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.Read moreSir Keir Starmer’s government is considering tightening controls around shotgun ownership, in a move likely to further fray Labour’s relationship with farmers.Following a series of murders involving such weapons, the Home Office has announced a new consultation into shotgun licensing – citing concerns over the current rules raised by victims, police, coroners and MPs.Pointing to concerns around shotgun owners keeping the weapons in their homes, including in towns and cities, the Home Office has also announced imminent plans to increase the number of referees required to obtain a shotgun licence – from just one to two – and to refresh police guidance, including around domestic abuse.But some farmers have expressed fears over what they called “draconian and unreasonable” proposals, which they claimed would be viewed as “part of a wider anti-rural agenda”.The government is already on a collision course with farmers as a result of controversial changes to inheritance tax on agricultural property, with protesting farmers using tractors to disrupt a public outing by Sir Keir on Thursday. Keir Starmer’s visit in Milton Keynes was disrupted by a protest on Thursday 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.Read moreA former foreign secretary has warned Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy that they must use this weekend’s Munich defence and security conference as an opportunity to stand up to Donald Trump over Ukraine.Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind raised the spectre of the infamous 1938 Munich conference, where the then British prime minister Neville Chamberlain struck the “peace for our time” deal with Hitler and allowed him to invade Czechoslovakia.It comes as Sir Keir, in an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, did not guarantee that Ukraine would have a seat at the table in the talks about ending the war with Russia, only saying that President Volodymyr Zelensky “must be involved”.David Lammy and Keir Starmer have been warned that they must stand up to Donald Trump 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.Read moreKemi Badenoch has been dealt a fresh blow as a new poll revealed the Conservatives are falling further behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.The latest weekly tracker poll from Techne UK has cast a shadow over the event with a number of senior Tories now questioning whether Ms Badenoch will survive as leader by the next general election.The poll showed that the Tories had gone down one point to 22 per cent while Labour had climbed a point to 26 per cent. Reform staying the same on 25 per cent is now three points ahead of the Conservatives.The survey of 1,637 voters also suggested that 26 per cent of Tory voters in last year’s election have now switched to Farage’s party.Kemi Badenoch 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.Read moreRachel Reeves is under mounting pressure over allegations she used company expenses to buy handbags, perfume, earrings and wine for colleagues before becoming an MP. The BBC said Ms Reeves was one of three people investigated while working for the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) before entering parliament for using her expenses to “fund a lifestyle” with allegedly inappropriate spending on dinners, events, taxis and gifts, including for each other.The BBC also made fresh claims about the way Ms Reeves has “exaggerated” her CV.The broadcaster uncovered documents it said showed Ms Reeves was accused of spending hundreds of pounds on handbags, perfume, earrings and wine for colleagues, including one gift for her boss. Concerns were also reportedly raised about her spending on taxis and on a Christmas party, with one whistleblower believing it to be excessive. The BBC reported that Rachel Reeves exaggerated her CV 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.Read moreThe UK economy grew a “flat” 0.1 per cent between October and December last year, according to official figures. Analysts predictions varied, with some expecting a 0.2 per cent rise in GDP, and others saying a slight fall was likely.The strength of the economy can impact how much tax the government can raise for public services, and how much wages can increase for workers.Although the rise in GDP is small, it is welcome news for Labour. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made clear that growth is a central mission for the government, and the 0.1 figure is up from no recorded growth at all in the three months before it.Responding to the figure, she said: “The growth numbers have come in higher than many expected, but I’m still not satisfied with the level of growth that our economy is achieving.“And that’s why I am determined to go further and faster in delivering the economic growth and the improvements in living standards that our country deserves.”The latest GDP figures come as an unexpected boost to Rachel Reeves More

Ed Davey floats ‘retaliation’ tariffs against Donald Trump’s USYour 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.Read moreLabour MP Siobhain McDonagh says there are “questions to be asked” regarding Rachel Reeves’ CV and allegations regarding historic expenses. Speaking to Jo Coburn on BBC Politics Live, McDonagh said: “We’ve got to be sure about what happened with the expenses scandal. As far as I’m aware she absolutely denies that she was approached by anybody about the expenses scandal”.“So I think there’s still questions to be asked about what is going on and we’ll see what happens.”Ms McDonagh also described the chancellor as “one of the most hardworking, honest politicians that I have ever met”.Ms Reeves has been hit by claims that she exaggerated how long she worked at the Bank of England on her online CV.The BBC reported the chancellor left the central bank nine months earlier than she stated in her LinkedIn profile. Her LinkedIn profile shows she worked at the Bank of England from September 2000 to December 2006. However, the BBC found she had left by March 2006 when she began working for Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in West Yorkshire.A spokesman for the chancellor confirmed the LinkedIn profile was inaccurate and said the error was due to an administrative mistake. Labour MP says there are ‘questions to be asked’ over Rachel Reeves’ alledged expense investigationLabour MP Siobhain McDonagh says there are “questions to be asked” regarding Rachel Reeves’ CV and allegations regarding historic expenses as revealed by the BBC today.Ms McDonagh also twice described the incident as an “expenses scandal”.Speaking to Jo Coburn on BBC Politics Live, McDonagh said: “We’ve got to be sure about what happened with the expenses scandal. As far as I’m aware she absolutely denies that she was approached by anybody about the expenses scandal”.“So I think there’s still questions to be asked about what is going on and we’ll see what happens.”Ms McDonagh also described the chancellor as “one of the most hardworking, honest politicians that I have ever met”.