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John Johnston

John Johnston

@johnjohnstonmi

John Johnston is a political reporter for PoliticsHome, with a focus on foreign affairs and defence.

Tories Question Whether Rishi Sunak Will Ever Toughen Strike Rules
Political parties
By John Johnston
Tories Question Whether Rishi Sunak Will Ever Toughen Strike Rules
Senior Conservative figures have privately admitted they now believe tough new laws to curb strikes are unlikely to come into force before the next election without enhanced "determination" from ministers.
Ukrainian Refugees At Risk Of Homelessness Rise Almost 40 Per Cent In Single Month
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Ukrainian Refugees At Risk Of Homelessness Rise Almost 40 Per Cent In Single Month
Over 800 Ukrainian refugee households have been left at risk of homelessness in the last month, despite repeated warnings to ministers to address housing issues faced by those wishing to settle in the UK.
Labour Win Chester By-Election With Significantly Increased Majority
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Labour Win Chester By-Election With Significantly Increased Majority
Labour have retained the City of Chester seat in a by-election, where Local councillor Samantha Dixon was elected after securing over 60 per cent of the votes.
National Audit Office Probe Finds Unboxed Festival Failed To Hit Audience Engagement Targets
Culture
By John Johnston
National Audit Office Probe Finds Unboxed Festival Failed To Hit Audience Engagement Targets
Spending watchdog the National Audit Office has concluded that the Unboxed festival has failed to meet its audience engagement targets despite big boosts from TV specials.
Thousands of Homes for Ukraine Hosts Urge Rishi Sunak To Increase Refugee Support
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Thousands of Homes for Ukraine Hosts Urge Rishi Sunak To Increase Refugee Support
Over 4,500 hosts in the government's flagship Homes for Ukraine scheme have signed a joint letter calling on the government to provide "practical solutions" to help refugees settle in the UK as fears grow over the risk of homelessness.
Online Safety Bill To Be Watered Down, Rishi Sunak Signals 'Golden Era' With China Is Over
Technology
By John Johnston
Online Safety Bill To Be Watered Down, Rishi Sunak Signals "Golden Era" With China Is Over
Ministers have risked a major battle with MPs over the Online Safety Bill as they dumped plans to ban "legal but harmful" content in a bid to win Commons support from free speech advocates.
Home Office Accused Of Creating 'Preventable' Health Risk After Asylum Centre Diphtheria Outbreak
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Home Office Accused Of Creating "Preventable" Health Risk After Asylum Centre Diphtheria Outbreak
Public health leaders have said the decision to disperse asylum seekers from Manston after outbreaks of disease has put fresh pressure on local health services.
All The Major Announcements In Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement
Economy
By John Johnston
All The Major Announcements In Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised "stability, growth and public services" in a major Autumn Statement laying out the government's spending plans, including increases to tax and cutbacks on public spending.
Jeremy Hunt Says 'We're All Going To Be Paying A Bit More Tax' Ahead Of Budget
Economy
By John Johnston
Jeremy Hunt Says "We're All Going To Be Paying A Bit More Tax" Ahead Of Budget
The Chancellor has warned there are going to be "very difficult decisions" in next week's fiscal statement but insisted the UK was "resilient".
Home Secretary Urged To Condemn Arrest Of Journalists Covering Just Stop Oil Protests
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Home Secretary Urged To Condemn Arrest Of Journalists Covering Just Stop Oil Protests
The Home Office has refused to respond to concerns about press freedoms following the arrest of several journalists covering environmental protests on the M25.
People Want More Ukrainian Refugees To Come To The UK, New Poll Finds
Communities
By John Johnston
People Want More Ukrainian Refugees To Come To The UK, New Poll Finds
Exclusive: A new poll has found continued support for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with a majority of the people surveyed believing payments to UK hosts should either continue or increase to help offset cost of living increases.
Ministers Warned Of 'Crisis' In Ukrainian Refugee Scheme After 40 Per Cent Rise In Homelessness Claims
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Ministers Warned Of "Crisis" In Ukrainian Refugee Scheme After 40 Per Cent Rise In Homelessness Claims
New data released by the government shows a significant spike in the number of those presenting to their local council as homeless since the opening of visa routes for Ukrainian refugees.
Minister Insists Manston Migration Centre Is Now 'Legally Compliant' After Government Action
Communities
By John Johnston
Minister Insists Manston Migration Centre Is Now "Legally Compliant" After Government Action
Policing Minister Chris Philp has claimed the Manston migration centre is "legally compliant", after a judicial review was launched over conditions.
Minister Admits He's 'Obviously Not Comfortable' Asylum Seekers Could Be Held Illegally
Communities
By John Johnston
Minister Admits He's "Obviously Not Comfortable" Asylum Seekers Could Be Held Illegally
Climate Minister Graham Stuart has admitted the UK's asylum system was "struggling to cope" after a legal review was launched over the treatment of migrants.
Minister Says Fixing Asylum System Is 'Not Going To Happen Overnight'
Home affairs
By John Johnston
Minister Says Fixing Asylum System Is "Not Going To Happen Overnight"
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said there is "no simple solution" to easing pressures at the Manston migrant centre but insisted it was the Home Office's top priority.
Immigration Minister Warns Against 'Demonising' Migrants After Suella Braverman's 'Invasion' Comment
Communities
Immigration Minister Warns Against "Demonising" Migrants After Suella Braverman's "Invasion" Comment
Robert Jenrick has said that ministers need to "choose words carefully" after the Home Secretary has faced criticism for describing migrants arriving on the south coast of England as an "invasion" in a Commons debate on Monday.

