Ministers are facing criticism for excluding small English vineyards from a tax relief scheme that currently benefits brewers and cider makers. Sir Ashley Fox, the MP for Bridgwater, highlighted this issue during a …
The UK government is poised to introduce a groundbreaking reform that will grant voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds in England at the upcoming general election. This change is expected to enfranchise over a million new …
The BBC has recognized the urgent need to reform the TV licence fee system, as outlined in its recent annual report. The broadcaster is navigating a challenging media landscape, with the rise of streaming platforms like …
Last week marked one year since the general election that saw Sir Keir Starmer lead Labour back into government after 14 years in opposition. As Somerset’s local democracy reporter, I’ve looked back over the past 12 months to …
Bath’s Member of Parliament, Wera Hobhouse, is urging the government to urgently reform breast cancer screening protocols in the forthcoming NHS 10-year plan. She warns that without action, the current system will continue to …
The British judicial system is grappling with an unprecedented backlog of nearly 77,000 cases in Crown Courts, with some hearings delayed until 2029. This growing crisis has sparked calls for sweeping reforms aimed at …
Sadik Al-Hassan, a Somerset MP and father to a disabled son, has celebrated a “significant victory” following Labour rebels’ successful push for the government to revise important parts of the Welfare Reform Bill. As the …
Somerset Council is on the brink of declaring effective bankruptcy by April 2026 unless the government reforms the funding system for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The demand for specialist education for …
Ensuring Somerset residents have access to reliable GP and dental services requires urgent reforms and increased funding, local health experts emphasized during the recent “Rebuilding our NHS” event at Taunton’s CIC Centre on …
Local health experts emphasize that increased funding and urgent NHS contract reforms are essential to guarantee Somerset residents can easily access GP and dental services. On Friday evening, May 30, dozens of residents …
Children in care face a uniquely perilous mix of vulnerability and rebellion, placing them at a disproportionate risk of going missing. Louise Allen, artist, author, and advocate for foster children, vividly describes feeling …
A senior NHS leader has highlighted a concerning divide within Bristol’s healthcare system — an invisible boundary between two NHS trusts that could influence the care patients receive depending on which side they live. This …
Somerset residents are calling for significant improvements in their local NHS services, with top priorities including increased funding for mental health support, easier access to general practitioners, and improved …
Thames Water has been slapped with a historic £122.7 million fine following repeated sewage discharges and unlawful dividend payments. This substantial penalty has sparked demands for a fundamental overhaul of the water …
Bath and North East Somerset Council has approved a new pay structure that will freeze the salaries of more than 100 council workers for three years, although 62% of the 3,500-strong workforce will see pay increases. The …