@chamberuk
From the council to the commons, Chamber publishes and broadcasts political insight and analysis from around the UK. The journal partners with policy institute Curia UK to communicate case studies as they turn policy into practice.
Chancellor, Rachel Reeves says support will be offered to households facing soaring heating oil costs, after prices doubled following the conflict in Iran. Around 1.7m homes, mainly in rural areas, are not covered by the energy price cap. (Photo: HM Treasury)
MPs launch inquiry amid “widespread dissatisfaction” into student loads. The Treasury Committee has invited students to outline their experiences as part of an investigation into whether repayment terms are "reasonable" when considered alongside the "broader taxation of graduates" such as income tax
British manufacturers will save millions as the Government removes tariffs on 33 offshore wind components from 1 April, cutting costs and supporting the UK’s clean energy push.
Questions have been asked about balance between rights to privacy and making lives easier using digital public services. www.gov.uk/government/c... 2/2
The Government’s Digital ID consultation is now open. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones has confirmed the Government is listening to stakeholders on the entry age (I.e. birth, 13, 16 for voting etc). 1/2
on volatile global markets. Housing Secretary, Steve Reed told BBC Breakfast the Government intends to diversify supply - through building renewables, and nuclear - to help reduce dependency on global supplies. 2/2
As oil prices pass $100 a barrel, what can the Government do to protect people from energy price shocks? Strengthen support for households including a delay to fuel duty rises, stabilise bills through targeted relief, and accelerate investments that cut the UK’s reliance 1/2
clarity from UK Government on use of Prestwick airport for use by the US Government against Iran. 2/2
First Minister of Scotland, @johnswinney.bsky.social tells #bbclaurak he understands why UK bases should be used for defensive reasons - but is concerned about being caught up in the conflict very quickly. He is worried about escalation of the conflict and is seeking 1/2
He calls for Rachel Reeves to cancel the fuel duty increase later this year in the face of higher prices at the fuel pumps due to the Iranian conflict. 2/2
Treasury spokesperson for Reform, Robert Jenrick tells #bbclaurak he doesn’t see a role for UK personnel to be used in bombing raids as he doesn’t think they should be putting British service personnel in danger, but criticises the delay in UK deployment to the Middle East. 1/2
(Photo: 10 Downing Street)
the lessons from Iraq. UK Foreign Secretary, @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social tells #bbclaurak she will not comment on reports that she opposed the use of UK military bases for US strikes against Iran. She says she will not comment on National Security Council discussions. 3/3
After former Labour Prime Minister & Trump Board of Peace member, Tony Blair criticised the UK Government’s failure to support Trump from day one of their campaign against Iran, @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social tells #bbclaurak unquestionably following the US is wrong and we should learn 2/3
Is the UK’s ‘Special Relationship’ over? Responding to Donald Trump’s criticism of the UK’s response to their war against Iran, UK Foreign Secretary, @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social tells #bbclauarak Keir Starmer’s job is to take decisions in the UK national interest. 1/3
I am saddened to see my own government get itself into this pickle.” In @thetimes.com “Those of us that are determined to defeat the worst parts of the bill are wanting to help with amendments that remove the worst parts…This is a constructive plan to help save the government from itself.” 3/3
Leading Labour’s backbench opposition to the moves Karl Turner MP said: “I am confident that the rebellion stands strong and is growing. We are much more likely to defeat the government at later stages as the bill progresses through the various parliamentary stages. 2/3
Is the Government about to overload the magistrates’ courts? Dozens of Labour MPs have joined a growing rebellion against proposals to curb jury trials, warning that shifting lower‑level offences to judge‑only or magistrates’ hearings risks creating new bottlenecks rather than fixing the backlog.1/3
A new inflation fight for the UK? Surging oil and gas prices after tensions in the Gulf are already blowing apart the OBR’s forecasts. With crude near $100, gas prices doubling, & gilt yields rising, markets now expect stickier inflation & delayed rate cuts. The inflation wave is coming.
After South East Water was hit with a £22m fine for serious failings, MPs are now renewing calls for tougher regulation of the water industry ahead of The King’s Speech - signalling growing impatience with repeated failures and mounting public anger.
(Photo: @ukhomeoffice.bsky.social)
The central question is how reduced support can still meet the UK’s legal and humanitarian duties. Evidence will be key: does lowering support ease system pressures or risk pushing vulnerable people into destitution, slowing decision‑making rather than speeding it up? 3/3
that any reduction in support still meets basic humanitarian and legal obligations? Local authorities are already under pressure, so understanding knock‑on effects - from accommodation costs to safeguarding responsibilities - is crucial. 2/3
Ahead of a speech later today by Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood where she will set out plans to reduce support for asylum seekers, we ask how reducing support will impact local authorities, housing capacity and community services? And, how will the Government ensure 1/3
Primary Care Minister, @skinnock.bsky.social thanks the Association of Dental Groups on their 15 year anniversary and praises dentists across the country for their hard work up and down the country. He praises the use of AI to deliver better treatment - a huge opportunity.
The UK Government is launching a £40m Fundamental AI Research Laboratory to tackle major flaws in today’s AI systems. AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan said:
“AI is already doing things we could never have imagined…the next big breakthroughs must be made in Britain.” politicsuk.com/news/40-mill...
Big questions for the Prime Minister ahead of #PMQs: Why doesn’t the UK have a warship in the Middle East & why is it going to take 8 days to get HMS Dragon to Cyprus? Armadas have been assembling in the region with embassies warning strikes could come for weeks - so why the slow response?
Big questions for the Prime Minister ahead of #PMQs: Why doesn’t the UK have a warship in the Middle East & why is it going to take 8 days to get HMS Dragon to Cyprus? Armadas have been assembling in the region with embassies warning strikes could come for weeks - so why the slow response?
UK Foreign Secretary, @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social tells Times Radio 102,000 UK citizens have registered their presence in the Middle East through the FCDO website, with an estimated 300,000 in countries targeted by Iran. She says advice remains to shelter in place.
After three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have increased. What will this mean for UK interest rates and the wider economy? Higher fuel costs could push up inflation again, making rate cuts harder and squeezing households just as growth remains fragile.