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Sophie Church

Sophie Church

@sophiealichurch

Sophie Church is a Reporter at The House magazine.

Illegal Waste Dumping Is Becoming More Sophisticated. Can It Be Stopped?
Environment
By Sophie Church
Illegal Waste Dumping Is Becoming More Sophisticated. Can It Be Stopped?
Illegal waste dumping is a growing criminal enterprise in the UK. Sophie Church explores what government can do to combat it
Direct Landfill Tax Revenues To Environment Agency To Help Clear Illegal Waste Dumps, Treasury Urged
Environment
By Sophie Church
Direct Landfill Tax Revenues To Environment Agency To Help Clear Illegal Waste Dumps, Treasury Urged
The Treasury should allow the Environment Agency (EA) to use landfill tax revenues to clean up illegal waste dumps, parliamentarians have told PoliticsHome.
Watching The Watchers: How AI Is Keeping An Eye On Security Guards
Home affairs
Watching The Watchers: How AI Is Keeping An Eye On Security Guards
Security guarding may seem safe from automation, yet Sophie Church finds employers are increasingly using surveillance tools to monitor their employees
Inside Zack Polanski's Comms Strategy
Political parties
Inside Zack Polanski's Comms Strategy
The Green Party has doubled its membership since Zack Polanski became leader. Sophie Church explores how his training in the ‘Gonsalves method’ of acting is benefiting the party
Inside The Race To Mine The UK's Critical Minerals
Economy
By Sophie Church
Inside The Race To Mine The UK's Critical Minerals
The UK has deposits of critical minerals but has stopped mining them. Sophie Church hears that, if we don’t take advantage of our assets, others are waiting
From Sandhurst To Parliament: Meet New Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones
Political parties
By Sophie Church
From Sandhurst To Parliament: Meet New Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones
Louise Sandher-Jones never pictured herself as an MP yet is now a minister just a year after her election. What is her secret? asks Sophie Church. Photography by Dinendra Haria
No Guarantee Jobs Will Remain In Amazon's Robot Rollout
Technology
By Sophie Church
No Guarantee Jobs Will Remain In Amazon's Robot Rollout
Amazon says its robots won’t replace human workers, but its chief technologist refuses to guarantee all jobs will remain. Sophie Church reports from Silicon Valley.
Lib Dems Change Gender Quota Rules Against Wish Of Voting Members
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Lib Dems Change Gender Quota Rules Against Wish Of Voting Members
The Liberal Democrats have changed the rules around their federal elections to exclude trans people from gender diversity quotas, despite members refusing to back the measure at their conference last month.
'I Can Actually Say I'm Doing Something About This': Scott Arthur On His Rare Cancers Bill
Parliament
By Sophie Church
"I Can Actually Say I'm Doing Something About This": Scott Arthur On His Rare Cancers Bill
Investment in brain cancer research has been pitiful, but the new Rare Cancers Bill may finally change this. Sophie Church speaks to the team behind the legislation
'He'd Exposed Himself To Our Care Professional': Inside The Unregulated Care Sector
Health
By Sophie Church
"He'd Exposed Himself To Our Care Professional": Inside The Unregulated Care Sector
Finding care for a loved one is often difficult and expensive. Sophie Church explores the unregulated sector and its darker corners. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Rebecca Smith: Conservatives Must Be 'Careful' In Aligning Party With Christianity
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Rebecca Smith: Conservatives Must Be "Careful" In Aligning Party With Christianity
South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith tells Sophie Church the Conservatives must be wary of describing British values as Christian, why the party needs to ‘hold its nerve’ and her love of Formula 1.
Jack Rankin: The Conservatives Must Bring Forward a 'Great Repeal Act'
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Jack Rankin: The Conservatives Must Bring Forward a 'Great Repeal Act'
Conservative MP for Windsor Jack Rankin tells Sophie Church the Conservatives must bring forward a ‘Great Repeal Act’ to restore power to Parliament
British Politics Is Already Greens vs Reform, Says Green Leader Zack Polanski
Political parties
British Politics Is Already Greens vs Reform, Says Green Leader Zack Polanski
The Green Party is already on its way to being the main opposition to Reform, leader Zack Polanski claimed in an interview with PoliticsHome at the party's conference in Bournemouth.
