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Kent business leaders back state-funded childcare reforms

15 March 2023
Kent business leaders back state-funded childcare reforms

The government's plans for an extension of free child care costs to help get people back to work have been welcomed by business leaders in Kent.

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'Gary Lineker has won but where does BBC draw line now?'

13 March 2023
'Gary Lineker has won but where does BBC draw line now?'

With an outcome to the Gary Lineker tweet saga the BBC must now work out where it draws the line, writes political editor Paul Francis.

66

Tories pick candidate for general election

12 March 2023
Tories pick candidate for general election

Conservative members have selected their candidate for the next general election for a new-look constituency.

32

'Sunak's small boat gamble raises as many questions as it answers'

06 March 2023
'Sunak's small boat gamble raises as many questions as it answers'

Rishi Sunak is gambling on a tough-talking asylum crossings plan which raises as many questions as it answers, writes political editor Paul Francis.

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Councillor with fascist links fails to regain seat

03 March 2023
Councillor with fascist links fails to regain seat

The Greens are celebrating their victory after winning a seat previously held by a councillor exposed for having connections with a fascist group.

1

Twice as many staff hired for often empty border facility

02 March 2023
Twice as many staff hired for often empty border facility

Council bosses recruited twice as many staff to run a post-Brexit border facility as advised by government officials at a site sitting largely empty.

1

Brexit border control site set to cost taxpayers £70m

01 March 2023
Brexit border control site set to cost taxpayers £70m

The creation of a giant Brexit border control site off the M20 is likely to cost taxpayers a staggering £70 million, it has emerged.

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'PM's building own swimming pool – now time to fund ours'

27 February 2023
'PM's building own swimming pool – now time to fund ours'

Swimming pools face an uncertain future, yet their presence is so important and it's time the government realised that, writes Paul Francis.

3

Helen Whately MP reselected as Tory election candidate

23 February 2023
Helen Whately MP reselected as Tory election candidate

MP Helen Whately has been reselected as the Conservative candidate for the constituency she has represented for the past 13 years.

4

County councillors to get 4.5% increase in 'pay'

22 February 2023
County councillors to get 4.5% increase in 'pay'

The allowances county councillors can claim will go up by at least £700 – costing the public purse more than £2m in total.

48

Row growing over Tory selection rules for election candidates

20 February 2023
Row growing over Tory selection rules for election candidates

Two Kent MPs are facing crunch selection meetings as they seek to stand at the next general election in constituencies with newly-drawn boundaries.

18

'Kicking up a stink? Tories sewage stance could cost them dear'

13 February 2023
'Kicking up a stink? Tories sewage stance could cost them dear'

Political Editor Paul Francis gives his take on the biggest stories.

9

School bus pass could rise to £600

10 February 2023
School bus pass could rise to £600

School bus passes in Kent will rise in cost, with an increase of £150 to £600 considered.

4

When asked by KCC what to cut public responds 'you'

06 February 2023
When asked by KCC what to cut public responds 'you'

Political editor Paul Francis gibes his take on the week's events.

17

Fascist photo shame councillor is 'good bloke' says Tory candidate

05 February 2023
Fascist photo shame councillor is 'good bloke' says Tory candidate

A councillor who quit after photos emerged of him wearing fascist insignia is a "good bloke" according to the Tory candidate standing against him.

15

New rules on voter ID could hit turnout at May poll

01 February 2023
New rules on voter ID could hit turnout at May poll

Government plans to make voters bring ID to the polling stations hve proved controversial.

68

Three years on what's Brexit done for Kent?

30 January 2023
Three years on what's Brexit done for Kent?

Three years since Boris Johnson claimed he'd 'got Brexit done' the balance sheet for Kent is firmly in the red, writes political editor Paul Francis.

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PM sacks chairman in bid to draw a line on 'sleaze' allegations

29 January 2023
PM sacks chairman in bid to draw a line on 'sleaze' allegations

Political editor Paul Francis analyses the PM's move to sack Tory party chairman Nadhim Zahawi after a “serious breach” of the Ministerial Code.

39

'Giant Brexit lorry park risks becoming white elephant'

27 January 2023
'Giant Brexit lorry park risks becoming white elephant'

Paul Francis says it's red faces all-round as the giant Brexit lorry park, built with minimal planning scrutiny, starts to look like a white elephant.

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The giant Brexit border control site that now sits empty

25 January 2023
The giant Brexit border control site that now sits empty

Drone pictures reveal how a multi-million pound facility built for checks to be carried out on certain lorries appears to be completely deserted.

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