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

WILL the Tories really try and trim Chinese influence in Britain? I think the government is really, genuinely worried about Chinese corporations having a major role in country’s “critical infrastructure” like nuclear power or 5G mobile networks.
It’s not because they are worried about “human rights” in China or anything, it’s because they have become nervous that China has become a powerful economic and political rival. However, I am sceptical they will do much, because that would mean that firstly they would have to invest in British nuclear and 5G technology themselves — and secondly, they would have to turn down Chinese corporate cash.
The Daily Mirror recently reported that Hawthorn, a lobbying company with close Tory links, is now working to persuade MPs not to be mean to Huawei, the Chinese corporation with a role in rolling out 5G: the Register of Lobbyists confirms Hawthorn were hired by Huawei.

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