UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer has been warned that he faces “total humiliation” on the world stage with his plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on the brink of collapse in the next 48 hours.With Sir Keir’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell heading to the US in a late bid to dissuade Donald Trump from vetoing the controversial deal, doubts have now also been raised by the new prime minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who has expressed doubts about the deal struck with his predecessor.After a meeting with Mr Powell earlier this week, Mr Ramgoolam said: “I informed them that I wished to have more time to study the details with a panel of legal advisers.”Previously he had described it as “high treason and a sellout” because the UK and US would still be allowed to use an airbase on the islands in the Indian Ocean.The new Mauritian government’s first cabinet meeting will take place on Friday, when they are expected to look at whether to continue with the deal which is due to be completed next summer, leaving the entire agreement on the brink. However, even if they do agree to stick with it, Mr Trump’s team are hardening their opposition to what they consider to be a major security risk for the West.Donald Trump’s team are seeking assurances from Keir Starmer that the deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will not be completed before his inauguration More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreDonald Trump’s new trade chief has previously called for deals with the UK, it has emerged, as the president elect’s team seeks to force Keir Starmer to choose between the US and the EU. Last year, Jamieson Greer voiced support for trade agreements with Britain during evidence to Congress. He has now been unveiled as Mr Trump’s pick for US trade representative just a week after a senior economic adviser to the next President warned the UK had to ditch the “socialist” EU and embrace the US – or face tariffs. The intervention was seen as an attempt to force the hand of Sir Keir, who is currently trying ‘reset’ and improve post-Brexit relations with the EU. The Trump team hopes to force UK to make a choice between the US and the EU More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA Labour MP’s call for a law to tackle Islamophobia has provoked concerns about Keir Starmer’s commitment to freedom of speech. Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley MP Tahir Ali raised the issue of hate crimes against Muslims as part of Islamophobia awareness month on November.He went on: “Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Koran, despite opposition from the previous government.“Acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society. Will the prime minister commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions?”Sir Keir Starmer did not reject the idea of measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions in his answer More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe EU’s former chief negotiator has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to strike a deal with Brussels that would allow young people to live and work in Europe as part of his post-Brexit reset.In a policy brief setting out the potential future EU-UK relationship, Ignacio Garcia Bercero called on the prime minister to strike an agreement on youth mobility and cultural facilitation as part of a series of deals with Brussels to complement the existing trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), which currently governs trade with the bloc.Sir Keir has so far ruled out agreeing to such a scheme, which would let under-30s live, study and work across the bloc for a period, despite it being one of the EU’s top priorities in renewed talks.Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, told The Independent that a deal on youth mobility is in the interests of British workers, students, apprentices and businesses. She noted existing deals with countries including Japan, Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand, which allow Britons to live, study and work there for up to two years.Ignacio Garcia Bercero called for a veterinary agreement, which would reduce barriers for food and agriculture trade with the EU, and for the UK to join the EU emissions trading system More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreKemi Badenoch has admitted that Brexit isn’t working, saying the previous government “did not deliver” after the country voted to end free movement. It comes as the Tories promised to offer a “new leader with a new approach” to tackle high levels of migration, warning: “The system is broken, and, until we accept that, all politicians are doomed to fail.”