Nicola Jennings on the government's NHS pay offer – cartoon

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Priti Patel orders review into lockdown killing of woman in Wales

Torfaen council told to examine death of Ruth Williams, whose husband was jailed for five yearsPriti Patel has ordered a formal review into the circumstances behind the killing of Ruth Williams, whose husband’s five-year jail sentence for the crime prompted outrage from domestic violence charities and a group of MPs.She has told Torfaen council in south...

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England’s school catch-up scheme 'chaotic and confusing', say headteachers

Tutoring programme to help disadvantaged pupils recover from Covid disruption labelled a ‘shambles’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s scheme for helping disadvantaged pupils catch up after the disruption of coronavirus is chaotic and confusing, headteachers have told the Guardian, ahead of Monday’s full reopening...

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The Guardian view on women and the pandemic: what happened to building back better? | Editorial

Around the world, coronavirus has both highlighted and worsened existing inequalitiesOne year into the pandemic, women have little cause to celebrate International Women’s Day tomorrow, and less energy to battle for change. Men are more likely to die from Covid-19. But women have suffered the greatest economic and social blows. They have taken the brunt...

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Johnson defends 1% pay rise despite NHS staff exodus warnings

Unions and bosses warn PM that low offer, criticised by Tory MPs, could lead to health worker shortage Boris Johnson has defended the government’s plan to give health workers a 1% pay rise next year despite warnings that its “shabby” offer could trigger an exodus of NHS staff.The prime minister gave no ground on the issue, despite growing discontent...

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Labour calls for investigation into allocation of funds for deprived regions

Examination of community renewal fund follows similar concerns about so-called ‘levelling-up’ fundLabour has called for an independent investigation into the allocation of funds intended to assist the most deprived regions unless ministers can explain why a significant chunk of the money will go to better-off areas.It comes as a Guardian analysis of...

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UK 'balancing books on backs of Yemen's starving people', says UN diplomat

Exclusive: former DfID secretary Mark Lowcock shocked by decision of Johnson’s government to cut aidMinisters have decided to “balance the books on the backs of the starving people of Yemen” in an act that will see tens of thousands die and damage the UK’s global influence, the head of the UN’s Office for Humanitarian Affairs has said.Speaking with...

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Boris Johnson: we've tried to give NHS staff as much as we can – video

The UK government has tried to give NHS staff ‘as much as we possibly can’ after recommending a 1% pay rise, Boris Johnson has said, adding that the country finds itself in ‘pretty tough times’. The government has been criticised for the pay rise proposal, with talk of industrial action and protests among healthcare professionalsCoronavirus news - live...

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Rishi Sunak and the Treasury need to think big and plan long term

The budget showed how strategic planning and investment loses out to quick fixes. A department for the economy is urgently neededImagine that the UK established a fully functioning department of the economy. Imagine it was led by a Cabinet heavy-hitter with the clout to resist the Treasury’s desire to strangle the new ministry at birth. Run with the...

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Nigel Farage quits as Reform UK leader in step back from party politics

Former Ukip leader says he can do just as much to influence debate via traditional and social mediaNigel Farage has resigned as leader of Reform UK, the renamed Brexit party, and announced he is stepping back from frontline party politics permanently, saying he had achieved what he wanted to thanks to the Conservatives’ Brexit deal.The former Ukip leader,...

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