The Grenfell fire destroyed a building but the local businesses have rebuilt March 14, 2023 Many businesses closed after the fire at Grenfell, others rebuilt right in the shadow of the tower, writes Elena Siniscalco
Explainer: Sunak has a difficult balance to strike on China March 13, 2023 Rishi Sunak was in the United States today to unveil his new AUKUS submarine deal with US President Joe Biden and Australian PM Anthony Albanese. The deal aims to increase defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific and by its own nature, amp up its defence against China. But the AUKUS alliance isn’t the one China is [...]
Explainer: On the bad British tourist March 10, 2023 We all have long been acquainted with the concept of the bad British tourist. And alas, it’s not only a concept: it’s very much a reality. If you’re from or have been travelling around the Mediterranean, you’ll have encountered the old trope: big groups of British lads getting sunburnt in the day and rowdy in [...]
Explainer: Will bringing in more foreign workers fix our labour market? March 9, 2023 This week, the government unveiled its plan to effectively ban illegal immigration into the UK – raising eyebrows for the project’s feasibility in some corners, while others questioned its alignment with international law. In parallel, the government started working on loosening rules to bring in more foreign workers – starting from the construction sector. Our [...]
The NHS is paying reparations for the care system’s broken funding model March 9, 2023 Many families are claiming back money owed to them because of the flaws in how care homes funding is organised. This way, the NHS ends up spending an awful amount of money, writes Elena Siniscalco
Explainer: Heathrow loses in landing fees war – to the benefits of passengers March 8, 2023 Today wasn’t a good day for Heathrow, and that’s before you start on the snow delaying arrivals. The airport was forced to slash landing fees by 20 per cent, starting next year. The regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, sided with the airlines who have been fighting with the airport to bring the fee down. The [...]
Explainer: Hybrid cars are close to overtaking electric ones in sales March 6, 2023 Hybrid cars are selling, and they’re selling fast – to be precise, at their fastest rate in the UK. Data from last month shows new hybrid vehicles were selling almost as fast as electric ones – the first encompassing 13.9 per cent of all car purchases, the latter at 14.3 per cent. The journey to [...]
Explainer: Sunak’s doubts on rejoining the EU’s Horizon science scheme post-Brexit March 3, 2023 This week was all about Sunak’s deal with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol. It was praised by many as an agreement between grown-ups, as the best solution available after years of post-Brexit impasse. Its staunchest critics – aside from the ever-candid Boris Johnson – are still waiting in the shadows for the best [...]
Explainer: Why are teachers on the picket line today? March 2, 2023 Today is the last of a three-day teachers’ strike in England and Wales. As with all the strikes we’ve grown accustomed to, this dispute is about pay. Today’s walkouts affect the South of England and Wales, with many schools in London having to close their doors. Several schools have been able to offer classes only [...]
Explainer: England’s homelessness crisis is at the worst it’s been in years March 1, 2023 The number of people sleeping rough over the last year has increased in every single region in England – with the biggest increase in London. In 2022, the number of people sleeping rough was up 26 per cent compared to the previous year. In London, the numbers are up 34 per cent. This is the [...]