UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour’s standing with the public is holding firm despite a barrage of criticism for Keir Starmer and senior ministers over freebies, his chief of staff Sue Gray and unpopular policy decisions.The weekly Techne UK tracker poll reveals that after a difficult conference in Liverpool for Labour – overshadowed by questions about the prime minister’s integrity and infighting – the party is still at 32 per cent, down just one point.Meanwhile the Tories, who go into their conference in disarray without a leader and overshadowed by the resignation of former chair Baroness Warsi, have failed to capitalise on Labour’s woes – going up just one point to 22 per cent.Nigel Farage’s Reform are still challenging the Tories at 18 per cent, with the Lib Dems at 13 per cent and the Greens at 7 per cent – all unchanged.Starmer has faced criticism but is not suffering yet in the public’s verdict More

Keir Starmer refuses to apologise to pensioners over winter fuel payment cutsYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefSir Keir Starmer met Donald Trump for the first time as the two men sat down for a two-hour dinner meeting in New York on Thursday night.The PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with the former president before flying back to the UK.Topics discussed included the importance of retaining the close partnership between the UK & US, according to Downing Street.Earlier, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister urged Israel and Hezbollah to agree a ceasefire and for the two sides to “step back from the brink”.In a speech to world leaders in New York, Sir Keir said: “I call on Israel and Hezbollah: Stop the violence, step back from the brink.”The 79th UN summit comes as the Middle East teeters on the brink of all-out conflict and the bloody war in Ukraine grinds on.It follows an intervention at the UN Security Council where he tore into Russia over its actions in Ukraine, saying Vladimir Putin was treating his own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in the conflict.Show latest update 1727404200What was announced in Starmer’s Labour conference speech?Sir Keir Starmer’s address to the 2024 Labour Party Conference saw him promise to rebuild Britain “brick by brick” after fourteen years of Tory government, telling conference delegates his government will create a “Britain that belongs to you”.But what exactly was announced? We look at the key developments from the prime minister’s speech below.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 03:301727402439Starmer wraps up 2-hour dinner with Donald TrumpSir Keir Starmer has finished a two-hour dinner meeting with Donald Trump in New York, according to reports.The PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with the former president before flying back to the UK.Topics discussed included the importance of retaining the close partnership between the UK & US, according to Downing Street.Graeme Massie27 September 2024 03:001727402400Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU.Sir Keir Starmer will visit Brussels as he steps up efforts to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union.The Prime Minister wants to repair the damage caused by years of Brexit wrangling in an effort to boost trade and security co-operation.European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen revealed that Sir Keir would visit Brussels next week after the pair met in New York.Sir Keir has met a string of EU leaders since taking office and has spoken about his “ambitious” plans for a new relationship.Sir Keir said: “I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people.”He said he was “looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions” with the commission president.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 03:001727400600Tory leadership candidate Labour most fears revealedSenior aids have revealed that Labour wants to “avoid” James Cleverly as future Tory leader.According to the i newspaper, Downing Street officials said it was the former home secretary who they would least like to win the contest.A Labour party figure said: “I think Cleverly could be a problem. He sounds quite reasonable,” a No 10 aide added: “James Cleverly – that’s who we want to avoid.”Another government aide said Kemi Badenoch does not represent a threat as the party is “not sure she’d take our votes”.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 02:301727398800£10bn data centre investment shows UK ‘open for business’, says StarmerA £10 billion US investment in a new artificial intelligence data centre will create 4,000 jobs in the UK, the government has announced.The deal with private equity giant Blackstone will create Europe’s biggest AI data centre in Blyth, Northumberland.You can read the full story below:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 02:001727397000POLITICS EXPLAINED | Can Starmer ignore his Labour conference defeat on fuel payments?Rank-and-file members at conference – Labour’s supreme policy-making body – have voted against the government’s decision to means-test pensioners’ winter fuel payments. John Rentoul explains why the cuts will go ahead regardless:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 01:301727395200Starmer’s Covid broadcast urging work from home recorded in donor’s £18m penthouseSir Keir Starmer recorded a Covid-era broadcast urging the public to work from home from a Labour donor’s £18 million penthouse.The Christmas message, broadcast in December 2021, was reportedly filmed at a flat belonging to Lord Waheed Alli – a donor who has handed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Labour Party over the last two decades.It came five days after the previous Conservative government presided over new guidance to limit the spread of a new Covid-19 variant, including recommendations to work from home when possible.Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 01:001727393400Fewer pupils out of school at start of academic year as absence fines riseThe number of pupils in England off school without permission at the start of the academic year has fallen slightly compared with last year, figures suggest.Data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the unauthorised absence rate across all schools in England was 2.0% in the week ending September 13, compared with 2.1% in the equivalent week in 2023.It comes as parents in England face higher fines if they take their children out of class without permission this academic year as part of a government drive to boost attendance since the Covid-19 pandemic.School absence fines have increased from £60 to £80 under the changes, and a parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine.The DfE has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.In the last week of the summer term – the week ending July 19 – the unauthorised absence rate was 5.0%, which was lower than at the end of the academic year in 2023 when the rate was 5.6%.Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 00:301727391600Pensioners in legal action against governments over winter fuel payment cutTwo pensioners are seeking to take the Scottish and UK governments to court over the cut to the winter fuel payment.Peter and Florence Fanning, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, have raised proceedings with the help of the Govan Law Centre against the Scottish government and the UK Work and Pensions Secretary over the policy.Following Labour’s election win, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel payment – which had previously been universal – will only be available to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits this year due to financial woes.The decision led to the Scottish government – which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay – to follow suit.The judicial review – which has been raised at the Court of Session – now requires a judge’s approval to move to a hearing on the merits, with the Govan Law Centre seeking to expedite both the case and its application for legal aid to ensure a decision can be handed down before the winter.The case asks the court to rule on whether the decision was unlawful, which would then allow the petitioners to ask the court to, in effect, set aside the policy and restore the winter fuel payment to all.Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Fanning, 73, said: “We intend to sue both the London and Scottish governments, since both are guilty through action and inaction, of damaging the welfare of pensioners.“We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome – I believe this is one such battle.”Salma Ouaguira27 September 2024 00:001727390792‘I have to be nice’ Donald Trump ahead of New York meeting with Sir KeirAsked by GB News what he thought of Sir Keir Starmer, Trump replied: “Well I’m going to see him in about an hour so I have to be nice.” “I actually think he’s very nice. He ran a great race, he did very well, it’s very early he’s very popular.”Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir told reporters: “I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”Barney Davis26 September 2024 23:46 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSupporters of former Tory chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi claim the Tories have “lied” over the requirement for an investigation which has forced her to quit the party.The furious row has exploded just as the party is preparing to gather for a crucial conference on its future in Birmingham where the four hopefuls to replace Rishi Sunak will make their cases to members.The Muslim peer was brought in as chair by David Cameron in 2010 to help detoxify the party’s brand and bring it into the 21st century.But since leaving government in 2014 Warsi has had a difficult relationship with the Tory leadership consistently calling out racism and islamophobia in the Conservative Party.She has angered many recently as a passionate advocate for the suffering of Palestinians with Rishi Sunak as prime minister and the potential leadership candidates to replace him all supporting Israel instead of condemning the killing of 41,000 people in Gaza.Baroness Warsi was brought in as chair by David Cameron in 2010 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorSir Keir Starmer is still open to agreeing a deal with the EU on free movement for young people – but does not want to give away his negotiating hand too early as he prepares to head to Brussels next week.The Independent understands that the Labour government has a “three pillar” blueprint to reset the relationship with the EU in painstaking talks.The main talks will be headed by European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who is based in the Cabinet Office and has been handed some of the most complex and sensitive tasks in the Starmer government.The youth mobility scheme (YMS) has become a symbolic issue for those who claim that Sir Keir is not being ambitious enough with his EU relationship reset.Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen talk at the UN More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe minister in charge of social media and digital technology has not communicated directly with X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, after the platform was linked to the summer riots.Sources close to Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science innovation and technology, have said that the two men have not spoken and there has been no attempt yet to reach out to the world’s richest man.Sources close to Mr Kyle have explained that he is connected to Mr Musk through a degree of separation of one in that they have a number of mutual connections and when the billionaire social media platform owner tweets people will often contact the minister.But after the billionaire has gone on a social media blitz of toxic posts against the government, the two men have yet to meet or talk directly. This is despite social media, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, space travel and the internet all being major items in the minister’s huge portfolio and fields led by Mr Musk.Musk has not spoken to Kyle More