“We ended free movement, but the system that replaced it is not working,” the Tory leader told a press conference in Westminster. “Under my leadership, we are learning from our mistakes.”Pre-empting the publication of net migration figures on Thursday, Ms Badenoch said: “Tomorrow’s figures will likely show a reduction in net immigration and no doubt the new government will try to take credit for that reduction. But that change is due to the reforms that the Conservatives made during our final months in power.”At the end of 2023, the party announced an increase to the minimum earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50 per cent from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700, as well as ending the 20 per cent going-rate salary discount for shortage occupations. Kemi Badenoch delivered a speech in Westminster on the Tory party’s approach to migration More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe Prime Minister has encouraged young people to get involved with AI, saying the world is in the “foothills of a revolution”.Sir Keir made the comments during a visit to Google’s AI Campus, which launched on Wednesday in his constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, where he emphasised the technology’s “ability to transform millions of lives across our country”.The facility in Somers Town is a partnership between Google, Camden Council and Camden Learning and aims at inspiring a new generation of AI-talent through educating young people and teachers.In a speech to attendees, the Prime Minister said he wanted the UK and London to be the “best place in the world to start and scale and AI business”.To every young person, whether in this room or elsewhere, I say, whatever your interest, whatever your talent, AI is the opportunity of this generationSir Keir Starmer“We do stand in the foothills of a revolution. It’s a revolution that’s taking place across the world.“There is a race on now, for AI, we are well-placed in that race,” he added.Sir Keir also emphasised the importance of ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access AI-related jobs and education.He said: “Success belongs to our young people, and this will help make sure they’ve got the skills that they need for the jobs of the future.”“To every young person, whether in this room or elsewhere, I say, whatever your interest, whatever your talent, AI is the opportunity of this generation.“It’s your opportunity. Get involved. Take advantage of it,” he added.The Prime Minister went on to praise British computer scientist Sir Demis Hassabis, founder of the London-based AI start-up DeepMind, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry last month.During the visit, the Prime Minister had a tour of the facilities and met with students on a two-year AI Connect pilot programme.The course, which began last month, will provide 32 Year 12 students from across the Camden borough with real-world projects that connect AI tools and skills to a range of fields including health, social sciences and the arts.On Wednesday, Google announced more than £865,000 in funding through its philanthropic arm to train teachers across the country on AI and equip them with resources to help engage their students on the topic.The teacher programme, co-developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, will deliver this training with the aim of reaching more than 250,000 additional pupils by the end of 2026.Leader of Camden Council Richard Olszewski said the partnership between the council, Camden Learning and Google marked a “significant milestone” in a commitment to provide “young people with world-class opportunities.”He said: “By fostering collaboration between industry leaders, educators, and students, this trail-blazing initiative will undoubtedly empower countless young people from all backgrounds in the borough to thrive in the science, technology, engineering, arts and maths industries that are developing around them.”Managing director for Google UK and Ireland, Debbie Weinstein, said: “Google is so proud to partner with Camden Learning to launch the AI Campus, an educational pilot that serves to create the next generation of AI leaders.“We believe that AI’s enormous opportunities should be accessible to all and this ground-breaking initiative, by empowering the next generation to learn vital digital skills, will be key in supporting the UK to unlock AI’s £400 billion economic potential.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA former senior cabinet minister has become the latest political grandee to oppose the assisted dying bill, warning that it could turn the National Health Service into “a national death service”.Liam Fox, who is a practising doctor and served as shadow health secretary for more than four years, believes it would be impossible to prevent “the slippery slope scenario” of the bill being expanded beyond terminal illness, as he described the safeguards contained in the legislation as “false”.His warning reflects concerns among the wider public, highlighted in polling seen by The Independent, which shows that 50 per cent do not believe the NHS is in a fit state to administer assisted dying.It came as three former prime ministers – Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss – united to oppose the bill, which is set to be debated on Friday, and as former attorney general Dominic Grieve warned that it would breach the rule of law.Liam Fox is critical of the proposed legislation More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreReforms to disability benefit assessments are still set to come into force soon Labour has confirmed, as the DWP gives the latest update on its plans.An overhaul of the Work Capability Assessment remain at the heart of the changes, the department says, as its ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper – which pledges £240 million of investment – reveals that a consultation will begin in Spring 2025.Presented by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall, the paper says: “The DWP-led health and disability benefits system is not well designed to promote and enable employment.“The current system focuses on assessing capacity to work instead of on helping people to adjust and adapt to their health condition. It misses opportunities to work with people to identify what kind of support could make work possible for them.”Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall (PA) More