Why Andy Burnham is willing to bet big on social care reform
Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls social care in England 'as unfair as American healthcare' and vows to spend political capital to fix it, despite decades of failed attempts.
Category : Policy
Sewage Spills in English Rivers and Seas Exceed 290,000 Despite Drought
Raw sewage spills in England hit 291,492 in 2025 despite drought, a 35% drop from 2024. Campaigners decry systemic failure; water firms cite investment.
Burnham seeks cross-party consensus on social care reform
Andy Burnham promises 'problem-solving, not point-scoring' as he invites Badenoch and Davey for talks, but not Farage, to fix the decades-old social care crisis.
Labor pushes datacentre rules despite Qld, NT opposition
The federal government will proceed with plans to regulate energy and water use by AI datacentres, despite Queensland and the Northern Territory rejecting the proposals.
Salt mine asthma clinic faces closure after funding cut
An asthma clinic 250 metres deep in an Armenian salt mine, offering speleotherapy, struggles to stay open after the government withdrew state funding in 2019, leaving patients to pay £20 per session.
Andy Burnham pitches social care reform as personal mission
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, citing his father's dementia, outlines plans to reform social care with cross-party talks and a review due next year.
Burnham: tax rises for social care possible, tackle inefficiencies first
Burnham says he does not rule out tax rises for social care reform, but current inefficiencies costing billions should be tackled first, citing £2.5bn lost from avoidable hospital stays.
Labor Advances Universal Childcare Plan With New Data Laws
Australian Labor Party advances universal childcare plan with new laws requiring private operators to provide data for evidence-based reforms.
Rochdale Local Plan advances, shaping future until 2039
Rochdale's Local Plan, setting out development until 2039, moves to public consultation after council approval, with nearly 11,000 new homes and major station upgrades.
Fiona Phillips' husband says Burnham offers hope
Film producer Martin Frizell, husband of former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, said Andy Burnham's social care reforms offer hope after her early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis.
US public broadcasting body votes to dissolve after Trump-era funding cuts
US Corporation for Public Broadcasting dissolves after federal funding cuts under Trump, putting local stations at risk.
258-Home Plans for Maghull Move to Next Stage
Developer Anwyl Homes argues land off Green Lane in Maghull can be classed as 'grey belt' under new NPPF rules, as application for EIA screening opinion is submitted to Sefton Council.
Flying ant swarms invade Liverpool city centre
Giant swarms of flying ants have been spotted across Liverpool city centre, with hot, humid weather triggering the phenomenon. Experts say not to panic as the insects are harmless and swarms usually disappear within days.
Sadiq Khan urged to adopt French driving curbs for ozone
Green Party's Caroline Russell calls on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to impose speed limits and restrict cars during high ozone pollution, learning from Paris.
Andy Burnham's £28 Bus Fare Cap Set for January
Andy Burnham will reduce bus fares from £3 to £2 from January 1, saving passengers an average of £28 per year on non-London routes.
Outlander filming locations unveiled in new guide
VisitScotland, with Sony Pictures Television, releases first official guide to 48 Outlander filming locations across Scotland, including four in Ayrshire, to mark the series' conclusion.
Trump signs order to bypass permitting for LA wildfire rebuilds
Trump signs executive order to waive permitting for LA wildfire rebuilds, but state and local leaders call it a stunt, citing financial obstacles.
Burnham's Social Care Reform Gamble
Andy Burnham pushes social care reform despite decades of failure, risking political capital with tax proposals and NHS warnings.
Volunteer 'Wombles' Battle England's Rising Fly-Tipping Crisis
Volunteer groups like the Wombles are tackling England's record fly-tipping crisis as incidents rise 10% in a year. Causes include council cuts and rogue operators.
NT Child Reforms Risk Crisis for Indigenous Children, Advocates Warn
NT government's child protection reforms erode Aboriginal placement principle, sparking outrage from 330 organisations warning of deepened crisis for Indigenous children.
UK wildfire map shows areas at highest risk as heatwave continues
Over 700 wildfires recorded in England and Wales this year. An amber heat-health alert is in place. New map shows areas that would be hit hardest.
Newsom Vetoes PFAS Ban, Handing Industry a Win
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoes bill banning PFAS in cookware, potentially slowing similar legislation in other states.
Labor's Nature Laws at Risk of Collapse as Talks Continue
Labor's planned overhaul of federal nature laws faces collapse as no deal struck ahead of parliament's final sitting day, risking second failure in 12 months.
Greece to Ban Under-15s from Social Media, UK Weighs Action
Greece announces social media ban for under-15s from January, citing mental health concerns. UK polls show 76% support but scepticism over effectiveness.
Trump Administration Moves US Forest Service HQ to Utah, Closes Research Sites
Trump administration moves US Forest Service HQ to Utah, closes research sites in 31 states, citing need for proximity to Western lands.
Ditch bleach for citric acid to keep toilets limescale-free
Citric acid, a natural substance found in citrus fruits, effectively dissolves limescale in toilet bowls without harsh scrubbing or bleach, according to household expert Francesca.
Over 200 Wildfires in 12 Days Across England and Wales
More than 200 wildfires occurred in 12 days across England and Wales, with 706 total this year. Risk remains elevated as hot, dry conditions persist, NFCC warns.
Andy Burnham vows to overhaul social care, urges end to politics
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will pledge to transform England's social care system, calling on cross-party cooperation and launching a public consultation to break decades of inaction.
Trump and RFK Jr. Propose Vaccine Program Cuts
Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have proposed cutting federal vaccine programs, igniting a public health debate over immunization policies.
Progressive Faith Groups Use Religious Freedom Laws in Five Ways
Progressive religious communities are increasingly leveraging religious freedom laws to protect civil liberties, from abortion access to immigrant sanctuary and Native American sacred sites.
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