The Lead
@theleaduk.bsky.social
The Lead is a lean, mean mag on politics, culture and everything in between.
Our latest editions for The Lead Local, starting in Blackpool where Michael Holmes deep dives into the problem of altered electric vehicles and the fire risk that comes with them
Dodgy e-bikes and e-scooters leading to ‘the stuff of nightmares’ for families in Blackpool
A deep dive into the problem of altered electric vehicles and the fire risk that comes with them
blackpool.thelead.uk
Andy Burnham must be feeling rather relaxed as he packs up for his first summer holiday since becoming prime minister — while across the aisle, Nigel Farage has gone unusually quiet. New from @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
It's the end of Reform as we know it
A bad few months for Nigel Farage's insurgent party has shown their true colours
national.thelead.uk
There’s a sugar rush, amongst other new openings in Longton. Helen Dalley with all the latest in the Monday edition of The Knot to kick-start the week in Stoke-on-Trent
Longton's getting a boost with new shops and a cafe opening their doors
Plus what's next for Twyford, nature restoration at Ford Green Brook, £4.5 million for domestic violence survivors and don't-miss events for August and September
theknot.news
After Andy Burnham said he'd give mayors the power to retain income tax, Ben Houchen said he'd use it to give his Tees Valley constituents tax rebates. Is this something he can actually do?
Can Ben Houchen use devolution to give tax rebates to everybody in Teesside?
Early exchanges between No10 and the Tees Valley test the limits of giving more powers to regional mayors
teesside.thelead.uk
There's been plenty of reaction to Andy Burnham's announcements, we start our weekend editions of The Lead Local in Lancashire where cheap buses are being mulled over...
£1 bus fare used by millions could be viable after Andy Burnham’s cap announcement
The £1 cap was due to be scrapped in September, but that may now change
lancashire.thelead.uk
After flooding in Taff's Well followed a nearby quarry blast, residents in Glyncoch fear the same could happen to their community. As another blast is scheduled this week, campaigners are calling for greater scrutiny. @theleaduk.bsky.social thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/taffs-well...
"I hope we're not next": Taff's Well flooding renews Glyncoch quarry fears
Residents living beside Craig Yr Hesg quarry say Friday's flooding in Taff's Well has reinforced long-standing concerns about blasting, flooding, and public safety.
thevalleys.thelead.uk
"The Local News Fund is a great start but with the spread of extremist online content, often seeded by foreign dictatorships or far-right grifters, we risk losing the battle for truth unless news, which is expensive to do well, is supported."
Me for The Lead this week. Thanks to all who spoke to me.
The Lead@theleaduk.bsky.social · 3w agoThis summer is ten years since the EU referendum, 5.8million people have settled status in the UK. How have they found living here since Brexit? @kevingopal.bsky.social reports ✍️ national.thelead.uk/p/brexit-eu-...
I looked at why @zackpolanski.bsky.social, @neweconomics.bsky.social and others support rent controls in a piece for @theleaduk.bsky.social earlier this month - national.thelead.uk/p/the-lead-u...
The Lead Untangles: Rent controls
With Andy Burnham almost certain to become the next Prime Minister, campaigners are demanding rent controls
national.thelead.uk
Zack Polanski@zackpolanski.bsky.social · last wk.Wealth taxes. Rent controls. Action on climate. And a pretty huge crowd ready for hope with a plan for real change. Join.greenparty.org.uk
Andy Burnham has pledged to end rough sleeping in England, backed by £340 million in new funding. But what does it mean for Wales? @llamau.bsky.social @theleaduk.bsky.social thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/burnham-pl...
Burnham pledges to end rough sleeping in England - but what does it mean for Wales?
A £340 million investment aims to tackle rough sleeping in England, while Welsh homelessness charities say Wales also needs greater funding as thousands remain in temporary accommodation.
thevalleys.thelead.uk
Robust stuff from @hannahfearn.bsky.social dismissing the nonsense about millionaire tenants and tenancies for life
The Lead@theleaduk.bsky.social · last wk.Andy Burnham’s promise to deliver a new generation of council housing could transform the UK’s response to the housing crisis. But, argues hannahfearn.bsky.social, building the homes is only half the battle. national.thelead.uk/p/the-house-...
Me for The Lead this week. How much difference will the reforms make when the vast majority of planning decisions are already delegated to officers?
The Lead@theleaduk.bsky.social · 5d agoLong awaited planning reforms will delegate nearly all decisions to planning officers. Reform UK politicians locally have immediately moved to suggest the changes will result in local councils being unable to block HMOs. Is it true? national.thelead.uk/p/the-lead-u...
Burnham’s devolution plan reads as a good thing - though Lancashire is still at least two years from a mayor and missing out until then - but it’ll be at its most useful for people with proper local journalism, like @theleaduk.bsky.social as mentioned here. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Local media needs support if devolution push is to succeed, publishers say
Shift from Westminster risks weakening scrutiny as regional titles battle hostility, big tech and ‘news deserts’
theguardian.com
Long awaited planning reforms will delegate nearly all decisions to planning officers. Reform UK politicians locally have immediately moved to suggest the changes will result in local councils being unable to block HMOs. Is it true? national.thelead.uk/p/the-lead-u...
