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Sat, 1 March 2025

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Nadine Batchelor-Hunt

Nadine Batchelor-Hunt

Nadine is a political reporter at PoliticsHome. She previously worked at Yahoo News UK as its political correspondent.

'Good Chance' There'll Be Tax Rises To Fund Defence Spending Rise, Says Leading Economist
Defence
"Good Chance" There'll Be Tax Rises To Fund Defence Spending Rise, Says Leading Economist
Leading economist Paul Johnson believes "there's a good chance we'll have more tax rises" if Keir Starmer decides to significantly raise defence spending.
Community Relations In Fragile Place As Gaza Ceasefire Holds For Now
Communities
Community Relations In Fragile Place As Gaza Ceasefire Holds For Now
Community relations in the UK remain in a "fragile" state, according to leaders on the ground, amid concern that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could collapse.
UK May Have To Help Fill Void Created By Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts, Say Senior MPs
Foreign affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
UK May Have To Help Fill Void Created By Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts, Say Senior MPs
President Donald Trump's decision to restrict US foreign aid risks creating a "void" that the UK may have to fill, the chair of the international development select committee has said.
Donald Trump's Executive Orders Put UK In 'Stronger Position' To Attract Green Investment
Energy
Donald Trump's Executive Orders Put UK In "Stronger Position" To Attract Green Investment
The chair of the Energy Committee has told PoliticsHome the recent slew of executive orders on climate change and green energy by US President Donald Trump provides the UK with a "huge opportunity" to attract more green investment.
Labour MPs Warn Rachel Reeves Welfare Cuts Would Be 'Utterly Disastrous'
Economy
Labour MPs Warn Rachel Reeves Welfare Cuts Would Be "Utterly Disastrous"
The government faces a backlash from Labour MPs if it decides to cut spending in areas like welfare in response to recent rises in borrowing costs.
Market Moves Will Put Pressure On Rachel Reeves To Hold Spring Budget, Says Leading Economist
Economy
Market Moves Will Put Pressure On Rachel Reeves To Hold Spring Budget, Says Leading Economist
Movements in the markets will put "pressure" on Rachel Reeves to deliver a major fiscal event in the spring, despite the chancellor having committed to just one a year, leading economist Paul Johnson has said.
Labour Climate Group Urges Government To Rethink Support For Biomass Plant
Energy
Labour Climate Group Urges Government To Rethink Support For Biomass Plant
A Labour environment group has urged the government to be "brave" and reconsider support for a major biomass plant in a seat represented by Keir Starmer's party.
Cost Of Living Pressures Will Be 'Bleak' During Labour's First Christmas In Power
Communities
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Cost Of Living Pressures Will Be "Bleak" During Labour's First Christmas In Power
A chorus of charities have warned that low-income families face feeling "worse off" this winter than they did last due to the weight of ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Frustrated Labour MPs Say WASPI Decision Shows Government Is 'In A Bunker'
Economy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Frustrated Labour MPs Say WASPI Decision Shows Government Is "In A Bunker"
There is unhappiness among many Labour MPs following the Government's decision on Tuesday not to pay compensation to WASPI women.
Over 1.5m Families Have Taken Out Loans To Pay For Christmas And Birthdays, New Research Shows
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Over 1.5m Families Have Taken Out Loans To Pay For Christmas And Birthdays, New Research Shows
Over 1.5m families are taking out loans to pay for presents like celebrations like Christmas and birthdays, new research shared with PoliticsHome shows.
Labour Urged Not To Fall Into 'Tory Trap' On Electric Vehicles
Energy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Labour Urged Not To Fall Into "Tory Trap" On Electric Vehicles
The director of a Labour Party environment campaign has urged the Government to not fall into the "Tory trap" of "chopping and changing policy" on green energy.
