Faith Ridler

6 days ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

Laws may need to be strengthened to crack down on the exploitation of child "influencers", a senior Labour MP has warned. Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, technology and innovation committee, said parts of the Online Safety Act - passed in October 2023 - may already be "obsolete or inadequate". Experts have raised concerns that there is a lack of provision in industry laws for children who earn money through brand collaborations on social media when compared to child actors and models.

1 week ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

There was no evidence of "two-tier policing" in the handling of riots that erupted after last year's Southport murders, MPs have said. A report by the Home Affairs Committee, published on Monday, examined the police response to disorder that broke out after the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July. Allegations of "two-tier policing" followed, suggesting that police were more heavy handed with people on the right of the political spectrum than the left.

3 weeks ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

A major incident has been declared in Birmingham over an ongoing bin strike, which has left around 17,000 tonnes of waste on the streets of the city. Birmingham City Council said the "regrettable" step was taken in response to public health concerns, with picket lines blocking depots and preventing waste vehicles from collecting rubbish. Members of Unite have been on all-out strike since 11 March in a row over pay, which the union claims will leave some members of staff £8,000 worse off.

3 weeks ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled what he says is a major transport boost to stop the North being "held to ransom" by a Victorian-era system. The prime minister said the £2.15bn investment was a "downpayment for growth" in northern England and a "vote of confidence" in its "world-beating industries". Some £415m of the total will be used to improve rail services between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

4 weeks ago | channel103.com | Faith Ridler |Sarah Taaffe-Maguire

However, the fiscal watchdog said that while growth has been downgraded for this year, it had been upgraded for every year after for the rest of this parliament - which is due to end in 2029. The chancellor said she is "not satisfied with the numbers" for this year as she delivered her long-awaited spring statement in the House of Commons. Politics latest: Follow live updatesBut, she explained, the OBR has forecast growth to hit 1.9% in 2026, 1.8% in 2027, 1.7% in 2028, and 1.8% in 2029.