Labour takes the famously bankrupted council Thurrock. Revisit our council bankruptcy tracker.

💡 megan kenyon & Harry Clarke-Ezzidio for The New Statesman Spotlight

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

“Us ‘Sandgrown’uns’, we’re proud – we love our town,” says Chris Webb, using a name locals employ to refer to those born and bred in Blackpool.

In light of this morning's results, revisit Harry Clarke-Ezzidio's trip to Blackpool South.

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

Really pleased with the latest episode of the The New Statesman Podcast on the mess of dentistry in Britain - featuring great reporting and analysis from my ace colleagues Harry Clarke-Ezzidio and Sarah Dawood:

podfollow.com/new-statesman/…

I wrote about the Joe Lycett 'fake news' stunt and how it draws little attention to the real problems causing the spread of disinformation – but how it is very successful at drawing attention to Joe Lycett newstatesman.com/comment/2024/0…

For last week's The New Statesman Spotlight Green Transition, I wrote about Ed Miliband's speech Green Alliance - how might nature restoration fit into the Green Prosperity Plan? The New Statesman

newstatesman.com/spotlight/sust…

4.2 million children in poverty. more foodbanks than macdonalds. theatres opened as ‘warm banks’ during winter months. homelessness up almost a third in the last year + this is what we’re talking about?

our media + political classes are completely unfit for purpose.

Politicians are only making this a big deal because they think you lot will care about it do you realise how insulting that is

Child poverty in the UK hit a record high yesterday

Delighted (and devastated) that one of my long-time obsessions has now become The New Statesman cover material - why councils are collapsing and what they represent about the state of Britain today:

x.com/NewStatesman/s…

We've updated the The New Statesman Spotlight council bankruptcy tracker to reflect recent announcements including 19 councils given exceptional financial support, and Rachel Reeves' comments that Labour will not bail out bankrupt councils. Follow below⬇️ The New Statesman
newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

Journalist Gary Younge has warned that the narrow range of most British journalists’ backgrounds means it takes “a seismic event” for journalists to take an interest in problems that are for many people everyday realities
pressgazette.co.uk/diversity/gary…

“A central question runs throughout: what’s in a conspiracist?”

📚 This week’s Reviewed In Short: Harry Clarke-Ezzidio on Marianna Spring’s Among the Trolls

newstatesman.com/culture/books/…

I spoke with Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenage girl Brianna, about the horrendous things that children see online, the inadequacy of the Online Safety Act, and why we need better mental health support in schools. The New Statesman

newstatesman.com/encounter/2024…

NEW The New Statesman Pod! My ace colleagues megan kenyon and Jonny Ball join me to discuss councils going bust.

After going on about local gov finances for years, I'm really pleased with this episode and proud of The New Statesman & The New Statesman Spotlight coverage:

newstatesman.com/podcasts/2024/…

Today, Blackpool South MP Scott Benton lost his appeal against 35 day suspension. Another by-election is now very likely.

🖊️ Harry Clarke-Ezzidio and Katharine Swindells

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

“With an election looming, the UK's most senior civil servants must get ready for all eventualities.”

🖊️ Samir Jeraj 🇰🇪 🇮🇪 and Harry Clarke-Ezzidio for The New Statesman Spotlight

newstatesman.com/spotlight/elec…

“Central government grant funding for councils dropped by 40 per cent in real terms between 2009-10 and 2019-20 (from £46.5bn to £28bn).”

🖊️ megan kenyon Harry Clarke-Ezzidio

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

“Central government grant funding for councils dropped by 40 per cent in real terms between 2009-10 and 2019-20 (from £46.5bn to £28bn).”

🖊️ megan kenyon Harry Clarke-Ezzidio

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

Labour leader Keir Starmer ruled that bringing HS2 to Manchester, should his party win the next election, would be “impossible”.

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…

2024 is going to be a tough year for English local authorities' budgets amid increasing pressure on services. Keep an eye on The New Statesman Spotlight's Section 114 tracker for an overview of the financial situation of councils across England. w/Harry Clarke-Ezzidio

newstatesman.com/spotlight/econ…