Housing fleeceholds the next big scandal, peer warns

Housing fleeceholds the next big scandal, peer warns Getty Images By Jennifer McKiernan BBC political reporter A Conservative peer – and ex-adviser to Boris Johnson – has warned “fleeceholds” will be “the next great scandal” to hit the housing market. The term is used to describe the plight of homeowners on new-build estates locked into… Continue reading Housing fleeceholds the next big scandal, peer warns

Council spending on special needs transport doubles

Council spending on special needs transport doubles By Phil Kemp, Jack Fenwick & Alex Forsyth BBC News Council spending on school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has almost doubled in the last five years, BBC research has found. Spending is set to hit £1.4bn across local authorities in England in… Continue reading Council spending on special needs transport doubles

UK approach to China is ‘robust’, Sunak says

UK approach to China is ‘robust’, Sunak says UK Parliament The UK’s approach to China is “more robust” than most of its allies, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said. It comes after some MPs criticised the response to cyber-attacks against the Electoral Commission and UK politicians, which the government has blamed on Beijing-linked hackers. Ministers… Continue reading UK approach to China is ‘robust’, Sunak says

UK hits out at Chinese-backed cyber-attacks

UK hits out at Chinese-backed cyber-attacks This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Sam Francis & Jennifer McKiernan Political reporters, BBC News The UK government has formally accused China of being behind what it called “malicious” cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral… Continue reading UK hits out at Chinese-backed cyber-attacks

UK accuses groups linked to China of two ‘malicious cyber campaigns’

UK accuses groups linked to China of two ‘malicious cyber campaigns’ There are several key standout phrases in the response by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian earlier, who avoided mentioning the United Kingdom by name in his statement on cyber incidents. He said countries should have “sufficient, objective evidence” before making what he described… Continue reading UK accuses groups linked to China of two ‘malicious cyber campaigns’

Legal warning over Barclay waste project decision

Legal warning over Barclay waste project decision Shutterstock By Chris Mason, political editor and Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent ‎ BBC News A top government lawyer warned a plan that would have stopped an incinerator being built in Environment Secretary Steve Barclay’s constituency for up to a year was unlawful. The BBC has seen a… Continue reading Legal warning over Barclay waste project decision

Concerns raised over Steve Barclay’s role in waste project

Concerns raised over Steve Barclay’s role in waste project Getty Images By Chris Mason & Henry Zeffman BBC News Officials have raised concerns about the environment secretary’s role in a proposed waste incinerator in his constituency, the BBC can reveal. Steve Barclay will not have any say over the planned project in his Cambridgeshire seat,… Continue reading Concerns raised over Steve Barclay’s role in waste project

Sunak rejects Labour call for general election now

Sunak rejects Labour call for general election now This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Brian Wheeler Political reporter Rishi Sunak has rejected calls for an immediate general election, saying his “working assumption” is still that it will be in the second half… Continue reading Sunak rejects Labour call for general election now