Starmer’s immigration rhetoric follows familiar pattern of bold claims but few results, expert says 31. March 2026 (06:00) Madeleine Sumption says politicians make big claims about things they only partially control to appeal to votersKeir Starmer’s pledge to “smash the gangs” profiting from small boat crossings has followed a pattern set by Conservative-led governments of employing “bullish rhetoric” with little evidence that it can be delivered, an expert has claimed.Madeleine Sumption, the director of the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, says the prime minister has repeated the mistakes of Rishi Sunak and David Cameron by making “bold claims with great certainty about things governments only partially control” . Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubbish and recycling in England: what’s changing and why it matters 31. March 2026 (06:00) Nationwide reforms aim to standardise collections and expand food waste recycling to tackle stagnating ratesRecycling rules across England have long been inconsistent – but that will change from Tuesday when the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation comes into effect. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fair Work abolishes junior pay rates, with half a million young Australians to be paid more 31. March 2026 (05:28) Union celebrates ‘landmark decision’ that will mean adults aged 20 or younger are no longer paid lessFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHalf a million young Australians working in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors are set for a wage increase after the Fair Work Commission abolished junior pay rates for those aged 18 and over.The wage rises will be phased in over four years in a landmark change that unions compared to the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California Republican sheriff halts inquiry into alleged voter fraud in Prop 50 election 31. March 2026 (04:07) Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff also running for governor, had seized 650,000 ballotsChad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff, has halted a contentious investigation into a alleged voter fraud that has drawn opposition from the state’s attorney general.The move marks a major reversal for Bianco, a prominent Donald Trump supporter who is one of the top two Republican candidates running for the governorship of California. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ron DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach airport after Donald Trump 31. March 2026 (03:26) If approved, move is latest in series of buildings, warships, institutions, programs and currency named after presidentHe has buildings, institutions, government programs, warships, currency, and now Donald Trump is getting an airport that bears his name even as he looks forward to a towering Trump presidential library in Miami.Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed a bill on Monday saying the Palm Beach international airport was being renamed to the President Donald J Trump international airport. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