Green Party Set To Debate Policy Of Abolishing Landlords
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Green Party Set To Debate Policy Of Abolishing Landlords
The Green Party is set to discuss a policy of abolishing landlords at its conference in Bournemouth.
Treasury Now 'More Open' To Private Investment In NHS: Matthew Taylor
Health
By Sophie Church
Treasury Now "More Open" To Private Investment In NHS: Matthew Taylor
With the economy flatlining, the Treasury is increasingly open to private investment models to support the health service, NHS Confederation boss Matthew Taylor tells Sophie Church
'It Was Just A Beautiful Time': A Night Out With Anneliese Midgley In Liverpool
Culture
By Sophie Church
"It Was Just A Beautiful Time": A Night Out With Anneliese Midgley In Liverpool
“We overused the smoke machine man, to just make everyone look attractive. And we would always think about the lights and the dance floor set up. It was just a beautiful time.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds: “The Prime Minister Makes His Own Decisions, Always”
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Nick Thomas-Symonds: “The Prime Minister Makes His Own Decisions, Always”
EU minister Nick Thomas-Symonds shows Sophie Church how close the UK is to a youth mobility scheme, and how far the Prime Minister is from danger. Photography by Darren Britton/WNS
Don't Fragment European Defence Through Fund Negotiations, UK Warns EU
Defence
By Sophie Church
Don't Fragment European Defence Through Fund Negotiations, UK Warns EU
As Europe ramps up its defence production, the UK has warned the EU not to negotiate an unworkable fee for UK participation in its €150bn defence fund.
Lib Dems Seeking Legal Advice On Gender Rules After Conference Row
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Lib Dems Seeking Legal Advice On Gender Rules After Conference Row
Exclusive: The Liberal Democrats are consulting the party’s lawyers to check their constitution is lawful, after members blocked a motion to remove trans women from women's quotas at conference, PoliticsHome can reveal.
'Jam And Jerusalem': Inside The Lib Dem Media Strategy
Political parties
By Sophie Church
"Jam And Jerusalem": Inside The Lib Dem Media Strategy
While MPs have voiced concerns over their party’s strategy, the Lib Dem media team tell Sophie Church they are sticking with the programme. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
The Halo Trust Interview: The West Is Making A Mistake By Ignoring Afghanistan
Foreign affairs
By Sophie Church
The Halo Trust Interview: The West Is Making A Mistake By Ignoring Afghanistan
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is putting pressure on the international treaty against landmine use. The Halo Trust tells Sophie Church the West must hold firm
Lib Dem Leader Meets BBC Boss To Complain About Level Of Reform Coverage
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Lib Dem Leader Meets BBC Boss To Complain About Level Of Reform Coverage
Exclusive: Ed Davey has met with BBC boss Tim Davie to complain about the broadcaster’s coverage, which the Liberal Democrats claim is weighted too heavily in Reform UK’s favour.
Asylum Seekers Using Taxpayer-Funded Payment Cards To Gamble
Home affairs
Asylum Seekers Using Taxpayer-Funded Payment Cards To Gamble
The Home Office has launched an investigation after PoliticsHome revealed that asylum seekers across the UK have been using taxpayer-funded payment cards for gambling.
Campaigners Fear Government Backtracking On Care Supporter Bill
Health
Campaigners Fear Government Backtracking On Care Supporter Bill
Labour pledged in its manifesto to introduce a right for those in care to see their loved ones – but campaigners fear the government is backtracking. Sophie Church reports
Lib Dem Fury Over Treatment Of Senior MP By Party Leadership
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Lib Dem Fury Over Treatment Of Senior MP By Party Leadership
There is anger within the Liberal Democrats over the party’s treatment of Christine Jardine, who was sacked from her front bench position last week for defying the whip on the welfare vote.
