards are set to languish. In UK politics, Nigel Farage resigns as MP but will fight a byelection. The World Cup saw Argentina come from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 with a Messi goal.
Andy Burnham plans to set up No 10 North as a "nerve centre" for devolution, aiming to reindustrialise and regenerate left-behind towns. He criticises the "broken" Westminster system and promises a "new direction" for Britain, focusing on public ownership and supporting UK firms. Burnham also hinted at early cost of living support.
Andy Burnham outlines vision for UK transformation, promising to improve living standards, rebalance power from Whitehall, and restore trust in politics, ahead of his expected takeover as Prime Minister.
Marking its tenth anniversary, the Brexit referendum fundamentally reshaped British politics, exposing deep societal divisions over EU membership, immigration, and globalization. The vote, driven by working-class dissatisfaction, led to political upheaval and continues to influence UK policy and party dynamics, highlighting a persistent north/south ideological divide.
UK political leader resigns after less than two years, marking high political turnover. Failures to address living standards, national debt, and illegal immigration have fueled public anger and deep divisions. Historian warns of bleak outlook if successor also fails.
Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that Britain's anti-Russian policy and support for Ukraine will persist despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation. Slutsky believes this stance harms British citizens, citing migration crises and declining living standards due to financial aid for the Ukraine conflict.
A World Inequality Lab report proposes a "plan for equality and prosperity within planetary boundaries," including wealth taxes, reduced working hours, and diet changes to double incomes for 89% of the world population by 2100 and limit global heating to 2C.
Australia's economy slowed significantly in early 2026, with real GDP growth falling to 0.3% in the March quarter. Living standards declined as household incomes struggled to keep pace with inflation, despite a boom in datacentre investment.
Labour is resigned to losses but which party its voters switch to will be crucial in shaping the new political landscapeLabour is braced for a brutal set of local, Scottish and Welsh election results that will define either the next phase of Keir Starmer’s prime ministership or bring about the end of it. Party strategists expect losses of close to 2,000 seats across England, Wales and Scotland but the damage could be a lot worse. The danger for the prime minister is not whether Labour loses heavily but where those losses come from and who those voters turn to.Across England, Reform UK is hoping to turn public anger over immigration, living standards and distrust of Westminster into local power. In progressive cities, the Greens believe voters are ready to punish Labour from the left, while in parts of Blackburn, Birmingham and east London the independents are continuing to capitalise on anger over Gaza. Continue reading...
Labour is resigned to losses but who its voters switch to will be crucial in shaping the new political landscapeLabour is braced for a brutal set of local election results that will define either the next phase of Keir Starmer’s prime ministership or bring about the end of it. Party strategists expect losses of close to 2,000 seats across England, Wales and Scotland but the damage could be a lot worse. The danger for the prime minister is not whether Labour loses heavily but where those losses come from and who those voters turn to.Across England, Reform UK is hoping to turn public anger over immigration, living standards and distrust of Westminster into local power. In progressive cities, the Greens believe voters are ready to punish Labour from the left, while in parts of Blackburn, Birmingham and east London the independents are continuing to capitalise on anger over Gaza. Continue reading...
Labour is resigned to losses but who its voters switch to will be crucial in shaping the new political landscapeLabour is braced for a brutal set of local election results that will define either the next phase of Keir Starmer’s prime ministership or bring about the end of it. Party strategists expect losses of close to 2,000 seats across England, Wales and Scotland but the damage could be a lot worse. The danger for the prime minister is not whether Labour loses heavily but where those losses come from and who those voters turn to.Across England, Reform UK is hoping to turn public anger over immigration, living standards and distrust of Westminster into local power. In progressive cities, the Greens believe voters are ready to punish Labour from the left, while in parts of Blackburn, Birmingham and east London the independents are continuing to capitalise on anger over Gaza. Continue reading...
The postwar model of a secure, leisure-filled retirement in Britain is fading due to economic shifts, pension reforms, and intergenerational inequality. Future generations face a period of 'old-age austerity' that necessitates a fundamental rethink of life and work.
UK inflation rose to 3.3% in March from 3% in February, driven by the biggest fuel price jump in over three years following the Iran war. Petrol prices rose 8.6p to 140.2p a litre and diesel jumped 17.6p to 158.7p, while food inflation climbed to 3.7%. The IMF warns Britain faces the sharpest growth slowdown in the G7, with inflation potentially peaking between 3.5-5% depending on Middle East developments.
