In a year when the Democratic base is inflamed over their party’s shutdown capitulation in the Senate, and sees its leaders’ resistance efforts as insufficient, there’s little appetite for bipartisanship in primaries for the make-or-break midterms.
With that in mind — and with control of the U.S. Senate on the line — Michigan’s Democratic primary has become an all-out brawl over dark money and Israel, one that is central to the debate over the Democratic Party’s identity, but still risks opening old wounds at an inopportune time.
That debate was dialed up to 11 this past week with the news that Rep. Haley Stevens, viewed as the favorite of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, had become the beneficiary of a $5 million surge in dark money ad spending from a group aiming to boost Stevens’ image as an opponent of the Trump administration and ICE.
The group is “strongly suspected to be linked to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee [AIPAC],” HuffPost reported. And it’s no secret that AIPAC, which also supports some of the most right-wing, pro-Trump members of the U.S. Congress — and has tarred Democrats who show support for Palestinians as antisemitic — is increasingly a pariah with large portions of the Democratic base.
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Naturally, both of Stevens’ opponents in the primary leapt on the announcement with scorn: “No amount of dark money will paper over the fact that Haley Stevens voted to thank Trump’s ICE agents and proudly took thousands in corporate PAC money from the company that makes ICE’s TASERs,” said a spokesperson for state Sen. Mallory McMorrow.
Rep. Haley Stevens is seen as Chuck Schumer’s favored candidate in the race (Getty)
“Michiganders will see through this clear attempt to buy this race for Congresswoman Stevens,” added Abdul El-Sayed’s spokesperson.
That news immediately followed a separate AIPAC-related bulletin: A fundraising page, launched by the controversial pro-Israel PAC, featured Stevens right next to Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, an effort to rally support for “pro-Israel candidates [running] for U.S. Senate.”
“Right now, Democrats in Michigan and around the country are organizing to win this seat and flip the Senate. Meanwhile, my opponent Haley Stevens is fundraising with a Republican Senator who could block the Democratic Senate Majority,” wrote McMorrow on X, who went on to argue in a video message that it showed Stevens’ priorities were not with building a Democratic majority.
A source with knowledge of the arrangement told The Independent that the page featuring both Collins and Stevens was set up without the campaign’s knowledge and was taken down when the Stevens campaign requested it.
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Polling shows Israel losing support among Democrats at a record pace in the wake of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s deadly onslaught against Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crises. Reports indicate the group is increasingly using tactics like this most recent announcement — funneling money through unrelated groups using messaging unrelated to Israel, all aimed at boosing pro-Israel candidates. Groups like TrackAIPAC have sought to identify candidates with financial backing from the PAC and its growing network of related organizations.
AIPAC’s support for Trump-aligned candidates has led to accusations that it uses Republican money to interfere in Democratic primaries (Reuters)
Supporters of the Uncommitted movement, pictured outside of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, tried to pressure the party to take a stance against Israel’s war in Gaza (EPA)
But the group’s influence threatens to roil the Democratic primary in Michigan in a way it did not in the Texas Senate primary, the first major Democratic contest of the year. Unlike in Texas, AIPAC has made clear which candidate it strongly prefers and has thus kicked off the first real opportunity for Democrats nationally, not just in Michigan, to hash out the debate over Israel’s influence and support within the party that voters and electeds have been having internally since November 2024.
Stevens, whose PAC-funded ad buy will put her on TV at a key moment while many voters are undecided, received 44% of her donations, minus PAC support and unitemized contributions, in the third quarter of 2025 through a network of pro-Israel groups including AIPAC, according to an analysis of her donor list and a list of AIPAC contributors reviewed by The Independent. That figure, not before reported, represents a major show of support from the group that essentially represents a lifeline for her campaign.
The Independent reached out to the Stevens campaign for comment.
Allies of the congresswoman contend that support for Israel and AIPAC’s track records are not issues of high importance to voters in the primary, though their opponents clearly disagree. Michigan, in 2024, was the birthplace of the “Uncommitted” movement which sought to pressure the Biden and later Harris campaigns into taking a stronger stance against the Israeli war effort and strategy as it related to the Gaza Strip.
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Mallory McMorrow hit her opponent for appearing alongside Susan Collins on an AIPAC fundraising page, while facing her own criticism for taking money from corporate PACs in past election cycles (AP)
Polls for months have shown that issues like inflation, high fuel prices and fears about America’s economic future still remain the most pressing issues for voters nationally, especially as the war in Iran has caused gas prices to surge past $4.50 a gallon on average.
