Want to understand what’s really going on in Britain, and how we can fix it?
Join Vicky Spratt’s subscriber-only newsletter, The State We’re In where she breaks down the big issues shaping the country. You can sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox, every single week, here.
Britain’s rural child homelessness crisis is worsening, but nobody is talking about it- why? In this week’s newsletter, I’ll share exclusive data from the County Councils Network (CCN), who fear it’s because of a focus on major cities with regional mayors.
Coming up in this week’s newsletter:
It’s August, which, conventionally, is supposed to be a quiet time in British politics. And yet, housing policy has become a focus this week.
The most expensive moving day of the year is this week
August 28 could be four times busier than a normal moving day and as a result, much more expensive.
High demand raises prices
Research by the HomeOwners Alliance estimated that nearly 23,000 households will be moving this Friday, with the surging demand pushing up prices.
3 min read
3 min read
When is it cheaper to move?
Tuesday and Wednesday were generally the cheapest days to move, according to Moving Compared. The research found that costs could rise by as much as £500, depending on when you decide to move.
- Moving Compared also warned that whilst Fridays are convenient, they are the “least forgiving day” because there is no working day afterwards to resolve problems.
Kit Harington joins HBO’s Harry Potter – who else is in the cast?
Kit Harington is joining the HBO TV series as famous author turned Hogwarts professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
He is replacing Nicholas Hoult, who left due to scheduling issues, according to HBO. Here is everyone else currently cast in the show.
The big names we know so far
The veteran actor, with his collection of Emmys and Oscars, will take the role of Dumbledore.
Frost will don the shaggy beard of Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid.
A returning cast member, Davis will continue his original role as master of charms Professor Filius Flitwick.
A closer look at the detail
Cast members have faced some backlash for their decision to join the show, from those who are opposed to J K Rowling’s views on gender identity and trans rights.
The HBO series is expected to take 10 years to complete, as producers plan multiple seasons covering each of Rowling’s seven books, which the eight blockbuster films were originally based on.
The other names to watch
- Harry Potter – Dominic Mclaughlin
- Hermione Granger – Arabella Stanton
- Ron Weasley – Alastair Stout
- Garrick Ollivander – Anton Lesser
- Neville Longbottom – Rory Wilmot
- Madam Hooch – Louise Brealey
- Professor McGonagall – Janet McTeer
- Professor Snape – Paapa Essiedu
- Draco Malfoy – Lox Pratt
The other names to watch
- Lucius Malfoy – Johnny Flynn
- Petunia Dursley – Bel Powley
- Vernon Dursley – Daniel Rigby
- Dudley Dursley – Amos Kitson
- Molly Weasley – Katherine Parkinson
- Cornelius Fudge – Bertie Carvel
- Professor Quirrell – Luke Thallon
go deeper on this topic
The Harry Potter
cast have cursed themselves for ever
A part in HBO’s is an irresistible opportunity for an actor, but I do wonder if any of the cast are regretting their decision to get involved. Any association with Rowling is a drink from a poisoned chalice – a curse that will never lift. Is it worth it?
The seven taxes Burnham could raise to fund his spending spree
Andy Burnham has declined to rule out raising taxes in his autumn Budget, saying he would not be “unrealistic” about the state of the public finances and vowed to take a “careful approach”.
Raising income tax, national insurance or VAT
These are the biggest revenue raising levers at Chancellor John Healey’s disposal, making up 54 per cent of the tax base. But Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto committed not to raise any of these.
- Burnham also pledged to do the same, so going back on his word would be extremely damaging for a Prime Minister who has made much about restoring trust.
This is one of the more likely options and currently sits at 18 per cent for basic-rate income taxpayers and 24 per cent for higher and additional-rate taxpayers.
Raising the tax is popular in the Labour Party; however, predictions on how much it would raise range from £14bn to actually costing the Treasury money if people delayed asset sales or moved overseas.
3 min read
3 min read
Wealth tax
Burnham has faced calls for this from the left and last month Gary Lineker was among 120 so-called “Patriotic Millionaires” who signed a letter backing paying more tax in the form of a 2 per cent levy on wealth over £10m.
Some economists claim that it could raise £10bn a year and only affect the 1,000 most affluent households, but sceptics have said it could lead to wealthy individuals ceasing to be UK tax residents or “gaming” the valuation of their assets.
Pension tax changes
The Government could cut the size of the tax-free lump sum people can take from their pensions, which is either 25 per cent of the amount or £268,275 – whichever is lower.
Another option would be to limit pension tax relief. However, this would be a bold and risky step, with Sir Keir Starmer previously facing a hugely damaging backlash after cutting winter fuel payments.
4 min read
4 min read
Sin taxes
Burnham could target business sectors or activities which he thinks are “anti-social” or damaging for people – with him already focusing on reducing reliefs for vape shops and betting establishments.
Healey could also raise taxes on cigarettes, vapes, unhealthy food and alcohol. These tax raises often incur little political cost but tend to raise trivial sums.
