Sam Ashworth-Hayes

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Sam Ashworth-Hayes

What, exactly, is the point of Sir Keir Starmer’s Government? This isn’t a rhetorical question. It’s not a rhetorical set-up for a cheap joke about “raising your taxes to subsidise Indian workers”, or “establishing representation without taxation for as many migrants as possible”. I mean that if you sat down and grilled the Prime Minister, I’m not sure he’d be able to give you an answer.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Sam Ashworth-Hayes

But it's also a deal that gives Indian workers posted to Britain a three-year tax break on National Insurance contributions just as the UK is raising the tax burden to its highest level since the Second World War. Those defending the deal have claimed it's simply a way of avoiding the same work being taxed twice, which entirely misses the point.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Sam Ashworth-Hayes

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is one of the richest areas in Britain. After housing costs, it ranks fourth for average income out of every local authority. It’s home to Windsor Castle, Eton College and the Ascot Racecourse. And it’s avoided going bust by the skin of its teeth. It’s far from alone in this struggle. While the very public difficulties of Birmingham City Council are well known, others are still flying under the radar.

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Sam Ashworth-Hayes

It's a useful case study for the country as a whole. Restricted funding and unrestricted entitlements are a toxic combination that mean councils are increasingly constrained in their ability to spend on anything that isn't a statutory obligation - or indeed, any obligation that isn't above the absolute bare bones.

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Sam Ashworth-Hayes |Connor Stringer

As the President's second term nears the 100 day mark, it seems his radical agenda has this week been blunted on multiple frontsThe US invasion of Iraq began with a massive show of force. Almost 2,000 airstrikes and missile launches preceded a sweeping ground offensive towards Baghdad. A little under three weeks later, the Iraqi military was defeated. Victory was declared. Except that it was not until eight years and eight months later that the last American soldiers left.