Daniel Martin

Lancaster

Contributor at Freelance

Articles

Liberal Democrats in bid to block foreign state ownership of newspapers

5 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

He said: "Last year, a coalition of members in both Houses supported a ban on foreign state ownership in UK newspapers, bringing into law legislation that protected our historic, free and independent press from the influence of foreign regimes. "My benches supported your Government in introducing that crucial legislation. Today, we find ourselves facing new plans to scrap it.
One in three hospitality businesses losing money after Reeves tax raid

5 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

In a joint statement, the trade bodies said: "The Government seems to be setting itself up to miss its own targets with these most recent cost hikes for the hospitality sector. "Hospitality is vital to the UK economy but is under threat from ongoing costs rises, which the April increases have only exacerbated. Jobs are being lost, livelihoods under threat, communities set to lose precious assets, and consumers are experiencing price rises when wallets are already feeling the pinch.
Starmer's 3pc defence spending pledge in disarray

5 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin |Danielle Sheridan

The announcement comes as the Government unveils the externally-led Strategic Defence Review, which is expected to recommend that the Armed Forces move to war-fighting readiness to deter the growing threats Britain faces. The report makes 62 recommendations, including significant investment into the UK sovereign warhead programme this Parliament while maintaining the existing stockpile, which the Government is expected to accept in full on Monday.
Reform launches 'Doge' council unit

5 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

Linden Kemkaran, the Reform council leader, has written to Amanda Beer, the chief executive, to announce her intention to undertake a review of the council's "financial management, procurement activity, and associated governance arrangements". "This review is part of Reform's commitment to transparency, accountability, the prudent management of public funds and the highest standards in public life," the letter states. "Conducting this work was a core part of Reform's local manifesto.
Don't let trans rapists choose gender, UN warns police

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

Police forces that allow criminals to pick their own gender are the "biggest barrier to ending violence against women and girls ", a United Nations report has found. Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur for violence against women and girls, said at least a third of British forces were still collecting data on criminals and victims' self-identified gender rather than their sex.
Labour letting 'guilty councils' investigate grooming gangs

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

I won't let Starmer hide from the rape gang scandalPolitics moves fast. One day, a scandal dominates the headlines. The next, it vanishes. Governments rely on this chaos to wriggle free from tough questions, and that's exactly what Keir Starmer was doing when he ignored calls for a national inquiry into the rape gangs still ruining lives across our country. But I'm determined to keep this issue in the spotlight. The media and Westminster might move on, but those affected have no such luxury.
Civil Service spends £27m on diversity in a year

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Daniel Martin

Whitehall spent £27 million on diversity in a single year, the first ever audit of bureaucracy “wokery” has revealed. An internal report from the Cabinet Office, commissioned by the last Conservative government, reveals there are 380 “equality, diversity and inclusion” (EDI) staff in the Civil Service. They are paid £53,000 a year on average and their salaries cost taxpayers £20 million overall.
Civil Service spends £27m on diversity in a year

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

Meanwhile, Reform UK has made slashing diversity and inclusion roles a key part of its policy platform. The document, Civil Service EDI Expenditure Review Data, appeared on the Cabinet Office website on Thursday afternoon. A total of 19 ministerial departments and 45 arm's-length bodies responded to the government review.
Quakers accused of 'destroying' own reputation with trans-inclusive lavatories

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

Like Stonewall, Mr Parker said the Supreme Court judgement did not have "the force of law". "Whilst the EHRC has recently issued guidance, this is currently only interim guidance. It is non-statutory and therefore does not have the force of law," the document states. "We see the Equality Act itself as our primary legal guide when making decisions. "It is not possible or desirable to monitor who uses our facilities and therefore cannot guarantee any shared space as exclusive for one group of people.
BBC faces complaint over 'biased and bigoted' Woman's Hour presenter

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Daniel Martin

Ms Joyce appeared on Woman's Hour last week, and her appearance was followed two days later by Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK. In her letter of complaint to the BBC, she criticised the "choice to use a demonstrably biased and bigoted presenter, Anita Rani, for that interview, thereby giving her and the interviewee the chance to misrepresent me".