NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns

In a parliamentary session, MP Samantha Niblett accused Microsoft of having 'ripped off the NHS' as calls were made to shift government contracts from US tech firms to British companies. Microsoft holds a five-year contract with the NHS valued at over £700 million, while the UK government reportedly spent £1.9 billion on Microsoft software licenses in the 2024-25 financial year.

Labour MP Clive Lewis has announced that he is willing to step down from his position to allow Mayor Andy Burnham the opportunity to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party. This move reflects Lewis's support for Burnham as a potential leader.

Health Secretary Streeting has defended the UK government's asylum policy, asserting that forced removals are necessary for the country. However, he expressed discomfort regarding the forced removal of children. The Labour Party continues to navigate its stance on immigration amidst rising scrutiny.

The UK government has officially announced a ban on the resale of tickets for profit, a move described by a minister as a 'no-brainer.' This decision follows discussions among ticket touts in London, where they expressed concerns about Labour's plan to eliminate their business model. A seasoned ticket trader even sought financial support to lobby against the party's election manifesto pledge.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized the Labour government for proposing an increase in income tax rates, only to reverse the decision shortly after. This move has raised concerns about the government's fiscal strategy and credibility.

As the UK government enforces stricter asylum policies, families of asylum seekers are facing significant emotional distress. One mother, identified as Kim, shares her painful experience of being separated from her son, who is growing up without her presence. Kim, a 35-year-old asylum seeker in Yorkshire, expresses her anguish as her son frequently asks when he will see her again. The uncertainty surrounding their reunion highlights the broader implications of the Labour government's crackdown on the asylum system, leaving many families in distress.

Dozens of hereditary peers, including the Duke of Wellington and other aristocrats, have faced criticism for opposing Labour's proposals aimed at enhancing workers' rights. The House of Lords voted in favor of several Conservative-backed amendments to the employment rights bill for the third consecutive time, raising concerns among senior trade union and Labour figures who argue that the Lords appear 'undemocratic' and disconnected from the interests of working people.

On November 18, tensions between the US and Venezuela intensified as Donald Trump did not dismiss the possibility of military intervention. The media is divided on whether war or diplomacy is the preferable approach. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government introduced a significant overhaul of asylum policies, receiving approval from a right-wing publication. Additionally, the Cambridge Dictionary announced 'parasocial' as its word of the year, highlighting its relevance in contemporary discussions.