📢Curia’s latest report out now: The UK doesn’t lack insight on obesity – it lacks a system that can act. Fragmented policy, siloed care, and stigma are holding back progress. Working with the NHS, Curia's new report sets out a plan for co-ordinated, system-wide reform: politicsuk.com/news/west-yo...
Is this a sign of a cooling labour market, easing inflation pressures, or hidden weakness beneath headline jobs data? 2/2
What does the unexpected unemployment rate fall mean for the UK economy? According to official ONS data, the UK's unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February, however wages increased at 3.6% between December and February, the weakest pace since late 2020. 1/2
But there are risks for Starmer - will Robbins say who he told at Number 10, and will he declare the pressure he was under to appoint Mandelson at all costs? Full coverage at @politicsuk.com from 9am. 2/2 (Photo: Number 10)
Could Olly Robbins bring down a Prime Minister today? The former Foreign Office Permanent Secretary will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee at 9am after he was sacked by Keir Starmer over failure to disclose Peter Mandelson’s security vetting failure. 1/2
Health visitors in England are being stretched to breaking point - with some responsible for over 1,000 families each. A workforce cut nearly in half means missed support, and missed risks. Early years care needs urgent action, says the Institute of @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social (iHV).
Reform Treasury spokesperson says “of course he will settle” if there was an underpayment. He confirms to #bbclaurak HMRC is not investigating Tice. 3/3
Jenrick says Keir Starmer is distracted from what people care about and says he should resign. After it was reported that Reform Business spokesperson, @richardtice.bsky.social failed to pay £100,000 in corporation tax (@thetimes.com) 2/3
After @reform-uk-official.bsky.social Leader, Nigel Farage said this week the Prime Minister lied over Peter Mandelson’s security vetting, Reform Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick tells #bbclaurak “I don’t know if he is a liar, or grossly incompetent”. 1/3
After finance ministers and bankers raised serious concerns about the security of nem Claude Mythos model by @anthropic.com, former AI Advisor to the UK Government, Matt Clifford tells #bbclaurak we need to look at how we take advantage while mitigating the risks. 3/3
(Photo: DSIT)
“We are at the [world] table” on AI, says former government AI Advisor, Matt Clifford. But he tells #bbclaurak we need to do more - he says £500m isn’t going to do a lot alone, but it will attract more private investment, and encourage researchers to locate in the UK. 2/3
Are we “obsessing over a paper trail”? Former AI Advisor to the Government, Matt Clifford reacts on #bbclaurak to the fallout of the Prime Minister’s appointment of Peter Mandelson. 1/3
With £500m pledged for Soveign AI this week, Science & Tech Secretary, @lizkendallmp.bsky.social tells #bbclaurak she believes the UK is world leading on AI and this funding will “unlock the strength of the state” here. 4/4 (Photo: DSIT/Number 10)
Science & Tech Secretary, @lizkendallmp.bsky.social tells #bbclaurak she will look to further regulate AI chat bots. She also says she wants to prepare children for a life online and will be meeting @nspcc.bsky.social this week to discuss further. 3/4
Will the Government introduce age restrictions on doom scrolling? On plans to ban addictive scrolling proposed by Keir Starmer, Science & Tech Secretary, @lizkendallmp.bsky.social says government is looking at restrictions/age limits on doom scrolling for under-16s. 2/4
What did Olly Robbins get wrong? Science & Tech Secretary, @lizkendallmp.bsky.social asks #bbclaurak why the Prime Minister and Foreign Office Ministers were not told that Peter Mandelson failed his DV security clearance first time around. 1/4
Did the Prime Minister know security clearance for Peter Mandelson was rejected in February? After pointing to Hansard on #bbclaurak, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Alex Burghart renews his accusation Keir Starmer “lied” to Parliament. (Photo: @houseofcommons.parliament.uk) @bbclaurak.bsky.social
Weekend read: With Labour and Conservatives projected to loose hundreds of seats at the forthcoming local elections, @thetimes.com sits down with @reformparty.bsky.social Leader, Nigel Farage as he sets out the Party’s plans for local government: www.thetimes.com/article/85fe...
UK GDP jumped 0.5% in Feb, exceeding forecasts, thanks to a strong rebound in services and a surge in production before the Iran war hit energy markets. A welcome surprise for the Chancellor, but likely a rear‑view mirror boost, not a lasting trend owing to the ongoing conflict. Photo: @hmtreasury
Putting experiences - not just outcomes at the heart of the women’s health strategy, Health & Care Secretary, @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social pledges. The Government is updating the Women’s Health Strategy where he explained “it’s clear the system is failing women”.
With the Irish Government facing a vote of no confidence over fuel shortage protests, why hasn’t the Government published a National Emergency Fuel Plan? Government is concerned not to replicate panic seen in the fuel protests of Blair’s Government. However, MPs asking is the Government prepared?
Photo: @10downingstreetbot.bsky.social
Is the UK’s national security ‘in peril’? In a speech today, author of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review & former NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson will accuse Treasury "non-military experts" of "vandalism" after government continues to delay a 10-year defence investment plan.
healthier meals need to be more expensive - and highlights the Government has invested £1billion in free school meals. (Photo: @departmentforedu.bsky.social) 2/2
Government plans to ban deep-fried food and restrict high-sugar items in English schools under new plans to "overhaul" school dinners. As unions call for more funding to deliver the plans, Minister for Early Education, @oliviabailey.bsky.social tells BBC Breakfast she “doesn’t accept” 1/2
NHS experts are being deployed to tackle corridor care, with tailored support for the worst‑affected trusts and 40 new & expanded urgent care sites confirmed. Health & Care Secretary, @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social hopes this will cut waits, ease A&E pressure and restore patient dignity.
“The Grand Old Duke strikes again” says one South East Labour MP as the Prime Minister shelves his Chagos Islands deal amid worsening relations with Donald Trump. The UK Government confirmed the US failed to formally confirm its approval with a formal exchange of letters.
and energy system that could unlock billions of growth in the AI economy in the next decade. UKAI told Chamber UK “If the UK is to lead responsibly in AI, it must do so by aligning infrastrucutre, energy policy, innovation and investment.” 3/3
The Government has said it will continue to work with OpenAI and other AI companies to “strengthen UK compute capacity”. Trade Association for AI in the UK, @ukaiofficial.bsky.social has set out a plan for a co-ordinated approach for government to deliver infrastructure 2/3
Can the UK deliver on AI? As OpenAI pauses a multi-billion investment into Stargate UK - a data centre project aimed at boosting AI infrastructure in the North East - citing concerns about high energy costs and regulation, how will government achieve a “superpower” status? 1/3