Majority Of Conservative Voters Expect To Shift To Electric Cars As Part Of Net-Zero Push
Energy
By John Johnston
Majority Of Conservative Voters Expect To Shift To Electric Cars As Part Of Net-Zero Push
An exclusive poll for The House finds a majority of Conservative voters envision shifting to electric cars as the United Kingdom chases its net-zero targets.
Minister Defends Government Cyber-Security Practices After Liz Truss Hacking Claims
Defence
By John Johnston
Minister Defends Government Cyber-Security Practices After Liz Truss Hacking Claims
Conservative MP and government minister Mark Spencer has insisted that ministers are warned against using personal phones for official business after Liz Truss was reportedly targeted by Russian hackers.
Rishi Sunak Defends Suella Braverman Appointment Despite Security Breach In First PMQs
Political parties
By John Johnston
Rishi Sunak Defends Suella Braverman Appointment Despite Security Breach In First PMQs
Rishi Sunak has used his first Prime Minister's Questions to defend his reappointment of Home Secretary Suella Braverman less than a week after she resigned over a security breach, claiming she had made an "error of judgement" for which she has apologised.
Government Spending Plans Delayed Until 17 November
Economy
By John Johnston
Government Spending Plans Delayed Until 17 November
Downing Street has confirmed that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will delay an announcement of the government's spending plans that was due on 31 October until 17 November.
Liz Truss Says 'Brighter Days Lie Ahead', After Abrupt End To Time As Prime Minister
Political parties
By John Johnston
Liz Truss Says "Brighter Days Lie Ahead", After Abrupt End To Time As Prime Minister
Liz Truss has said the UK must make the most of its "Brexit freedoms to do things differently" in a farewell speech outside Downing Street to mark the end of just 45 days as Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak Will Become Prime Minister After Penny Mordaunt Drops Out Of Leadership Race
Political parties
By John Johnston
Rishi Sunak Will Become Prime Minister After Penny Mordaunt Drops Out Of Leadership Race
Rishi Sunak will become the UK’s next Prime Minister after Penny Mordaunt dropped out the Conservative leadership race to replace Liz Truss.
Rishi Sunak Formally Announces Leadership Bid As Senior Tory Says Johnson Would Be A 'Guaranteed Disaster'
Economy
By John Johnston
Rishi Sunak Formally Announces Leadership Bid As Senior Tory Says Johnson Would Be A "Guaranteed Disaster"
The former chancellor has confirmed he will stand in next week's leadership election as he builds significant support among Tory MPs.
Penny Mordaunt Formally Announces Leadership Bid
Political parties
By John Johnston
Penny Mordaunt Formally Announces Leadership Bid
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt is the first candidate to officially announce they are running for the Conservative party leadership after Liz Truss resigned on Thursday.
Labour MP Chris Matheson Resigns And Triggers By-Election After 'Serious Sexual Misconduct' Finding
Political parties
By John Johnston
Labour MP Chris Matheson Resigns And Triggers By-Election After "Serious Sexual Misconduct" Finding
There will be a by-election in Chester after Labour MP Chris Matheson resigned following an investigation by the Commons Standards watchdog.
Tory Party Sets Out New Rules For Running Week Long Leadership Contest
Political parties
By John Johnston
Tory Party Sets Out New Rules For Running Week Long Leadership Contest
Leadership candidates will need support from 100 MPs to secure their spot on the ballot as Tory officials attempt to speed up the selection process.
