United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2011
Ownership
Novara Media is a British left-wing alternative outlet founded in 2011 by Aaron Bastani and James Butler, starting as a radio programme on Resonance FM. Since 1 February 2019 it has operated as a trading name of Thousand Hands Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (No. 11245029). It has no corporate proprietor or shareholders extracting profit; the company states all revenue is reinvested into its journalism.
Funding
Funded almost entirely by readers'/viewers' small recurring donations (it passed 10,000 monthly donors in 2022) with no paywall, plus minor income from merchandise, event tickets, YouTube advertising and superchats, and occasional project grants. It is a partner of the left-leaning cooperative The Media Fund.
Affiliation & stance
Novara is openly socialist/left-wing in editorial stance and was closely associated with the Corbyn-era Labour left, but it is not owned or directed by any party, union, state body or oligarch; its donor-funded not-for-profit structure keeps it editorially independent of outside controllers. It is therefore INDEPENDENT (matching the site's INDEPENDENT/LEFT guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 100
64/100
Factual
54/100
Objective
107
Articles
107
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
UN: Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza
Elon Musk’s X not facing action from UK government over posts inciting violence in Belfast
SpaceX pitches investors juicy yields in $25bn bond deal
‘My daughter was not given a fair trial’: Mother of jailed Palestine Action activist says case was a ‘stitch-up’
Switzerland Votes Against Far-Right Proposal to Cap Population at 10 Million
Colombians vote in runoff election expected to trigger shift in decades-long armed conflict
Zack Polanski Cleared Over Houseboat Council Tax Row
Exposure to violence contributes to high rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts among transgender people
Heat is destroying Australia's underwater forests. Seaweed biobanks could help save them
Recent coverage
Bob Vylan announces they are suing the BBC for defamation after row over corporation airing their 'Death to the IDF!' Glastonbury chant
Punk band Bob Vylan, led by Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster), announced plans to sue the BBC for defamation following the 2025 Glastonbury Festival incident where their performance, which included anti-Israel chants like 'Death to the IDF,' was live-streamed on BBC iPlayer. The BBC apologized for what it termed the band's 'utterly unacceptable' sentiments, though no criminal charges were pursued after an investigation by Avon and Somerset police found insufficient evidence. The band faced backlash, including canceled concerts in Manchester, France, and Germany, and visa denials for a U.S. tour. In a social media post, Bob Vylan accused the BBC of labeling them as anti-Semitic, suppressing dissenting views, and failing to represent public interests, claiming the corporation sought to silence voices opposing narratives related to Palestine.
Rayner’s pitch to return under Burnham cabinet – and the role she’s tipped for
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has expressed interest in returning to her previous role under a potential Andy Burnham-led Labour government. In a speech at the London School of Economics, Rayner advocated for significant local governance reforms, echoing Burnham's 'devolution' agenda, which aims to transfer power and resources to local authorities. Her remarks closely mirrored those made by Burnham during a recent speech in Manchester, suggesting a strategic alignment between the two figures. This development occurs as Burnham positions himself as the likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer and finalizes his cabinet lineup. Rayner's position within Burnham's administration remains uncertain, with some reports indicating she may be sidelined while others suggest she is providing advisory support on devolution strategies. Despite not being part of Burnham's inner circle, Rayner is anticipated to hold a cabinet position. Her past resignation as deputy prime minister followed an admission of underpayment of stamp duty on a second home, though she was later cleared by HMRC.
Photo of Andy Burnham edited to include several women wearing Islamic dress
On 1 July 2026, Full Fact reported that an image circulating on social media showing Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield, standing next to several women wearing Islamic dress had been edited. The article states that the image was altered to include women in hijabs and niqabs who were not present in the original photograph posted by Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell on 22 June. The original photo showed Burnham with Powell and Jessica Morden during his return to Parliament. The edited image removed these two women but kept other figures like Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in their positions. Other unedited photos from the same day show Burnham with Labour colleagues from different angles, confirming there are no authentic images of him with a group of women in Islamic dress in the foreground. The article highlights the importance of verifying images before sharing them on social media, noting that similar fake images of Burnham have circulated previously.
What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?
Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced plans to increase UK defense spending, aiming to allocate an additional £1 billion to modernize the armed forces and ensure national security. The Defense Investment Plan (DIP), delayed due to internal disagreements over funding levels, has faced criticism from former defense secretary John Healey, who argued the proposed funding falls short of what is needed to address immediate threats. While the government aims to reach 3.5% of GDP for defense by 2035, current projections show spending increasing only to 2.68% by 2030. This decision follows geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as efforts to strengthen NATO ties and reduce reliance on U.S. support. Critics, including former defense officials like George Robertson and Malcolm Rifkind, argue that the current plan lacks sufficient investment and suggest reallocating funds from welfare or raising taxes to meet defense needs.
Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister
Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the Labour Party and as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announcing his intention to step down as Labour leader and allowing for a leadership contest to determine the next prime minister. He stated that he believes he is not the best person to lead Labour into the next general election and has informed the King of his decision. A timetable for the leadership contest has been outlined, with nominations opening on 9 July and concluding by 16 July. Starmer emphasized his commitment to ensuring an orderly transition of power and pledged to support his successor. Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, has confirmed his candidacy for the leadership position, receiving early support from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Other potential contenders include former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, though he remains undecided. Burnham, upon being sworn in as an MP for Makerfield, faced both applause and some opposition in the House of Commons. His priorities reportedly include focusing on becoming an MP first and later addressing whether to call a general election if he becomes prime minister. Starmer's tenure as Prime Minster
Fifa Does Nothing After Israeli Forces Shoot and Kill Palestinian Goalkeeper
An Israeli military operation resulted in the death of Saleem al-Ashqar, a 32-year-old Palestinian goalkeeper, while he was cycling in the Gaza Strip. The incident occurred in al-Qarara, near Khan Younis, and led to severe internal hemorrhaging and organ damage, ultimately causing his death despite medical efforts. The Palestinian Football Association reported the incident, highlighting the deteriorating healthcare conditions in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. Al-Ashqar's death marks the 1,009th Palestinian athlete killed by Israeli forces since October 2023, with 567 being footballers. Turkish Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak drew a parallel between the number of Palestinian victims and World Cup players, while Spanish-Moroccan journalist Leyla Hamed criticized FIFA's lack of action against Israel despite frequent suspensions of other nations. FIFA responded by fining Israel $190,000 for discriminatory abuse but did not expel the country, unlike its handling of Russia during the Ukraine invasion.
Trump Made $1.4bn From Cryptocurrency Since Returning to Office
Donald Trump reportedly made $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency transactions during his first year back in the U.S. presidency, according to his mandatory financial disclosure report. This includes earnings from his family's crypto firm, World Liberty Financial (WLF), and a meme coin named $TRUMP, which critics describe as a 'pump-and-dump' scheme that harmed smaller investors. Additional revenue came from selling 49% of WLF to an Emirati royal representative, with some payments funneled to Trump family-controlled entities. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb criticized these actions as constitutional violations and called it 'the greatest onslaught of corruption in the history of mankind.' The White House dismissed the claims as 'bogus and irrelevant,' while California Governor Gavin Newsom commented that Trump's supporters were 'rug-pulled.' Experts expressed disbelief at the scale of Trump's enrichment through cryptocurrency.
Russian Drone Strikes Kill Dozens in Kyiv
The article discusses recent Russian drone attacks in Kyiv, highlighting the changing nature of modern warfare where traditional frontlines are becoming less defined due to the increased use of drones. It also mentions a separate report detailing alleged systematic sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees, though this appears to be a standalone section within the same article. Additionally, the piece includes commentary on political figures, including a mention of Keir Starmer being dubbed a 'lesbian fashion icon' and other unrelated topics.
NHS Drug Deal Could Cause 200,000 Avoidable Deaths
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) could face significant financial strain due to a new UK-US trade deal, which requires the NHS to pay significantly more for new drugs. According to analysis published in the British Medical Journal, this increased spending could result in over 200,000 avoidable deaths by 2036 and exacerbate existing health inequalities. The deal, announced in December 2025, aims to provide patients with access to potentially life-saving medications but comes at the cost of diverting £44.7 billion from other essential NHS services by 2036. The government claims the initial financial impact will be limited to an extra £1 billion between 2025-26 and 2028-29, though no detailed projections beyond that period have been provided. Campaign groups such as Global Justice Now have criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the deal and warn that it risks undermining NHS services.
German Workers Can’t Take a Single Sick Day Without a Doctors Note Now
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced significant labor reforms, requiring workers to obtain a medical certificate from the first day of sick leave. Previously, workers could take up to three sick days without a doctor's note and request a one-week leave letter without an in-person visit. The reforms aim to address concerns over high sick leave rates, which Germany ranks seventh in Europe for, according to OECD data. The changes are part of broader economic reforms including tax cuts and pension adjustments, intended to boost competitiveness and counter the far-right AfD's growing support.
Palestinians to Be Herded Into ‘Humanitarian Shelters’ in Gaza
An Israeli newspaper reports that a plan led by the US president Donald Trump’s 'Board of Peace' aims to herd surviving Palestinians into fenced 'humanitarian shelters' in Gaza, controlled by foreign forces. The plan, described as a 'pincer movement,' would allow the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to expand their occupation while separating civilians from Hamas control. The shelters would be managed by the International Stabilization Force (ISF), with access to food and aid conditional on compliance. The initiative has drawn condemnation, with some calling it akin to building 'concentration camps.' Leaked documents suggest the plan involves creating a 'surveilled, checkpoint-controlled planned community' that could function as an Israeli-style panopticon. Despite a ceasefire agreed in October 2025, Israeli military operations continue, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties.
TOP ECONOMIST: We MUST Move Beyond Growth
The article promotes the idea of building a new media platform to support a different politics, emphasizing the decline of the traditional two-party system and the increasing influence of wealthy individuals funding far-right movements. It calls for financial support from readers, encouraging contributions starting at £1 per month. The piece focuses on the shift in political power dynamics and the role of wealth in shaping political agendas.
I worked in No 10 – if Burnham is fazed by £5bn, he isn’t fit to be PM
The article discusses concerns raised by supporters of Andy Burnham regarding the financial challenges he faces as the incoming Prime Minister. The focus is on the £5bn funding gap in the Defence Investment Plan, which was revealed by outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This issue is seen as a potential obstacle for Burnham, who will need to address where the money will come from. The article notes that while £5bn seems significant, it is relatively small compared to overall government spending. It also highlights the uncertainty surrounding fiscal rules and economic forecasts, suggesting that the funding gap might shrink or grow depending on future conditions. Additionally, the piece outlines broader financial pressures facing the new government, such as increased NATO defense commitments, rising pension costs, and healthcare demands. Burnham's proposed spending on transport, housing, and social care is contrasted with the difficulty of finding areas to cut spending without triggering political backlash, particularly around benefits and pensions.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