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:40Government investment targeted at clean energy manufacturing and skilled jobsThe Government has announced new investment aimed at supporting clean energy manufacturing and skilled jobs.Ministers said offshore wind developers can now bid for financial support if they drive investment in the UK’s most deprived regions.Applications have opened for a so-called Clean Industry Bonus, offering financial support for offshore wind developers, on condition they prioritise their investment in areas including traditional oil and gas communities.The support rewards developers who build more sustainable low-carbon factories, offshore wind blades, cables and ports to reduce industrial emissions across the clean energy supply chain.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We are backing our proud manufacturing, coastal and oil and gas communities with good jobs, skills and private sector investment – delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, kickstarting growth, delivering energy security and transforming towns and cities as part of the transition – from the ports of Nigg and Leith to the manufacturing hubs of Blyth and Hull.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:34Tory MP calls for debate on defence spendingA Conservative MP has called for a debate about Cold War budgets last century amid US calls for Nato members to spend 5% of their GDP on defence.Sir Julian Lewis, the MP for New Forest East, asked for a debate in Parliament about “trends in defence spending during and after the Cold War, so that both sides of the House will have the chance to appreciate that when one is involved in a serious confrontation, we should not be arguing about 2.5%, we should be arguing about a figure much nearer to the 5% that President (Donald) Trump – for once – is right to demand”.Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied: “On defence spending, he will know this Government is absolutely committed to working towards 2.5% of GDP but he’s right to point out defence spending has been too low to meet the strategic needs of our country in this context.“And in fact, he will also know that the last time government spending reached 2.5% of GDP on defence was under the last Labour government and it never reached there under his party’s.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:30Rory Stewart’s wife’s charity loses $1m USAID funding days after ex-MP’s bizarre clash with JD VanceOur Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports: Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:12Minister sacked over WhatsApp group called voter a ‘hag’ and mocked her house in sweary rantOur Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports: Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:59Starmer: Ukraine must be ‘at the heart’ of conversations about ending warSir Keir Starmer has said that it is “really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position”.“Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians – more than anybody – want the conflict to end, but we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this.“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it.“And it’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.“Which is why I’ve been arguing since I’ve been Prime Minister that we need to ramp up the money, the capability and the training that we’re putting into Ukraine, and we’re delivering even more of that this year than we were last year.“It’s really important: the strongest possible position for Ukraine. This has to be done with Ukraine.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:45Windrush commissioner ‘must hold Government to account’An “outstanding candidate” is being sought to take on a role which campaigners said must see the Government held to account over its engagement with the Windrush community.The post of Windrush commissioner has been advertised as a three-day week role with an annual salary of £130,000 and for a three-year term.Last October Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that, as per Labour’s manifesto, a commissioner would be appointed as she committed to a “fundamental reset of the response to this scandal”.The Windrush scandal – which campaigners have since said should be known as the Home Office scandal – erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain.Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits.The job description published on Thursday, and open for applicants until March 20, states that the commissioner will work with the Home Office “to deliver long-awaited justice for the Windrush and Commonwealth communities, and to drive real and sustained cultural change across the department”.Jeremy Crook, chief executive of Action for Race Equality, said the commissioner must have “the power and resources to engage with Windrush victims and community advocacy organisations, hold the Government to account and drive positive change”.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:42Kemi Badenoch responds to BBC investigation into Rachel ReevesConservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said the BBC’s investigation into Rachel Reeve’s online CV “raises serious questions”.In a post on X (formally Twitter), Ms Badenoch said: “The BBC’s investigation raises serious questions for Rachel Reeves. Keir Starmer said ‘restoring trust in politics is the great test of our era’. :Until she comes clean – not just about her CV but about the circumstances in which she left HBOS, no one will take him seriously.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:41Reeves ‘investigated over expenses while working at bank’Along with its report into the chancellor’s online CV, the BBC also found Ms Reeves was investigated over her expenses while working as an economist at Halifax Bank of Scotland. The Chancellor and two other senior managers spent hundreds of pounds on a company credit card designed for gifts to motivate other staff, according to the BBC investigation.The report alleged the three managers were using the bank’s money to “fund a lifestyle” with allegedly inappropriate spending on dinners, events, taxis and gifts, including for each other.The BBC reported that an initial independent investigation found the three appeared to have broken the rules.A spokesman for Ms Reeves said the Chancellor had no knowledge of the investigation, always complied with expense rules and left the bank on good terms.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:29Labour WhatsApp group: Everything we know about the MPs and messages at the heart of the scandalJabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:13 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.Read moreRory Stewart’s wife’s charity has had $1m in USAID funding stopped days after his bizarre clash with JD Vance, the former minister and podcaster has said. Donald Trump has frozen billions of dollars of overseas aid from the US, as he takes aim at the steps to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing that its spending is “totally unexplainable”.Mr Stewart said his wife’s charity Turquoise Mountain, which helps communities in Afghanistan and other countries, has had $1million halted. Rory Stewart and JD Vance had a bizarre clash More