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Sat, 12 July 2025
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Alain Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst

@Alain_Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst is Chief Reporter at PoliticsHome and host of The Rundown podcast each week.

Keir Starmer dismisses Jeremy Corbyn’s claim coronavirus response proves he was 'absolutely right'
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Keir Starmer dismisses Jeremy Corbyn’s claim coronavirus response proves he was 'absolutely right'
Keir Starmer has dismissed Jeremy Corbyn’s claim the Government’s response to the coronavirus crisis shows he was “absolutely right” about public spending.
Keir Starmer backs Matt Hancock’s threat to ban outdoor exercise if social distancing rules are broken
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Keir Starmer backs Matt Hancock’s threat to ban outdoor exercise if social distancing rules are broken
Labour’s new leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party would back the Government if it took the draconian move of banning all outside exercise during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus: Public approval of Government’s handling of crisis craters amid testing row
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Coronavirus: Public approval of Government’s handling of crisis craters amid testing row
The level of public approval for the Government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has dropped significantly this week amid an ongoing row over the levels of testing for the deadly disease.
PM’s pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds spent past week in bed with coronavirus symptoms
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
PM’s pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds spent past week in bed with coronavirus symptoms
The Prime Minister’s pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds has revealed she has spent the last week in bed recovering from the “main symptoms of coronavirus”.
From ‘worst leader ever’ to ‘inspiring hope’ - as Jeremy Corbyn steps down we asked Labour politicians what his legacy will be
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
From ‘worst leader ever’ to ‘inspiring hope’ - as Jeremy Corbyn steps down we asked Labour politicians what his legacy will be
After 1,667 days, two elections and one vote of no confidence, Jeremy Corbyn is handing over the reins to a new Labour leader.
Jeremy Corbyn slams ‘ludicrous’ coronavirus testing levels and blames austerity for NHS strain
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Jeremy Corbyn slams ‘ludicrous’ coronavirus testing levels and blames austerity for NHS strain
Jeremy Corbyn has branded the levels of testing for coronavirus carried out so far as “ludicrous” and claimed he warned Boris Johnson of the issue three weeks ago.
Chancellor urged to tax Premier League clubs who lay off staff but leave player wages untouched
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Chancellor urged to tax Premier League clubs who lay off staff but leave player wages untouched
Rishi Sunak is being urged to impose a”windfall tax” on Premier League clubs who refuse to cut the salaries of their high-earning players while football is put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.
Voting closes in Labour leadership race overshadowed by coronavirus outbreak
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Voting closes in Labour leadership race overshadowed by coronavirus outbreak
The ballot has closed in the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in a contest overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Lack of PPE for health and social care staff a ‘crisis within a crisis’, unions warn 
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Lack of PPE for health and social care staff a ‘crisis within a crisis’, unions warn 
The lack of protective equipment for frontline medical staff has been labelled a “crisis within a crisis” by a host of trade unions.
Coronavirus: More than 100 MPs call for ‘digital Parliament’ to quiz ministers on outbreak response
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: More than 100 MPs call for ‘digital Parliament’ to quiz ministers on outbreak response
More than 100 MPs have backed calls for the creation of a “digital Parliament” s ministers can be held to account during the coronavirus crisis.
Increase of £1.60 a week in statutory sick pay labelled a ‘joke’ by GMB amid coronavirus crisis
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Increase of £1.60 a week in statutory sick pay labelled a ‘joke’ by GMB amid coronavirus crisis
Union bosses have reacted with anger after the rate of Statutory Sick Pay went up by £1.60 a week.
Coronavirus: MPs urge Boris Johnson to create compensation scheme for families of frontline victims
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Coronavirus: MPs urge Boris Johnson to create compensation scheme for families of frontline victims
MPs from all parties have backed a campaign calling on Boris Johnson to create a special compensation scheme to help the families of frontline coronavirus victims.
Access to home abortions relaxed during coronavirus outbreak after confusion over guidance
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Access to home abortions relaxed during coronavirus outbreak after confusion over guidance
The Government will relax the rules on how women can access an abortion at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings self-isolating after experiencing coronavirus symptoms
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings self-isolating after experiencing coronavirus symptoms
Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings is in self-isolation after experiencing coronavirus symptoms.
Minimum wage increase should be delayed ‘to help firms through Covid-19 crisis' - think tank
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Minimum wage increase should be delayed ‘to help firms through Covid-19 crisis' - think tank
The planned increase in the minimum wage should be delayed by six months to help firms in low-paying sectors during the Covid-19 outbreak, a leading think tank has urged.
Boris Johnson self-isolating in Downing Street after testing positive for coronavirus
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson self-isolating in Downing Street after testing positive for coronavirus
Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus.
UK may join EU ventilator procurement scheme after all following 'email invite mix-up'
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
UK may join EU ventilator procurement scheme after all following 'email invite mix-up'
The UK did not take part in an EU scheme to buy more ventilators during the coronavirus outbreak after a mix-up meant the invitation to sign up went missing.
