UK Politics

A record number of people have crossed the Channel in small boats in the first six months of this year, new figures show – despite Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to “smash the gangs”.Just days before the prime minister marks one year in office, new data from the Home Office shows a total of 19,982 people have arrived in the UK since the start of 2025 – the highest total for this point in the year since data was first collected on migrant crossings in 2018. The prime minister has been struggling to bring down both the number of boat crossings and the amount of money spent on housing asylum seekers in hotels across the UK. But he has also faced criticism from left-wing Labour MPs and refugee charities, accusing Sir Keir of attempting to copy Reform UK’s inflammatory rhetoric. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended his Government’s record as he faces a major revolt on welfare reforms More

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.Rachael Maskell became emotional whilst describing the impact of welfare cuts on her constituent on Tuesday (1 July). The Labour MP for York Central, who put forward a second amendment rejecting the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill, said her disabled constituent told her that “it would be better if he wasn’t here”.The bill would see changes made to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health-related element of universal credit. More

A leading trans campaign group has requested an investigation into the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), claiming its conduct in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on gender has been unlawful, The Independent can reveal.It comes after the Supreme Court ruled that trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act. TransLucent said they have submitted a formal complaint to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – the worldwide membership-based network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs)– claiming that the UK’s equalities watchdog is failing to adhere to the Paris Principles. The Paris Principles set out the minimum standards that NHRIs must meet in order to be considered credible and to operate effectively. The key pillars of the Paris Principles are pluralism, independence and effectiveness.The Supreme Court judgment has proven controversial More

Sir Keir Starmer will not be having a party to mark his first year as prime minister after Britain’s top pollster said he was off to the worst start in history. Downing Street confirmed there were “no plans for a party” to mark the occasion, but stressed that Sir Keir had reflected on Labour’s progress so far in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. “He is marking the year by briefly reflecting on it in cabinet, but looking forward his focus is on delivering for the British people,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said. Sir Keir Starmer has defended his government’s record after a year in charge More

With a simple majority of 156, it would be truly extraordinary if the government was defeated today on its key welfare reforms.But that does not mean that Keir Starmer can take any kind of satisfaction over a numerical victory in the Commons today.The fact is, in many ways he has already lost. By being forced by rebels to make significant concessions to an important part of his government’s reform programme less than a year into being prime minister, Sir Keir is in almost unprecedented territory for someone who has so recently won power.Sir Keir Starmer faces the prospect of a major rebellion over the Government’s welfare Bill on Tuesday (Paul Currie/PA) More

Watch live as MPs debate and vote on the Labour government’s welfare bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday (1 July).The bill, which would see changes made to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health-related element of universal credit, is due to go to a crunch vote later this evening.Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face the biggest rebellion of his leadership after repeated warnings from Labour MPs that the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill could push people further into poverty.On Monday (30 June), in a bid to convince rebel MPs to back the changes, the prime minister watered down his original welfare plans to minimise the impact on existing claimants.However, despite the adjustments, 39 Labour MPs have backed a fresh bid to crush the legislation.Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP who tabled the latest amendment, said that “the whole Bill is unravelling before us”.Last week, over 120 Labour MPs signed an amendment that would give them an opportunity to vote on a proposal to reject the welfare reform bill in its entirety. That amendment has since been withdrawn. MPs will debate the bill in the Commons from lunchtime before a vote is expected at 7pm. More

Sir Keir Starmer is braced for the biggest revolt of his leadership over benefit cuts the government’s own analysis says will push 150,000 people into poverty. In a sign of the challenge facing the prime minister, those set to rebel over the welfare reforms come from across the party and include select committee chairmen, MPs from the new intake and even a recent frontbencher. The Independent looks at who the key rebels are and what they have said about the reforms. Vicky Foxcroft The Commons terrace went silent last month when Vicky Foxcroft quit as a government whip in order to vote against Sir Keir’s plans. The Labour MP said she said she could not vote for reforms that “include cuts to disabled people’s finances”.Her resignation piled fresh pressure on the PM to negotiate with rebels, and she has since said concessions from Sir Keir are not enough. Vicky Foxcroft quit her government role over the cuts More

Sir Keir Starmer has offered a major concession to Labour MPs following widespread criticism over the government’s controversial plans to cut welfare spending. But ahead of the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill’s second reading in the Commons on Tuesday evening, some 39 backbenchers signed an amendment rejecting the legislation.Whether the changes will stave off the rebellion remains to be seen, as a large number of Labour MPs have signalled that they are still not happy with the package of measures.Earlier in the week, more than 130 Labour MPs signed a “reasoned amendment” to the bill which would deliver the measures. If passed, it would have effectively stopped it in its tracks for the time being.Sir Keir Starmer has U-turned in the face of a massive Labour rebellion over welfare cuts More