Kiran Stacey
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
📤 25349
📥 259
📝 203
Policy Editor at the Guardian. Previously with the FT in London, Delhi, Washington.
EXC: Minister takes aim at the country's largest leasehold management company as the government prepares to almost entirely scrap the system altogether.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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Leasehold ‘wild west’ under scrutiny as minister criticises FirstPort’s fees and failures
Exclusive: Senior minister raises ‘significant concerns’ over one of UK’s biggest property managers
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/04/leasehold-wild-west-under-scrutiny-as-minister-criticises-firstports-fees-and-failures
7 days ago
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This post by
@samfr.bsky.social
on the new book by
@robfordmancs.bsky.social
,
@timbale.bsky.social
,
@drjennings.bsky.social
and
@psurridge.bsky.social
is as good as everyone says. Especially this point busting the myth of the Red Wall and the "hero voter".
samf.substack.com/p/six-lesson...
8 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Katie Martin
8 days ago
**FT GRAD SCHEME** applications are now open. Incredible opportunity for young wannabe hacks. Spread the word:
job-boards.greenhouse.io/financialtim...
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BREAKING: Richard Hughes resigns as head of the OBR.
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
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https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/Richard-Hughes-letter-of-resignation.pdf
10 days ago
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What were journalists told about the budget and when?
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
reveal all in this week's episode of Politics Weekly. Also featuring bonus Your Party content.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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Can Keir Starmer save Rachel Reeves? – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether the prime minister’s speech can deflect attention away from his embattled chancellor. Plus: chaos at Your Party’s first conference
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/dec/01/can-keir-starmer-save-rachel-reeves-podcast
10 days ago
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Rachel Reeves gambles on tax and spend. But has she forgotten the "squeezed middle"? Listen to me,
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
and
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
chew over today's budget here.
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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The budget: Labour’s big tax and spend gamble – podcast
John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey give their reactions to the chancellor’s autumn budget
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/nov/26/the-budget-labours-big-tax-and-spend-gamble-podcast
15 days ago
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Not to be pernickety here, but didn't the chancellor make a mistake with her very first word of the budget (and several times afterwards)?
15 days ago
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If you're wondering how relations are between the govt and the OBR after this morning's budget leak, a govt source has just sent this out about the EV tax.
15 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Ben Zaranko
15 days ago
Rachel Reeves can count herself (at least a bit) lucky. OBR productivity downgrade would have knocked £16 billion off tax receipts. But she was saved by £32 billion of *extra* receipts from higher inflation and a shift to more tax-rich growth (lower profits, higher wages).
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Grist to
@jim.londoncentric.media
’s theory that this will never happen: The govt has timed its pension tax rise so it will have almost all its impact in the vital final year of the fiscal forecast.
add a skeleton here at some point
15 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Heather Stewart
15 days ago
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
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💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September. In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze. This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
15 days ago
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Public service journalism for anyone on a salary sacrifice pension scheme...
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15 days ago
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Here is the smorgasbord in full. Removing tax benefits from salary sacrifice pension schemes raises a whopping £4.7bn.
15 days ago
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Removing the two-child benefit cap will cost £3bn and the average benefit to families will be £5,450 a year.
15 days ago
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Government's employment support scheme will not make any difference to growth, says the OBR.
15 days ago
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Absolutely extraordinary - this seems to be the OBR's entire economic outlook, posted half an hour before the chancelor stands up:
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
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https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_November_2025.pdf
15 days ago
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Great story by
@pickardje.bsky.social
and
@rachelmillard.bsky.social
Rachel Reeves drops a plan to remove VAT from energy bills, decides only to remove levies. Makes it much cheaper for the govt, but limits how much will be knocked off bills.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
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Rachel Reeves decides against cutting VAT on energy bills in Budget
Chancellor expected to continue with support package for households, including easing of electricity costs
https://www.ft.com/content/82f06f0c-d329-431f-a29d-18a91b12f476
16 days ago
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Very nice that our podcast has been nominated for two of these awards. Well done to the brilliant team including
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
@zoehitch.bsky.social
@frankietobi.bsky.social
and Maz Ebtehaj.
x.com/iNHouseComms...
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iNHouse on X: "It's time to reveal the shortlist for the Political Podcast Awards 2026 🎉 Sponsored by YouTube #PoliticalPodcastAwards https://t.co/YVG9tQBaaW" / X
It's time to reveal the shortlist for the Political Podcast Awards 2026 🎉 Sponsored by YouTube #PoliticalPodcastAwards https://t.co/YVG9tQBaaW
https://x.com/iNHouseComms/status/1993218512324882531
16 days ago
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The only thing that can defeat parliament’s new extra high security fence.
17 days ago
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To all the people who love to explain that this is not in fact a make or break budget, you're wrong. Hopefully this week's episode will show why.
add a skeleton here at some point
17 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
John Harris
22 days ago
Yes, it's the latest Politics Weekly UK, a rich & questioning chatfest with me,
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
,
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social
&
@rafaelbehr.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...
