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 moreBritain has set aside more than £10bn for post-Brexit payments to the EU as the UK continues sending billions to Brussels despite having left the bloc years ago.To cover the cost of the UK’s divorce from Europe, the government has accounted for £10.6bn in future payments for Brussels staff and diplomats’ pensions, as well as Britain’s pre-existing financial obligations.Official government figures this week revealed that the provision for continuing “EU liabilities” has fallen from £31.7bn a year ago and £38.7bn the year before.But the figure still stands at more than £10bn, with critics saying the UK is still “paying vast sums for a terrible Brexit deal”. The revelation comes after Rachel Reeves’ Budget piled £40bn of new taxes on households and businesses – with the chancellor claiming the changes were necessary to fill a black hole in the public finances left by the Conservatives. Keir Starmer is attempting to reset Britain’s relationship with Europe 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 moreSir Keir Starmer has been warned a comprehensive trade deal with the US under Donald Trump would “destroy our family farms and healthy food standards”.The prime minister has been urged to rule out any agreement with the Americans that includes food and farming, with farmers warning their industry is already facing huge challenges after Labour’s so-called “tractor tax” which they say will do “irreparable damage to farming businesses”.Thousands of farmers descended on London to protest the changes, announced by Rachel Reeves in October, which mean farms valued at £1m or more will be liable for 20 per cent inheritance tax.And despite farmers gearing up for another mass tractor rally in London, the outrage would pale in comparison to the backlash Sir Keir would face if he allowed American exports to undercut UK farmers by stocking chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef on Britain’s shelves. On Wednesday, December 11, the latest farmer demonstration will take place in the capital, highlighting the financial squeeze facing family farmers.Liz Webster, founder of the Save British Farming campaign group, told The Independent Sir Keir “doesn’t have a mandate for a US deal” and pointed to the PM’s promise to negotiate a veterinary agreement covering food and farm products with the EU.Campaigners say consumers do not want chlorinated chicken from the US 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 moreSir Keir Starmer will set out a “plan for change” this week as part of what he is calling the next phase of government after a tumultuous start in No 10 – but Britain’s top pollster has raised serious doubts about whether he can convince the public.After five months which have seen the prime minister’s poll rating plummet, Sir Keir is planning to set numerical targets for the economy, the NHS, public safety, energy security and social mobility against which the public can judge him and his government at the next general election, expected in 2029.The milestones will run alongside public sector reform, Downing Street said, and will include a focus on reforming Whitehall, spearheaded by an as-yet-unannounced new chief civil servant and cabinet ministers, so it is geared towards the delivery of Labour’s missions.But polling guru Sir John Curtice has warned that Sir Keir’s government has “hit significant political trouble rather early on in its life”, adding that “the fundamental question is whether a politician who has shown so far absolutely no ability to construct a narrative can suddenly construct a narrative”. Speaking to The Independent, Sir John Curtice said the government “lacks a story of what it is about”.Keir Starmer will attempt a major reset after just five months in power 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 moreBrexit has made touring in Europe “simply not economically viable” for many artists, a minister has admitted.In a damning assessment of the impact on musicians of leaving the EU, Chris Bryant, creative industries minister, said the government recognises the scale of the challenges facing professionals who want to tour in Europe.“Many have concluded it is simply not economically viable or logistically possible to tour in Europe,” he said.His comments are the most stark assessment of Brexit’s impact on the music industry by a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s top team, and comes as the prime minister is seeking to rebuild ties with Brussels in a post-Brexit “reset”.Musicians have long warned of the impact of Brexit on the industry 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 moreAt least 36 MPs who voted in favour of assisted dying have indicated that they could change their minds at a later stage, new analysis suggests. An analysis of statements made by MPs about Friday’s vote shows that a significant number of parliamentarians suggested that their ongoing support would be conditional on how the bill stands up to scrutiny.The bill, which allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with a life expectancy of six months or less to seek assistance to end their lives, passed in the Commons by 55 votes. 330 MPs voted in favour of the legislation, with 275 against. 18 Labour MPs and three Conservative MPs did not vote on Friday, meaning their votes are also to play for in the next stage. Under the proposed plans, a terminally ill adult would have to get approval from two doctors and a High Court judge before they would be helped to end their life. With the bill now entering committee stage, MPs will get a chance to scrutinise the plans and propose any amendments. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the bill, has said that there is “absolutely still a lot of work to do” on the bill and that “slight changes” are part of the process.Some MPs warned in Friday’s debate that their support was conditional on additional safeguards being put in place or parts of the bill being changed. The House of Commons was packed for the vote on assisted dying 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 moreMinisters have been accused of “burying their heads in the sand” about the potential benefits of a youth mobility scheme with the EU.Despite repeatedly citing economic growth as a number one priority, the Treasury and Home Office have refused to conduct an assessment of how a deal for young people to live and work across the bloc could boost the economy.Despite repeated requests, Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet have refused to look into the potential economic benefits of a deal with Brussels, or with the countries Britain has already signed agreements with.Liberal Democrat EU spokesman James MacCleary said: “It’s astonishing that ministers are burying their heads in the sand over the potential benefits of a youth mobility scheme with the EU. Such a scheme would not only deliver economic benefits but also help businesses address labour shortages in key sectors such as hospitality.Keir Starmer has been urged to strike a youth mobility scheme with the EU More