Joe Pike

City of Westminster

Politics and Investigations Correspondent at BBC Newsnight

I report on politics for @BBCNews | Author of Project Fear - Books of The Year, The Guardian & The Independent | Story? DM or [email protected]

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Articles

Two huge issues and MPs

1 week ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike

Two huge issues - and MPs are making up their own mindsJoe PikeUK ParliamentIn Westminster a lot of power is derived from patronage, as well as feelings of loyalty to a party, plus occasional warnings, threats and arm-twisting. Whipping is a central part of the British political system. Whips are the MPs in each party responsible for discipline and ensuring their colleagues vote the right way.
Fraud culture was 'pervasive' at union, auditors say

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike

Fraud culture was 'pervasive' at union, auditors sayJoe PikePA MediaThere was a "pervasive fraud environment" at one of the UK's largest trade unions, an auditors' report obtained by the BBC has concluded. Unite, which used to be Labour's biggest donor, also faced an "impairment" - effectively a financial hit - of £53.8m related to the building of a hotel in Birmingham, the report said.
Labour MP Mary Foy failed to declare relationship with union boss

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike

Labour MP failed to declare relationship with union bossJoe PikePolitics investigations correspondentJessica Taylor/UK ParliamentLabour MP Mary Foy has referred herself to Parliament's standards watchdog after lobbying on behalf of a trade union run by her partner. The Durham MP is understood to be in a relationship with Matt Wrack, who was the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for two decades until January 2025.
Farage commits to reinstating winter fuel payment

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Joe Pike |Adam D. Durbin

Reform UK has said it will fully reinstate winter fuel payments to pensioners and scrap the two-child benefit cap, if the party gets into government. The commitments - to be unveiled at a press conference next week - come after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced pressure from Labour MPs to change his approach to both policies. By the time of the next general election there may be no need to reverse either policy.
Visa applications for some nationalities could be restricted

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Joe Pike |Fiona Nimoni

Visa applications from nationalities thought most likely to overstay and claim asylum in the UK could be restricted under a new government crackdown. Under Home Office plans, first reported in the Times, people from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka may find it more difficult to come to the UK to work and study.
Visa applications for some nationalities could be restricted

1 month ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike

Visa applications for some nationalities could be restrictedJoe PikePolitical investigations correspondentGetty ImagesVisa applications from nationalities thought most likely to overstay and claim asylum in the UK could be restricted under a new government crackdown. Under Home Office plans, first reported in the Times, people from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka may find it more difficult to come to the UK to work and study.
MPs watchdog probes Reeves' theatre tickets declaration

1 month ago | sg.news.yahoo.com | Kate Whannel |Joe Pike

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog after failing to declare on time that she received free theatre tickets. It is understood the chancellor attended an event at the National Theatre over Christmas but did not add the donation to the MPs' register of interests within the specified timeframe. The BBC has been told Reeves did declare the trip on her ministerial register, which is separate from the MPs' register.
Nationalities of foreign criminals to be published

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Joe Pike |Chris Graham

The nationalities of foreign criminals in the UK are due to be published for the first time under plans being unveiled later. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is understood to have ordered officials to publish the data, including crimes that have been committed, by the end of the year. There were more than 19,000 foreign offenders awaiting deportation at the end of last year, up from almost 18,000 when the Conservatives left office, figures show.
Nationalities of foreign criminals to be published

2 months ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike |Chris Graham

Nationalities of foreign criminals to be publishedJoe Pike & Chris GrahamPA MediaThe nationalities of foreign criminals living in the UK will be published for the first time under plans to be unveiled later. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is understood to have ordered officials to publish data by the end of the year, showing the nationalities and crimes of those awaiting deportation.
Ex-minister Alister Jack who bet on election in line for peerage

2 months ago | bbc.com | Joe Pike

Minister who bet on election in line for peerageJoe PikeReutersA former Conservative cabinet minister who admitted placing three bets on the date of the 2024 general election is set to be awarded a seat in the House of Lords. Sir Alister Jack, who served as Scottish Secretary under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, is expected to be given a peerage in Sunak's resignation honours list.