Reform UK promises to scrap flagship Labour worker and renters’ protections
Unions and renters’ groups have criticised Reform UK after the party’s business spokesperson, Richard Tice, pledged to introduce a “great repeal act” that would abolish Labour legislation on workers’ rights and protection for tenants.In his first speech since being appointed by Nigel Farage to a portfolio covering business, trade and energy, Tice promised a bonfire of regulations, including an end to net zero targets and a new push for home-produced shale gas using fracking.Hitting out at what he called “daft” regulations, Tice said a Reform government would repeal the Employment Rights Act and the Renters’ Rights Act, two of the flagship pieces of legislation passed by Keir Starmer’s government.“We will repeal things that are unnecessary or against the strategic national interest,” he told an event in Birmingham, saying some of this involved “well-intentioned legislation that is having exactly the opposite effect”.The Employment Rights Act, passed in December, offers significant new rights connected to sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts, including rights to guaranteed hours and payment for short-notice cancellation of shifts, and a ban on most fire-and-rehire practices.
Tice said the act was “destroying jobs for young people”, blaming it for an increase in youth unemployment.He also said Reform would also repeal the Renters’ Rights Act, blaming it for reducing the supply of rental properties and pushing up rents.The legislation abolishes “no fault evictions”, which allow landlords to remove tenants without giving a reason, replaces fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements and introduces new duties over health hazards.Tice said the law had meant too many landlords found it was “too risky” to rent in case they could not remove tenants.“There’s a balance of risk and reward, and too many landlords have said, enough is enough,” he said.
Sarah Elliott, chief executive of the homeless charity Shelter, said: “How can any political party claim to stand with working families while plotting to keep them trapped in an unfair system with threadbare rights?“Scrapping these vital reforms will do nothing but condemn thousands to the hellish conditions they have endured for decades, while giving unscrupulous landlords free rein to turf renters out of their homes for no good reason.”Clara Collingwood, interim director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “Scrapping the basic protections in this act would be a huge setback for millions of renters, driving up homelessness and making life harder, particularly for those on lower incomes.Reform should think again.”Andrea Egan, general secretary of the Unison union, said Reform’s MPs “have consistently voted against every measure to improve fairness and rights at work”.She added: “These new changes are popular with the public and could improve the lives of millions.
Scrapping them would be a huge mistake,”Tice’s language about a great repeal act echoes that of Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” taxation package,In another nod to the US president, Tice said a Reform government should consider “tight quotas and significant tariffs” on some Chinese imports, to protect UK manufacturing,He called for a new sovereign wealth fund to invest in UK energy, including renewed oil drilling in the North Sea and fracking,“What about saying Lincolnshire gas for Lincolnshire jobs for Lincolnshire growth; Yorkshire gas for Yorkshire jobs for Yorkshire growth?” he said.
“It’s our patriotic duty to use our energy treasure.”Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, said: “If Reform truly wants to back Britain they should back the UK’s vast homegrown renewable power – alongside a nationwide programme of home insulation – which would deliver real energy security.”
Harry Brook’s 50-ball century blazes England past Pakistan into T20 World Cup semi-finals
For all their faults and frailties, their fluffs and fumbles, England are also the first team to secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals, their spot secured by victory over Pakistan and by the sensational Harry Brook century that drove them towards it.After coming in just one ball into the innings and watching the rest of England’s top five falter, England’s captain transformed a crisis into what, for all that a couple of late wickets got the nerves jangling, became something approaching a cruise.Brook fell to the last ball of the 17th over, the first after he had completed his century off his 50th delivery. Several Pakistan players ran towards him to shake his hand as he left the field, and soon they were shaking hands again: having come to the crease, promoted for the first time to No 3, before England had even taken a nibble into their target of 165, Brook departed with them needing 10 off 18. Though Will Jacks and Jamie Overton both fell in the penultimate over to give Pakistan the faintest sniff of renewed hope, England got there with five remaining to win by two wickets
US hockey was bathed in a golden Olympic glow. Then Donald Trump and Kash Patel stepped in | Beau Dure
Keeping politics at arm’s length for the US men’s hockey team’s gold-medal matchup with Canada was always going to be difficult.The game fell on the 46th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, when an underdog group of US college players upset the mighty Soviet Union team against the backdrop of the cold war. But the US team who took the ice on Sunday were no plucky band of amateurs making a stand for democracy against authoritarianism – a point underscored when the US and Canada met last year in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canadian fans booed the Star-Spangled Banner and the US players, either unaware of, or unsympathetic to, Canadian desires to be neither the 51st US state nor the USA’s opponent in a scorched-earth trade war, dropped the gloves to fight their opponents as soon as the game commenced.Sunday’s game, though, was played with the utmost sportsmanship – and not just because Olympic rules punish fighting harshly
‘I felt tears welling in my eyes’: our readers’ Winter Olympics highlights
The magic, joy, tension, camaraderie and superhuman composure on show in Italy captivated readersMy favourite moment of the Winter Olympics was Johan Olav-Botn winning gold in the men’s individual biathlon, just a month after the death of his teammate and close friend, Sivert Bakken. Olav-Botn displayed superhuman composure – a prerequisite for anyone competing in biathlon – and he did not shut out the thought of his friend when under the highest pressure. Olav-Botn said that he “felt I was racing with him” on his last lap. To remain skiing and shooting, let alone standing, with that in mind is a feat of mental fortitude worthy of any Olympic gold. I felt tears welling in my eyes when he skied past the finish line and shouted: “Sivert, we did it!” Max Sundsbo, 22, LondonThe superb snow sports commentary from Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood
The Breakdown | Six Nations half-term report: France are flying while England’s decline is steep
Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawedFrance (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good. How many other sides in the world, aside from South Africa, can also interchange their second-row and midfield pairings without missing a beat? Or casually whistle up gifted youngsters such as Fabien Brau-Boirie, Émilien Gailleton and Gaël Dréan who all look instantly to the manner born. When you factor in the squad’s collective ability with and without the ball – to date France have scored the most tries, 18, and conceded the fewest, five – the future looks dazzlingly bright
If you think politics shaped these Winter Olympics, just wait until LA 2028
In Milan, athletes showed that patriotism can be generous. In Los Angeles, that definition will be tested on the biggest, loudest stage sport can offerThe Milano Cortina Winter Games ended on Sunday night as the Olympics always do: in light, spectacle and speeches about unity. In Verona, the Olympic flag passed to the French Alps and the twin flames were extinguished. But unofficially, at least, a flame also flickered 6,000 miles west.If these Games felt political, just wait until Los Angeles a little more than two years from now
Australia beat India by six wickets in first women’s cricket one-day international – as it happened
Comprehensive win for the Aussies. Litchfield gave them the early momentum, then there was a small wobble when she and Voll went quickly, but the old heads filled in for the youngsters, with Healy and Mooney putting the chase back on course, and Sutherland finishing the job.Australia draw level on points in the multiformat series, having lost the T20 leg 2-1. We’ll have the next ODI in a couple of days. Thanks for your company
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