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Matilda Martin

@matilda__martin

matildamartin.bsky.social

Matilda Martin is a Political Reporter at PoliticsHome. Previously, she was a Senior Reporter at the Times Educational Supplement

Government Estimates Universities Will Lose £1bn From International Student Levy
Education
Government Estimates Universities Will Lose £1bn From International Student Levy
The proposed tax on international students will cost universities up to £1bn over three years, more than originally forecast, the government has said.
Home Secretary Announces Independent Review Into Henry Nowak Murder
Home affairs
Home Secretary Announces Independent Review Into Henry Nowak Murder
Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Government Criticised Over 'Lacklustre' National Resilience Campaign Launch
Defence
Government Criticised Over "Lacklustre" National Resilience Campaign Launch
The government this week launched its long-awaited national resilience campaign, advising what essentials households should stockpile in case of an emergency.
PM Says 'Sticking With The Status Quo Not Good Enough' On EU
Foreign affairs
PM Says "Sticking With The Status Quo Not Good Enough" On EU
The Prime Minister has said that Britain must be open to closer ties with the European Union and that "sticking with the status quo is not good enough".
Former Green Co-Leader Says Party Brand Suffering From 'Toxicity'
Political parties
Former Green Co-Leader Says Party Brand Suffering From "Toxicity"
Exclusive: A former leader of the Green Party has slammed the by-election result, claiming it will “demand some serious soul searching” in the aftermath of a huge swell of support for the party in the last year.
Labour Win Holborn and St Pancras By-Election
Political parties
Labour Win Holborn and St Pancras By-Election
Labour has retained the Holborn and St Pancras seat and dealt a major blow to Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
The Greens Look To Get Serious On The Economy
Economy
The Greens Look To Get Serious On The Economy
Green Party figures are wrestling with a question: how can they demonstrate economic credibility while maintaining their radical edge?
Green Councils Fight For Drug Consumption Rooms
Health
By Matilda Martin
Green Councils Fight For Drug Consumption Rooms
The Green Party’s success in English local elections has put fresh impetus behind efforts to follow Scotland in providing safer drug consumption facilities to addicts. Matilda Martin investigates
Vote Green To Push Labour Left, Says Zack Polanski
Political parties
Vote Green To Push Labour Left, Says Zack Polanski
Zack Polanski has urged people to keep voting for the Greens to force Labour into more left-wing positions.
The Risks Of Burnham's EU Push
Foreign affairs
The Risks Of Burnham's EU Push
Andy Burnham opening the door to rejoining the European Union has been well-received by large parts of the Labour Party. But starting a new debate about Brexit is not without risk.
Labour Council Rules Out Challenging Government Over London Funding Cuts
Communities
By Matilda Martin
Labour Council Rules Out Challenging Government Over London Funding Cuts
A Labour-run London borough has ruled out joining the Conservatives in challenging the government over council funding cuts after receiving legal advice.
Andy Burnham Says He Will Scrap Triple Lock To Fund Social Care After General Election
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Andy Burnham Says He Will Scrap Triple Lock To Fund Social Care After General Election
Andy Burnham has pledged to reform the pension triple lock after the next general election to fund a new social care system.
John Healey Pledges 'Fiscal Discipline' And Hints At Welfare Reform
Economy
John Healey Pledges "Fiscal Discipline" And Hints At Welfare Reform
The Chancellor has pledged "fiscal discipline" and hinted at future welfare reform, arguing it is "not progressive to allow a bigger and bigger benefits bill".
Andy Burnham Says Early Election Would Be 'Self-Serving Politics'
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Andy Burnham Says Early Election Would Be "Self-Serving Politics"
The Prime Minister has said he can "knock dead" speculation of an early election, claiming that the move would be "self-serving politics".
Trade Unions Call On Burnham To End 'Military Collaboration' With Saudi Arabia
Foreign affairs
By Matilda Martin
Trade Unions Call On Burnham To End "Military Collaboration" With Saudi Arabia
Exclusive: Ten trade unions have signed an open letter to Andy Burnham calling on his government to end its "military collaboration" with Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Tories Draw Up Plans To Give Every Household Civilian Emergency Pamphlet
Home affairs
Tories Draw Up Plans To Give Every Household Civilian Emergency Pamphlet
Exclusive: The Conservatives are developing a policy to distribute pamphlets to every UK household advising how to respond to a civilian emergency.
Police Launch Criminal Investigation Into Reform UK Donations
Home affairs
Police Launch Criminal Investigation Into Reform UK Donations
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into allegations that Reform UK breached donation rules by using foreign funding. 
Boney M Singer Says UK Must Welcome Immigrants After Former Bandmate Performs At Reform Conference
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Boney M Singer Says UK Must Welcome Immigrants After Former Bandmate Performs At Reform Conference
Exclusive: Boney M's original lead singer has criticised "fake reckless" band members for performing at Reform UK's conference last week, saying that Nigel Farage's party "has not embraced people who are in need".
