The NEU kept children and teachers safe during the pandemic, yet we are disgracefully slandered by the politicians who have truly failed our children by not funding a proper education recovery programme — here’s what is needed, explains KEVIN COURTNEY
Lycamobile – tackled for the very first time?
Tory-donating company Lycamobile has a long track record of dodging tax. Does its increased unpaid tax fund mean the firm is getting spooked by the taxman closing in, asks SOLOMON HUGHES
[osde8info/flickr] 
The appalling bigotry and bias of London’s police force has been obvious for years – and the police leadership does not appear inclined to do anything about it, writes CLAUDIA WEBBE
As Holyrood elections approach, BRIAN LEISHMAN MP argues that Labour’s time has come — to open a new chapter which puts an end to the years of managed decline
ASSAF TALGAM talks to an Israeli Communist lawmaker about the need to use every tool of democratic and non-violent struggle; how Israeli society has changed since October 7 2023; and the persecution of the left in the parliamentary arena
Apart from a bright spark of hope in the victory of the Gaza motion, this year’s conference lacked vision and purpose — we need to urgently reconnect Labour with its roots rather than weakly aping the flag-waving right, argues KIM JOHNSON MP
In the face of funding cuts, closures and a shift into women’s centres providing criminal justice-only services rather than a holistic approach, RUTH HUNT urges women to protect existing resources, volunteer and build new networks of support
BRITISH tax officials are still trying to fine one of the Tories’ £8.2 million donors for “failure or obstruction” and not paying enough tax, according to company accounts released in March.
The Lycamobile group of companies, which has donated over £2m to the Tories, has also increased the money it put aside for unpaid tax, on top of the fine, to €10.6m, or about £9.2m.
Mobile phone firm Lycamobile has given the Tories £2.1m since 2011. Lycamobile owner Allirajah Subaskaran regularly went to dinners for donors with Tory ministers: in 2016 he dined with David Cameron, George Osborne, Philip Hammond, Theresa May, Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid.
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The new angle from private firms shmoozing their way into public contracts was the much-trumpeted arrival of ‘artificial intelligence’ — and no-one seemed to have heard the numerous criticisms of this unproven miracle cure, reports SOLOMON HUGHES
It is rather strange that Labour continues to give prestigious roles to inappropriate, controversy-mired businessmen who are also major Tory donors. What could Labour possibly be hoping to get out of it, asks SOLOMON HUGHES
Keir Starmer’s hiring Tim Allan from Tory-led Strand Partners is another illustration of Labour’s corporate-influence world where party differences matter less than business connections, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
MBDA’s Alabama factory makes components for Boeing’s GBU-39 bombs used to kill civilians in Gaza. Its profits flow through Stevenage to Paris — and it is one of the British government’s favourite firms, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES
