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 moreAngela Rayner, Yvette Cooper and Rachel Reeves are among 15 cabinet ministers who have been banned from entering Russia, as part of a fresh wave of sanctions on British officials.In total, 30 British citizens have been listed under new sanctions. The Russian ministry said it was putting members of the UK’s political and military establishment, as well as journalists, on its so-called “stop list”, accusing them of “anti-Russian activities”. Jonathan Reynolds and Ed Miliband are among the cabinet ministers impacted.It comes just hours after a British diplomat was expelled from Russia after being accused of spying, allegations that have been strongly denied by Downing Street.Thirty British citizens have been listed under new sanctions including several senior government figures 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 pressed by his own MPs to go faster in pursuing closer relations with Europe on defence and security, amid an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and fears for global security. It comes after Vladimir Putin used a new ballistic missile against Ukraine on Thursday, claiming the use of the weapon was in response to the UK and US allowing long-range missiles supplied to Ukraine to be used to strike targets within Russia’s borders.Calvin Bailey, who served in the RAF for 24 years and is now the Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, called for “an acceleration of the government’s work to rebuild our partnerships on the continent” in order to promote security at home and abroad.He told The Independent that the UK should prioritise cooperation with Europe in Labour’s Strategic Defence Review – a “root and branch review” of UK defence – launched by Sir Keir when he took office.Mr Bailey said British forces should be able to “integrate seamlessly with partners during operations”, and called for “more co-funding with our allies”, across both Europe and other partnerships such as Aukus with the US and Australia. “This is particularly true for the army, whose role for European security is vital,” he said.President-elect Donald Trump is widely regared as a Nato sceptic 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 could hike taxes on American staples including Harley Davidsons, Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Levi’s jeans if Donald Trump targets the UK with tariffs.The prime minister has been urged to “Trump-proof” Britain after the president-elect overnight threatened to unilaterally impose massive levies on imports to the US on his first day in office.“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 per cent Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform.Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against the US’s biggest trading partners 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 assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment which could stop it in its tracks. MPs are scheduled to vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill on Friday, which would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults if passed. But a cross-party group of MPs, made up of Conservative MP Ben Spencer, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and Labour’s Anna Dixon, have co-sponsored a so-called “wrecking amendment”, which would scupper the bill if enough MPs support it. It comes after some MPs expressed fears that the legislation has been rushed.MPs are set to vote on Ms Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill on Friday 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 moreLabour announced a sweeping range of employment reforms on Tuesday, labelled the “biggest in a generation.” Prime minister Keir Starmer says the plans will tackle “the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity,” promising to “unlock growth and make people better off.”Chief among the measures is a plan “overhaul” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentres, guarantee opportunites for young people, and prevent long-term sickness through NHS funding.The government promises that the changes will mark a move away from the ‘tick box’ culture of the past and allow for a more personalised service for jobseekers.The measures come as part of Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper, published on Tuesday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.DWP secretary Liz Kendall and Sir Keir Starmer 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 moreWatch live as Liz Kendall is questioned on Labour’s “Get Britain Working Again” employment reform plans on Tuesday, 26 November.The white paper is part of a government pledge to bring more than two million people back into work.Sir Keir Starmer has declared Britain “simply isn’t working” as he unveiled plans to bring more people into work and slash the country’s spiralling benefits bill.The prime minister is planning to replace the network of Jobcentres with a new National Jobs and Careers Service, while more NHS staff will be sent to areas with higher rates of joblessness.Earlier on this live feed, the Foreign Office was questioned on the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and assistance with the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has warned that displaced people in Gaza will “die shivering” as temperatures drop in the winter with “no safe shelters, blankets or warm clothes for people to seek some respite.”Ministers also faced questions on UK efforts to aid Ukraine as the conflict with Russia continues. More