The four signs the UK’s stance towards Russia is escalating
Andy Burnham has faced down threats from the Kremlin over Britain’s increasing support for Ukraine by telling Vladimir Putin he “started the fire”.
Burnham says he won’t back down
The war of words broke out after Moscow warned that the UK sharing long-range missile blueprints with Kyiv would “add fuel to the fire” of the conflict.
During a visit to Kyiv on Monday, to mark the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, Burnham insisted there would be no backing down from assistance to Kyiv.
2 min read
2 min read
Tougher rhetoric from Burnham
While Sir Keir Starmer was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, Burnham’s comments will be seen as more outspoken. They come as the perceived threat from Moscow has increased in the last few months.
With UK-made drones being used against Russia by Ukraine, Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said Britain “should brace [itself] for grey zone retaliation. And for this we are woefully unprepared”.
Increased assistance
Britain has been contributing to Kyiv’s war effort since the start of the Russian invasion, but the revelation that UK-made drones were being used to strike Russia, as well as that Britain has shared blueprints for long-range missiles, reach a new scale of significance.
- Downing Street would not say whether this was a Starmer or Burnham policy, but a No 10 spokeswoman said the UK would continue to help arm Ukraine.
New battlefield data partnership
The latest support, announced on Monday evening, comes in the form of a new partnership between London and Kyiv on AI.
Under the deal, the UK will have access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs database to develop tools for use on the battlefield.
Britain described the platform as a “goldmine of battlefield data”. In return, the UK will offer scientists and tech companies access to develop new battlefield tools.
Sorties by RAF planes
On Monday, an RAF “Rivet Joint” surveillance aircraft was spotted by military observers over Lithuania and northern Poland, near to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
While sorties such as these are not unusual, the timing of the mission – reported by the X account OSINT Defender – could suggest the UK is gearing up for potential retaliation from Moscow for its support for Ukraine.
2 min read
4 min read
How much caffeine is in your favourite cup of high street coffee?
Coffees from high street chains can vary “wildly” in the amount of caffeine they contain, a new study by Which? has shown.
Costa tops caffeine leaderboards
The research found that a medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325mg of caffeine, almost three-and-a-half times that of the same drink at Starbucks, at 89mg.
This caffeine content is around the same amount as four cans of Red Bull. Costa also has the most caffeine in its espresso shots – 100mg per serving – and its flat whites (241mg).
Where the other chains stand
Greggs is second in the caffeine standings, with 235mg in its cappuccino and Caffe Nero third, with 221mg.
Starbucks serves the least amount of caffeine across all its drinks, but levels have increased in its espressos, cappuccinos and filter coffees over three years.
3 min read
3 min read
The areas included in first wave of new housing fund
In an interview with The i Paper, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has said the Government is “tilting” towards council and social housebuilding in a bid to reduce the number of homeless families in expensive temporary accommodation.
A surge in social housing
A total of £10bn worth of funding is going to councils and housing associations to build more than 70,000 homes across England, 60 per cent of which must be social housing, according to Rayner.
- The £10bn announced yesterday is set to be followed by approximately £21bn for council and social housing, which has not yet been allocated.
The areas receiving the funds
Of the £10bn, the following mayoral authorities will receive:
- An additional 33 “strategic partners” that will receive the rest of the money will be announced in due course, the Government said.
- The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, will be given £6bn to spend.
‘Changing order of queue’ will not solve social housing issue
Reform UK has pledged to prioritise British-born workers under 35 when allocating social housing if the party enters government, but charities and experts have warned that “changing the order of the queue” would not solve the issue of social housing.
Plug-in solar panels go on sale this week – what to know
Plug-in solar panel kits are set to go on sale in the UK this Thursday, just in time for the end of the sunny weather.
Here’s where you’ll be able to buy them later this week – and what to look out for.
What solar panel can I buy?
UKSOL is the first company to produce a plug-in solar panel meeting new regulations.
Its one-panel solar kit is on sale now from £699 for collection on 27 August.
It is not expected to hit supermarket shelves before the end of the summer, though.
4 min read
Will they get cheaper?
There had been speculation that a solar panel could cost as little as £400, and there is hope that prices could come down if plug-in solar becomes popular here.
Retailers such as Lidl, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix and Wickes have all expressed interest in solar kits.
How will they work?
- UKSOL’s single panel system includes a kit to set up the panel.
- It is then monitored via an app.
- It must be set up in a garden – not on a balcony.
3 min read
What to watch out for
Making your money back
With an estimated saving of £85 a year you’ll have to wait a while.
Safety first
Get your wiring checked to avoid starting fires from power surges.
No storage
You have to be in to use the electricity, or it will go to waste.
4 min read
Millions of women to get at-home cervical screening tests
From Tuesday, women who have not attended their cervical screening appointments will get free at-home testing kits on the NHS.
The move has been described as a “gamechanger”.
