Day Headlines in Politics News: 2026-05-21
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Toilets and changing rooms must be used on basis of biological sex, guidance confirms (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 18:00:26)
The guidance was published on Thursday following the landmark Supreme Court ruling last year.
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Ministers want new voting system in place for possible Manchester mayor race (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 17:29:12)
The switch from First Past The Post to the Supplementary Vote had been expected to come into force by May 2027.
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How a lottery can change the law (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 17:20:19)
How a lottery can change the law
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Starmer says he will campaign for Burnham in Makerfield (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 17:07:11)
The prime minister says Labour needs to "all pull together and fight", after a revolt against his leadership.
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Green Party candidate pulls out of by-election (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 16:46:57)
Chris Kennedy withdraws from the contest hours after he was named as the Green Party's candidate.
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Five held in Tameside election fraud investigation (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 15:48:32)
Four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were held at addresses in Tameside earlier, police say.
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Met Police Palantir contract blocked by City Hall (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 15:18:27)
City Hall has refused a contract worth up to £50m with the US technology firm Palantir.
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UK migration drops to 171,000 - almost half 2024's figure (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 14:15:34)
The prime minister says his government is delivering on its promise to restore control to the borders.
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Late Queen was 'very keen' for Andrew to be given trade envoy role (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 13:47:10)
Newly released documents show that Queen Elizabeth had a "wish" for her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take on a "prominent role".
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'I've worked too hard to feel impostor syndrome' (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 13:35:43)
You might know Naz Shah as the MP for Bradford West. But her journey into politics is far from typical.Naz grew up in poverty in Bradford in the 1970s, in a home affected by domestic abuse. As a child, she was sent to Pakistan and forced into marriage with her cousin, before returning to the UK.
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Track UK's latest migration numbers - net migration, visas, asylum and small boats (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 12:29:37)
Use our interactive tracker to explore the latest migration statistics for the UK
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Chris Mason: VAT cut on summer fun - the announcement that didn't leak (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 12:11:05)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils measures aimed at helping families with the cost of living - but is it enough?
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Cheaper theme park tickets and children's meals as VAT to be cut for some attractions this summer (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 12:06:46)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a series of announcements aimed at relieving cost-of-living pressures.
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People in Britain can't afford a good life, Burnham says (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 11:57:19)
Andy Burnham was speaking in a series of interviews with the candidates for the Makerfield by-election.
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Sir Desmond Swayne tops private members bill ballot (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 11:39:53)
Last session's winner was Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who brought forward the Assisted Dying Bill.
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Chris Mason: Reeves' summer savings drive won't stretch to energy bills (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 07:44:15)
The chancellor is announcing measures aimed at easing the cost of living - but no help yet with energy bills.
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Green Party selects nurse as Makerfield candidate (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 07:38:50)
Chris Kennedy was selected by local party members following a hustings.
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Children in England to be offered free bus trips this August (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 06:14:46)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is to reveal a £100m fare-free bus scheme designed to relieve cost-of-living pressures.
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Wes Streeting pledges 'wealth tax that works' (BBC News - Politics 2026-05-21 05:00:04)
Wes Streeting is proposing reforms to capital gains tax, as part of his pitch for the Labour leadership.