Politics

Labour has opened the door to ending child poverty, now they must walk through it

The announcement of the much-delayed child poverty strategy is welcome but four million children will still remain in poverty when it ends in 2029

Dec 5 •

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The Lead Untangles: Flexible working rights

Lots of tinkering around the edges leaves employers wide open to refuse requests.

Dec 5 •

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Did Your Party's conference do enough to turn the tide of its disastrous beginnings?

Corbyn and Sultana's new party is likely to benefit from factors for which it can claim no credit.

Dec 4 •

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A weakened jury system is a gift to the far right

At a time when trust in institutions is collapsing, juries remain one of the few places where civic duty still lives.

Dec 2 •

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What it means to be wealthy in 2025

Most of us think we're poorer than we are – this disconnect creates worse social outcomes for us all

Nov 29 •

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The Lead's budget verdict: technocratic tweaks to a broken system

Lifting the two-child benefit cap is welcome, but Rachel Reeves' tax and spend plans fall far short of the financial shake up this country needs

Nov 26 •

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The Lead Untangles: Is there a simple solution to the homelessness crisis?

Ahead of the Budget, the housing sector is united in calling for Local Housing Allowance rates to be unfrozen – will Reeves listen?

Nov 20 •

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Exclusive: Calls for anti-extremism investigation of suspended Reform councillor after 'hardline' posts in far-right WhatsApp group revealed

Lancashire councillor Tom Pickup claims the party is showing a different face to the public

Nov 19 •

Luke Beardsworth

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The new asylum laws represent a fundamental downgrading of the rights of vulnerable people

How do you build a life when your right to remain is reassessed every two and a half years?

Nov 18 •

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The North is watching and waiting for Rachel Reeves to act on child poverty

Former Editor of the Big Issue North, Kevin Gopal, looks at how families in the North of England are in dire need of help - and why the child poverty…

Nov 15 •

The Lead Untangles: Our BBC - what does the future hold?

The broadcaster and British institution has been at the centre of a worldwide story this week but behind the headlines there is a battle for the soul of…

Nov 14 •

'Horrifying' treatment of Palestinian family-of-seven fleeing Gaza conflict - booted from asylum hotel day after speaking to journalists

The Blackpool Lead has exclusively revealed the family was moved the day after speaking with ITV News – with just two hours' notice.

Nov 13 •

Luke Beardsworth

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