Calvin Bailey: 'Stephen’s Murder Was Hatred – Now Knife Crime Is Almost Senseless'
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Calvin Bailey: 'Stephen’s Murder Was Hatred – Now Knife Crime Is Almost Senseless'
Calvin Bailey, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, tells Sophie Church about his 25 years in the RAF, friendship with Stephen Lawrence’s brother and carrying a knife as a teenager
UK Space Commander: 'Highly Likely' First Assault On UK Will Be In Space
Defence
By Sophie Church
UK Space Commander: "Highly Likely" First Assault On UK Will Be In Space
With Europe preparing for war, the UK space commander, Major General Paul Tedman tells Sophie Church it is ‘highly likely’ the first assault on Britain will be in space
Resident Doctor Strikes Could Derail Government's Waiting List Pledge, Experts Warn
Health
By Sophie Church
Resident Doctor Strikes Could Derail Government's Waiting List Pledge, Experts Warn
Government risks missing its waiting list target if resident doctor strike action goes ahead, health experts have warned.
House of Lords To Move To QEII Centre While Parliament Restored
Parliament
By Sophie Church
House of Lords To Move To QEII Centre While Parliament Restored
The House of Lords is set to move to the QEII Centre while Parliament is restored, no matter which option for the estate’s restoration is eventually voted for by MPs, PoliticsHome can reveal.
Councils Fail To Implement Government Policy On Housing Veterans
Defence
By Sophie Church
Councils Fail To Implement Government Policy On Housing Veterans
Councils including those run by Labour have failed to implement the government’s policy to help house all UK armed forces veterans despite Keir Starmer promising to give them all a “guaranteed roof over their head”, PoliticsHome has learned.
Nato Commander Pierre Vandier: UK Can Take Lead In Nato's Spying Operations
Defence
By Sophie Church
Nato Commander Pierre Vandier: UK Can Take Lead In Nato's Spying Operations
With European security standing on a knife-edge, Nato Commander Admiral Pierre Vandier tells Sophie Church the UK can lead Nato’s intelligence and surveillance operations
'We Had The World To Ourselves': Al Carns' Everest Climb
Parliament
By Sophie Church
"We Had The World To Ourselves": Al Carns' Everest Climb
In May, a group of British veterans – including Al Carns – set a record with their fast ascent of Everest. The veterans minister tells Sophie Church how the team completed the challenge in seven days to be ‘back in time for Sunday lunch’
Green Party Accused Of Keeping “Unlawful” Gender Rules For Leadership Contest
Communities
By Sophie Church
Green Party Accused Of Keeping “Unlawful” Gender Rules For Leadership Contest
There is a legal row over whether the Green Party's leadership contest rules are compliant with the recent Supreme Court gender ruling, PoliticsHome can reveal.
Drone Manufacturer Anduril's Richard Drake: “I Got Tired Giving Soldiers Yesterday's Tech Tomorrow”
Defence
By Sophie Church
Drone Manufacturer Anduril's Richard Drake: “I Got Tired Giving Soldiers Yesterday's Tech Tomorrow”
As the UK ramps up defence spending, head of drone manufacturer Anduril Richard Drake tells Sophie Church the company is offering an alternative to how we fight wars and pay for them. Photography by Dinendra Haria
Parents Waiting Weeks For Post-Mortems On Babies Due To Lack Of Paediatric Pathologists
Social affairs
By Sophie Church
Parents Waiting Weeks For Post-Mortems On Babies Due To Lack Of Paediatric Pathologists
A severe shortage of paediatric pathologists means bereaved parents are being forced to wait for weeks for post-mortems on their babies.
Is The Port of London Authority Seeking Unchecked Powers?
Home affairs
By Sophie Church
Is The Port of London Authority Seeking Unchecked Powers?
The Port of London Authority manages the Thames, but residents along the river say it is seeking further, unchecked powers. Sophie Church reports on the ongoing fight