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Rishi scraps HS2 to save £36bn – but will Kent benefit?

04 October 2023
Rishi scraps HS2 to save £36bn – but will Kent benefit?

KentOnline political editor Paul Francis has given his verdict on the Prime Minister’s Conservative Party conference speech.

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‘PM risks a red wall in Kent if issues like migration and traffic aren’t tackled’

02 October 2023
‘PM risks a red wall in Kent if issues like migration and traffic aren’t tackled’

The Tories must get a grip of the county’s most important issues to ensure its ‘safe’ Kent seats remain so, writes political editor Paul Francis.

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Why we can’t find out how most Kent councils are spending our money

26 September 2023
Why we can’t find out how most Kent councils are spending our money

Councils in Kent have failed to publish annual accounts detailing how they have spent hundreds of millions of pounds of public money.

36

'PM’s decision to delay petrol car ban didn’t have desired effect’

25 September 2023
'PM’s decision to delay petrol car ban didn’t have desired effect’

The PM probably expected a better reaction to delaying net zero targets, but Paul Francis says voters can be unforgiving over U-turns on key policies.

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‘Rishi is right to scale back net-zero targets for petrol and diesel cars’

20 September 2023
‘Rishi is right to scale back net-zero targets for petrol and diesel cars’

A Kent MP has welcomed reports that the government is preparing to scale back its target for phasing out all petrol and diesel vehicles.

98

‘More money needed’ to tackle nuisance drivers

20 September 2023
‘More money needed’ to tackle nuisance drivers

An MP has called for more funding to tackle nuisance drivers whose car meet-ups disturb residents and businesses.

7

‘Labour not shying away from migration debate in latest bid to take power’

18 September 2023
‘Labour not shying away from migration debate in latest bid to take power’

It’s a topic that often divides voters, but Sir Keir Starmer wasn’t afraid to set out his party’s stance on immigration, writes Paul Francis.

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‘You can’t charge to enter Turner – it would kill our town’

18 September 2023
‘You can’t charge to enter Turner – it would kill our town’

Calls for an admission charge to be introduced at the Turner Contemporary to ease pressure on the public purse have sparked an impassioned response.

40

‘Council on brink of bankruptcy should be shouting from rooftops about its plight’

11 September 2023
‘Council on brink of bankruptcy should be shouting from rooftops about its plight’

As Birmingham County Council declares bankruptcy, political editor Paul Francis questions why KCC has gone quiet on its own well-documented struggles.

27

The former Boris aide picked for new Kent seat rated one of country’s safest

05 September 2023
The former Boris aide picked for new Kent seat rated one of country’s safest

A former Downing Street advisor to Boris Johnson has been picked to contest Kent’s newest parliamentary constituency for the Conservatives.

33

‘Concrete crisis highlights lack of transparency with academies’

04 September 2023
‘Concrete crisis highlights lack of transparency with academies’

The crisis surrounding concrete used in school buildings has highlighted another issue within our education system, according to our political editor.

2

‘There is understandably some anxiety over the use of this material’

02 September 2023
‘There is understandably some anxiety over the use of this material’

Seven Kent schools have been revealed to be affected by the crisis sparked by the discovery of potentially unsafe concrete.

54

Crime commissioner steps in over police station row

01 September 2023
Crime commissioner steps in over police station row

A PFI contract has been terminated after an ongoing legal dispute between Kent’s police force and a contractor.

2

School buildings to shut over concrete safety fears

31 August 2023
School buildings to shut over concrete safety fears

Schools have been warned they must shut buildings made with a type of concrete that is prone to collapse unless safety measures are in place.

89

‘Lack of funding for grassroots football is open goal for government’s opponents’

21 August 2023
‘Lack of funding for grassroots football is open goal for government’s opponents’

England’s Lionesses have inspired a generation of youngsters – but political editor Paul Francis asks if dwindling facilities can cope with demand.

1

‘It’s unsustainable – Kent should not have to shoulder a national problem’

18 August 2023
‘It’s unsustainable – Kent should not have to shoulder a national problem’

Kent County Council says the number of vulnerable children arriving after crossing the Channel is placing the authority under unsustainable strain.

Leader ‘confident’ council can balance books despite £43.7m black hole

17 August 2023
Leader ‘confident’ council can balance books despite £43.7m black hole

The county council is defiantly optimistic that it can ride the financial wave that has already cost it more than £40m more than budgeted for.

A reshuffle at the top for county council

14 August 2023
A reshuffle at the top for county council

The leader of Kent County Council has announced cabinet changes amid rumours he could face a leadership challenge.

11

‘Government’s so-called small boats week unravelled spectacularly with deaths and grim milestone’

14 August 2023
‘Government’s so-called small boats week unravelled spectacularly with deaths and grim milestone’

A showcase of how the government is tackling the small boats crisis coincided with record crossings and tragedy in the Channel, writes Paul Francis.

Kent Police in legal dispute over £5.5m contract

13 August 2023
Kent Police in legal dispute over £5.5m contract

A legal tussle over Kent Police PFI scheme could cost millions to settle

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