Reform UK’s Lee Anderson says he ‘gamed’ benefits system in former job
The Ashfield MP told a press conference in central London on Wednesday that he worked at the advice organisation before entering politics. “Before I came into politics, I worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau,” the Ashfield MP told a press conference. Reform says it wants to stop people exploiting the system as part of its welfare cut proposals. Lee Anderson: "Our young people are being thrown on the scrapheap.” pic.twitter.com/flzSenAF0O — Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) October 29, 2025Mr Anderson also hit back at Baron Heseltine over the Tory grandee’s criticism of Nigel Farage’s party. Former Tory Mr Anderson said it was “deeply unpleasant” of Lord Heseltine “to say these things about Reform UK”.
Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 12:21 UTC
Urban councils expecting huge losses under feared late funding formula change
Concerns are focused on what has been described as a last minute Government decision to increase the impact of housing costs in an updated formula for measuring deprivation which would determine grants to local authorities. Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner announced the distribution of council funding would be changed this year to ensure funding was directed to areas with the highest levels of deprivation. Councils in London have been lobbying the Government to include housing costs prominently in the formula. Citing sources involved in negotiations, The Times said London councils were “very pleased” with changes to their funding, with “significant progress” made in how it would be allocated. “This proposal would allow London councils to continue to set very low council tax, effectively subsidising low bills for London residents.
Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 12:14 UTC
Cumbria ranked in top 5 destinations by UK dog owners
A recent survey by holidaycottages.co.uk asking staycationers when they’re happiest, discovered that nearly one in five responses included mention of a dog. The company asked UK dog owners about their happiest holiday memories and favourite destinations to visit with their dogs. The team at holidaycottages.co.uk have revealed the UK’s happiest dog-friendly staycation breaks. When it comes to the UK destinations that will keep our pups entertained, the North West Highlands took the crown, followed by Cumbria and Northumberland in second and third places respectively. Home to the Lake District National Park, Cumbria is a haven for man’s best friend thanks to its range of walking trails.
Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 12:05 UTC
Fears EastEnders star has secretly quit the BBC show
Earlier this month, fans watched as Harry Mitchell was taken hostage by Okie and Ravi. EastEnders fans fear popular show star has quit after vanishing actShortly before vanishing from the BBC show, Harry confessed to his mum, Nicola Mitchel, about his involvement in drug dealing. However, Nicola has since failed to acknowledge that her son is missing, prompting many EastEnders fans to theorise that she is missing. Has the actress left the soap?”Who is Laura Doddington and when did she join EastEnders as Nicola Mitchell? Laura Doddington joined EastEnders all the way back in 2024, taking on the role of matriarch Nicola Mitchell.
Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 03:43 UTC
UK can ‘defy’ gloomy forecasts despite productivity problems, says Chancellor
Writing in the Guardian, the Chancellor acknowledged that productivity forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) could make for tough reading. Ms Reeves will hope that better-than-expected inflation figures and a slight improvement in some growth forecasts will help ease the pressure. But the gap could be even bigger than feared, following media reports that the OBR is preparing to downgrade its productivity forecasts by 0.3 percentage points. In her Guardian article, Ms Reeves said she would not “pre-empt” the OBR productivity downgrade, but added she would be “candid” that Britain’s productivity performance under the Conservatives had been “too weak”. Without deeper spending cuts or increased borrowing, the Chancellor will be left with little choice but to raise taxes.
Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 00:30 UTC
Times letters: Radical suggestions for chancellor’s budget
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Source:The Times
October 29, 2025 00:04 UTC
Bill Gates: climate change is not the end of the world
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Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 22:33 UTC
De Blasio Impersonator Tricks British Newspaper With Fake Criticism of Mamdani
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York has been an enthusiastic supporter of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and front-runner in the mayor’s race. So it seemed odd on Tuesday when an article appeared in The Times of London in which he was quoted saying he had concerns about Mr. Mamdani’s policy proposals. Mr. de Blasio told The New York Times on Tuesday evening that the comments attributed to him were invented and that he had not spoken with the British newspaper. (The New York Times and The Times of London are not connected.) Mr. de Blasio reiterated his support for Mr. Mamdani’s plans to make buses free, to freeze the rent on rent-stabilized apartments and to institute free universal child care, comparing them to his own quest to create universal prekindergarten.
Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 22:26 UTC
Labour slumps to record low in polls while Reform and Greens surge
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeLabour has fallen to its lowest rating in a YouGov poll, with Sir Keir Starmer’s party almost level with the Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats. It comes as Sir Keir has been warned that he could struggle to turn the party’s fortunes around following last week’s defeat in a Welsh by-election. Labour faces threats from the left and the right, with concerns about voters being lost to Reform or the surging Greens. Ipsos pollster Keiran Pedley told The Independent that it is “hard to see how Labour will turn things around”.
Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 22:13 UTC
SWNS studio Creatorville appoints The Times director of video Jon Eastman as creative director
Creatorville, the original video studio within SWNS Media Group, has named Jon Eastman as creative director. Eastman has more than twenty years’ experience in video and digital strategy, and combines “editorial rigour and digital-first creativity” according to Creatorville. He joins from The Times, where he served as director of video, overseeing content across YouTube, TikTok and The Times & Sunday Times’ digital platforms. Sam Barcroft, group CEO of SWNS Media Group and founder of Creatorville, said: “Jon is one of the most talented and forward-thinking video leaders in the industry. There’s a huge opportunity here to shape the next generation of digital formats, and I can’t wait to get started.”Creatorville partners with creators, publishers and brands to produce shareable original video content for audiences worldwide.
Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 18:43 UTC
Edgwarebury Lane surrounded by armed police - recap
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Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 18:33 UTC
The expats living in France who say: ‘We’ll never go back to the UK’
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Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 18:03 UTC
It’s time we were told the truth about taxes
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Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 17:46 UTC
Prince William threatened to strip Andrew’s daughters of titles in mansion row
Prince William threatened to strip Andrew’s daughters of titles in mansion rowThe former BBC anchor who famously grilled Prince Andrew about his scandalous friendship with Jeffrey Epstein revealed Tuesday that Prince William threatened to remove the royal titles of Andrew’s daughters unless their disgraced father finally agreed to leave Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, occupy near Windsor Castle. The revelations about the emails led to both Andrew and Sarah renouncing their Duke and Duchess of York titles in the past two weeks. The Daily Beast, though, reported that William has grown impatient with the “spectacular mismanagement of the entire Andrew affair” by Charles’ team. Those threats may have finally convinced Andrew to begin talks about leaving Royal Lodge. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail he doesn’t think the king would make such offer.
Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 15:09 UTC
Rescued tiger Aqua settling into new home at British zoo
Six years later, Aqua has become the final tiger of the rescued pack to find a permanent home. He moved into his purpose-built habitat at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, near Bristol, a week ago and keepers say he is settling in well. Larry Bush, director of the attraction, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Aqua to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, continuing our conservation of endangered species. Aqua was rescued from illegal trafficking (Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm/PA)Emma Ogborne, a keeper at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said: “Aqua’s story is one of incredible endurance and resilience and marks another significant milestone in our ongoing journey to protect and nurture endangered species at Noah’s Ark. “But once they’re rehabilitated, being able to count on outplacement partners like Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, committed to providing the best forever home and care, is essential to us.
Source:The Times
October 28, 2025 15:00 UTC