All The Tory MPs Calling For Liz Truss To Resign
Political parties
By John Johnston
All The Tory MPs Calling For Liz Truss To Resign
Liz Truss's premiership is crumbling as more Conservative MPs break cover to call on her to stand down.
Government Wins Fracking Vote But Tory Rebels Face Expulsion
Communities
By John Johnston
Government Wins Fracking Vote But Tory Rebels Face Expulsion
A number of Tory MPs are expected to be ejected from the party after opposing the government in a chaotic Opposition Day Motion on fracking.
Liz Truss Says She Is 'Completely Committed' To Retaining The Pensions Triple Lock
Economy
By John Johnston
Liz Truss Says She Is "Completely Committed" To Retaining The Pensions Triple Lock
Liz Truss has said pensions will increase in line with surging inflation after reports she was considering dumping the commitment.
Jeremy Hunt Says UK Faces Financial Challenges Of 'Eye Watering Difficulty' After Tearing Up Budget
Economy
By John Johnston
Jeremy Hunt Says UK Faces Financial Challenges Of "Eye Watering Difficulty" After Tearing Up Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed a major overhaul of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng's "mini-Budget" to the House of Commons, including an indefinite freeze to income tax and a review of the energy support package after six months.
Jeremy Hunt Announces Reversal Of 'Almost All Tax Measures' From Mini-Budget
Economy
By John Johnston
Jeremy Hunt Announces Reversal Of "Almost All Tax Measures" From Mini-Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has rolled back "almost all tax measures" in the "mini-Budget" with an emergency intervention in an attempt to restore the government's economic credibility.
Kwasi Kwarteng Sacked As Chancellor In Major Blow To Liz Truss's Premiership
Economy
By John Johnston
Kwasi Kwarteng Sacked As Chancellor In Major Blow To Liz Truss's Premiership
Liz Truss has sacked Kwasi Kwarteng from his Cabinet role of Chancellor after the government was forced to rip up key sections of his "mini-Budget" in the wake of two weeks of economic chaos.
Liz Truss To Hold Emergency Press Conference With Mini-Budget U-Turn Expected
Economy
By John Johnston
Liz Truss To Hold Emergency Press Conference With Mini-Budget U-Turn Expected
Downing Street has announced that Liz Truss will hold a last minute press conference on Friday afternoon, where they are expected to announce a U-turn on scrapping the cut to corporation tax in a second major climbdown over the controversial "mini-Budget".
Treasury Committee Chair Calls For 'Fundamental Reset' As Chancellor Dashes Back From US
Economy
By John Johnston
Treasury Committee Chair Calls For "Fundamental Reset" As Chancellor Dashes Back From US
Senior Conservative MP Mel Stride has said Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng should "row back" on tax plans that have unleashed economic chaos in to restore confidence in the financial markets.
Ukrainian Refugees In The UK Face 'Further Trauma' Without Support, Government Warned
Communities
By John Johnston
Ukrainian Refugees In The UK Face "Further Trauma" Without Support, Government Warned
Leading refugee and civil society groups have written to the Prime Minister to call for extra support for Ukrainian refugees amid concerns that the rising cost of living could make it challenging to settle in the UK.
Plan To Double Ukraine Refugee Support Payments To £700 Has Been Shelved
Communities
Plan To Double Ukraine Refugee Support Payments To £700 Has Been Shelved
Exclusive: Government is not currently going ahead with a proposal to double payments to UK households hosting Ukrainian refugees to £700, despite hopes that it would encourage people to prolong participation in the Homes for Ukraine scheme.