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Matilda Martin

Matilda is a reporter at PoliticsHome. Previously she was a senior reporter at TES.

Reform Drops Local Elections Candidate After They Plead Guilty To Fraud
Political parties
Reform Drops Local Elections Candidate After They Plead Guilty To Fraud
Reform UK has dropped a candidate for the May local elections after they pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.
UK Would Struggle To Protect Itself From Attack, Say Defence Figures
Defence
UK Would Struggle To Protect Itself From Attack, Say Defence Figures
The UK is not currently capable of defending itself from attack, defence figures including former ministers have told PoliticsHome.
University Crisis Has Reached 'Crunch Point', Says Education Committee Chair
Education
University Crisis Has Reached "Crunch Point", Says Education Committee Chair
The chair of the Education Committee, Helen Hayes, has warned that the financial crisis facing universities nationwide has reached a "crunch point".
The UK Needs 'Larger Army Reserves' To Defend Itself From Attack
Defence
The UK Needs "Larger Army Reserves" To Defend Itself From Attack
The UK must develop an army reserve big enough to defend itself from attack, a former defence minister has told PoliticsHome.
Universities Watchdog Braces For 'Cold Spots' As Courses Get Cut To Save Money
Education
Universities Watchdog Braces For "Cold Spots" As Courses Get Cut To Save Money
The university watchdog is beginning to look at potential "cold spots" emerging as institutions make redundancies and close courses in a bid to balance the books.
Former Armed Forces Minister 'Not Confident' That Europe Will Rise To Defence Challenge
Defence
Former Armed Forces Minister "Not Confident" That Europe Will Rise To Defence Challenge
A former defence minister has said he is not confident that a "coalition of the willing" can deliver sufficient military protection for Ukraine due to the expense involved.
Keir Starmer Pays Tribute To 'Bravery And Sacrifice” Of British Troops After JD Vance Controversy
Defence
Keir Starmer Pays Tribute To "Bravery And Sacrifice” Of British Troops After JD Vance Controversy
Keir Starmer paid tribute to the "bravery and sacrifice" of British troops at Prime Minister's Questions after comments made by the vice president of the United States triggered outrage in Britain.
National Service Would Help Bolster UK Troops In Ukraine, Says Ex-Defence Minister
Defence
National Service Would Help Bolster UK Troops In Ukraine, Says Ex-Defence Minister
The government should restore national service to bolster the potential deployment of British troops to Ukraine under a peace deal, a former defence minister has told PoliticsHome.
Give Asylum Seekers Right To Work to Reduce Spend on Migrant Hotels, Lib Dem MP Says
Defence
Give Asylum Seekers Right To Work to Reduce Spend on Migrant Hotels, Lib Dem MP Says
The government should let asylum seekers work while they await a decision on their case, a Liberal Democrat member of the international development committee has said.
Keir Starmer Says He Is “Full Of Admiration” For British Troops After JD Vance Remarks
Defence
Keir Starmer Says He Is “Full Of Admiration” For British Troops After JD Vance Remarks
Keir Starmer is "full of admiration for all British troops" who have served their country, the Prime Minister's spokesperson has said. 
UK Willing To Put 'Boots On The Ground And Planes In The Air' To Defend Ukraine Peace Deal
Defence
UK Willing To Put "Boots On The Ground And Planes In The Air" To Defend Ukraine Peace Deal
A European "coalition of the willing" including the UK is ready to defend Ukraine militarily in the event of a peace deal, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said following a meeting of leaders in London.
Starmer: UK And France To Work On Plan To End Ukraine Conflict
Defence
Starmer: UK And France To Work On Plan To End Ukraine Conflict
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that the United Kingdom and France will work with Ukraine on a "plan to stop the fighting" that will then be discussed with the United States.
UK Agrees £2.26 Billion Loan To Ukraine
Defence
UK Agrees £2.26 Billion Loan To Ukraine
The UK announced a new loan of £2.6bn for Ukraine on Saturday linked to frozen Russian assets.
'Very Good Chance' Of A UK-US Trade Deal Removing Tariffs, Says Trump
Defence
"Very Good Chance" Of A UK-US Trade Deal Removing Tariffs, Says Trump
Donald Trump has said there is a "very good chance" that the US and UK will agree a trade deal that removes tariffs between the two countries.
Trump Accepts Invitation For Second State Visit To UK
Defence
Trump Accepts Invitation For Second State Visit To UK
Donald Trump has accepted an invitation for a state visit to the UK and has said he will visit in the near future as he meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington.
Trump Could Give English Universities Recruitment Boost, Says Watchdog
Education
Trump Could Give English Universities Recruitment Boost, Says Watchdog
Universities in England "might see opportunities" to recruit students and staff from the United States following Donald Trump's return to the White House, according to the universities watchdog chief.
Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury Avoids Jail Sentence
Political parties
Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury Avoids Jail Sentence
Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury has avoided jail after winning an appeal against his 10-week jail sentence for punching a man in the street. 
Space Must Have 'Proper Role' In Deterring Threats Like Russia
Defence
Space Must Have "Proper Role" In Deterring Threats Like Russia
Space must get a "proper role" in the government's defence strategy, the chair of the UK Space Agency has told PoliticsHome.
