Sam Francis

London

Reporter at BBC

Journalist for BBC. Personal account. Views are strictly unprofessional

Articles

Reform and Greens aim high in volatile mayoral contests

6 days ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Reform and Greens aim high in volatile mayoral contestsSam FrancisBBCVoters appear to be in a restless mood as Labour faces its first electoral test since its landslide general election victory. Reform UK is surging in the polls and the Liberal Democrats and Greens are also seeking to capitalise on voters' apparent disenchantment with Labour and the Conservatives in English local elections. But can they turn their poll ratings into real power on 1 May?
Business groups urge changes to reforms

1 week ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Sam FrancisPolitical ReporterHelen CattPolitical correspondentThe five biggest business groups in the UK have written an open letter calling for urgent changes to the government's Employment Rights Bill. The proposed new law, due to be scrutinised by the House of Lords this month, includes a right to guaranteed hours and cracks down on zero-hour contracts without the offer of work.
Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for British MP Tulip Siddiq

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Sam Francis

Bangladeshi authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the British MP and former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq. The country's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been investigating allegations Siddiq illegally received land as part of its wider probe of the regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as prime minister in August. Siddiq has previously said the ACC allegations are "completely false" and has accused the commission of mounting a "targeted and baseless" campaign against her.
Reynolds refuses to say if British Steel furnaces in Scunthorpe can keep running

1 week ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Reynolds refuses to say if steel furnaces can keep runningSam FrancisPA MediaThe business secretary has refused to confirm if the government can get the sufficient raw material supplies in time to keep the blast furnaces at British Steel running, after it took control of the Chinese-owned plant.
UK drawing up list of items for potential retaliatory US tariffs - BBC News

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Kate Whannel |Sam Francis

The business secretary says he wants to reach an economic deal but would take "necessary steps' if talks failed.
Credible harassment claims against MP Rupert Lowe, report finds

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Credible harassment claims against MP Lowe, report findsSam FrancisBBCA lawyer investigating suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has found "credible evidence" he and his staff mistreated two female team members in ways that "seem to amount to harassment". Jacqueline Perry KC, employed by Reform to investigate after complaints were raised in February, found evidence of "victimisation, constant criticisms and discriminatory behaviour".
Peers seek tax rise safeguards for health workers

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Peers seek tax rise safeguards for health workersSam FrancisUK ParliamentPeers have renewed their attempts to block government plans to raise employers' national insurance for health and social care workers. Over the past month, the House of Lords has delivered a series of defeats on the bill to increase National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from13.8% to 15% - and lowering the earnings threshold from £9,100 to £5,000.
Lammy says Israel international law remarks 'could have been clearer'

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Sam FrancisPolitical reporterDavid Lammy has said he "could have been clearer" in his comments about Israel blocking aid to Gaza and if the action broke international law. Answering on Monday, Lammy twice stated Israel's 16-day blockade preventing humanitarian supplies into Gaza was a "breach" of international law. This led to the prime minister's official spokesperson reconfirming that the government's position is Israel was "at risk" of breaching humanitarian law.
Net Zero by 2050 'impossible' for UK, says Kemi Badenoch

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Net zero by 2050 'impossible' for UK, says BadenochSam FrancisPA MediaKemi Badenoch has said it is "impossible" for the UK to meet its net zero target by 2050 - a goal set by a previous Conservative government. The UK is legally committed to reaching net zero by 2050 under a law passed by Theresa May in 2019. It means the UK must cut carbon emissions until it removes as much as it produces, in line with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
Police launch investigation into MP Rupert Lowe

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Police launch investigation into MP Rupert LoweSam FrancisBBCThe Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into suspended Reform MP Rupert Lowe over an allegation of "verbal threats". The Great Yarmouth MP was reported to police on 6 March over an allegation of making threats of physical violence against the party's chairman Zia Yusuf. A spokesperson for the Met Police said the force had launched an investigation "into an allegation of a series of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man".