Minister squirms when confronted with Starmer’s comments on benefits fraudYour 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 moreLiz Kendall has announced wide-ranging reforms designed to tackle economic inactivity in the UK and warned that “under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work”.The work and pensions secretary told MPs that the Get Britain Working white paper will bring forward “the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation”.Ms Kendall said the UK was experiencing “an economic, but above all, social crisis” and that the paid for in the life chances “benefits bill for sickness and disability that is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament”.She said the Tories had failed “to create good jobs” or deliver on the NHS and reform welfare.Tory counterpart Helen Whately defended the previous Conservative government and said they “drove down unemployment and economic inactivity year after year”.Earlier today, employment minister Alison McGovern said that some benefits claimants are “stealing from the state”.Ms McGovern was on the media round discussing the government’s plans and said nobody should be claiming sickness benefit if they are not unwell.She told Sky: “Unfortunately, people have stolen from the state, and we’re bringing forward proposals to deal with that.”Tory shadow minister defends previous government’s record on welfareShadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said Liz Kendall has “dodged tough decisions” on welfare as she defended the previous Tory government’s record on employment and welfare.Ms Whately said the new Labour administration was “rebranding” some of their ideas, also telling the Commons: “Economic inactivity is a problem for our economy and for each and every individual who risks being written off to a life on benefits.“Knowing that, I am disappointed in the substance of what she is announcing today because far from matching her rhetoric, this appears to be little more than a pot of money for local councils, some disparaging language about the work of Job Centres and a consultation which will be launched in the spring. Given that they’ve had 14 years to prepare for this moment, is that it?“Where are the reforms to benefits that would actually make material savings to the taxpayer, like the £12 billion we committed to save in our manifesto? Where are the reforms to fit notes, which we had handed over all ready to go? Where is her plan for reforming the workplace capability assessment?”She added: “The fact is the Secretary of State has dodged tough decisions. Every day she kicks the can down the road costs the taxpayer millions of pounds, at this rate rising to £100 billion on sickness benefits by the end of this Parliament.”Ms Kendall, in her reply, said: “The only people who dodged difficult decisions on welfare were the party opposite.”Joe Middleton26 November 2024 14:39From Jobcentres to disability benefits: Labour’s DWP changes explainedLabour announced a sweeping range of employment reforms on Tuesday, labelled the “biggest in a generation.” Prime minister Keir Starmer says the plans will tackle “the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity,” promising to “unlock growth and make people better off.”Chief among the measures is a plan “overhaul” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentres, guarantee opportunites for young people, and prevent long-term sickness through NHS funding.The government promises that the changes will mark a move away from the ‘tick box’ culture of the past and allow for a more personalised service for jobseekers.The measures come as part of Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper, published on Tuesday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.Albert Toth reportsJoe Middleton26 November 2024 14:37‘New plan to drive down economic inactivity’ – KendallThe final major reform announced by Ms Kendall is the plan to drive down economic inactivity due to ill health.She said: “The health secretary (Wes Streeting) is already taking action to get people back to health and back to work with extra support to drive down waiting lists in the 20 NHS Trusts with the highest levels of economic activity”.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 14:12‘New youth guarantee’ – KendallThe work and pensions secretary said the second major reform is the new youth guarantee.It will “bring together all the support for 18 to 21 year olds under the leadership of majors and local areas” so that all young people have access to training and education.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:53‘If you can work you must work’ – KendallMs Kendall thunders that “under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work”. Unveiling a Youth Guarantee, Ms Kendall told the Commons: “This comes alongside our commitment to provide mental health support in every school, our work experience and careers advice offer, and our plans to reform the last government’s failed apprenticeship levy to give more young people the opportunities they deserve.“But our new Youth Guarantee will go further, bringing together all the support for 18 to 21-year-olds under the leadership of mayors and local areas so all young people have access to education, training and employment opportunities, and so that no young person misses out.”The minister announced eight Youth Guarantee “trailblazers” in the Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Tees Valley, East Midlands, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, and two areas in Greater London, backed by £45 million.She continued: “I can also announce a new national partnership to provide exciting opportunities for young people in sports, arts and culture, starting with some of Britain’s most iconic cultural and sporting organisations including the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Channel 4, building on the brilliant work they already do to inspire and engage the younger generation and get them on the pathway to success.”Ms Kendall later said: “In return for these new opportunities, you have a responsibility to take them up, because being unemployed or lacking basic qualifications when you’re young can harm your job prospects and wages for the rest of your life, and that is not good enough for young people or for our country.”Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:50‘Benefits bill to rise by 26bn by end of Parliament’ – KendallMs Kendall said the “benefits bill for sickness and disability is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament.She said the Tories have failed “to create good jobs” or deliver on the NHS or reform welfare.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:48‘Fundamental reform is needed’ – KendallMs Kendall told MPs that “nothing short of fundamental reform” is needed and that the employment rate has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, unlike our G7 counterparts.She said a near 2.8 million people are out of work on long term sickness and almost 1 million young people not in education, employment or training.( More