Reform UK has scrapped its pledge to part-nationalise water and energy companies, with Nigel Farage’s party rewriting its stance on utilities.At the 2024 General Election, Reform had promised a “new ownership model for critical national infrastructure” in which the state and pension funds would own half each.Last summer, Mr Farage reiterated said he was determined to bring half of the fraught UK water industry into public ownership, adding it would cost “a lot less” than the £50billion touted by experts.However, a party spokesman has now admitted to the Financial Times the policy has been dropped, pointing to a speech by Mr Farage in November where he scrapped his previous plans for £90billion of tax cuts.A spokesman said: “Nigel has said that the Contract with the People, the 2024 manifesto, and in particular the fiscal pledges within that, are no longer party policy.”Other parties are not continually held to their previous election manifestos…There will be scope for greater state involvement in utilities under Reform. “We will consider strategic stakes or using the government’s balance sheet to fix broken markets.”One source close to the party told the FT the party’s new Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick was bringing his “small c conservative” instincts to Reform’s policies and shifting back to a “small state” economic agenda.The most recent YouGov polling from suggests there is support for bringing energy companies back into public ownership, with 35 per cent of adults “strongly supporting” nationalisation. FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Labour MPs demand more protection for men and boys from the ‘manosphere’
Louis Theroux and Harrison James Patrick Sullivan (also known as HSTikkyTokky) | NETFLIXA group of Labour MPs have called for more protection from the “manosphere” for men and boys in a letter to Ofcom.More than 60 MPs wrote to the broadcasting regulator’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, on Tuesday, saying they are “gravely concerned” about the increasing risks men and boys face when using online platforms.In November, Ofcom gave tech platforms guidance on how to tackle harmful content and activity that disproportionately affects women and girls online.But the group of MPs have argued men and boys also face specific risks online, such as “far-right political radicalisation”, financial scams and violent pornography, brought to them by “misogynist influencers.”In the letter, the MPs said: “Men and boys encounter harmful content, including mis- and disinformation, pornography and misogynist content at a roughly similar rate to women and girls.”However, the content targeted at a male audience is likely to be different, and platforms might need to take different steps to understand and tackle the problem.”
Keir Starmer faces four major tests across England this week as local elections draw nearer
Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party faces four major electoral tests across England this week as nationwide local elections draw nearer.A series of by-elections will be taking place across the country: two Conservative-controlled wards, one Labour and one Liberal Democrat.READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
WATCH: Wes Streeting declares words are ‘not good enough’ as he vows for stronger action to protect British Jews
Inflation holds at 3% as Bank of England warns of fresh surge
The consumer prices index (CPI) remained unchanged at three per cent in February, matching economists’ expectations and holding at the same level recorded in January.However, the annual rate remains above the Labour’s official two per cent target.Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday confirmed the figure, aligning with forecasts compiled in a Reuters poll.READ THE FULL STORY HERE.