Politics – Southwark News

£30 million for late-night youth clubs, but the devil is in the detail

News Desk — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:07:00 +0000

As with all grand political announcements, especially when an election is on the horizon, the devil is in the detail. And the Mayor of London’s visit to The Marcus Lipton youth centre in Loughborough Junction last week is a case in point. There he announced a £30 million promise to set up a youth club […]

Strike looming at London South Bank University

Staff Reporter — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Staff at London South Bank University (LBSU) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action after planned contract changes caused uproar and an growth in union membership. The University Colleges Union (UCU) has already lambasted a new plan by the LBSU that would, they say, take academics off their current contracts, leave new staff unable […]

Transport for London pioneering a government drive to bring down the amount staff ‘on the sick’

Kumail Jaffer - Local Democracy Reporter — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:13:51 +0000

Transport for London (TfL) is leading the way in pioneering a government drive to bring down levels of employee absence, a minister has said. The transport body is one of the largest employers to have joined the ‘Vanguard’ group of the Keep Britain Working Review led by Sir Charlie Mayfield. This means it will trial […]

Oval theatre to host double-bill of Soviet political satire

Staff Reporter — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:18:04 +0000

A double-bill of bold Soviet political satire is set to be held in Oval’s Golden Goose Theatre, writes Maya Sgaravato-Grant… The plays Charlie and Striptease, written by award-winning Polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek in the 1960s and 1970s, will be performed from Tuesday 21 April. Combining comedy with unsettling drama through Mrozek’s characteristic blend of absurdity […]

Save Old Kent Road – protestors to demonstrate in national rally this Saturday and local rally next Saturday

Staff Reporter — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0000

The Save Old Kent Road campaign is planning a major demonstration in Southwark next weekend as well as an appearance at the National Housing Demonstration this Saturday, writes Rich Brann. Alongside the Southwark Housing and Planning Emergency (SHAPE) group, the national demonstration in Central London this weekend as well as the march along the Old […]

Calls for more Met Police funding as shoplifting cases triple in London since 2020

Kumail Jaffer - Local Democracy Reporter — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Shoplifting in London has trebled in the last five years, new data has revealed as the Mayor of London was urged to lobby the government for more funding for the Met Police. Research from the Liberal Democrats showed that there were were 93,626 cases of shoplifting raised with the Metropolitan Police in 2024/2025 – up […]

How are over 55s being catered for in upcoming Southwark Council elections?

Evie Flynn — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:44:12 +0000

A local group for pensioners is calling on May election candidates to declare whether they will support over 55s people if elected – spanning key issues like the cost of living, social housing crisis and accessible transport. On Thursday 7 May, residents across the borough will vote for ward councillors to make up Southwark Council, […]

Herne Hill Forum giving locals the chance to quiz candidates ahead of the election

Staff Reporter — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:53:36 +0000

The Herne Hill Forum is giving residents the chance to quiz local election candidates ahead of May 7th Candidates standing in the Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction and the Dulwich Village wards from Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems, Green Party and Reform will attend the hustings on Wednesday April 22. As part of the informal session, […]

One year on from the National Insurance rise how is the hospitality sector coping?

Kumail Jaffer - Local Democracy Reporter — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:59:51 +0000

Punitive tax rises are stretching London’s hospitality sector to its limit, local business owners have claimed. Last April Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced heavy criticism for choosing to top up the public finances with an extra tax on businesses. The policy, intended to raise £25billion from companies nationwide, saw National Insurance (NI) rates increase from 13.8 […]

Your vote at next month’s local election will count more than ever

News Desk — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:47:17 +0000

Next month is your biggest chance to influence how your local area is run for four years. The local elections on Thursday May 7 will pit incumbents Labour against the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and to a lesser degree the Conservatives. The News does not back any single party so cannot make your decision […]