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Politics

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Politics

Rise in NHS birth centre closures ‘shocking’ denial of women’s rights, experts say

Twelve midwife-led maternity units have closed in England since 2019 with six closing since Labour came to power in 2024 NHS officials are shutting growing numbers of birth centres in a “shocking” denial of a woman’s right to have a midwife rather than a doctor oversee their baby’s birth, say campaigners. Twelve birth centres – midwife-led maternity units – have closed in England since 2019. Birth centres play a key role in ensuring that women can choose whether to have their baby at a unit in a hospital run by doctors, at one where midwives are in charge, or at home. Continue reading...

The Guardian
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Politics

Five European leaders call for closer EU-UK ties ahead of Brussels summit

Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark say cooperation on clean energy will benefit both sides Five European leaders have called for closer ties with Britain ahead of a keenly anticipated EU-UK summit. The leaders of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark, said deeper cooperation on clean energy would benefit both sides in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa. Continue reading...

The Guardian
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Politics

Vetting candidates is a tricky process but Reform can’t seem to get it right

Charges against party members and off-piste remarks highlight problems brought about by rapid expansion Speaking to reporters after unveiling his new defence spokesperson this week, Nigel Farage’s jovial and upbeat mood suddenly switched. Why, he was asked, was a Reform UK councillor who was arrested in January over multiple alleged sexual offences still in his role nearly 10 months later? “I have no idea,” Farage replied icily. “I was told yesterday, and I wasn’t very happy.” Continue reading...

The Guardian
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Politics

Great British Railways: new dawn for a new network but with plenty of old problems to fix

Experts predict a baptism of fire for GBR in 2027, with likely issues ranging from clapped-out trains and track to extreme weather-related stress The glad tidings brought by the minister were that the wait was almost over: the establishment of Great British Railways could be wrapped up by Christmas, at least in law. But with a renationalised industry facing fresh storms in 2027, some in the railway world are wondering if they should be careful what they wish for. The legislation that will rip up how rail has been run, anticipated for the best part of a decade, is being chewed over in its final

The Guardian
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