UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentGermany could use asylum facilities in Rwanda originally intended for the UK’s aborted migration scheme, reports from Berlin have suggested.The country’s migration commissioner, Joachim Stamp, has suggested the EU could utilise existing asylum accommodation in the east African country, originally destined for migrants deported from Britain under the now-scrapped scheme.Downing Street said it would not comment on the discussions between two foreign governments.Rishi Sunak wanted to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentLabour has scrapped plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Scampton, weeks after it dumped the Conservative government’s Rwanda deportation scheme. The Home Office said the much-criticised plan for the site did not represent value for money for the taxpayer.Campaigners welcomed the move, saying former military sites were never suitable places to house those coming to the UK seeking safety. The former airbase in Lincolnshire was at the centre of the previous Tory government’s plan to accommodate migrants who arrived across the Channel in small boats.Opening the site from the autumn as planned would have cost a further £122m by the end of its use in 2027, meaning the site no longer represents value for money, the government said. Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle revealed that £60m has already been spent on work at the base.This would leave the total cost “nearer £200m”, she said, a figure which “clearly fails to deliver value for money for the taxpayer”.About £60m has already been spent on the site, according to the Home Office More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentA law change aimed at criminalising “disproportionately sexist” deepfake porn will be introduced in Parliament by a former adviser to Boris Johnson.Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, who was a special adviser to the ex-prime minister during his time in Downing Street, will introduce the Private Member’s Bill in the House of Lords.“My Bill seeks to create offences relating to taking of sexually explicit images, which basically means that you can’t take a sexually explicit picture of someone without their consent,” Lady Owen said in her first broadcast interview with Channel 4 News.She added: “The second part of it is you can’t create deepfake image or ask someone to create a deepfake image for you without consent.”I want to help push this law through to prevent more women becoming victims of this technologyBaroness OwenThe 31-year-old Conservative peer was until recently the youngest member of the House of Lords, until Plaid Cymru’s Carmen Smith was appointed to Parliament’s upper chamber.Lady Owen has previously issued warnings in the House of Lords about a huge increase in people using so-called nudify apps, applications which allow users to create fake nude images or videos of other people through generative artificial intelligence, widely known as deepfakes.Speaking to Channel 4, Lady Owen said deepfake porn “is disproportionately sexist”.She added: “There’s so many victims being created every single week.“Women are losing the ability to choose who owns a naked image, an explicit video.“Then women can no longer choose.“That choice has been taken away from them.”The Online Safety Act has made it illegal to share deepfakes without consent, but Lady Owen has said the law needs to go further.The baroness also told the broadcaster she was still in touch with her former boss Mr Johnson, and claimed he “always offers wonderful advice” when she was asked about the online disinformation and speculation about why he had nominated her for a peerage.Lady Owen said she had been surprised to receive the nomination, which came through by email.Asked if she thought there was an equivalence between the online speculation about why she was appointed to the Lords, and the creation of deepfakes, the Tory peer said: “Falsehoods and the creation of falsehoods online is always wrong, and that’s why I want to be an advocate.“I want to help push this law through to prevent more women becoming victims of this technology.“And I believe that misinformation and disinformation and deep fakes as a part of this will form a huge topic of conversation for the next decade.” More

Martin Lewis issues message to pensioners who could miss out on winter fuel paymentsYour 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 ChiefReform leader Nigel Farage has branded the EU’s former Brexit negotiator and new French prime minister Michel Barnier an “EU fanatic”.The 73-year-old, who became a bête noire for Brexiteers due to his tough negotiating style when Britain was leaving the EU bloc, has been tasked with forming a new government by French president Emmanuel Macron.Staunch Brexiteer Mr Farage, said on X: Michel Barnier becomes the new French Prime Minister. An EU fanatic that will suit sell-out Starmer.”It comes as MPs will be given the chance to vote on the government’s controversial move to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners as Sir Keir Starmer fights a backlash against the policy.Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced a motion relating to the changes would be debated on September 10.At PMQs the prime minister defended the policy and argued the “tough decision” was required to “stabilise our economy”.Tory MPs heckled the prime minister with shouts of “shame” throughout his answers. The divisive policy has also attracted criticism from within Sir Keir’s own party as Labour MP Melanie Onn urged ministers to consider changes to scheme to ensure older people are “not left in the cold this winter”.Show latest update 1725548020Absolutely shameful’: Grenfell campaigners criticise MPs for leaving before Starmer statement on tragedyGrenfell campaigners have criticised MPs who left the House of Commons chamber just before Keir Starmer made a statement on the damning inquiry report.The long-awaited findings of an inquiry into the tragedy that cost 72 lives were finally published on Wednesday, including strong criticism of successive governments for failing to address warnings over fires in high rise blocks.Sir Keir gave a speech to parliament following prime minister’s questions in which he apologised to victims’ families and survivors for being let down “before, during and in the aftermath of this tragedy”.Joe Middleton5 September 2024 