Why MPs prefer conspiracy theory over cock-up in China spy case row | John Crace

It’s all as clear as mud. If Keir Starmer thought that releasing the three witness statements of the deputy national security adviser (DNSA) Matthew Collins late on Wednesday night was going to make the China spy case row go away, then he was in for a big disappointment.There was no way MPs were going to let a story like this out of their clutches. This was their moment to take centre stage. When they could bathe in their own importance

Labour begins charm offensive to win over MPs sceptical of digital ID plans

Ministers have launched a charm offensive to win over sceptical Labour MPs to back the digital ID scheme, asking MPs to offer ideas about how it could improve public services.The outreach is part of a broader loyalty and delivery drive to soothe tensions after a fractious few months for the government.Several cabinet ministers have said the government needs to make the case for a wider digital identity system. The aim is for the ID cards to be rolled out before the next election and initially used to prove people’s right to work, before being expanded to store health and benefits data to streamline access to public services and tackle fraud.Ministers have told MPs there is a firm commitment to build the digital ID within the public sector and not contract it out to private companies

Rachel Reeves says those with broadest shoulders should pay fair share of tax

Rachel Reeves has said those with the “broadest shoulders” should pay their “fair share,” of taxes and promised new measures to tackle inflation, as she draws up next month’s crunch budget.Speaking in Washington DC, where she was attending the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Reeves confirmed she was looking at wealthy taxpayers as she draws up her budget plans.She also promised a new package of anti-inflation measures, after the IMF’s warning that UK consumers are expected to suffer the highest price rises in the G7 this year and next.“Inflation is still too high,” she said. “We do want to bear down on some of the costs that people face

Labour ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 500 times in first year of power, analysis shows

Government ministers met representatives from the fossil fuel industry more than 500 times during their first year in power – equivalent to twice every working day, according to research.The analysis found that fossil fuel lobbyists were present at 48% more ministerial meetings during Labour’s first year in power than under the Conservatives in 2023.The government defended the meetings, saying ministers held meetings with a wide range of representatives from “the energy industry, unions and civil society to drive forward our clean energy superpower mission”.The findings have raised concern among critics about the extent of the fossil fuel industry’s influence over government at a time when ministers are trying to lower bills and transition to a more sustainable energy system.A report from the International Energy Agency in 2023 found that fossil fuel companies still had “minimal” engagement with the global clean energy transition, contributing just 1% of clean energy investment globally

Reform UK accused of sowing division in Wales in rowdy TV byelection debate

Reform UK has been accused of sowing division over immigration in the south Welsh valleys constituency of Caerphilly before next week’s crucial Senedd byelection.During a fiery candidates’ debate, Nigel Farage’s party was criticised for using immigrants to score political points rather than treating them as individuals.An audience member said that people like her who had someone not born in the UK in her family no longer felt welcome in the area since Reform had arrived to campaign and had advised her sons to avoid certain places.A new poll, released on Thursday, suggested Reform was leading the race in the byelection for the Welsh parliament seat, with 42% of people saying they would support the party, followed by Plaid Cymru (38%), with Labour trailing on 12% and the Tories on 4%.If the poll proves accurate, it would be a huge blow to Labour, which has always held the Caerphilly Senedd and Westminster seats and currently runs the Welsh government

Drag acts, detractors and true-blue diehards: my weird weekend at a Margaret Thatcher festival

The bronze statue of Margaret Thatcher by the sculptor Douglas Jennings has a rating of 2.8 out of five on Google Maps. Although curiously, none of the reviewers seems to have overly preoccupied themselves with the quality of the craftsmanship or the fidelity of the likeness. “One of the most important PMs this country ever had,” writes one. “It’s a public toilet but there’s nowhere to wash your hands,” writes another