Guardian UK Politics
High-street slot machines and casinos could face £460m tax rise under Burnham
The gambling industry could face a £460 million tax hike under a potential Andy Burnham government, with adult gaming centres — high-street slot machine shops critics call "slot sheds" — squarely in the crosshairs. A thinktank report found 43% of the public backs the move, giving Labour political cover to act on longstanding concerns about the sector. The policy would mark one of the most significant crackdowns on high-street gambling in years.
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Sky News UK
Strikes to end as resident doctors accept pay deal
Resident doctors in England have voted to accept a pay deal, bringing an end to a prolonged period of industrial action that disrupted NHS services. The agreement marks a significant turning point after months of bitter negotiations between the doctors and the government. Patients and health service leaders will hope the resolution allows the NHS to focus on tackling mounting waiting lists.
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Refugees will be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum rules
The UK government is set to introduce legislation enabling ministers to reclaim approximately £10,000 in asylum support costs from refugees who have been granted leave to remain. The move represents a significant shift in how the state treats financial assistance provided during the asylum process, reframing it as recoverable debt rather than humanitarian support. Critics are likely to argue the policy could undermine refugee integration at the very moment people are trying to rebuild their lives.
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Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law
The UK government is set to introduce legislation requiring asylum seekers to repay approximately £10,000 in state-funded living costs as a condition of receiving settled status. The means-tested scheme, modelled loosely on the student loan system, will be debated by MPs this week as part of the broader immigration and asylum bill. Refugee charities have sharply criticised the measure, arguing it effectively penalises people fleeing war, torture, and famine.
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Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?
Greater powers for regional leaders like Andy Burnham have long been touted as a catalyst for economic growth, but the evidence remains mixed. BBC Verify examined the likely impact of deeper devolution across the UK, weighing the potential gains in local decision-making against the structural challenges that persist. The findings suggest devolution alone is no silver bullet — its success depends heavily on how powers are deployed and whether funding follows.
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