UK politics – live: Starmer to face PMQs after Musk row as Tories push vote on child grooming gangs

A new survey of nearly 9,000 health workers in the UK reveals that NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish, and other pests, raising concerns about hygiene and safety. One in six respondents reported sightings of vermin, while 16% noted infestations of insects such as cockroaches and silverfish. Damp conditions and persistent disrepair may be contributing to the problem, with staff also encountering other maintenance issues like sewage leaks and decaying ceilings....

The Dental Recovery Plan, aimed at improving access to NHS dentists, has been deemed a "comprehensive failure" in a new report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Despite promises to fund over 1.5 million additional treatments, MPs found that the dental contract remains inadequate, with only half of England's population able to see an NHS dentist within two years. Initiatives such as the new patient premium and recruitment scheme have not yielded the expected results,...

Ambassadors convened an emergency session to address the escalating crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with rights chief Volker Türk expressing deep concern over the catastrophic suffering in Gaza, where over 1,200 Palestinians, including 320 children, have been killed since March. Türk called for an investigation into violations of international law, highlighted the dire humanitarian situation due to a blockade, and emphasized the urgent need for a political settlement to achieve peace and stability in...

Labour is moving forward with controversial reforms to cash ISAs, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirming work is underway to potentially lower annual investment limits to encourage savers to consider stocks and shares ISAs. Economists suggest reducing the current £20,000 threshold to £4,000. Reeves acknowledged the importance of cash savings but highlighted the impact of inflation, hinting at potential changes to be revealed at the autumn budget. Full Article

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, traditionally marks renewal and reflection, but this year signals the unraveling of the Tehran regime's survival strategy, with two of its three key pillars crumbling by March 2025. Facing pressure to abandon its nuclear program or face airstrikes, the regime also grapples with internal threats from resistance groups and a potential shift towards a secular republic, as the year 1404 looms as a critical turning point for Iran. Full Article

In his local election launch, Sir Keir Starmer faced the looming presence of right-wing populists Donald Trump and Nigel Farage, with the latter threatening to gain hundreds of local council seats through Reform UK's electoral challenge. Sir Keir focused on criticizing the Conservatives' 14-year record in power, urging voters to support Labour as a national and local alternative, while highlighting the threat posed by Reform UK as a significant electoral force in the upcoming polls....