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Sat, 15 March 2025
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Zoe Crowther

Zoe Crowther

Zoe Crowther is a Junior Political Reporter for PoliticsHome. She was previously a social media journalist and did freelance reporting for national newspapers.

Abolishing NHS England Became 'Inevitable' – But What Happens Next?
Health
Abolishing NHS England Became "Inevitable" – But What Happens Next?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that NHS England will be abolished and absorbed into the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), in a shock move that will be the biggest structural reform of the NHS in more than a decade.
Reform Supporters Oppose Sending British Troops To Ukraine As Peacekeepers
Defence
Reform Supporters Oppose Sending British Troops To Ukraine As Peacekeepers
Reform UK voters buck the national trend of supporting British troops being sent to Ukraine as peacekeepers, according to new polling.
Labour MP Mike Amesbury To Stand Down And Trigger By-Election
Political parties
Labour MP Mike Amesbury To Stand Down And Trigger By-Election
Labour MP Mike Amesbury has announced he will stand down as an MP "as soon as possible" and trigger the first by-election since Labour got into government last July.
Reform Investigating MP For Alleged 'Serious Bullying' Against Female Staff
Political parties
Reform Investigating MP For Alleged "Serious Bullying" Against Female Staff
Reform UK is investigating the conduct of its MP Rupert Lowe, after complaints of "serious bullying" were submitted by two female members of staff in his offices, the party said.
Equalities Committee Chair Warns UK Not 'Immune' To US Anti-Diversity Drive
Communities
Equalities Committee Chair Warns UK Not "Immune" To US Anti-Diversity Drive
The chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee has said she is concerned that diversity and inclusion (DEI) schemes in the UK could be impacted by attacks from US President Donald Trump.
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Professionally familiar with the levers of power, Zoë Crowther was nonetheless caught in an unfolding rental nightmare that she says reveals a deeply broken market. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
PM Announces Defence Spending Will Rise to 2.5% By 2027
Defence
PM Announces Defence Spending Will Rise to 2.5% By 2027
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that defence spending will increase to 2.5 per cent by 2027, after mounting pressure from MPs and US President Donald Trump.
Nigel Farage Says Zelensky Is 'Not A Dictator'
Foreign affairs
Nigel Farage Says Zelensky Is "Not A Dictator"
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has joined other party leaders in saying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not a dictator", in response to comments made by US President Donald Trump.
Kemi Badenoch Hits Back Against Trump Calling Zelensky A 'Dictator'
Foreign affairs
Kemi Badenoch Hits Back Against Trump Calling Zelensky A "Dictator"
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has posted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not a dictator", in a response to comments made by US President Donald Trump.
Starmer Tells Zelensky He Is “Unequivocal” That Ukraine Must Be Involved In Talks To End War
Foreign affairs
Starmer Tells Zelensky He Is “Unequivocal” That Ukraine Must Be Involved In Talks To End War
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is "unequivocal" that Ukraine would have to be involved in any talks aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Where Could Smaller Parties Win In The Local And Mayoral Elections?
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Where Could Smaller Parties Win In The Local And Mayoral Elections?
Smaller parties will hope to capitalise on Labour and Tory struggles when dozens of councils and mayoralties hold elections in May.
New Labour MP Suspended Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages
Political parties
New Labour MP Suspended Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages
Labour MP Oliver Ryan has had the party whip suspended, having only been elected as an MP last year.
Former Islington Labour Candidate Wants To Test Public's 'Red Lines' Of Closeness With Europe
Economy
Former Islington Labour Candidate Wants To Test Public's "Red Lines" Of Closeness With Europe
Praful Nargund, a former Labour candidate and director of a new think tank, has said his new organisation will test where the UK public's “red lines” are for closer cooperation with Europe.
Residents Near New Pylons Could Get Money Off Bills, Says Energy Minister
Communities
Residents Near New Pylons Could Get Money Off Bills, Says Energy Minister
As government tries to make Britain a “clean energy superpower”, minister Michael Shanks told Zoe Crowther that extended ‘pounds for pylons’ schemes could be soon coming down the track.
Shadow Transport Minister In 'Listening Mode' Ahead Of Meeting With Train Drivers' Union
Political parties
Shadow Transport Minister In "Listening Mode" Ahead Of Meeting With Train Drivers' Union
The shadow minister for transport has said that he is “not anti-union at all”, ahead of a meeting with the general secretary of the train drivers’ union this week.
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Environment
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Multiple Labour figures have come out against Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she announced support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and reducing environmental requirements placed on developers.
Improving Paternity Leave Provisions ‘Could Boost The Economy By £2.6bn’
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Improving Paternity Leave Provisions ‘Could Boost The Economy By £2.6bn’
Exclusive: Expanding the statutory level of paternity leave for fathers could deliver £2.6bn of long-term growth to the UK economy, according to new research.
Cross-Party MPs Say NHS Leaders Need To 'Step Up'
Health
By Zoe Crowther
Cross-Party MPs Say NHS Leaders Need To 'Step Up'
MPs have slammed the NHS top leadership and accused senior officials of being “defensive” in their response to a cross-party committee report.
Crime And Policing Bill Expected To Criminalise AI Models Used To Make Child Sexual Abuse Images
Home affairs
Crime And Policing Bill Expected To Criminalise AI Models Used To Make Child Sexual Abuse Images
