Natasha Clark

Excl: Former NFL player @EfeObadaUK tells me about navigating England's care sector as a teenager with his younger sister, his struggle to find a home where he belonged, and how American football saved him from falling through the cracks. Now he's retired at 34 to pursue his 'true calling' of helping others on the same path A real pleasure of an interview lbc.co.uk/article/we-were-tr…

Excl: Victim in Tony Vaughan bullying case speaks to @LBC She claims he was a horrible boss, created a toxic culture and worries about misogyny. He denies those claims. She’s taking him to an employment tribunal over her dismissal and tells me none of this would have happened if he’d apologised and taken responsibility many months ago Full story 👇 lbc.co.uk/article/labour-mp-…

Shabana Mahmood says immigration reforms are 'fair' - but can't say how much money it would save @LBC "The cohort that was most likely to fall upon the state, that is to say care workers not working in the care sector, so not fulfilling the terms of their visa, they will not be able to settle at 5 years. "And instead, they'll get a second chance for another 5-year visa within the care sector to make the contribution they originally came to make. "That does save billions.” She defended the rules applying at the point of application for ILR, not when someone enters the country: "It is an important principle. It's been upheld by our courts that the rules that apply to people are the rules at the point of decision for their application, not the rules that were in effect when they came into the country." lbc.co.uk/article/shabana-ma…

Publication day! Very pleased to contribute to the geeky @IainDale edited 'American Presidential Election campaigns', which you can now actually buy, in actual shops?! amazon.co.uk/American-Presid…

Interesting bit in Chancellor interview with @NickFerrariLBC @LBC •Suggests we don't necessarily need to go back into the EU/single market to have stronger growth: "I don't actually accept that. I mean, it's been— it's certain Brexit has certainly hit our level of growth. It's certainly hit our level of trade. But we had a referendum. We're out of the European Union. The challenge for me now is how do we make the best of an economy which this year has proved remarkably resilient. It’s confounded the forecasters”. Also: •Promises welfare reform in a “Labour way” as “crude benefit cuts” are a “pressure too far” when households are “suffering” •Britain must build data centres to be “sovereign, secure, and in charge of our own AI future” – but they must produce “community benefit” and protect water supplies •Early election – Andy Burnam has “entirely ruled one out for next year” and Kemi Badenoch talking “complete rubbish” •Confirms council taxpayers – not landlords – will receive the £100 energy payment

Lord Jim O Neill tells @lbc @AndrewMarr9 the OBR forecasts look a bit too gloomy to him and he thinks there will be some “positive tailwinds… I think they’re being too cautious.” “It’s one of the dullest budgets for some time but it’s quite wise. Self imposed constraints like the manifesto and not wanting to clobber business. I’m quite impressed by that. “I was impressed at the emails I’ve got coming in. Modestly positive from business people. I’m pleased it was presented in the way that it was.” sounds like he’s had a quiet word with the PM on his previous comments

After this poll, Burnham this morning again ruling out an election "anytime soon" and seems to suggest it may be based on when he can get a sense of a deal on Europe: "It's not about that. My mind isn't on that... There is no election coming anytime soon. "People may as well just put that out of their mind. "Britain in my view, is starting to regain its momentum, its sense of positivity, its direction. That is— I'm trying to give the country a direction, and there is no way I can do that without coming back to the relationship with Europe and saying, look, here are some options as to how we get this."

NEW: Polling for @Ipsos_in_the_UK shared with @LBC shows another big Burnham bounce for Labour Lab - 32% (+5) Tories - 24% (+3) Reform UK 20% (-3) Lib Dems 9% (+1) Green 8% (-5) Largest lead this parliament, first time Tories back in second this parliament... lbc.co.uk/article/labour-bur…

Amazing baby slap down for Rayner on her (correct) prepare box to include a bottle of wine Asked if wine would also be part of his emergency box, Andy Burnham said: “I’m not sure that that’s the top of the list in terms of the advice that we’re giving to the to the public. “You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation. “So yeah, some tins of food, some bottled water. But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation,” he added.

EXCL: Wes Streeting tells me @LBC he has to 'prioritise to make sure that we are focused on those things that will make us most warfighting ready' + refuses to rule out changing plans for funding military housing and equipment to plug DIP hole lbc.co.uk/article/streeting-…