The Lead Untangles: Planning reforms
New planning rules have sparked claims that councils will no longer be able to block HMOs, but the reality is more complicated
national.thelead.uk
A senior Green politician in Lancashire has accused Reform UK of hypocrisy for the way it has handled the controversy surrounding Zack Polanski. 🪡
Andy Burnham’s promise to deliver a new generation of council housing could transform the UK’s response to the housing crisis. But, argues hannahfearn.bsky.social, building the homes is only half the battle. national.thelead.uk/p/the-house-...
The house that Burnham builds
A new generation of council homes is promised but the myths of who gets them are taking hold
national.thelead.uk
Andy Burnham used his first speech as PM to promise to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, allocating £340 million in England to help achieve this aim, which the UK Government has stated will be put towards. Our local correspondents have dug into what this means in Southport and Wales 👇️
Should we regulate therapy? A new petition has invigorated calls to keep an eye on the 'wild west' profession - but many in the industry disagree. What do you think? national.thelead.uk/p/the-lead-u...
The Lead Untangles: The push to regulate therapy
A new petition says it’s time to regulate the profession– but therapists and clients disagree
national.thelead.uk
Burnham’s first moves suggest a government focused on living standards and everyday concerns — but difficult choices are already emerging national.thelead.uk/p/burnham-ha...
Burnham has brought hope back to No.10 - now comes the hard part
Burnham’s first moves suggest a government focused on living standards and everyday concerns — but difficult choices are already emerging
national.thelead.uk
This summer is ten years since the EU referendum, 5.8million people have settled status in the UK. How have they found living here since Brexit? @kevingopal.bsky.social reports ✍️ national.thelead.uk/p/brexit-eu-...
It feels like every week we ask the same question at The Lead: just how low will Nigel Farage go? national.thelead.uk/p/ann-widdec...
Nigel Farage wants to be protected — and persecuted
Drilling into what the Reform leader has said and done since the shocking death of Ann Widdecombe
national.thelead.uk
Our Wednesday editions from The Lead's local network are now live 👇️ In Lancashire, we rated the five options put forward for the size and shape of the new authorities that will be created as part of Lancashire's local government shake up lancashire.thelead.uk/p/biggest-sh...
Biggest shake-up in Lancashire's local government history to be confirmed this week
An announcement is expected on Thursday - expect it to leak today
lancashire.thelead.uk
Here’s the latest reporting from The Lead’s local network ⬇️ In Lancashire, a criminal investigation into the death of Kerry Coombes has led to calls for safety concerns at the level crossings to be addressed. We dug into Network Rail’s own assessment... lancashire.thelead.uk/p/station-ro...
Half barrier level crossings generate significant public risk, says Network Rail's own assessment
Amid a criminal investigation into the tragic death of Kerry Coombes, there are calls for safety concerns at the Station Road level crossings to be addressed.
lancashire.thelead.uk
Andy Burnham is under pressure to introduce rent controls. Are they a good idea? national.thelead.uk/p/the-lead-u...
The Lead Untangles: Rent controls
With Andy Burnham almost certain to become the next Prime Minister, campaigners are demanding rent controls
national.thelead.uk
Farage wasn't joking when he triggered his 'anti-establishment' by-election in Clacton. With all major parties refusing to run against him, his only current opponent is a bin...
Nigel Farage has triggered a by-election in Clacton. The last week has shown that the image he has carefully cultivated for decades, writes zoegrunewald.bsky.social, is no longer there. national.thelead.uk/p/nigel-fara...
Nigel Farage is toast
He may win the battle, but Farage has already lost the myth
national.thelead.uk
Andy Burnham’s plans to transfer powers out of London will “turbocharge” West Yorkshire’s regeneration – Mayor Tracy Brabin has claimed calderdale.thelead.uk/p/burnham-pl...
Burnham pledge to move No 10 to the North will 'supercharge' West Yorkshire regeneration
Burnham has promised sweeping devolution if/when he becomes PM
calderdale.thelead.uk
Our latest reporting from the south Wales valleys: The Annual Empty Property Strategy Report was recently reviewed by Councillors in Merthyr Tydfil. Is the Council on track to meet its target of bringing 200 long-term empty properties back to use? thevalleys.thelead.uk/p/merthyr-ty...
Merthyr Tydfil Council brings 170 empty homes back into use - but hundreds remain vacant
The Annual Empty Property Strategy Report was recently reviewed by Councillors. Is the Council on track to meet its target of bringing 200 long-term empty properties back to use?
thevalleys.thelead.uk
At some point - probably last winter - the world’s largest purpose-built biomass power plant exploded. Nobody noticed. Here's the latest from the Teesside Lead 👇️ teesside.thelead.uk/p/a-teesside...
A Teesside power station exploded without anybody noticing
Tees Renewable Energy Plant has encountered many issues since construction in 2022
teesside.thelead.uk
In Lancashire last week, it was confirmed that data on potholes and how quickly they were repaired between October and March will not be available - making it impossible for opposition councillors and the public to draw conclusions on this period lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire...
Lancashire County Council will not publish pothole repair performance data from the winter
Data is expected to be available from April 2026
lancashire.thelead.uk