Keir Starmer Says Small Businesses Will Get The 'Certainty And Stability' They 'Need'
Communities
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Keir Starmer Says Small Businesses Will Get The "Certainty And Stability" They "Need"
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to assure small business leaders that the Government will bring "instability" and "uncertainty" to an end.
Labour Sticks To Its Guns On Inheritance Tax Despite Farmer Backlash
Environment
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Labour Sticks To Its Guns On Inheritance Tax Despite Farmer Backlash
The Government is holding firm on changes to agricultural relief despite backlash from farmers facing inheritance tax for the first time.
Energy Committee Chair Hopes Trump Will 'Follow The Money' On Net Zero
Energy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Energy Committee Chair Hopes Trump Will "Follow The Money" On Net Zero
Bill Esterson, chair of the energy committee, believes president-elect Donald Trump will want to "follow the money" on energy policy and not bring about a "dramatic" shift in the US approach to tackling climate change.
UK Faces 'Huge, Huge Problem' If Trump Doesn't Honour NATO Responsibilities
Defence
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
UK Faces "Huge, Huge Problem" If Trump Doesn't Honour NATO Responsibilities
Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, who sits on the defence committee, has warned that the UK and Europe face a "huge, huge problem" if president elect Donald Trump doesn't support a NATO ally against Russian aggression.
Rachel Reeves Says It's 'Too Early' To Know Donald Trump's Impact On UK Economy
Economy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Rachel Reeves Says It's "Too Early" To Know Donald Trump's Impact On UK Economy
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told MPs it is "too early" to draw conclusions on what impact president elect Donald Trump's economic policies will have on the UK economy.
Trump Win Could Force UK Into “Temporary Realignment”, Says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
Foreign affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Trump Win Could Force UK Into “Temporary Realignment”, Says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
Emily Thornberry, the new chair of the foreign affairs committee, told PoliticsHome a victory for Republican candidate Donald Trump in this year’s US presidential election could force the UK into a “temporary realignment”.
Government's Public Spending Plans Are 'Silly Games', Warns Top Economist
Economy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Government's Public Spending Plans Are "Silly Games", Warns Top Economist
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said while many of the measures taken in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' first Budget are "welcome", the public spending plans for the next few years amount to "silly games".
Anti-Poverty Groups Say Failure To Increase Private Renter Benefit Is 'Disappointing'
Economy
Anti-Poverty Groups Say Failure To Increase Private Renter Benefit Is "Disappointing"
Anti-poverty groups have lamented the decision not to uprate Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in Wednesday's Budget, warning it will leave private tenants facing financial hardship.
The Budget Is A 'Critical Moment' For Drug And Alcohol Rehab Services
Health
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
The Budget Is A "Critical Moment" For Drug And Alcohol Rehab Services
The UK's largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment services has described the Budget as a "critical moment" for the sector with any reduction in funding risking an "unravelling" of rehabilitation provision.
How Rachel Reeves Could Change The Fiscal Rules
Economy
How Rachel Reeves Could Change The Fiscal Rules
There is speculation Chancellor Rachel Reeves is exploring changing the fiscal rules to give the new Labour Government more space to borrow and spend money.
Unions Welcome Government's Plans To Strengthen Workers' Rights
Economy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Unions Welcome Government's Plans To Strengthen Workers' Rights
Trade unions have welcomed a new raft of employment reforms as the Government moves to bolster workers rights.
Moderate Tories Worry The Party Is Too Preoccupied With Aping Reform
Political parties
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Moderate Tories Worry The Party Is Too Preoccupied With Aping Reform
The threat posed by Nigel Farage's Reform UK was at the forefront of many minds at the Conservative Party conference, with the dozens of seats lost by the party to Labour and the Liberal Democrats at the last election getting less attention.
New Work And Pensions Committee Chair To Prioritise Impact Of Winter Fuel Payment Cut
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
New Work And Pensions Committee Chair To Prioritise Impact Of Winter Fuel Payment Cut
The new chair of the work and pensions committee has said there is a "pressing" need to assess the impact of the winter fuel payment cut, particularly on disabled people.