Keir Starmer refuses to apologise to pensioners over winter fuel payment cutsYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefSir Keir Starmer is set to meet Donald Trump in New York before delivering a speech to world leaders at the UN General Assembly. As part of a raft of bilateral meetings, he will discuss ongoing conflicts between Israel, Lebanon and Palestine with world leaders and US presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The prime minister will use tonight’s address to say that the UK is returning to “responsible global leadership” because it is in British interests to address problems around the world.The 79th UN summit comes as the Middle East teeters on the brink of all-out conflict and the bloody war in Ukraine grinds on.It follows an intervention at the UN Security Council where he tore into Russia over its actions in Ukraine, saying Vladimir Putin was treating his own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in the conflict.Sir Keir has been embroiled in a donotations row after borrowing an £18m penthouse flat from Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli during the general election and to film a Covid video. But Downing Street claims he did not break the rules. Show latest update 1727361905Healey: UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Australia and the USThe UK stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Australia and the United States amid conflicts around the world, the defence secretary has said.John Healey acknowledged the global tensions that provided the backdrop to discussions with the Australian deputy prime minister Richard Marles and United States secretary of defence at the Aukus military alliance today.Mr Healey said: “We have held these discussions under a cloud of growing global insecurity.“So in our trilateral and in our bilateral meetings, we’ve reinforced the need to stand together against Russian aggression, towards peace in the Middle East and steadfast behind Ukraine for as long as it takes.“In serious times you need serious partners. So Richard (Marles), Lloyd (Austin), we in the UK stand shoulder to shoulder with you and we will drive the Aukus partnership from strength to strength.Salma Ouaguira26 September 2024 15:451727361405John Healey announces new AUKUS bilateral treaty The UK and Australia will begin negotiations on a bilateral treaty to “bind” their Aukus military alliance into law.The announcement follows their AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. During a press conference, Mr Healey said the partnership between the three countries “helps our industries to prosper and breaks barriers”.He said £10 million spending has been allocated to UK nuclear infrastructure since the partnership was established. The minister added: “In today’s trilateral meeting between the three nations, we agreed to add new torpedoes to our aircraft. “The UK has today agreed to train hundreds more Australians to operate and regulate modern nuclear powered submarines.”Announcing a new deal, Mr Healey said: “As part of that work I can announce that deputy prime minister (Richard) Marles and I have agreed that negotiations will soon be under way for a new bilateral treaty to bind our Aukus collaboration into law.“So this not only reflects our commitment to secure a secure Indo-Pacific region where international rules are respected, it also sends a very strong message that our defence alliance is one that will endure for many decades to come.”( More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorMinisters are looking at plans for Texas-style reforms that would allow prisoners to reduce their jail sentences by earning points.Inmates in Texas can cut down the amount of time spent behind bars by earning credit for good behaviour, as well as earning points for taking part in courses aimed at tackling the root causes of offending. The courses include vocational workshops, education and training, as well as sessions on drug rehabilitation and behavioural change.Shabana Mahmood said she would be setting out the Government’s long-term plan for the justice system before the end of the year (Stefan Rousseau/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour has come under renewed pressure in its ongoing ‘freebies’ row after it was revealed that Sir Keir Starmer accepted £20,000 in accommodation costs to help his son study for his GCSEs.The donation was declared to Parliament by the prime minister somewhat cryptically as “accommodation.” The nature of the massive donation from Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli had remained a mystery until Sir Keir was asked by the BBC about its purpose.He told the broadcaster: “At the beginning of the election, which we didn’t know when it was going to be called, my boy was in the middle of his GCSEs.“I made him a promise that he’ll be able to get to his school, do his exams without being disturbed.”The revelation marks the latest episode in the Labour row as all MPs come under scrutiny for their record on gifts – despite the prime minister’s attempt to shoot down the criticism as “silly.”It was recently revealed that Sir Keir has accepted £107,000 in gifts since 2019, more than two and a half times more than any other MP. During the campaign trail, he was given £55,122.28 by donor Lord Waheed Alli, including work clothing, accommodation – and £2,485 for “multiple pairs of glasses.” Sir Keir Starmer has accepted thousands of pounds worth of tickets to football matches, including a game between Arsenal and Brighton in April 2024 (Gareth Fuller/PA) More