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Zoe Crowther

Zoe Crowther

@zoenora6

zoecrowther.bsky.social

Zoe Crowther is a Political Reporter for PoliticsHome. She was previously a social media journalist and did freelance reporting for national newspapers.

Treasury Expanding Access To Winter Fuel Allowance For Pensioners
Economy
Treasury Expanding Access To Winter Fuel Allowance For Pensioners
The government has announced the eligibility for pensioners' winter fuel allowance will be expanded to include those with incomes of £35,000 or below.
Stonewall Founder And Former Labour Peer Says Blue Labour Has No Influence Whatsoever On The Party
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Stonewall Founder And Former Labour Peer Says Blue Labour Has No Influence Whatsoever On The Party
LGBTQ+ activist and Stonewall co-founder Lord Michael Cashman has said Blue Labour has “no influence in the party whatsoever” and that their strategy to win back Red Wall seats by embracing social conservatism was “dishonest”.
Over 100 Green Councillors Sign Letter Backing Zack Polanski's Leadership Bid
Political parties
Over 100 Green Councillors Sign Letter Backing Zack Polanski's Leadership Bid
Over 100 Green Party councillors have signed a letter in support of Zack Polanski’s leadership bid, in a sign that the party could be heading towards choosing a non-MP as leader. 
Information Commissioner Warns Of 'Culture Clash' Between Reddit And British Lawmakers
Technology
By Zoe Crowther
Information Commissioner Warns Of "Culture Clash" Between Reddit And British Lawmakers
As worries mount over children’s consumption of social media, UK information commissioner John Edwards tells Zoe Crowther that Reddit’s ‘hands-off’ approach does not match up to MPs’ expectations
Voters In Labour-Reform Battlegrounds More Likely To Rely On Disability Benefits
Health
By Zoe Crowther
Voters In Labour-Reform Battlegrounds More Likely To Rely On Disability Benefits
The majority of Labour seats at risk from Reform have the highest rates of people living on disability benefits, according to new research by anti-poverty charity Trussell.
The Fragmented Party System Could Spell Chaos At The Next Election
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
The Fragmented Party System Could Spell Chaos At The Next Election
As the political landscape in the UK becomes more fractured, some politicians are already worrying about the chaos it could unleash at the next general election.
Potholes, Policing And Pubs: No 10’s Reddit Push Ahead Of Local Elections
Political parties
Potholes, Policing And Pubs: No 10’s Reddit Push Ahead Of Local Elections
Ahead of local and mayoral elections on 1 May, the Labour government has been experimenting with a new communications style on Reddit.
Minister Says Deindustrialised Areas Could Benefit Most From New AI Zones
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Minister Says Deindustrialised Areas Could Benefit Most From New AI Zones
Deindustrialised parts of the country could benefit the most from government plans to accelerate growth in Artificial Intelligence, a technology minister has told PoliticsHome.
Reform Is The Common Enemy In The Unpredictable Race For Hull And East Yorkshire Mayor
Political parties
Reform Is The Common Enemy In The Unpredictable Race For Hull And East Yorkshire Mayor
The closely-fought race to become the first-ever mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire is seen as tough to call – but it is clear that Reform UK is being treated as the common enemy by all the other parties.
Ukrainian MP Urges UK To Maintain 'Balance' Between Defence And Aid Spending
Defence
By Zoe Crowther
Ukrainian MP Urges UK To Maintain "Balance" Between Defence And Aid Spending
An influential Ukrainian MP has urged the UK government to “balance” its increased defence spending with sustained humanitarian aid for Ukraine, as the war with Russia continues.
Former Tory MP Charged With Gambling Offences
Political parties
Former Tory MP Charged With Gambling Offences
Former Conservative MP Craig Williams, along with 14 other individuals, has been charged with gambling offences after placing a bet on the timing of the 2024 general election.
Former Children's Commissioner Baroness Longfield: 'Tech Companies Need To Feel Threatened By Online Safety Act'
Education
By Zoe Crowther
Former Children's Commissioner Baroness Longfield: "Tech Companies Need To Feel Threatened By Online Safety Act"
Former children’s commissioner and newly appointed peer Baroness Anne Longfield has questioned whether the government has the appetite to take on big tech to protect children online.
Government Joins Reddit In Bid To Step Up Its Online Communications Strategy
Political parties
Government Joins Reddit In Bid To Step Up Its Online Communications Strategy
The government has set up a Reddit account as part of its effort to use more modern forms of media to get cut through.
Reform By-Election Candidate Strongly Opposes Death Penalty And Supports Rehabilitation
Home affairs
By Zoe Crowther
Reform By-Election Candidate Strongly Opposes Death Penalty And Supports Rehabilitation
The Reform UK candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election is "absolutely not in favour" of the death penalty and is “very much in favour” of giving offenders a "second chance" after serving their sentences.
Public Likely To Comply With Lockdown Measures To Halt New Pandemic, Poll Suggests
Health
Public Likely To Comply With Lockdown Measures To Halt New Pandemic, Poll Suggests
Five years on from the first coronavirus lockdown, three-quarters of the UK public say they are more likely or just as likely to support full lockdown measures to prevent the spread of a pandemic as they were in 2020.
Trade Union Leader Questions Role Of OBR After Rachel Reeves Spring Statement
Economy
Trade Union Leader Questions Role Of OBR After Rachel Reeves Spring Statement
Union leader Paul Nowak has questioned the role of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement, saying long-term government decisions should not be based on "short-term changes in forecasts".
Planning Reforms Have Boosted Growth Forecasts, Says Rachel Reeves
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Planning Reforms Have Boosted Growth Forecasts, Says Rachel Reeves
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that the Labour government’s planning reforms are expected to permanently increase the level of growth in the UK economy.
Abolishing NHS England Will Not Work, Says Former Health Secretary Behind Its Creation
Health
Abolishing NHS England Will Not Work, Says Former Health Secretary Behind Its Creation