Dozens Of Labour MPs Abstain On Winter Fuel Cut Vote
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Dozens Of Labour MPs Abstain On Winter Fuel Cut Vote
Dozens of Labour MPs failed to vote with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a House of Commons vote on the Government decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.
How Rachel Reeves Could Use Bank Of England Reserves To Boost Her Spending Power
Economy
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
How Rachel Reeves Could Use Bank Of England Reserves To Boost Her Spending Power
Could reforming Bank of England reserves be a way for Rachel Reeves to raise money for ailing public services? A number of economists with links to Labour believe so.
Labour MPs 'Worried' Arms Sale Decision Could Damage Relations With Jewish Communities
Foreign affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Labour MPs "Worried" Arms Sale Decision Could Damage Relations With Jewish Communities
There is concern among some Labour MPs that the Government decision to suspend the sale of some arms to Israel could damage relations with Jewish communities.
Labour MP Told Democrat Advisers Don't Be Afraid Of Talking About Immigration
Political parties
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Labour MP Told Democrat Advisers Don't Be Afraid Of Talking About Immigration
The newly-elected Labour MP for Dover and Deal told advisers at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago not to "ignore" concerns about immigration from working class voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Care Sector In 'Precarious' State As Figures Show Overseas Worker Visas Plummeting
Home affairs
Care Sector In "Precarious" State As Figures Show Overseas Worker Visas Plummeting
The adult social care sector faces a "precarious" future, an industry leader has said, as new Home Office figures showed a sharp fall in visas granted to overseas workers.
DWP Drive To Boost Pensions Credit Take Up Is Unlikely To Avert Fuel Poverty Rise, Warn Charities
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
DWP Drive To Boost Pensions Credit Take Up Is Unlikely To Avert Fuel Poverty Rise, Warn Charities
A new push by the Labour Government to make sure pensioners do not miss out on financial support they are entitled to is unlikely to avert a rise in fuel poverty, charities have warned.
Government Antisemitism Adviser Calls For Policy Response Amid Record Hate Incidents
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Government Antisemitism Adviser Calls For Policy Response Amid Record Hate Incidents
Lord Mann, the government's adviser on antisemitism, has told PoliticsHome that record antisemitism figures in the first half of 2024 are "sadly no surprise" and has called for a policy response.
Birmingham MP Urges Communities To 'Let The Police Do Their Job' Amid Far Right Protests
Home affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Birmingham MP Urges Communities To "Let The Police Do Their Job" Amid Far Right Protests
Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, Preet Kaur Gill, has condemned the far-right riots across the UK and said communities targeted by rioters should "not feel that they can take the law into their own hands".
Chief Secretary To Treasury Meets Labour MPs Over Winter Fuel Payment Concern
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Chief Secretary To Treasury Meets Labour MPs Over Winter Fuel Payment Concern
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, met with Labour MPs to hear their concerns about the Government's decision to make scale back the Winter Fuel Payment.
Government's New GB Energy Will Partner With Crown Estate
Environment
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Government's New GB Energy Will Partner With Crown Estate
The Government will work with the Crown Estate to deliver Great British Energy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday at the launch of the major Labour policy.
Keir Starmer Removes Labour Whip From 7 MPs Who Rebelled Over Two Child Benefit Cap
Social affairs
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Keir Starmer Removes Labour Whip From 7 MPs Who Rebelled Over Two Child Benefit Cap
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has removed the Labour whip from seven MPs who defied him to vote for an opposition amendment calling for the two child benefit cap to be scrapped.
Growth, Railways And Energy Focus Of Labour Government's First King's Speech
Environment
By Nadine Batchelor-Hunt
Growth, Railways And Energy Focus Of Labour Government's First King's Speech
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set out 40 pieces of legislation the Labour Government will aim to deliver in his first King's Speech.