Author: News Desk

Benefit claimants not seeking work to face mandatory work placements Those on benefits who do not find work in more than 18 months will have to undertake work experience placements, under rules planned for late next year. The government says if they refuse they will lose access to their benefits for a period. But the charity Mind says the use of sanctions would worsen mental health. The announcement is part of plans to get people back to work, it will also see an extra £2.5bn spent on career support. Under the plan, those solely eligible for the standard Universal Credit…

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Rishi Sunak sets out how pothole funding from HS2 savings to be used PM Rishi Sunak has set out how money saved from scrapping part of HS2 will tackle potholes around the country. £8.3bn of promised funding will go to England’s local councils over the next 11 years for road maintenance. Councils said the cost of repairing local roads was closer to £14bn. The Local Government Association (LGA) said the money was a boost but calls for longer term funding to tackle the repair backlog. Its spokesman, Darren Rodwell, said: “Longer-term, the government should award council highways departments with five…

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Suella Braverman: No flights before election under PM’s Rwanda plan Suella Braverman has said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s current Rwanda plan will mean no asylum seekers are flown there before the next election. The former home secretary wrote in the Telegraph, saying “tinkering with a failed plan” would not achieve the government’s aims. Braverman’s article came days after the Supreme Court ruled the Rwanda policy unlawful. Just hours later Rishi Sunak announced plans for emergency legislation and a new treaty with Rwanda so that the first flights can leave in the spring. But Braverman argues a new treaty wouldn’t solve…

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