Stevens has taken fire on the issue of AIPAC in particular from both of her opponents. McMorrow and El-Sayed, however, have also locked horns over McMorrow’s own past support from corporate PACs including one tied to a major Michigan energy company, DTE, in her previous campaign for state senate. The Detroit Metro Times reported on her past comments defending taking money from corporate PACs in March.
And El-Sayed’s supporters have pummeled the state senator’s campaign online over whether her repudiation of AIPAC is genuine, given that her husband previously interned for the group. The same newspaper reported that McMorrow also ”reached out to pro-Israel Democratic groups, attended a private pro-Israel leadership event, and traveled to Israel on a trip sponsored by a prominent pro-Israel organization”.
“One of our opponents is partnering with AIPAC to fundraise alongside a Republican, while the other has conveniently forgotten that she too met with them earlier in the cycle and reportedly submitted a position paper. Abdul has been consistent on this issue and believes that our tax dollars should be spent here at home, rather than dropping bombs abroad,” Roxie Richner, a spokesperson for El-Sayed’s campaign, told The Independent.
Former Detroit-area health department director Abdul El-Sayed is running with Bernie Sanders’s endorsement (Getty)
McMorrow and El-Sayed’s own separate duel is playing out for control of the race’s progressive lane, which El-Sayed leads as the Bernie Sanders-endorsed candidate but McMorrow retains a sizable chunk of support as well, having won support from Elizabeth Warren. She and El-Sayed refer to Israel’s war in Gaza as a genocide; Stevens does not.
With three months to go until the primary, a clear frontrunner has failed to emerge. El-Sayed’s campaign is exuding confidence amid a recent polling uptick, while supporters of his opponent believe (or hope) that his support is reaching a ceiling. McMorrow and El-Sayed both remain extremely active on the trail, while Stevens is taking the opposite approach — she is holding fewer public events including town halls than her opponents, and has been hit by political analysts for an awkward campaigning style that isn’t connecting with voters with the same fervor that El-Sayed or McMorrow can evoke.
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“I’m not seeing any enthusiasm for her campaign,” Michigan-based Democratic strategist Chris De Witt told NOTUS last October as the outlet reported that Stevens’ D.C. allies were growing nervous about her bid. “That certainly can change, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of excitement about her effort.”
There’s good reason for Democrats to be nervous. Many in D.C. still blame the Uncommitted campaign for withholding support for Harris at a moment when her campaign needed Democratic unity. Plenty of other Democrats around the country see it the opposite way: They blame out-of-touch D.C. policymakers for wedding the party to a deeply unpopular war under an increasingly unpopular Democratic administration helmed by a man so old he was forced to drop out of the race after months of those same policymakers’ insistences to the contrary.
The August primary is still three months away.
Until then, Democrats will have to sit back and watch as those 2024 wounds are re-opened, re-examined and hashed out in a state where Democrats need to defend an open seat to have any chance of winning back a Senate majority many still see as out of reach until the next election cycle.
She has been struck off The Nursing and Midwifery Council register
A nurse who was found to have administered medication “incorrectly” to a patient has been ordered to be struck off the nursing register. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said Natalie Smith’s fitness to practise as a nurse was impaired by reason of “lack of competence”.
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An NMC panel upheld several charges against the nurse who worked at North West Anglia NHS Trust at a hearing on May 1. The panel heard that in December 2018, Miss Smith administered inhaler medication “incorrectly” in that she “did not count at least 8 seconds per puff.” On February 8, 2019, it was determined that Ms Smith did not administer medication as prescribed to a patient.
The panel also found Ms Smith inserted a nasal bridle and cannulated a patient without the required training to safely do so in two separate incidents.
It was also determined that Ms Smith “failed to demonstrate the standards of knowledge, skill and judgment in patient care required to practise without supervision as a registered nurse” by not completing vital signs for a patient when it “would have been clinically appropriate to do so” on January 4, 2019.
She also failed to sign a drug chart for a patient, didn’t sign a patient’s prescription chart to confirm IV medication had been administered and signed to indicate she had administered ibuprofen to a patient when she had not done so between December 2018 and November 2019.
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The report said: “The panel considered that Miss Smith’s actions in relation to the charges found proved, namely not monitoring a patient post-procedure who had been sedated, not replacing tracheostomy tube packs, and poor record keeping related to medications administration, put patients at real risk of harm. The panel therefore decided that a finding of continuing impairment is necessary on the ground of public protection.”
