Politics

Image copyright PA MediaImage caption There has been widespread concern about the fairness of the ‘calculated’ results The government will cover the cost of schools in England appealing against A-level and GCSE grades, the BBC understands. It comes amid an ongoing row after 280,000 A-level students had their marks downgraded. Ministers are also expected to […]

The government is being urged to “get cars off the road”, as traffic in Britain returns to levels seen before the coronavirus lockdown. Between 87% and 105% of the usual amount of vehicle journeys for the time of year have happened in the past two weeks, official figures show. The Lib Dems said it was […]

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the government has taken a “practical approach” to the new France travel quarantine rules. He added the decision was taken based on scientific advice following rising numbers of Covid-19 infections across the Channel. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53776758

Image caption The conference will provide a platform for leading Tory figures ahead of the Senedd poll The Conservative Party will hold its UK spring conference in Newport, during the run-up to May’s Senedd election. The party said up to 8,000 people will attend the event, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, and inject […]

Image copyright PA MediaImage caption Mr Swinney is a trusted lieutenant of the first minister John Swinney has kept his job as Scotland’s education secretary despite opposition attempts at Holyrood to force him out after the exams controversy. A Labour motion of no confidence was defeated by 67 votes to 58 because Scottish Green Party […]

Image copyright Getty Images Housing charities have welcomed a proposal for a six-month extension to Scotland’s ban on evicting renters amid the Covid-19 pandemic. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the ban, due to end in September, should now run until March 2021. Charity Crisis said the move showed “real leadership,” whilst Shelter said the “decisive […]

Image copyright ReutersImage caption Boris Johnson greeted Micheál Martin with an elbow bump outside Hillsborough Castle in County Down The prime minister has promised to develop Britain’s relationship with the Republic of Ireland after meeting its new taoiseach. Boris Johnson greeted Irish PM Micheál Martin with an elbow bump outside Hillsborough Castle in County Down. […]

Image copyright Beyond Politics Seven people have been arrested after attacks on four political party headquarters, in which paint was reportedly thrown and windows broken. The Metropolitan Police sent officers to buildings used by the Conservatives, Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green Party in London. Pictures posted on Twitter by the Beyond Politics Party […]

Image copyright PA Media Two million EU citizens living in the UK have been granted settled status – allowing them to remain here permanently after Brexit. Another 4,600 applications were refused, 36,500 were withdrawn and 34,900 were made by people who are not eligible for the scheme. In response to the figures, the Liberal Democrats […]

Image copyright ReutersImage caption Russia is identified as a hostile state in the report The UK must work to stop China and Russia using the pandemic to their global advantage, MPs have warned. The Commons Defence Committee said an ongoing review of foreign and security policy must prioritise looking at the capabilities of “hostile states”. […]

Image copyright Getty ImagesImage caption Mr Peters, leader of the populist New Zealand First party, is also the country’s foreign minister. New Zealand is “very frustrated” with the pace of post-Brexit trade talks with the UK, the country’s deputy prime minister has said. Winston Peters said the UK’s EU membership had not left it “match […]

Image copyright Getty Images The government is promising voters “the same transparency” in online election and referendum campaigns as they get in leaflets and on posters. Social media ads and videos will have to carry a “digital imprint” showing who has created them so voters can judge their credibility. Electoral reform campaigners said the plan […]