Archive - The Lead

The Lead Untangles: AI data centres

They are being built at a rapid rate to handle the explosion in data capacity needed for our modern lives, but what’s the environmental impact?

13 mins ago • Adam Barnett and The Lead

I was a midwife for 30 years. Now I earn £86.45-a-week to care for my mum

The government wants unpaid carers to work more. Jacqui Hylton, a former midwife who now cares for her mum full-time, explains why the system makes that…

Aug 25 • The Lead

Andy Burnham knows how to fix a roof. But can he run a country?

Introducing our new series scrutinising the new PM's policy priorities in depth: what's been announced, what's been left out, and whether the plans…

Aug 22 • Zoe Grunewald and The Lead

The Lead Untangles: Regenerative farming

It’s been a tough year for farmers, again, with record temperatures hitting crops. The latest in our series exploring the impact of climate change digs…

Aug 20 • Adam Barnett and The Lead

Exclusive: Andy Burnham’s Northern home address easily available since becoming Prime Minister

National security concerns deepen after some basic sleuthing from The Lead saw Number 10 act swiftly, reports Michael Holmes

Aug 19 • The Lead

Nigel Farage won Clacton, but he's lost the dressing room

The Reform leader has failed to reinvigorate his party with his recent by-election win

Aug 18 • Zoe Grunewald and The Lead

The Lead Untangles: North Sea drilling

There's cries of 'drill Andy drill' and the new Prime Minister has been hinting there may be a change in policy - we drill into the facts

Aug 13 • Adam Barnett and The Lead

Beaches, blue skies, and bins: What we found out on the streets of Clacton-on-Sea

Ahead of a contentious by-election forced by Nigel Farage's resignation as MP, the Essex seaside town is weighing up Reform's leader against Count…

Aug 12 • Fred Garratt-Stanley and The Lead

The Lead Untangles: How extreme heat is impacting our health service

Clinicians and healthcare professionals saw the human cost of the heatwave last month – but risk suspension for climate protests

Aug 6 • Ellie Broughton and The Lead

It's the end of Reform as we know it

A bad few months for Nigel Farage's insurgent party has shown their true colours

Aug 4 • Zoe Grunewald and The Lead

July 2026

The Lead Untangles: Planning reforms

New planning rules have sparked claims that councils will no longer be able to block HMOs, but the reality is more complicated

Jul 30 • The Lead and Kevin Gopal

The house that Burnham builds

A new generation of council homes is promised but the myths of who gets them are taking hold

Jul 28 • Hannah Fearn and The Lead

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