The report added: “The panel also considered that Miss Smith has not practised for a considerable period of time, which is likely to have had a detrimental impact on her clinical skills.
“There is no evidence before the panel of any efforts to maintain or develop her competence during this period. The continued lack of engagement and absence of material demonstrating insight or remediation indicate that no progress has been made towards safe practice.”
The striking off order is due to come into effect upon the expiry of the current suspension order, at the end of June 28, 2026.
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A spokesperson for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust said Ms Smith had been suspended from work pending the decision from the NMC Fitness to Practice Committee.
The Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi is the latest politician to call for the Prime Minister to step aside
Another Welsh Labour MP has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, saying now is the time for him to “step aside in an orderly manner”. On Monday evening the Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, said it was time for Mr Starmer to stand down.
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It also emerged that around 80 MPs have signed a letter calling for Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. The Press Association is reporting Most of these have publicly called for the Prime Minister to stand down, it is understood.
A fourth Government aide has also resigned, joining the dozens of Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down following the local elections.
The Labour party was humbled in elections last week which saw them lose more than 1,460 council seats across England and finish a distant second to the SNP in a vote to decide the next Scottish Parliament. In Wales Labour suffered a result which would previously have been considered unthinkable: finishing third, comfortably behind Plaid Cymru and Reform.
The party now has only nine seats out of 96 in the Senedd, with even First Minister Eluned Morgan failing to get re-elected. She has since stepped down as Labour’s leader in Wales and will be replaced as First Minister by Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
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Nationally this has been seen as the electorate making their views on Keir Starmer’s premiership perfectly clear.
Posting on social media, Ms Antoniazz, said: “Sir Keir Starmer is a man of great integrity who has led the Labour Party through difficult times.
“There will be those that disagree with me but I think it is genuinely time for him to step aside as PM in an orderly manner. I will make a further statement tomorrow.”
This came after fellow Labour MP Ruth Jones – who represents Newport West and Islwyn – told the BBC on Monday morning: “I think we need him to set out the timetable for when he is going to stand down – not yet, not in a rush, not in a hasty way.
“He’s done a brilliant job, he’s been there six years, he’s got us in, after one term in the wilderness, he’s got us a massive majority.
“He’s brilliant on the international stage but he’s not cutting through on the doorstep as a leader with charisma.”
Blue Labour, an internal pressure group, has called for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure.
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The group said in a statement on X: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.
“Nothing has convinced us that he is able to rise to the challenge confronting this country.
“As the process unfolds, no candidate should be blocked from standing; the job is too important for factional warfare and NEC machinations.
“Labour must now navigate a very difficult transition to a new prime minister. It must avoid the danger of retreating back into its comfort zone in which it can pretend there are no hard choices and trade-offs in rebuilding the country.
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“There is a hard road ahead. The people of our islands are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
“The next leader must have a clear programme of government and story to tell the British people about how we will get there.”
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LONDON (AP) — The Beatles are headed back to one of the band’s most famous sites with a new fan experience in London.
Apple Corps Ltd, the company founded by the Fab Four, announced Monday that it will open a new seven-floor fan experience at the company’s early headquarters. The building is the place where the band’s “Let It Be” album was recorded and its rooftop was the site of the Beatles’ last public performance on Jan. 30, 1969.
The attraction in central London will allow fans access to the rooftop, studios and extensive Beatles archives.
“It was such a trip to get back to 3 Savile Row recently and have a look around. There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop. The team have put together some really impressive plans and I’m excited for people to see it when it’s ready,” Paul McCartney said in a statement announcing the attraction.
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“Wow, it’s like coming home,” Ringo Starr said in a statement.
An opening date for the attraction has not yet been announced.
Interest in the Beatles remains high, with four biopics in production. Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary series, “The Beatles: Get Back,” relied heavily on footage filmed during the “Let It Be” recording sessions and of the farewell rooftop performance.
In 2023, artificial intelligence helped create the final Beatles recording, the song “Now and Then,” which relied on recordings by the original Beatles.
Papa Johns has announced the opening of its second store in Northern Ireland, as part of its wider expansion plan to launch 20 new locations across the region.
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The new store will officially open on 21st May on Upper Newtownards Road bringing Papa Johns pizza to even more customers in the area. The opening follows the successful launch of the brand’s first Northern Ireland location in Ballymena in December 2025.
