Starmer tells me he’ll survive – but can he keep this new year’s resolution? 1 hour ago Laura KuenssbergSunday with Laura Kuenssberg BBC “I’ll be sitting in this seat by 2027,” Sir Keir Starmer told me, cracking a gag that if our conversation went well he would invite us into Downing Street to talk to… Continue reading Starmer tells me he’ll survive – but can he keep this new year’s resolution?

Politicians have given away too much power to deliver pledges, says PM’s ex-aide 3 hours ago Kate WhannelPolitical reporter PA Politicians have given away too much power to lawyers, activists and regulators, and cannot deliver their promises, an ex-aide to the prime minister has said. Writing in The Times, Paul Ovenden, who quit as Keir… Continue reading Politicians have given away too much power to deliver pledges, says PM’s ex-aide

British-Egyptian dissident appears to endorse ‘smear campaign’ claims The British-Egyptian activist at the centre of a political row appears to have endorsed new and baseless claims that he is the victim of a “smear campaign”. Alaa Abd El Fattah flew to the UK on Friday to be reunited with his family for the first time… Continue reading British-Egyptian dissident appears to endorse ‘smear campaign’ claims

Government to review ‘information failures’ in British-Egyptian activist case 6 hours ago Helen Catt,Political correspondentand Ian Aikman Sayed Hassan/Getty Images Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a review into what she calls “serious information failures” in the case of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah. In a letter to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Cooper… Continue reading Government to review ‘information failures’ in British-Egyptian activist case

UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy The UK is to impose visa restrictions against people arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo after its government failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening… Continue reading UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy

Government waters down inheritance tax plan for farms 2 hours ago Kate WhannelPolitical reporter PA Media Government proposals to tax inherited farmland have been watered down, with the planned threshold increasing from £1m to £2.5m. The climbdown follows months of protests by farmers and concern from some Labour backbenchers. At last year’s Budget, ministers said… Continue reading Government waters down inheritance tax plan for farms

Puppy farm ban promised by animal welfare strategy An end to puppy farming and a possible ban on the use of electric shock dog collars are promised as part of a new animal welfare strategy being launched by the government on Monday. The strategy – which packages together new laws with legislative reforms and proposals… Continue reading Puppy farm ban promised by animal welfare strategy