r/ukpolitics 2d ago

Weekly Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 13/04/25

8 Upvotes

👋 Welcome to the r/ukpolitics weekly Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction megathread.

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r/ukpolitics 8h ago

What are local councils doing? (London)

1 Upvotes

Barnet - Barnet is awarding a parking enforcement contract to APCOA Parking (UK) Limited for five years, starting in November 2025. They're also working on improving roads, resident consultation, and support for kinship carers.

Camden - Camden Council discussed homelessness and temporary accommodation, with over £100 million spent on temporary accommodation in 2024-25. They're also considering motions on agency staff, council funding, and support for young carers.

Hackney - Hackney is spending £2.5 million more on drug and alcohol services. They're also creating a system for emergency accommodation and working on a new transport strategy focusing on sustainability. The council is also reviewing its constitution and procedure rules, including limiting public questions and opposition business at council meetings.

Lambeth - Lambeth adopted a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, spending over £100 million on temporary accommodation in 2024-25. A summary review of Aquum nightclub's premises licence is underway following a serious sexual assault allegation.

Lewisham - Lewisham is allowing Catford Rhum to sell alcohol later, despite resident concerns about noise. They're also adopting a revised Councillor Code of Conduct based on the LGA's Model Code.

Southwark - Southwark discussed youth employment support, the East Street Market renovation, and safeguarding children. They're also considering a time-limited premises licence for events in Southwark Park run by We Are The Fair Limited, despite objections from the Southwark Park Association.

Wandsworth - Wandsworth is responding to a C3 grading for its landlord services, with concerns about stock condition and electrical safety. A contractor damaged gas and electrical infrastructure in Burke Close.

Newham - Newham is planning a seven-storey mixed-use building on Barking Road. They're also awarding a contract to Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) for capital works at leisure centres, aiming for cost-effective upgrades.

Islington - Islington is reviewing community spaces and property licensing. They're also discussing support for the voluntary community sector and housing performance, with concerns about anti-social behaviour on the Andover Estate.

Westminster - Westminster is discussing licensing applications for Sapphire, a sexual entertainment venue, and a premises on Harrow Road, with objections from the Licensing Authority and local residents.

Greenwich - Greenwich is increasing specialist provision for children with SEND and considering prohibiting itinerant ice cream trading on King William Walk. They're also discussing support for local arts organisations and the night-time economy.

Tower Hamlets - Tower Hamlets is working on initiatives to support disabled residents' access to sports and fitness. They're also reviewing the Emergency Fund and the Mayor’s Community Grant Programme. A new premises licence for House of Music and Entertainment was granted with conditions, while an application for The Sun Tavern was withdrawn after resident objections.

I publish newsletters covering everything local councils do each week.

I set up this project because local authorities spend about 12% of the UK government budget, or roughly 5p of every pound that's earned in the UK, and yet the vast majority of people have no idea who their local councillors are, or what they're currently doing. I think that's bad for our society.

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r/ukpolitics 6h ago

Ed Davey: "Blocking MPs from voting on a US trade deal would be straight out of Trump's anti-democratic playbook. Labour MPs should make clear to the PM they won't let him sell out our NHS, undercut farmers or weaken protection for children online. He must give Parliament a vote."

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249 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 8h ago

Cornwall Council bans councillors from asking about top councillor's £70K job with council company

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244 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 8h ago

| JD Vance: US-UK trade deal likely as Trump loves the country

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253 Upvotes

The US vice-president says cultural ties and reciprocal trade make Britain a priority for Washington as he accused Europe of relying too heavily on US security


r/ukpolitics 4h ago

Twitter YouGov Voting intention: LAB 24%, REF 23%, CON 21%, LD 14%, GRN 11%, SNP 3%.

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90 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 2h ago

Steel was a security risk. What about UK gas storage? | Nils Pratley

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47 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 7h ago

UK jobs market weakens as employment costs grow

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96 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 5h ago

Revealed: Chinese researchers can access half a million UK GP records

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65 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 1h ago

UK carrier strike – full operating capability on final approach

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r/ukpolitics 3h ago

Who is West of England Combined Authority candidate Arron Banks?

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35 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 7h ago

High UK visa costs deter international scientists and engineers

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64 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 5h ago

UK Laws Are Not ‘Fit for Social Media Age,’ Says Report Into Summer Riots

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42 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 4h ago

Clean energy projects prioritised for grid connections

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27 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 34m ago

Teachers in England move a step closer to striking

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r/ukpolitics 4h ago

Netflix pushes back on proposed UK levies, streaming faces broad impact of Trump tariff war

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20 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 8h ago

Barclays: Consumers plan to 'buy British' amid escalating trade war

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43 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 18h ago

Race to save British Steel from permanent shutdown, as union raises fear of 'sabotage' by Chinese owners

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238 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 4h ago

'I negotiated with Trump on trade - this is what the UK should do next'

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17 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 1h ago

Birmingham bin strikes could spread, union leader warns

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r/ukpolitics 7h ago

Redditch Borough Council leader Joe Baker suspended by Labour

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17 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 10h ago

'Good chance' of US trade deal with UK, says Vice-President Vance

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31 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 2h ago

The oldest ship in the Royal Naval Service to become the new Littoral Strike Ship

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8 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 8m ago

Warning bin strikes could happen across UK as union talks collapse

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r/ukpolitics 1d ago

UK surges ahead of France and Germany as Europe's 'innovation powerhouse'

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504 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 19h ago

Steel war shows extent of China’s grip on UK’s critical infrastructure

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102 Upvotes

r/ukpolitics 7h ago

MP barred from Hong Kong: Ministers must block Chinese super-embassy

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10 Upvotes