To celebrate the launch, the new East Belfast store will offer customers any large pizza for just £10, available for both collection and delivery for a limited time.
Papa Johns currently operates more than 450 sites across the UK and continues to invest in new store openings, digital innovation, and menu development, such as the recent launch of its Sourdough range. The expansion across Northern Ireland reflects the brand’s ongoing strategy to bring high-quality, handcrafted pizzas to more communities while creating long-term business and employment opportunities.
The Northern Ireland rollout is being led by experienced franchisee Rana Abhol of the Rana Group, who brings over 25 years of experience in the pizza industry. Having joined Papa Johns in 2017, Rana has built a strong track record within the business and currently operates more than 25 locations across the UK.
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“We are excited to continue our expansion in Northern Ireland with the opening of our Belfast store,” said Chris Phylactou, Managing Director U.K. & Europe at Papa Johns.
Adding: “Following the success of our first location in Ballymena, this marks another important step in our long-term growth strategy for the region. We’re proud to bring our Better Ingredients, Better Pizza promise to more customers, while also creating valuable job opportunities and supporting local communities.”
Arsenal’s David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, says Jamie Carragher (Picture: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher has applauded Arsenal’s ‘brave’ decision to find an upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale given the club now boast the ‘best goalkeeper in the Premier League’ in David Raya.
Raya is one of only six players to have played every single minute for their club in the English top flight this term, starting all 36 matches and producing a string of outstanding performances to help ensure Arsenal have remained a defensive force..
It’s easy to forget that eyebrows were raised when the Gunners first signed Raya – initially on loan from Brentford – in 2023, with Ramsdale the established number one having joined in a £30million deal just two years earlier.
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However, the 30-year-old Spaniard has gone on to silence those initial doubters and is now widely to be among the most complete goalkeepers and finest shot-stoppers in European football.
After an excellent debut season at the Emirates, Raya was named in the PFA Team of the Year while also picking up the Golden Glove, despite Arteta’s men finishing second behind Manchester City.
Raya got his hands on the Golden Glove award for a second time last season – sharing the award with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels – as the north Londoners again finished runners-up.
Raya has been inspirational between the sticks for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
The Spaniard’s save to deny Fernandes was crucial in Arsenal’s win at West Ham (Picture: Getty)
With 18 clean sheets to his name this time around, Raya looks on course to scoop the prize for a third straight season, with his nearest rival, Gianluigi Donnarumma accumulating only 14 clean sheets with three games remaining of City’s campaign.
‘When you talk about magic moments, this is certainly one of the most needed moments as well to pull off with that save,’ Arteta said of Raya’s latest heroics at the London Stadium.
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‘He was incredible.’
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Analysing the central role Raya has played for Arsenal both domestically and in Europe on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme, Carragher said there could be no doubting that Arteta now had the league’s best goalkeeper at his disposal.
‘It’s not just this season, it’s the call to bring him in. It wasn’t universally popular when the change was made,’ the ex-Liverpool and England defender stated ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Leeds.
‘I was probably quite adamant at the time that I felt Arsenal needed to move on from Aaron Ramsdale. He was a good Premier League goalkeeper and I just didn’t think they could win the Premier League with him in goal.
Raya ousted Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one in 2023 (Picture: Getty)
‘Now it remains to be seen if Raya is that guy but it was a brave decision.
‘The former goalkeeping coach [Inaki Cana] of David Raya at Brentford moved to Arsenal and probably gave a bit of an insight into what kind of goalkeeper he was, but he’s been a revelation.
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‘A couple of months ago on Monday Night Football we made a play about which goalkeeper would you want to go on and win the league: Gianluigi Donnarumma or David Raya? And he’s certainly won that battle.
‘He’s the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and definitely one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He could certainly have that mantle.’
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While conceding that many Arsenal fans may still be fearing another slip-up, Carragher is confident it is only a matter of time before Raya and Co are crowned English champions.
‘I said before the weekend that it felt like the biggest game of the season because it affected four teams: the two teams involved, plus Spurs and Manchester City as well,’ he said.
‘There was big controversy at the end which could have gone either way I suppose.
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Carragher is confident Arsenal’s title drought will come to an end this season (Picture: Getty)
‘I said last week that if Arsenal win at West Ham, they win the league so I think they’ve got a great chance.
‘I still believe that anybody with anything to do with Arsenal, be it a player or a fan, won’t believe that because that’s the nature of the game and you always think the worst is around the corner.