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How dangerous are Labour’s asylum plans?
Podcast Episode · Politics Weekly UK · 19/11/2025 · 31m
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/politics-weekly-uk/id136697472?i=1000737436257
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BREAKING: UK defence secretary says a Russian spy ship called Yantar has entered British waters off the Scottish coast and is mapping undersea cables. "If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."
22 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Dr David R Brake
24 days ago
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
makes the interesting point that this is mainly about making the UK less appealing than France. Made me think - what if the far right in France gets in? Is the UK going to strive to be nastier to migrants than the National Rally?
add a skeleton here at some point
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🚨This week's pod with
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
: - Where are the pitfalls for Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms - Decoding Treasury spin on the budget - Who might challenge Starmer's leadership, and when?
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals m...
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/nov/17/labour-shabana-mahmood-risky-asylum-pitch-podcast
24 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Pippa Crerar
24 days ago
🚨 Labour’s risky asylum pitch... In our latest podcast
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
& I look at home secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system - and how they're likely to go down with MPs and the public...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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Labour’s risky asylum pitch – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at radical plans from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to tackle the ‘out of control’ asylum system. Plus, has the briefing row only made Keir Starmer’s rivals m...
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/nov/17/labour-shabana-mahmood-risky-asylum-pitch-podcast
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Some things to bear in mind about these late changes to the budget: 1) Govt sources say the forecasts changed. But the only new thing they learned this week was the OBR's assessment of their own plans. Maybe the OBR said their tax rises would raise more than expected?
27 days ago
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EXC: Govt to cut heat pump funding to get energy bills down.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: chancellor plans to fund energy efficiency levies via warm homes plan as part of drive to lower energy bills
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/13/hundreds-of-thousands-to-lose-heat-pump-subsidies-in-reevess-budget-plan
28 days ago
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Something about this morning's stories reminded me of Gordon Brown's No 10. And then I remembered this passage from Damian McBride:
29 days ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Pippa Crerar
about 1 month ago
🚨Our latest podcast. Join me and
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
as we chew over BBC resignations, how No 10 is handling the budget and growing unease within Labour ranks about Keir Starmer’s leadership...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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Can the BBC survive this crisis? | podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the shock departures at the BBC, plus jitters inside No 10 about the budget and potential moves against Keir Starmer
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/nov/10/were-the-bbc-resignations-politically-orchestrated-podcast
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🔥 The row between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana gets even more bitter tonight as the two row over hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of donations.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Your Party row erupts over hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations
Clash the latest in months of political infighting between the camps of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/10/your-party-row-erupts-over-hundreds-of-thousands-of-pounds-in-donations?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
about 1 month ago
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EXC: Rachel Reeves plans cuts to home energy efficiency schemes to pay for bills to be reduced. Energy industry warns of “disastrous” consequences in the long term.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Jessica Elgot
about 2 months ago
Our story tonight from
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
me and
@guardianheather.bsky.social
Reeves is understood to be nervous about the consequences of such a major abandonment of the party’s pledges. But it would insulate against this rollercoaster of black holes
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
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Reeves considers breaking manifesto pledge with income tax rise to fill £30bn gap
Exclusive: Treasury discussions include possibly adding 1p to basic rate or raising higher or additional tax rates
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/23/rachel-reeves-is-considering-raising-income-tax-to-reduce-deficit-sources-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Jessica Elgot
about 2 months ago
Exc - Rachel Reeves is considering raising income tax at next month’s budget to help reduce a multibillion pound shortfall, sources have told the Guardian. Very live discussion in the Treasury and No10 as debate rages over how to give biggest possible buffer
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
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Reeves considers breaking manifesto pledge with income tax rise to fill £30bn gap
Exclusive: Treasury discussions include possibly adding 1p to basic rate or raising higher or additional tax rates
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/23/rachel-reeves-is-considering-raising-income-tax-to-reduce-deficit-sources-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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EXC: Rachel Reeves considering doing the unthinkable at the budget - and raising income tax. Story by me,
@jessicaelgot.bsky.social
and
@guardianheather.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
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Reeves considers breaking manifesto pledge with income tax rise to fill £30bn gap
Exclusive: Treasury discussions include possibly adding 1p to basic rate or raising higher or additional tax rates
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/23/rachel-reeves-is-considering-raising-income-tax-to-reduce-deficit-sources-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
about 2 months ago
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EXC: Mark Sedwill's chances of becoming Washington ambassador have been knocked, as officials fret over an article he wrote in 2021 criticising Donald Trump.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Frontrunner suffers blow in race to be UK ambassador to US over criticisms of Trump
Exclusive: Whitehall officials raise fears about Mark Sedwill’s newspaper article warning of president’s ‘blundering’ behaviour
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/23/frontrunner-suffers-blow-in-race-to-mark-sedwill-be-uk-ambassador-to-us-over-article-critical-to-trump
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Marianne O'Doherty
about 2 months ago
At least 3 or 4 years ago there was a scandal about lack of funding for an arts venue in Salisbury. In response, the council spokesperson said direct to camera 'Wiltshire council is an adult social care provider'.