The government plan to abolish NHS England will not work, according to the former health secretary whose proposed reforms led to the creation of the arms-length body.
Visa Uncertainty Putting Ukrainian Refugees At Risk Of Homelessness And Unemployment
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
Visa Uncertainty Putting Ukrainian Refugees At Risk Of Homelessness And Unemployment
Thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the UK are struggling to keep jobs and housing due to uncertainty around the Ukraine visa extension scheme, according to new research.
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward: 'Our Communities Feel Left Behind'
Communities
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward: "Our Communities Feel Left Behind"
Communities in the East Midlands feel unrewarded for their huge "sacrifices", according to the area's first mayor Claire Ward. With Nigel Farage's Reform looking to capitalise on local disillusionment, she believes a green industry boom can help the region realise its potential.
Abolishing NHS England Became 'Inevitable' – But What Happens Next?
Health
Abolishing NHS England Became "Inevitable" – But What Happens Next?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that NHS England will be abolished and absorbed into the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), in a shock move that will be the biggest structural reform of the NHS in more than a decade.
Reform Supporters Oppose Sending British Troops To Ukraine As Peacekeepers
Defence
By Zoe Crowther
Reform Supporters Oppose Sending British Troops To Ukraine As Peacekeepers
Reform UK voters buck the national trend of supporting British troops being sent to Ukraine as peacekeepers, according to new polling.
Labour MP Mike Amesbury To Stand Down And Trigger By-Election
Political parties
Labour MP Mike Amesbury To Stand Down And Trigger By-Election
Labour MP Mike Amesbury has announced he will stand down as an MP "as soon as possible" and trigger the first by-election since Labour got into government last July.
Reform Investigating MP For Alleged 'Serious Bullying' Against Female Staff
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Reform Investigating MP For Alleged "Serious Bullying" Against Female Staff
Reform UK is investigating the conduct of its MP Rupert Lowe, after complaints of "serious bullying" were submitted by two female members of staff in his offices, the party said.
Equalities Committee Chair Warns UK Not 'Immune' To US Anti-Diversity Drive
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
Equalities Committee Chair Warns UK Not "Immune" To US Anti-Diversity Drive
The chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee has said she is concerned that diversity and inclusion (DEI) schemes in the UK could be impacted by attacks from US President Donald Trump.
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
'A broken system': Diary of a London tenant
Professionally familiar with the levers of power, Zoë Crowther was nonetheless caught in an unfolding rental nightmare that she says reveals a deeply broken market. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
PM Announces Defence Spending Will Rise to 2.5% By 2027
Defence
By Zoe Crowther
PM Announces Defence Spending Will Rise to 2.5% By 2027
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that defence spending will increase to 2.5 per cent by 2027, after mounting pressure from MPs and US President Donald Trump.
Nigel Farage Says Zelensky Is 'Not A Dictator'
Foreign affairs
By Zoe Crowther
Nigel Farage Says Zelensky Is "Not A Dictator"
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has joined other party leaders in saying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not a dictator", in response to comments made by US President Donald Trump.
Kemi Badenoch Hits Back Against Trump Calling Zelensky A 'Dictator'
Foreign affairs
By Zoe Crowther
Kemi Badenoch Hits Back Against Trump Calling Zelensky A "Dictator"
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has posted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not a dictator", in a response to comments made by US President Donald Trump.
Starmer Tells Zelensky He Is “Unequivocal” That Ukraine Must Be Involved In Talks To End War
Foreign affairs
By Zoe Crowther
Starmer Tells Zelensky He Is “Unequivocal” That Ukraine Must Be Involved In Talks To End War
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is "unequivocal" that Ukraine would have to be involved in any talks aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Where Could Smaller Parties Win In The Local And Mayoral Elections?
Political parties
Where Could Smaller Parties Win In The Local And Mayoral Elections?
Smaller parties will hope to capitalise on Labour and Tory struggles when dozens of councils and mayoralties hold elections in May.
New Labour MP Suspended Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages
Political parties
New Labour MP Suspended Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages
Labour MP Oliver Ryan has had the party whip suspended, having only been elected as an MP last year.
Former Islington Labour Candidate Wants To Test Public's 'Red Lines' Of Closeness With Europe
Economy
By Zoe Crowther
Former Islington Labour Candidate Wants To Test Public's "Red Lines" Of Closeness With Europe
Praful Nargund, a former Labour candidate and director of a new think tank, has said his new organisation will test where the UK public's “red lines” are for closer cooperation with Europe.
Residents Near New Pylons Could Get Money Off Bills, Says Energy Minister
Communities
By Zoe Crowther
Residents Near New Pylons Could Get Money Off Bills, Says Energy Minister
As government tries to make Britain a “clean energy superpower”, minister Michael Shanks told Zoe Crowther that extended ‘pounds for pylons’ schemes could be soon coming down the track.
Shadow Transport Minister In 'Listening Mode' Ahead Of Meeting With Train Drivers' Union
Political parties
By Zoe Crowther
Shadow Transport Minister In "Listening Mode" Ahead Of Meeting With Train Drivers' Union
The shadow minister for transport has said that he is “not anti-union at all”, ahead of a meeting with the general secretary of the train drivers’ union this week.
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Environment
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Multiple Labour figures have come out against Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she announced support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and reducing environmental requirements placed on developers.