Background Check

British society scarred by deep poverty and racism

A new report shows 14.4 million people, including 4.5 million children, are living in poverty—and it’s even worse for black people, writes Sadie Robinson

‘I miss a normal life’—the workers stuck out at sea

Lockdown has imprisoned seafarers on ships for months—and they are desperate to leave.

Slaughter abroad is linked to militarisation of the US police

It was after the US’s wars in the Middle East escalated that military equipment really started flooding into police departments, writes Nick Clark

Plan for new repressive laws reignites rage in Hong Kong

For the second time this year, pro-democracy protesters have filled the streets of Hong Kong. Sadie Robinson looks at what’s driving their anger

Tory ‘test, track and trace’ plan is in tatters before it’s begun

After months of failures, Boris Johnson claims he has a new contact tracing strategy. But as Sarah Bates reports, the scheme is already in trouble

Report exposes shocking call centre conditions for workers

Call centre workers are risking their lives on a “dangerous frontline” in the coronavirus crisis. A new report says that, “Without exaggeration the severity of the hazards from Covid-19 and the effects on these workers make for shocking reading.”

Virus in prison system puts inmates' lives at risk

Coronavirus is ripping through prisons, as cruel conditions put tens of thousands of people at risk.

Cuts and Covid-19 are a deadly cocktail for social care

The death toll from the coronavirus in care homes is a scandal, yet workers’ demands for safety measures are still being ignored, reports Sarah Bates

Viruses and the sick system that destroys our environment

Pandemics and viral outbreaks aren’t an accident of nature. Fresh research confirms how tearing up animals’ natural habitats and intensive farming are to blame, writes Sadie Robinson

New laws give dangerous powers to the state

The Tories rushed through new laws to ‘deal’ with coronavirus—but parts of them are a threat to us all

Why you should join the march against racism

We need to hurl back the Tory government’s racist offensive. Activists say you should join the Stand Up To Racism national demonstrations in London and Glasgow on Saturday 21 March

Israel’s political deadlock exposed by another election

As Israelis prepare for their third election in a year, Nick Clark looks at what lies behind the stalemate—and says the occupation of Palestine lies at the root of the deep political crisis.

Dosh for deportations—how private firms cash in

Deportations to Jamaica have exposed the horror of Britain’s immigration system. But they’ve got bosses rubbing their hands

The woman who is taking Universal Credit to court

Hated benefits rules left Nichola Salvato in debt over childcare costs. Now, reports Sadie Robinson, she’s on a legal crusade to have them overturned

Big support for walkout that takes on bosses at Soas university

Soas management have launched a vicious attack on some of the lowest-paid academic staff—but it has been met by resistance, reports Sadie Robinson

The right use abuse scandals to feed racism

A new report shows politicians and the media use abuse to whip up Islamophobia, says Sadie Robinson

After the earthquake—how world rulers have failed Haiti

In 2010 an earthquake killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti and left many more homeless. But more horrific was world rulers’ response, argues Gabby Thorpe

Bigots organise to block new relationships and sex lessons

Bigots are organising to scupper the rollout of LGBT+ equality lessons in schools.

New West Bank settlement will ‘destroy hope for peace’

Israel’s government plans to build yet another settlement bloc in Hebron. Local Palestinian activist Issa Amro told Nick Clark that the move will ‘strengthen apartheid policies in the city’

Strikers at St Mary’s have NHS privatisers on the run

A series of strikes has forced NHS England bosses and multinationals onto the back foot over privatisation and outsourcing. Gabby Thorpe reports on the latest fight in west London