NHS England Chief Executive To Step Down
Health
NHS England Chief Executive To Step Down
The Chief Executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard is stepping down.
Fast Track Citizenship For Immigrants Who Join British Army, Says Former MI6 Head
Defence
Fast Track Citizenship For Immigrants Who Join British Army, Says Former MI6 Head
The former head of MI6 has suggested the government could fast-track citizenship for immigrants who join the British armed forces to boost military numbers.
Reduce Foreign Aid To Fund The Military, Says Former Foreign Office Minister
Defence
Reduce Foreign Aid To Fund The Military, Says Former Foreign Office Minister
A former foreign office minister has urged the government to reduce foreign aid spending and put the money saved towards funding the military.
Majority of Teachers Feel Curriculum Not Equipped For Voting At 16, Poll Shows
Education
Majority of Teachers Feel Curriculum Not Equipped For Voting At 16, Poll Shows
A large majority of teachers believe that the curriculum in its current form fails to provide young people with sufficient political education to vote in elections, a poll shared with PoliticsHome shows.
Defence Secretary Says Ultimately 'Only The US' Can Deter Russia From Attacking Ukraine Again
Defence
Defence Secretary Says Ultimately "Only The US" Can Deter Russia From Attacking Ukraine Again
Only the United States can deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again if peace is negotiated, Defence Secretary John Healey has said, as the UK tries to convince the Trump administration to provide security guarantees in the region.
British Public Oppose Tax Hikes To Increase Defence Spending, Poll Shows
Defence
By Matilda Martin
British Public Oppose Tax Hikes To Increase Defence Spending, Poll Shows
More people would oppose than support tax rises to pay for an increase in defence spending, YouGov polling has suggested.
Liberal Democrat MP Calls For More Police Officers In London Schools
Education
Liberal Democrat MP Calls For More Police Officers In London Schools
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson for London Luke Taylor has called for more police officers in schools across the capital after an uptick in knife crime.
British Universities Should Resist US Diversity Culture Wars, Says Oxford Chief
Education
British Universities Should Resist US Diversity Culture Wars, Says Oxford Chief
UK universities should push back against "culture war excesses" from the United States, the chief diversity officer at the University of Oxford has said.
Forty Per Cent Of Nurseries Say They Will Offer Fewer Places Due To National Insurance Rise
Education
Forty Per Cent Of Nurseries Say They Will Offer Fewer Places Due To National Insurance Rise
Four in ten nurseries say they will have to offer fewer childcare places as a result of the government’s increases to National Insurance employer contributions.
One In Seven Maths Classes Now Taught By Non-Specialists
Education
One In Seven Maths Classes Now Taught By Non-Specialists
Up to 15 per cent of maths lessons in 2023-24 were taught by teachers who were not subject specialists, new research shared with PoliticsHome shows.
Starmer Responds To Trump's Gaza Plan: Palestinians 'Must Be Allowed Home'
Foreign affairs
By Matilda Martin
Starmer Responds To Trump's Gaza Plan: Palestinians 'Must Be Allowed Home'
Palestinians “must be allowed home”, the Prime Minister has said, following President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Gazans should be moved to a new location
Primary School Teacher Applicants Fall Again
Education
Primary School Teacher Applicants Fall Again
The number of people applying to train as a primary school teacher in England has fallen by almost 10 per cent year-on-year, PoliticsHome analysis shows.
Police Sexual Misconduct Allegations Soar 67 Per Cent In One Year
Home affairs
Police Sexual Misconduct Allegations Soar 67 Per Cent In One Year
Allegations relating to sexual conduct involving police officers have soared by more than two thirds last year, according to analysis of new government data.
Reform Is Eyeing Up A “Seismic Moment” In Lincolnshire Elections
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Reform Is Eyeing Up A “Seismic Moment” In Lincolnshire Elections
Reform UK has vowed the party will stand in “every single seat” in Lincolnshire’s council elections in May, as it eyes up the accompanying mayoral contest as a springboard for the party’s future.
British Universities Should 'Take Advantage' If American Students Leave Trump's US, Says Former Minister
Education
British Universities Should "Take Advantage" If American Students Leave Trump's US, Says Former Minister
The higher education sector should "take every advantage" in competition for international students if Donald Trump's victory triggers a surge in young Americans looking to study abroad, a former universities minister has said.
Prime Minister Takes On Claims Of 'Cover Up' Over Southport Attack
Communities
Prime Minister Takes On Claims Of 'Cover Up' Over Southport Attack
Keir Starmer has taken on claims of a “cover up” in the case of the Southport attack last July.
Parliament Bar To Close For Safety Review Following Alleged Spiking
Parliament
By Matilda Martin
Parliament Bar To Close For Safety Review Following Alleged Spiking
A parliament bar has been closed for a safety review following an alleged spiking. 
Home Secretary Announces 'Rapid Audit' of Grooming Gangs Plus Backing For New Local Inquiries
Home affairs
Home Secretary Announces "Rapid Audit" of Grooming Gangs Plus Backing For New Local Inquiries
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a "rapid three-month audit" of the scale and nature of grooming gangs in the UK, as well as "stronger national backing for local inquiries".