Tories so desperate to get any flight to Rwanda before elections that they just paid one person to volunteer.

An extortionate pre-election gimmick costing UK taxpayers half a billion pounds. Should be putting that money into boosting our border security

NEW: England's quarterly homelessness stats are out - more bleak reading.

There are 145,800 homeless children living in temporary accommodation - the highest ever recorded and up 15% on last year

There are 112,660 homeless households - up 12% in a year and the highest on record

James Taylor of the disability charity Scope, says the PM “needs to end this reckless assault on disabled people & focus on fixing the real underlying issues,” which are 'due to our crumbling public services, poor-quality jobs & increasing rates of poverty.'

Do you agree?

Have to say Private Eye Magazine is absolutely on fire this week. 👏👏👏

Paris is in the middle of a plan to transform into a 100% cycling city. They are also poised to introduce “pedestrian hearts” in each district, inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, reserving areas for pedestrians, cyclists & public transport. Momentum Mag momentummag.com/paris-to-showc…

A quarter of the food we eat is imported from the EU.

The new border controls will add an estimated £2.9 billion a year to the cost of bringing it into the UK, according to our analysis.

The costs are not spread evenly. Products like fresh meat and fish, cut flowers, eggs…

goodo

Rishi Sunak has rejected an EU proposal for young Britons to be allowed to live, work or study in the EU for up to 4 years if EU youngsters are given the same rights in the UK - but 68% of Britons would support this move, including 53% of Leave voters

yougov.co.uk/topics/politic…

Just taken a FrecciaRossa high speed train from Rome to Florence. A distance of about 275km (~170 miles). It took 1hr 36 mins and only cost me €23. Not to mention comfortable seats, decent fast WiFi, clean toilets. We’re being absolutely conned in the UK with rail fares 🤦🏻‍♂️

So the Tories have trashed the public services that help people get back to work, and are now punishing those people (more than they already are) for not being in work?

Bottom of the barrel shit

🗣️ Almost two thirds of people in destitution live with a chronic health condition or disability. Cutting people’s eligibility for benefits won't help.

The PM's speech was an irresponsible war of words on people who already aren’t getting enough support.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi….

A SUPERB thread from investigative journalist Russell Scott listing some multi million pound properties bought by Tories & associates after profits made through VIP PPE Lane contracts

RT 🧵

Should James Daly MP report this to the police?

Or is there nothing to see here? 🤔

Brexit is sick

“Drug shortages, now normal in UK, made worse by Brexit, report warns.”

“Some shortages are so serious they are imperilling the health and even lives of patients with serious illnesses, pharmacy bosses say.” theguardian.com/science/2024/a…

Macquarie, the vampire kangaroo, already picking over the corpse of Thames Water 💧 a situation it created, has its fangs in Southern Water and now it's coming after your gas supply.

You have been warned.

cityam.com/macquarie-plan…

FT: 16 monopolies have paid out a total of £78bn (adjusted for inflation) in dividends since privatisation and racked up £64bn net in debt over the same period. No prizes for guessing who will end up footing the bill. Water privatisation = almighty rip-off.

'Don't even think about wild swimming here... Treat the river as if it is a biohazard'.

Steve Backshall broadcaster, author and naturalist reveals the utterly shocking if not potentially lethal lab results he got from water testing in the River Thames. 🤮🤮🤮

Rishi Sunak Promised To Cut NHS Waiting Lists. They've Gone Up By 330,000 huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rishi-su…

As National Parks turn 75, a new report highlights only 6% of their land is recorded as being in good health for nature - with the Yorkshire Dales having less tree cover than York and waterways across these special places heavily polluted by sewage released from storm overflows.

Analysis by Institute for Fiscal Studies found that children who were eligible for free school meals and had access to a Sure Start centre boosted their GCSE results by three grades - equivalent to difference between getting two Cs and three Ds and getting five Cs.

It’s (not just) the economy, stupid conservativehome.com/2024/04/08/its…