StoryShift.uk relies on contributions from readers, industry professionals, civil servants, academics and concerned citizens to maintain accurate, timely coverage of UK public life. If you have information about a developing story, a pattern of behaviour at a public institution, a significant technological shift affecting workers, or an unreported cultural development, we want to hear from you. This page explains what makes a strong tip and how to share it securely.
What we cover
Our editorial focus is broad but specific: UK public debate, culture, media, politics, working life, technology and current affairs. We combine British subject coverage with a European publishing perspective on how social change, politics, culture and digital trends affect people, businesses and institutions in the UK. The following list indicates the kinds of tips our desks find most valuable:
- Media and culture developments: changes at public service broadcasters, ownership shifts in UK media, editorial controversies, cultural funding decisions, trends in streaming and digital publishing, and threats to local journalism.
- Political decisions and policy debate: legislative proposals, regulatory changes, government consultations, parliamentary committee work, lobbying patterns, and the real-world effects of policy on communities.
- Technology and workplace changes: automation in sectors such as retail, logistics or finance; platform-economy working conditions; AI deployment in public services; data privacy breaches; changes to employment law and gig-economy rights.
- Public institutions and consumer issues: NHS administration, local government spending, university governance, utility regulation, consumer rights cases, housing policy failures, and public transport reliability.
We do not accept unsolicited opinion pieces or comment pitches through the tip line; those should be directed to our general contact page.
How to reach us
Email is the fastest and most secure way to submit a tip. Please use the following addresses depending on the nature of your information:
- General tips and non-urgent information: editorial@storyshift.uk
- Time-sensitive news or breaking stories: newsdesk@storyshift.uk
- Press releases and media announcements: press@storyshift.uk
- Corrections to published articles: corrections@storyshift.uk (see our corrections policy)
You can also telephone our UK editorial line on +44 20 4583 7710. Please note that calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes; if you wish to remain anonymous, we recommend using email with appropriate security measures.
What to include in a good tip
A strong tip helps our editors and reporters assess the story quickly and accurately. Please provide as much of the following as possible:
- The core facts: who is involved, what has happened or is about to happen, when it occurred or is scheduled, and where (specific location, organisation, or jurisdiction).
- Supporting documentation: emails, internal memos, reports, contracts, photographs, screenshots, audio or video recordings, or links to public records. Digital files can be attached to encryption-protected emails if you prefer.
- Your preferred level of attribution: please state clearly whether you are speaking on the record (your name and affiliation can be published), on background (we may use the information but not identify you directly), or off the record (the information may guide our reporting but cannot be published or attributed). If you do not indicate a preference, we will assume you are on background until we clarify.
- Your contact information (even if anonymous): at minimum, a secure email address or signal contact so that our editors and correspondents can reach you for verification and follow-up questions.
Tips that lack specifics, contain unsubstantiated allegations, or appear to be part of a coordinated smear campaign will not be investigated.
How we verify tips
Verification is taken seriously. Our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Kristjan Sepp, oversees a structured process for every tip we pursue. The team will:
- Assess the credibility and reliability of the source.
- Cross-reference the information against public records, official documents, and independent reporting.
- Seek corroboration from multiple sources where possible.
- Consult internal subject-matter specialists — for example, Laura Bennett on technology and workplace claims, James Whitmore on political and public-institution matters, or Emily Carter on culture and media developments.
Detailed guidance on our methods is available in our fact-checking policy and sources & standards pages. We do not publish any tip until we are confident it is accurate, or until we have clearly attributed the material to its source with appropriate context.
Confidentiality and source protection
We understand that tipping our desk may carry personal or professional risk. StoryShift.uk is committed to protecting the identity of sources who wish to remain anonymous. If you have concerns about confidentiality, please contact us in advance at legal@storyshift.uk to discuss the best methods for secure communication. All data provided in connection with a tip is handled in accordance with our privacy policy. We will not voluntarily disclose your identity or the existence of a tip to third parties without your consent, except where compelled by a valid legal order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
What happens after you submit
You will receive an automated acknowledgement of receipt within two working days. Our editorial team will review your submission and may contact you for clarification or additional material. Owing to the volume of tips we receive, we cannot guarantee a personal reply to every submission, nor can we provide updates on whether a story will be pursued. If your tip leads to a published article, we will make every effort to inform you in advance and to respect your conditions regarding attribution. For general enquiries about the editorial process, please visit our contact page.