‘But they’ve got a really favourable fixture coming next, Burnley at home, and then a game away at Crystal Palace which obviously isn’t easy but if you’re picking a fixture away from home, considering the European commitments they’ve got…’
Asked if he was confident in backing Arsenal to win a first title in 22 years, Carragher replied: ‘Yeah, I’m staying with that prediction, I think they’ll win the league now.
‘They’ve just got over that little wobble they had and since then they’ve been really impressive.
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‘Not always in terms of performance, but they haven’t looked nervous, they haven’t looked edgy.
‘There was probably a spell of four of five games where it looked like they were coming off track, but it looks like they’re back on it now.’
Is David Raya the best all-round goalkeeper in the world?
Savings Credit is the secondary part of Pension Credit, alongside Guarantee Credit
James Rodger Content Editor
20:00, 11 May 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions is boosting the incomes of older state pensioners by £17.96 per week through Pension Credit. Savings Credit forms the secondary element of Pension Credit, alongside Guarantee Credit.
Pension Credit raises your weekly income to £238 if you’re single, or to £363.25 jointly if you have a partner. Additional amounts may be available depending on your individual circumstances and outgoings.
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These top-ups and additional sums are referred to as ‘Guarantee Credit’. You could qualify for the ‘Savings Credit’ element of Pension Credit if both of the following conditions apply: you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and you set aside money for retirement, such as through a personal or workplace pension.
You’ll receive up to £17.96 Savings Credit per week if you’re single. If you have a partner, you’ll receive up to £20.10 per week. At the higher end, for couples, this amounts to £1,045.
You may still be entitled to some Savings Credit even if you do not qualify for the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, reports Birmingham Live.
The DWP states: “You might be able to use the Pension Credit calculator to get an estimate of how much you could get. Contact the Pension Service helpline if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for extra amounts.”
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The Pension Service helpline number is 0800 99 1234 or, via Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone), it is 18001 then 0800 99 1234.
You can also use the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet via the DWP website.
The helpline operates Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm, excluding public holidays. The DWP states: “All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into an account, for example a bank account.”
Writing for Belfast Live, Sinn Féin Chairman and South Antrim MLA, Declan Kearney, sets out how the Good Jobs Bill will benefit workers
The ‘Good Jobs Bill’ has now been submitted to the Executive. Hopefully, it will soon be allowed to proceed into the Assembly and Committee for legislative scrutiny to begin.
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This is good news. The Bill represents the most progressive piece of employment law ever introduced in the north. Its provisions exceed the existing legislative arrangements in the 26 counties.
Employer and business organisations recently published concerns suggesting there would be insufficient time to scrutinise and amend the bill. That is not the case.
Of course, some organisations and economic interests will express disagreements.
Other political parties may well try to block the progress of the legislation and run the clock down for purely cynical and partisan ideological reasons.
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The fact is, this Bill has been drafted to benefit every working family in the north.
In February 2026, the Law Centre NI and Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that up to 60 per cent of people in the north who are living in poverty are in working families.
Across various sectors of our economy, including retail, hospitality, health and social care, workers are not making enough money to sustain decent living standards for their families.
Low-pay jobs and insecure employment have become a lived reality.
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This damning statistic underscores the need to overhaul employment practices through a legislative measure which gets the balance right between employers’ profitability and the right of workers to a fair wage and decent living standards. Now we have an opportunity to get that balance right.
The primary objective of the ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights legislation is to address low pay and insecure employment through decent jobs, improved trade union access to workplaces, and collective bargaining.
Passage of this progressive legislation is also about encouraging the development of an economy that is both productive and rewarding for all.
Scare-mongering about unions and collective bargaining rights for workers is misplaced.
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Workplace relations between employers and employees do not have to be contentious. Social dialogue provides the mechanism with which to meet the challenges facing the regional and national economies.
The Cambridge Centre for Business Research finds that strengthened workers’ rights and higher union density increase the productivity and profitability of a company while at the same time delivering well-paid jobs.
The Nordic experience shows that strong unions and enhanced collective bargaining rights contribute to improved levels of economic productivity, higher wages, strong workers’ rights, and a better quality of life benefits for workers and families. This model succeeds because it practices social dialogue.
There does not have to be a contradiction between union density and the sustainability of business enterprise models.
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Data from the United States illustrates the positive role which unions play in its economy.
Workers in higher union density states, such as Washington, Hawaii, New York and California, earn higher median wages than their counterparts in states with lower union membership.
