The UK House of Commons experienced a rare moment of silence following the announcement of the vote on the assisted dying bill, which passed with 330 votes in favor and 275 against. The debate preceding the vote was marked by emotional and impassioned speeches from MPs across the political spectrum. Proponents, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, argued for autonomy and dignity in end-of-life decisions, while opponents, including Danny Kruger and other Conservative MPs, raised concerns about potential coercion and the fundamental change in the relationship between the state and individuals. The bill's passage marks a significant moment in UK politics, reflecting deep divisions and ethical considerations surrounding assisted dying.

Luke Johnson, chairman of Gail's, warns that some of his companies may not survive under Labour's proposed workers' rights reforms, which he criticizes for imposing significant burdens on businesses. The reforms, led by Angela Rayner, aim to enhance job security and flexible working but face backlash from business leaders concerned about increased costs and union powers. Andrew Griffith, shadow business secretary, calls for a delay in the bill, citing inadequate impact assessments. The Regulatory Policy Committee also criticizes the government's assessment of the bill's impact. Business leaders fear the reforms could deter hiring and strain small companies.

Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the Conservative Party, acknowledged past failures in controlling immigration and proposed a new approach, including a cap on visas and potential withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. She emphasized the need to rebuild trust with voters and differentiate from Labour's policies. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, supported these views, highlighting the economic and social challenges posed by high immigration levels. The article also notes the rise of Reform UK and critiques from Labour, underscoring the political tensions surrounding immigration in the UK.

Labour's new back-to-work plan, set to be unveiled, lacks a crackdown on sickness benefits, drawing criticism from the Conservative Party. The plan focuses on reforms to Jobcentres, a youth guarantee, and a consultation on welfare reform, but is criticized for not addressing the rising welfare costs. The Conservative Party accuses Labour of avoiding tough decisions and failing to provide a clear strategy for reducing welfare spending and increasing employment. The article highlights the political debate over welfare reform and economic growth strategies in the UK.

The UK's sickness benefits bill is projected to increase by £1.3 billion before the Labour government launches its welfare review. Tory analysis highlights a monthly rise of £266 million in spending on health-related benefits, driven by mental health issues and obesity. The Labour government, led by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, plans to introduce welfare reforms in the spring, potentially including new taxes on unhealthy foods. However, the delay in reforms has drawn criticism from Conservative MPs, who argue that it leads to higher taxes and insufficient job creation. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that spending on sickness and disability benefits could exceed £100 billion annually by 2030.

Britain remains firm on not easing visa restrictions for Indian workers as trade talks with India are set to restart. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasizes that any trade deal must align with the UK's national interest, particularly concerning migration policies. The talks, initially started by Boris Johnson, aim to boost economic growth and create a strategic partnership with India, encompassing technology, climate change, and education. Despite previous setbacks, the UK government seeks to enhance trade relations with India, the world's fifth-largest economy, to support job creation and economic prosperity.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and former director of public prosecutions, has committed to making courts and justice systems more open and accountable, emphasizing the importance of journalistic access. This comes in response to concerns about the lack of transparency in magistrates and immigration judges' decisions, particularly under the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) and in asylum appeal cases. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk acknowledged the need for transparency and is considering adjustments to the SJP. The article also references the case of Abdul Ezedi, an Afghan asylum seeker whose dishonest claims were exposed after media outlets requested access to his immigration files.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ignited controversy by awarding a knighthood to Mohamed Mansour, a major Conservative Party donor, in an unusual honours list released before the Easter Bank Holiday. The list also includes honours for loyal Tory MPs and cultural figures like Christopher Nolan. Critics, including Labour's Anneliese Dodds and Reform UK's Richard Tice, accuse Sunak of cronyism and disrespect for the office. The announcement comes amid scrutiny of Tory finances and speculation about a potential snap election. Sunak's decision has been defended by government sources as a celebration of British cultural and technological achievements.

Keir Starmer, Labour leader, has warned that cash-strapped councils will not receive extra levelling-up funds if he wins the election, citing economic constraints caused by the Conservative government. He criticized the upcoming council rate hikes as a 'new Tory stealth tax' and emphasized the need for economic growth before additional funding can be provided. Starmer's remarks come amid a financial crisis for many local authorities, with several declaring bankruptcy in recent years. He also attacked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for their economic policies, while Conservative chairman Richard Holden dismissed Starmer's criticisms as cynical.

More than £10 billion of taxpayers’ money is wasted annually by the public sector, according to Gareth Davies, head of the National Audit Office. In a speech to MPs, Davies will highlight poor management, benefits fraud, and outdated IT systems as key issues. He will argue that the government can achieve more with existing spending and emphasize the need for a new approach to national infrastructure. The Taxpayers’ Alliance supports his remarks, calling for productivity-boosting solutions. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ordered a review to enhance public sector productivity.