Category: UK Politics

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

Starmer and Zelensky discuss US peace plan for Ukraine Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that “Ukraine must determine its future”, after speaking to President Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan. There are concerns some of the reported proposals appear to heavily reflect many of Moscow’s demands. The White House has pushed back on… Continue reading Starmer and Zelensky discuss US peace plan for Ukraine

Starmer labels Farage ‘spineless’ over handling of racism claims Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Nigel Farage “spineless” and accused him of failing to adequately explain reports of racist and antisemitic comments it is alleged the Reform UK leader made while at school. This week, the Guardian newspaper reported a number of Farage’s contemporaries at the… Continue reading Starmer labels Farage ‘spineless’ over handling of racism claims

Paying failed asylum seekers to leave is value for money, says Mahmood Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she is willing to consider “a big increase” in payments to failed asylum seekers to persuade them to leave the UK voluntarily. She told the BBC this was often “better value for money for the taxpayer” than… Continue reading Paying failed asylum seekers to leave is value for money, says Mahmood

Russian spy ship on edge of UK waters, defence secretary says A Russian spy ship is on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland and has directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities, the defence secretary has said. Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, John Healey said it was… Continue reading Russian spy ship on edge of UK waters, defence secretary says