A new offence to prosecute tech firms which enable the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse is under consideration for inclusion in the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, PoliticsHome understands.
MP And Son Of Holocaust Survivor: “It Falls To Us To Tell The Millions Of Little Stories'
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
MP And Son Of Holocaust Survivor: “It Falls To Us To Tell The Millions Of Little Stories"
More than 80 years after his father’s remarkable escape from the Holocaust, Labour MP David Pinto-Duschinsky spoke to Zoe Crowther about why it is everyone’s responsibility – now more than ever – to preserve the memory of all genocides for future generations.
Labour MP Says Current Law 'Not Sufficient' To Stop Forced Labour Goods Entering UK
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Labour MP Says Current Law "Not Sufficient" To Stop Forced Labour Goods Entering UK
A Labour MP has said that existing legislation to prevent forced labour in UK supply chains is “not sufficient”, as a new committee inquiry is set to examine whether a change to the law is needed.
Critical Minerals Strategy Is A 'Test Case' For Britain's Place In The World
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Critical Minerals Strategy Is A "Test Case" For Britain's Place In The World
The critical minerals industry is widely seen as a “test case” for Britain’s role in the world, as experts and MPs warn the government against “rushing” into trade agreements with China.
Tech Secretary Says He Will Take The Flak If AI Expansion Goes Wrong
Technology
Tech Secretary Says He Will Take The Flak If AI Expansion Goes Wrong
Science, innovation and technology secretary Peter Kyle has said that he will make himself personally accountable if artificial intelligence tools make mistakes across the public sector.
Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq Resigns
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq Resigns
Tulip Siddiq has resigned as economic secretary to the Treasury, saying the controversy over her family finances is becoming a "distraction" from the work of government.
Keir Starmer Says Government Will 'Absolutely' Stick To Its Fiscal Rules As Borrowing Costs Rise
Economy
Keir Starmer Says Government Will "Absolutely" Stick To Its Fiscal Rules As Borrowing Costs Rise
Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government will "absolutely" stick to its fiscal rules, even if that means making "ruthless" decisions on the economy.
Government Announces Funding Boost And Reforms To Social Care
Health
By Zoe Crowther
Government Announces Funding Boost And Reforms To Social Care
The Government has announced a funding boost and immediate reforms to the social care system, alongside the launch of an independent commission investigating how to improve adult social care in the long-term.
Ukrainian Refugees Face Uncertainty With UK Visa Extension Scheme
Communities
Ukrainian Refugees Face Uncertainty With UK Visa Extension Scheme
As the war in Ukraine rages on, thousands of refugees in the UK are stuck in limbo due to uncertainty around the Government’s visa extension scheme.
What Will The Westminster Social Media Landscape Look Like In 2025?
Parliament
What Will The Westminster Social Media Landscape Look Like In 2025?
The interaction between Westminster politics and social media was a major talking point this year, with the dominance of X, formerly known as Twitter, challenged by alternatives like Bluesky. Zoe Crowther explores how the Westminster social media landscape might evolve in 2025.
2024: Parliament's Year In Words
Parliament
By Zoe Crowther
2024: Parliament's Year In Words
After a historic year in UK politics, what can the language used in Parliament tell us about 2024's key themes, top moments, and power players?
MP Says His Paternity Leave Was 'Not Enough' And Calls For Reform
Social affairs
By Zoe Crowther
MP Says His Paternity Leave Was "Not Enough" And Calls For Reform
A Labour MP who took more than the minimum paternity leave has said it was still "not enough" and called for “massive reform” to paternity rights and shared parental leave.
Young Tories Set Up Campaign To Help Party Avoid 'Terminal' Decline
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Young Tories Set Up Campaign To Help Party Avoid "Terminal" Decline
A Tory campaign group is launching a bid to improve the party's offer to young people and avoid what it warns could be "terminal defeat" for the Conservatives.
NHS Boss Amanda Pritchard: There Will Be “Unprecedented Demand” This Winter
Health
By Zoe Crowther
NHS Boss Amanda Pritchard: There Will Be “Unprecedented Demand” This Winter
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England’s chief executive, tells Zoe Crowther she is making progress on the service’s productivity gap – but the Government’s pledged capital investment will be needed.
Bluesky Wants To Be Part Of The Westminster Conversation
Parliament
By Zoe Crowther
Bluesky Wants To Be Part Of The Westminster Conversation
A senior executive of Bluesky has said that she wants the emerging social media platform to be “part of the conversation” in Westminster and expand their public affairs team to have influence on the world stage.
NHS Boss Says Physician Associates Are 'Having A Really Hard Time'
Health
By Zoe Crowther
NHS Boss Says Physician Associates Are "Having A Really Hard Time"
The boss of NHS England has said physician associates are having a “really hard time” and need mental health support in the workplace.
Labour MP Not Afraid To Be 'Unpopular' In Calling For Council Tax Reform
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
Labour MP Not Afraid To Be "Unpopular" In Calling For Council Tax Reform
The Labour MP for Hartlepool has called on the Government to reform the “completely broken” council tax system, saying he has “no fear whatsoever about being unpopular” over it.
Labour MP Calls For Electoral Reform After 'Most Disproportionate' General Election Result Ever
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Labour MP Calls For Electoral Reform After "Most Disproportionate" General Election Result Ever
Labour MP Alex Sobel, who is chairing the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections, has called on the Government to reform the UK voting system after this year's General Election delivered the "most disproportionate result in British history".