Category: UK Politics

Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years Jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years will be scrapped, the justice secretary has announced. The reforms to the justice system include creating “swift courts” under the government’s plan to tackle unprecedented… Continue reading Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years

Starmer says he is proud of Budget as he denies misleading public 1 hour ago Becky MortonPolitical reporter Sir Keir Starmer has denied his chancellor misled the public about the nation’s finances ahead of last week’s Budget. The Conservatives have accused Rachel Reeves of giving an overly pessimistic impression as a “smokescreen” to raise taxes,… Continue reading Starmer says he is proud of Budget as he denies misleading public

Reeves denies she misled public over UK’s finances in run-up to Budget 39 minutes ago Jennifer McKiernanPolitical reporter Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rejected claims she misled the public about the nation’s finances in the run-up to her Budget. Reeves was challenged on the BBC to explain why she had repeatedly warned about a downgrade to… Continue reading Reeves denies she misled public over UK’s finances in run-up to Budget

Minister defends ‘pragmatic’ U-turn on workers’ rights 1 hour ago Paul SeddonPolitical reporter PA Media The education secretary has defended Labour’s U-turn over offering all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Instead, ministers now plan to reduce the qualifying period from the current two years to six… Continue reading Minister defends ‘pragmatic’ U-turn on workers’ rights

Chris Mason: Starmer could have scrapped child benefit cap last year – why did he wait? I can’t remember when I last heard Sir Keir Starmer sounding so passionate. The prime minister’s critics regularly lambast him for what they see as robotic or emotion-free communication, but you could not accuse him of that as we… Continue reading Chris Mason: Starmer could have scrapped child benefit cap last year – why did he wait?

Budget 2025: Key points at a glance Reuters Rachel Reeves is delivering a speech in the House of Commons setting out details of her second Budget since becoming chancellor. A number of measures from the yearly tax and spending plan had already been announced in the days leading up to the statement. Other measures have… Continue reading Budget 2025: Key points at a glance

Chris Mason: Reeves will be hoping this Budget buys her some time 12 hours ago Chris MasonPolitical editor Kirsty O’Connor / Treasury Finally, after weeks – even months – of hearing about it, we are about to find out what is actually in this year’s Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will make an argument about what… Continue reading Chris Mason: Reeves will be hoping this Budget buys her some time

Reeves urges Labour MPs to unite behind the Budget Rachel Reeves has urged Labour MPs to unite behind her Budget as she vowed to stay on as chancellor in the years ahead. Speaking to a meeting of Labour’s Parliamentary Party on Monday evening, Reeves warned MPs they must “stick together” if they wanted to win… Continue reading Reeves urges Labour MPs to unite behind the Budget

What can nervous businesses expect from the Budget? 9 hours ago Simon JackBusiness editor Reuters Business leaders face a nervous final few days before the chancellor’s second Budget, having borne the brunt of a brutal set of tax hikes this time last year. Firms are still reeling from those: the £25bn National Insurance increase and… Continue reading What can nervous businesses expect from the Budget?

Rail fares to be frozen in England next year Rail fares in England next year are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced. The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns. The most recent fare rise, in March 2025,… Continue reading Rail fares to be frozen in England next year