Boris Johnson announces record £210m funding to find global coronavirus vaccine
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson announces record £210m funding to find global coronavirus vaccine
Boris Johnson has announced record funding of £210million to help find a coronavirus vaccine.
Boris Johnson accused of putting ‘Brexit over breathing’ by not joining EU ventilator scheme
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson accused of putting ‘Brexit over breathing’ by not joining EU ventilator scheme
Boris Johnson has been accused of putting “Brexit over breathing” after the Government decided not to take part in an EU scheme for procurating ventilators to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Emergency powers to tackle coronavirus spread become law after government bill rushed through Parliament
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Emergency powers to tackle coronavirus spread become law after government bill rushed through Parliament
Sweeping new powers to tackle the spread of Covid-19 have become law after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament.
Jeremy Corbyn uses final PMQs as Labour leader to insist his 'voice will not be stilled’
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Jeremy Corbyn uses final PMQs as Labour leader to insist his 'voice will not be stilled’
Jeremy Corbyn used his final appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions as Labour leader to insist his "voice will not be stilled”.
Government tells self-employed ‘help is coming’ amid pressure to unveil coronavirus aid package
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Government tells self-employed ‘help is coming’ amid pressure to unveil coronavirus aid package
The Government has sought to reassure the self-employed that “help is coming” amid growing pressure to come up with a package to help them through the coronavirus outbreak.
Businesses told they won't have to report their gender pay gap amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Businesses told they won't have to report their gender pay gap amid coronavirus outbreak
The Government has told firms they will not have to report on their gender pay gap due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Alex Salmond acquitted of all 14 charges in sexual offences trial
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Alex Salmond acquitted of all 14 charges in sexual offences trial
Alex Salmond has been acquitted of all charges following his trial for sexual assault.
Government backs down and gives MPs vote every 6 months on emergency coronavirus powers
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Government backs down and gives MPs vote every 6 months on emergency coronavirus powers
The Government has given in to calls from its own MPs to allow Parliament to have a vote on keeping sweeping powers to deal with coronavirus in place every six months.
Boris Johnson says NHS could be ‘overwhelmed’ by coronavirus as he issues Mother’s Day warning
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson says NHS could be ‘overwhelmed’ by coronavirus as he issues Mother’s Day warning
Boris Johnson has warned the NHS could be “overwhelmed” by the escalating coronavirus outbreak as he urged Brits to stay away from their loved ones on Mother’s Day.
Tory MPs tell government it must do more to help workers facing hardship due to coronavirus epidemic
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Tory MPs tell government it must do more to help workers facing hardship due to coronavirus epidemic
Tory MPs have called on the Government to go further in its attempts to help workers facing financial ruin because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Collapse of Thomas Cook cost taxpayer £156m, report says
Economy
By Alain Tolhurst
Collapse of Thomas Cook cost taxpayer £156m, report says
Taxpayers forked out at least £156million over the collapse of Thomas Cook and repatriating 150,000 stranded passengers.
Scottish government ditches plans for indyref2 in 2020 over coronavirus crisis
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Scottish government ditches plans for indyref2 in 2020 over coronavirus crisis
The Scottish government has abandoned plans to hold a second independence referendum this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
EXCL Lib Dems mobilise thousands of members to help vulnerable through coronavirus isolation
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
EXCL Lib Dems mobilise thousands of members to help vulnerable through coronavirus isolation
The Liberal Democrats are mobilising thousands of their members for a taskforce to help the most vulnerable deal with self-isolation during the coronavirus outbreak, PoliticsHome can reveal.
Controversial IR35 changes to freelancer pay postponed due to coronavirus
Economy
By Alain Tolhurst
Controversial IR35 changes to freelancer pay postponed due to coronavirus
Controversial changes to payroll regulations for freelancers have been postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.
No10 insists Brexit transition period will not be extended as trade talks cancelled due to coronavirus
Brexit
By Alain Tolhurst
No10 insists Brexit transition period will not be extended as trade talks cancelled due to coronavirus
The Government has confirmed that despite this week’s Brexit trade talks being called off due to coronavirus the transition period will not be extended.
Brits advised not to go abroad for 30 days over coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Brits advised not to go abroad for 30 days over coronavirus outbreak
Brits are being advised by the Government not to go abroad for 30 days to help contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Boris Johnson urged to commit billions to businesses in coronavirus 'wartime' response
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
Boris Johnson urged to commit billions to businesses in coronavirus 'wartime' response
Boris Johnson must treat the coronavirus outbreak as a “wartime situation” and offer billions of pounds more to help businesses survive the crisis, the official public spending watchdog has said.
Controversial e-scooters to be allowed on UK roads for first time as government launches consultation
Transport
By Alain Tolhurst
Controversial e-scooters to be allowed on UK roads for first time as government launches consultation
A consultation on the future of transportation will see controversial e-scooters allowed on UK roads for the first time.
Labour’s Kate Osborne becomes second MP to test positive for coronavirus
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
Labour’s Kate Osborne becomes second MP to test positive for coronavirus

Labour’s Kate Osborne has become the second MP to test positive for coronavirus as Parliament gets set to debate emergency legislation to help combat the outbreak.