add a skeleton here at some point
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EXC: English councils will still be poorer in 2029 than they were in 2010, according to the IfG. Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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English councils to remain poorer than in 2010 despite funding rise, says report
Exclusive: Impact of austerity cannot be undone by end of parliament despite above-inflation funding, analysis finds
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/15/english-councils-to-remain-poorer-than-2010-despite-funding-boost-says-report
about 2 months ago
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This is fascinating by
@chrisgiles.ft.com
. What if the massive rise in people claiming out of work benefits is actually because we've raised the state pension age?
www.ft.com/content/ee67...
about 2 months ago
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Really interesting interview by Sally Weale with Bridget Phillipson, taking aim at the reams of unverified, un-evidenced parenting advice on social media.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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Parenting advice on social media is often poor quality, says Phillipson
Education secretary warns against misleading claims online during launch of ‘Best Start in Life’ campaign
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/14/parenting-advice-on-social-media-is-often-poor-quality-says-phillipson
about 2 months ago
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EXC: Over a dozen Labour MPs call on Rachel Reeves to *scrap* council tax in her budget.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Labour MPs call on Rachel Reeves to scrap council tax
Exclusive: 13 mainly northern MPs say a new system should better account for higher house prices in south-east
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/14/labour-mps-call-on-rachel-reeves-to-scrap-council-tax?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
about 2 months ago
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US and Israeli officials say UK had nothing to do with the Gaza peace deal. British officials insist they did - and point to similarities with the Good Friday Agreement as evidence. So who is right? My analysis here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
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UK role in Gaza ceasefire agreement questioned by US figures
US ambassador to Israel calls Bridget Phillipson ‘delusional’ for saying UK played key role, though others point to important input from British figures
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/13/uk-role-in-gaza-peace-settlement-questioned-by-us-figures?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
about 2 months ago
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EXC: Starmer accused of pushing progressives out as No 10 shake up continues.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Starmer accused of pushing out some of last progressive allies in No 10 shake-up
Exclusive: PM reorganising key parts of government to give chief secretary Darren Jones more Whitehall control
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/10/starmer-accused-pushing-out-progressive-allies-no-10-shake-up
2 months ago
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EXC: Bridget Phillipson tells the Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast that the govt should ditch the two-child benefit cap in full, not only in part. Read here:
theguardian.com/politics/202...
And listen here:
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
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Labour’s Bridget Phillipson on Gaza, child poverty and the deputy leadership race – podcast
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the education secretary and Labour deputy leadership candidate Bridget Phillipson about the plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as why she is pushing the prime...
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2025/oct/09/labour-bridget-phillipson-on-gaza-child-poverty-and-the-deputy-leadership-race-podcast
2 months ago
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Whoops! Seems the ONS has overestimated govt borrowing by £3bn. Rare bit of good news for Rachel Reeves. Story by
@guardianheather.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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Rachel Reeves given extra £3bn for budget after VAT error fixed
ONS says public borrowing estimates have been out by £200m-£500m a month since January
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/08/rachel-reeves-given-extra-3bn-for-budget-after-vat-error-fixed
2 months ago
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EXC: Rachel Reeves will announce more changes to the planning system before the budget. But ministers are rowing about how far to go on this major part of govt policy.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Ministers to announce significant changes to UK’s planning system
Exclusive: Differences over changes to environmental and legal provisions to prompt economic growth hint at chaos at heart of government
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/05/ministers-significant-changes-uk-planning-system
2 months ago
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EXC: BBC bosses looking to tap defence budget to pay for the world service. Story with
@michaelsavage.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
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BBC bosses want defence budget to help pay for the World Service
Exclusive: Executives at corporation say media monitoring and anti-disinformation are vital to national security
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/oct/04/bbc-bosses-want-defence-budget-to-help-pay-for-the-world-service?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
2 months ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Jessica Elgot
2 months ago
EXCL: Rachel Reeves is set to lift the two-child benefit limit in the budget with officials exploring options of a new tapered system. The Treasury is exploring if it might instead be limited to three or four children – or whether there could be a tapered rate.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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Rachel Reeves to lift two-child benefit cap in November’s budget
Exclusive: Officials exploring options to change rule that affected 1.7 million children in Great Britain last year UK politics live – latest updates
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/30/rachel-reeves-lift-two-child-benefit-cap-november-budget
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A reminder about tomorrow's live Politics Weekly podcast recording with Andy Burnham in Liverpool. If you're here for Labour conference, or are just local and have an interest in politics, make sure you come along - no booking needed!
2 months ago
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reposted by
Kiran Stacey
Luke Tryl
3 months ago
Monday 2-3 along with
@uclpolicylab.bsky.social
we'll also be hosting
@theguardian.com
politics weekly with
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
and
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
as they hold an in conversation with
@andyburnham.bsky.social
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