‘Devastating to think of lives that could have been saved under different PM’, say Covid bereaved – UK politics live

An inquiry commissioned in 2021 has concluded that the chaotic culture within the UK government contributed to a higher number of COVID-19 deaths. The investigation highlighted former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's failure to take decisive action during the pandemic.

A recent report has criticized the UK's response to the Covid pandemic, stating it was 'too little, too late.' The report claims that implementing a lockdown just one week earlier could have saved over 20,000 lives. It also highlights a 'toxic and chaotic' culture within Boris Johnson's administration, which contributed to the ineffective handling of the crisis.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, did not dismiss the possibility of challenging Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership during an interview with BBC Breakfast. When asked about his future political ambitions, Burnham remained non-committal, indicating uncertainty about his next steps.

A survey suggests that up to 50,000 nurses could leave the UK due to proposed immigration changes by the government, which union leaders deem immoral and potentially harmful to patient safety. Keir Starmer's plans include extending the wait for migrants to apply for settled status from five to ten years, raising concerns about the impact on the NHS workforce.

Keir Starmer has urged Nigel Farage to urgently address serious allegations of racist behavior from his teenage years, which Farage has dismissed as mere hearsay. The Prime Minister's office described the claims as 'disturbing' following reports from former classmates, including notable figures, detailing troubling experiences with Farage at school.

Keir Starmer is criticized for inadequate planning during his time in opposition, which has hindered significant improvements to public services, according to a report from the Institute for Government (IfG). The report indicates that Starmer entered government without a clear strategy to achieve his goals, resulting in disorganized reform efforts across various sectors, including healthcare and the judiciary.

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.

Shabana Mahmood, the Labour's new interior minister, announced plans to significantly reduce protections for refugees and eliminate automatic benefits for asylum seekers. Under the proposed reforms, refugees arriving in Britain by small boats may wait up to 20 years for permanent settlement and could face deportation if conditions in their home countries improve. Those with valuables will be required to cover their accommodation costs. These measures come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure from the rising anti-immigrant Reform UK party.