The NHS aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
Women can request kits online
Eligible women aged between 30 and 65 will be sent invitations to order an at-home swab kit if they have not attended a smear test.
The kits contain a swab, to be used to collect a sample from the vagina, which can then be posted to a lab for testing.
4 min read
How will it work?
- Samples will be tested for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
- If a test is positive, the patient will be invited to an appointment.
- 13 types of HPV are responsible for 99.7% cervical cancers.
4 min read
More science from The i Paper
As Rayner, Burnham and housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook finally announced the first wave of their allocations from the £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), concern started to grow in rural areas that the lion’s share of funding was going to urban locations.
While it’s true that major cities have high levels of homelessness and a growing number of families languishing in temporary accommodation, the CCN warn there are now 23,000 homeless children in the same situation across England’s counties.
That’s enough to fill the average market town, and councils are warning that rural homelessness is becoming a “deepening crisis”, with areas such as North Lincolnshire, Northumberland and Durham seeing households in temporary accommodation increase more than sixfold.
In March this year, there were a record 23,186 children in county council areas growing up in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts, hostels, hotels and privately rented homes, which councils are often charged expensive rates to let.
According to the CCN, the number of homeless children in rural areas has risen by 74 per cent since 2019-20. This increase is almost double the national increase of 38 per cent.
While many headlines have focused on the strain on migrant accommodation in recent months, asylum seekers cannot be housed in council temporary or social accommodation and are housed by private providers.
Indeed, as I’ve reported, the rise in homeless families with children has been brewing in the background for years, and experts say it is because there is less social housing than there once was, leaving more low-income families to rely on private rents, which they increasingly cannot afford.
Rents have outpaced overall consumer inflation in recent years – private rents have grown 3.7 per cent in the last year, compared to an inflation rate of 2.9 per cent.
Meanwhile state support available to pay those rents (the housing benefit portion of universal credit) has mostly remained frozen. Homelessness charities, such as Crisis, have said they are being approached for help by people in work who don’t qualify for state support but, equally, cannot afford local rents.
As I’ve reported from places like Hastings on the south coast, temporary accommodation costs have pushed local councils’ finances to the brink across the country. English councils spent a total of £2.2bn in the two years between 2023 and 2025, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
For years, the focus has (perhaps rightly) been on the impact this is having on local councils in major cities. However, today the CCN are warning that rural councils are also seeing their costs “balloon” beyond a sustainable level.
Councils in county areas spent £124m on temporary accommodation in 2019-20, just before the Covid-19 pandemic. Five years later, those councils were spending £373m.
The CCN says that as well as soaring rents, a lack of affordable homes in many areas is fueling the problem and has called on the Government to step in.
Reform councillor Andrew Husband, the CCN’s housing and planning spokesperson, said that while they recognise the SAHP funding, they are concerned “virtually all the funds announced are going to England’s major cities”.
“It is vital that the Government recognises that homelessness is now both an urban and rural challenge, and provides funding to support the delivery of more social and affordable housing in England’s counties,” Husband added.
Husband, leader of County Durham Council, where the number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen more than 500 per cent from 19 to 118, said the authority is “swimming against the tide” as “more and more people” needed support.
“Since taking over as leader of the council almost 18 months ago now, I’ve seen first-hand how the problem has worsened, despite us supporting record numbers of people who have become homeless and progressing plans for more affordable homes,” he said.
“We’ve had to open homeless hubs not only in Durham city itself, but even smaller rural towns such as Tow Law,” Husband added before calling on the Government to develop a “homelessness strategy for rural areas”.
When I spoke to Rayner yesterday, she was clear that the Burnham Government’s intention was to focus on funding the building of homes for social rent, which could help families out of temporary accommodation.
However, whether there will be more funding for rural areas and, crucially, whether any of the worst-affected rural councils will be able to bid for funding to build new housing in the next round of the SAHP remains to be seen.
In the meantime, children will be stuck – sometimes for years – in temporary emergency accommodation which, as I’ve reported, is often unsuitable, unsafe and, sometimes, even dangerous.
Housing crisis watch
Forgive me for staying on topic this week, but several things stand out to me about the Government’s SAHP announcement.
Firstly, there are just three councils on their list of 33 “strategic partners” who have been allocated funding. These are: Cambridge City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Newcastle City Council.
Rayner told me that the Government would be “tilting” towards council house building and that this is just the start, but it looks like it is going to be a slow rebirth.
The Prime Minister has made it clear that he wants more councils (and perhaps mayoral authorities) to be able to build homes for social rent. Critics will argue that he has backed down on that in today’s announcement.
But, equally, he, Rayner and Pennycook have issued a clear statement of intention, and you could just as easily argue that Burnham has displayed a degree of pragmatism by getting this initial funding wave (which was largely already allocated when he became Prime Minister) out of the door quickly while also looking at how to support more councils in the next phase which, all told, will be aroud £21bn worth of funding.
Read my full interview with Rayner, in which I asked her when we might expect that second wave of cash, here.