How Burnham Plans To Win Cross-Party Agreement On Social Care
Health
By Matilda Martin
How Burnham Plans To Win Cross-Party Agreement On Social Care
Andy Burnham says he’s prepared to spend political capital on social care reform. Matilda Martin reveals details of how he plans to go about it
Reform UK Divided Over How To Tackle Challenge Of Increasingly Split Right-Wing Vote
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Reform UK Divided Over How To Tackle Challenge Of Increasingly Split Right-Wing Vote
As Reform UK prepares for the next general election, the right-wing vote is splitting – and the party is divided over how to deal with the challenge.
Reform Council Leader: Some Voters Have Been Enticed by Restore Britain
Political parties
Reform Council Leader: Some Voters Have Been Enticed by Restore Britain
Linden Kemkaran, leader of one of Reform UK's most high-profile councils, has said that some voters have "taken their eye off the ball" by being "enticed" by Restore Britain.
Senior Reform UK Aides Step Down After Undercover Report On Donations
Political parties
Senior Reform UK Aides Step Down After Undercover Report On Donations
Two of Nigel Farage's closest allies have stepped down pending the outcome of an internal party investigation after a report broadcast by Channel 4 alleged that the pair arranged party donations that breached UK electoral rules.
How Reform Is Preparing For A Snap Election
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
How Reform Is Preparing For A Snap Election
Reform UK is expanding its campaign infrastructure and expediting candidate vetting in anticipation of an early general election.
Boney M In Talks To Play At Reform Conference
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Boney M In Talks To Play At Reform Conference
Exclusive: Disco band Boney M is in talks with Reform UK to perform at the party's conference next month, PoliticsHome understands.
Wildfires Didn't Get Proper Attention Until They Impacted The South, Says Labour MP
Environment
By Matilda Martin
Wildfires Didn't Get Proper Attention Until They Impacted The South, Says Labour MP
It wasn't until wildfires affected the South of England that the issue started to receive the attention it deserves, the Labour MP who leads the Wildfires All-Party Parliamentary Group has said.
Wandsworth Council Planning Country's Largest Ever Council Tax Rise
Communities
Wandsworth Council Planning Country's Largest Ever Council Tax Rise
Exclusive: Wandsworth Council in south London is preparing England's biggest ever council tax rise, which could be as much as 160 per cent, PoliticsHome understands.
Students Urge Government To Make Registering To Vote Easier
Education
By Matilda Martin
Students Urge Government To Make Registering To Vote Easier
Students have launched a campaign urging the government to make it easier for those attending university or college to register to vote.
Vape Shops Will Need Planning Permission In Push To Revive High Streets
Communities
Vape Shops Will Need Planning Permission In Push To Revive High Streets
Vape shops will need to secure planning permission before opening in reforms that Andy Burnham has said will help reverse “decades of decline” on Britain’s high streets.
Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral Contest
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral Contest
Labour candidate Bev Craig has been elected as the next Mayor of Greater Manchester, securing a comfortable victory to succeed the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. 
Social Care In England As Unfair As US Healthcare, Says Burnham
Health
By Matilda Martin
Social Care In England As Unfair As US Healthcare, Says Burnham
The Prime Minister has said that social care in England is “as unfair as American health care” as he pledged to do what successive governments have failed to do and reform the system.
Government Spent £15m On Digital ID Before Policy Was Scrapped
Technology
By Matilda Martin
Government Spent £15m On Digital ID Before Policy Was Scrapped
The government spent around £15m on developing digital ID before the scheme was scrapped by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
How Northern Is Burnham's Cabinet?
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
How Northern Is Burnham's Cabinet?
Andy Burnham's Cabinet has been described as a northern takeover of government. Analysis shows one part of the North in particular is on the rise.
Confusion In Whitehall Over Burnham Plan To Scrap Digital ID
Technology
By Matilda Martin
Confusion In Whitehall Over Burnham Plan To Scrap Digital ID
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to scrap digital ID has created confusion in Whitehall and resulted in an apology to officials working on the scheme.
Could Andy Burnham Be About To Reform The Student Loan System?
Education
By Matilda Martin
Could Andy Burnham Be About To Reform The Student Loan System?
A Labour government under Andy Burnham could scrap the student loan system and replace it with a graduate tax or stepped repayment system.
Government To Overhaul Civil Service Recruitment
Parliament
By Matilda Martin
Government To Overhaul Civil Service Recruitment
Exclusive: The Cabinet Secretary is planning to overhaul civil service recruitment, scrapping the use of success profiles.
Sadiq Khan To Join The House Of Lords
Political parties
By Matilda Martin
Sadiq Khan To Join The House Of Lords
London mayor Sadiq Khan is one of 26 new peers to join the House of Lords as Keir Starmer's premiership comes to an end.