Category: UK Politics

Health secretary and BMA to meet in bid to avoid strikes Talks between Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the British Medical Association (BMA) will take place next week in a bid to avert strike action in England’s NHS. Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, announced earlier this week that they will walk out for… Continue reading Health secretary and BMA to meet in bid to avoid strikes

Reeves disappointed after economy unexpectedly shrinks 34 minutes ago Tom Espiner BBC business reporter Getty Images The UK economy shrank unexpectedly in May, contracting for the second month in a row. The economy contracted by 0.1%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, confounding analysts who expected to see slight growth. The government has made… Continue reading Reeves disappointed after economy unexpectedly shrinks

UK to return some migrants to France within weeks – PM The UK will begin returning migrants arriving in small boats to France within weeks under a new pilot scheme, Sir Keir Starmer has said. Under the “one in, one out” deal, some arrivals would be detained and returned to France. In exchange, the UK… Continue reading UK to return some migrants to France within weeks – PM

Chris Mason: Reform’s momentum is making the political weather For the second time this week, Reform UK have announced a former Conservative cabinet minister has joined them. The other day they said that former Welsh Secretary David Jones had signed up, back in January. Two other former Tory MPs defected recently too – Anne Marie… Continue reading Chris Mason: Reform’s momentum is making the political weather

Starmer refuses to rule out freeze on tax thresholds Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out extending the freeze on tax thresholds, which has seen millions of people dragged into paying higher rates. The freeze on National Insurance (NI) and income tax thresholds, introduced under the Conservatives, is currently due to end in April… Continue reading Starmer refuses to rule out freeze on tax thresholds

France and UK to stop small boats together – Macron 15 hours ago Sam Francis Political reporter Henry Zeffman Chief political correspondent PA Media French President Emmanuel Macron has said the UK and France “will deliver” on stopping small boat crossings, ahead of negotiations with Sir Keir Starmer this week. Downing Street is hoping to… Continue reading France and UK to stop small boats together – Macron

Norman Tebbit, key Thatcher ally, dies aged 94 2 hours ago Kate Whannel Political reporter Getty Images Norman Tebbit, who served as a cabinet minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government, has died aged 94. Throughout the 1980s he worked as the chairman of the Conservative Party and led the departments of trade and industry and employment.… Continue reading Norman Tebbit, key Thatcher ally, dies aged 94

King says France and UK face ‘complex threats’ King Charles III will say the UK and France must stand together in the face of a “multitude of complex threats”, when he speaks at a state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron and his wife Brigitte will be welcomed by the King and Queen and… Continue reading King says France and UK face ‘complex threats’

Bereavement leave to be extended to miscarriages before 24 weeks Parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to bereavement leave under a planned law change. The government is set to amend the Employment Rights Bill to give parents the legal right to take time off work to grieve if… Continue reading Bereavement leave to be extended to miscarriages before 24 weeks

Welfare U-turn makes spending decisions harder, minister says 15 hours ago Joshua Nevett Political reporter Spending decisions have been made “harder” by the government’s U-turn on welfare changes, the education secretary has said, as she did not commit to scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Bridget Phillipson told BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that… Continue reading Welfare U-turn makes spending decisions harder, minister says