Wednesday briefing: Why the debate over working from home says more about inequality than productivity

In today’s newsletter: Hybrid working has quietly settled into Britain’s post-pandemic landscape but the real story lies in who gets flexibility and who never did

‘Unsustainable’ gaps in policing of franchise businesses must end, MPs say

House of Commons business and trade committee calls for changes after series of scandals in sector

UK sleepwalking into joblessness epidemic, Tesco boss warns

Ashwin Prasad says far fewer people in work than there could be with ministers just ‘tinkering at the edges’ of problem

Out of the red, but at what cost? Birmingham council asset sales have left city reeling, say residents

As council declares it’s ‘no longer bankrupt’, people say closure of services have added to social isolation and crime

UK and US sink to new lows in global index of corruption

Countries’ drop in scores in annual table comes amid ‘worrying trend’ of backsliding in established democracies

Lower-income families face 137-year wait for living standards to double, says UK thinktank

Two decades of weak pay growth have left poorer households stuck, Resolution Foundation says, fuelling political unease

England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones

Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gyms

Government on track to lower minimum age for train drivers to 18 in Great Britain

Labour will introduce legislation to cut threshold from 20 in effort to head off looming shortages

Mandelson revelations show need for tougher UK constraints to resist rule of the rich

Labour must protect democracy and learn lessons from Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to influence government policy

Water bosses in England exploiting bonus loophole face crackdown

Exclusive: Ministers to act after last year’s legislation ‘outwitted’ by failing firms paying millions to executives

UK trade policy: time to stop the secret deals and get systematic

Liam Byrne is echoing Robin Cook’s ethical trade policy, warning the UK needs deals more open to scrutiny ti prevent future issues

FCA urged to investigate Peter Mandelson over potential insider trading

Exclusive: Lib Dem Daisy Cooper says ex-minister could have ‘abused trading laws’ when sharing state information with Jeffrey Epstein

Mandelson lobbying firm sought work with Russia and China state companies, Epstein emails show

Former minister and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser met disgraced financier before formal foundation of Global Counsel

Most of England’s smart motorways are poor value for money, official reports find

AA says long-awaited evaluations show schemes are a ‘catastrophic waste of time, money and effort’

Boss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations

Ben Wegg-Prosser resigns from Global Counsel as emails show Epstein’s help was sought in setting up the company