According to the US Department of Labour, in 2023, annual household income in higher union density states was approximately $12,000 higher, on average, than in lower union density states.
The Bureau of Labour Statistics finds that high union density states also enjoy higher levels of productivity. Washington leads all states in long-term productivity and growth.
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These same states enjoy higher living standards, lower levels of inequality, better health outcomes, and levels of educational attainment.
The US Economic Policy Institute concludes that union density and collective bargaining rights improve wages and living standards for both union and non-unionised workers alike.
The presence of unions lifts all boats. The north’s regional economy is increasingly attracting Foreign Direct Investment.
Major investors operate here because of the well-educated workforce, our cost competitiveness, and dual market access.
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Investments in engineering, manufacturing, and financial services have increased wages and benefits for thousands of workers across the north.
Some employers have a negative reflex towards empowered workers and collective bargaining.
A more considered response to the evidence from Nordic economies and the contrast in union density in US states should give pause for thought.
Large investors want profitability for their companies and their shareholders. And that’s fair enough.
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However, a balance must be struck between gains for shareholders and the importance of raising the living standards of all our workers in the north and indeed across the island.
The ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights legislation will help to rebalance the economy in the interests of businesses, investors and workers.
Empowering our workforce with effective representation is the key to a stronger economy and more and better jobs.
Millwall, Hull City, Southampton and Middlesbrough are all vying for a place at Wembley in the Championship play-off final
The Championship play-off semi-finals come to a conclusion this week, with the four teams in action and looking to book their place in the Wembley final.
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First up Millwall and Hull City face off on Monday night, with their first leg ending in a 0-0 draw at the KCOM Stadium last week.
On Tuesday, Southampton and Middlesbrough re-ignite their rivalry which has been given extra spice by allegations the Saints sent a spy to eavesdrop in Boro training in the build-up to their clash.
Their first leg also ended goalless, so there is all to play for at The Den and St Mary’s.
Dates and kick-off times
Monday, May 11
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Millwall v Hull City, 8pm
Tuesday, May 12
Southampton v Middlesbrough, 8pm
When is the play-off final?
Fans of the victorious sides will be eagerly anticipating their date at Wembley and a chance of promotion to the Premier League.
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The date of the play-off final is Saturday, May 23, 2026.
The kick-off time has yet to be confirmed.
When are the other play-off finals?
League One final – Sunday, May 24 – 1pm kick-off
League Two final – Monday, May 25 – 3pm kick-off
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Championship play-offs are changing
The Championship play-off final is widely regarded as the richest game in football – achieving promotion to the Premier League is worth more than £200m in extra revenue.
From next season, the play-offs will expand from four teams to six – meaning a place in the top eight could be enough for Premier League promotion.
“Since their introduction in 1986/87, the Play-Offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special,” said EFL chief executive Trevor Birch.
“Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
Ireland joins Spain and Slovenia, where broadcasters are also boycotting in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza
19:59, 11 May 2026Updated 20:06, 11 May 2026
Ireland’s national broadcaster will show an episode of the comedy Father Ted in place of the final of the 2026 Eurovision song contest.
On Saturday night, RTE2 will air the iconic Irish sitcom ’s Eurovision-themed episode A Song For Europe, where priests Ted and Dougal perform My Lovely Horse, as it boycotts the contest over Israel’s participation.
Ireland joins Spain and Slovenia, where broadcasters are also boycotting the 70th iteration of the song competition in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza.
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The Netherlands and Iceland are also not sending acts to compete in Eurovision but it will be aired.
Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but Israel has continued to compete.
The Hamas-run health ministry estimates that 72,300 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s war in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7 2023.
The boycott came about after members attended a European Broadcasting Union (EBU) general assembly in Geneva to vote on changes, which included new rules to deter countries from organising campaigns for their acts following concerns around the number of public votes Israel received in 2025.
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Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of votes from the public last May, ultimately finishing as runner-up after the jury votes were taken into account.
After the 2025 competition, RTE requested a breakdown in voting numbers from the EBU while Spain’s public broadcaster, Radio Television Espanola (RTVE), called for a “complete review” of the voting system to avoid “external interference”.
Alternative programming will also be shown on RTE2 during the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday.
The Slovenian broadcaster will air a series of documentaries on the Middle East under the theme Voices of Palestine.
Leeds, meanwhile, have propelled themselves away from danger with a strong run of form, and they are seven points clear of the bottom three before kick off, making them mathematically safe. Keep up to date with all the latest from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with our live blog below.
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