UK economy fell into recession after people cut spending Getty Images By Dearbail Jordan & Faisal Islam Business reporter and economics editor, BBC News People spending less, doctors’ strikes and a fall in school attendance dragged the UK into recession at the end of last year, official figures show. The economy shrank by a larger… Continue reading UK economy fell into recession after people cut spending

Kingswood and Wellingborough by-elections: Voters go to the polls PA Media Voters are going to the polls to elect new MPs in Kingswood and Wellingborough. The by-elections will decide who will replace former Conservative MPs Chris Skidmore and Peter Bone, with both seats won by the Tories at the last general election in 2019. Polling… Continue reading Kingswood and Wellingborough by-elections: Voters go to the polls

Labour will block those not fit to be MPs, says John Healey By Kate Whannel Political reporter, BBC News Labour will act to block people not fit to be MPs, shadow defence secretary John Healey has pledged, as the party struggles to deal with an ongoing row about comments made by its candidates. He insisted… Continue reading Labour will block those not fit to be MPs, says John Healey

Azhar Ali: Keir Starmer insists he was decisive on Rochdale candidate This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he took “decisive action” over comments made by Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali about Israel and Jewish people. Labour has been… Continue reading Azhar Ali: Keir Starmer insists he was decisive on Rochdale candidate

Labour withdraws support for Rochdale candidate By Sam Francis Political reporter, BBC News Labour says it has “withdrawn support” for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali after his comments on Israel. The BBC understands Mr Ali has been suspended from Labour pending an investigation. The party said the decision was taken after “new information about further… Continue reading Labour withdraws support for Rochdale candidate

Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate PA Media By Kate Whannel Political reporter, BBC News Labour has defended standing by its candidate in the Rochdale by-election, despite his remarks about Israel. Shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC Azhar Ali’s comments were “completely and utterly unacceptable”. However, he said the prospective MP… Continue reading Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate

No-fault eviction ban by next election, Gove promises This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Becky Morton Political reporter No-fault evictions will be “outlawed” in England by the next general election, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has told the BBC. The Conservatives first promised… Continue reading No-fault eviction ban by next election, Gove promises

Conservative donors and 27-year-old among new peers Getty Images The government has announced 13 new peerages, including several donors to the Tory party, and the youngest ever member of the House of Lords. The list features Stuart Marks, a Conservative treasurer who has donated £119,500 to the party since 2013, and Paul Goodman, editor of… Continue reading Conservative donors and 27-year-old among new peers