15:531725546574Watchdog launches investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis ticket salesThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over its handling of Oasis tickets.CMA said its investigation would include how so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ may have been used and would scrutinise whether the sale of tickets by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.The investigation would consider whether Ticketmaster had engaged in unfair commercial practices, if people were given clear and timely information to explain that the tickets could be subject to so-called ‘dynamic pricing’, and if consumers were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay.Joe Middleton5 September 2024 15:291725543915Starmer ‘deeply saddened’ by death of Royal Navy memberPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of a member of the Royal Navy after a Merlin helicopter ditched in the English Channel.The Royal Navy said the helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.He said in a post on X: “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a member of the Royal Navy.“My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this painful time.”Sir Keir paid tribute to the ship’s company “particularly those involved in the search-and-rescue operation”.Joe Middleton5 September 2024 14:451725543505Green Party co-leader denies being hypocrite for opposing Labour’s wind farm pylonsIn an interview with The Independent ahead of his party’s conference in Manchester this weekend, Adrian Ramsay dismissed the personal claims made against him by prime minister Keir Starmer, among others.The debate has centred around objections to pylons being built through his picturesque Waveney constituency, which straddles the Norfolk/Suffolk border in East Anglia.David Maddox and Archie Mitchell reportJoe Middleton5 September 2024 14:381725541841Farage reacts to Barnier being new French PMJoe Middleton5 September 2024 14:101725541224WATCH: Rayner backs Right to Buy as she recalls benefiting from social housing as single motherRayner backs Right to Buy as she recalls benefiting from social housing as single motherJoe Middleton5 September 2024 14:001725539424Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named France’s new prime ministerFormer EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been appointed as the new French prime minister following weeks of political deadlock.Mr Barnier, who negotiated Britain’s departure from the European Union between 2016 and 2019, has been tasked with forming a new government by French president Emmanuel Macron.Mr Macron has spent weeks trying to find a compromise candidate for his minority government that would not be blocked by the powerful left-wing alliance in parliament or the hard right National Rally (RN).Joe Middleton5 September 2024 13:301725537624Martin Lewis issues message to pensioners who could miss out on winter fuel paymentsMartin Lewis issues message to pensioners who could miss out on winter fuel paymentsJoe Middleton5 September 2024 13:001725536424On the verge of extinction’: Nadine Dorries ramps up war on Tory Party with new book DownfallNadine Dorries will ramp up her war with the Conservatives in another bombshell book promising to lay bare “the story of a political party on the verge of extinction”.The former culture secretary, who last year attacked the behind-the-scenes power players at the top of the party in her previous book, promises to “pick up where The Plot left off”.Scheduled for release on 21 November, Downfall promises to expose events behind the scenes during LizTruss’s disastrous 49-day stint in Downing Street and during “the self-serving drift of Rishi Sunak’s time in office”.Archie Mitchell reportsJoe Middleton5 September 2024 12:401725534438Lucy Powell confirms MPs will vote on winter fuel payment cuts for pensioners next weekMPs will be given the chance to vote on the government’s move to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced a motion relating to the changes would be debated on September 10.People in England and Wales not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits will lose out under the policy.It is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year.Joe Middleton5 September 2024 12:07 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentGrenfell campaigners have criticised MPs who left the House of Commons chamber just before Keir Starmer made a statement on the damning inquiry report. The long-awaited findings of an inquiry into the tragedy that cost 72 lives were finally published on Wednesday, including strong criticism of successive governments for failing to address warnings over fires in high rise blocks. Sir Keir gave a speech to parliament following prime minister’s questions in which he apologised to victims’ families and survivors for being let down “before, during and in the aftermath of this tragedy”. A number of MPs leave the Commons chamber ahead of the prime minister’s statement on the Grenfell report More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentThe co-leader of the Green Party has defended himself after the Labour government tried to portray him as a hypocrite on clean energy infrastructure.In an interview with The Independent ahead of his party’s conference in Manchester this weekend, Adrian Ramsay dismissed the personal claims made against him by prime minister Keir Starmer, among others.The debate has centred around objections to pylons being built through his picturesque Waveney constituency, which straddles the Norfolk/Suffolk border in East Anglia. The 114-mile (184-km) scheme is expected to run from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex, and would transfer energy generated from offshore wind farms to the South East and London.Labour used the row to portray the Greens as “hypocrites” who really oppose the clean energy infrastructure needed to move Britain’s energy supply from carbon-based fuel including gas, coal and oil to clean alternatives.Starmer said it was “extraordinary” that Mr Ramsay was “opposing vital clean energy infrastructure”.Green co-leader Adrian Ramsay More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentHouseholds are to be urged to cut the amount of water they use by a fifth as Labour pledges to clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas “once and for all”. Strategies include having shorter showers and fewer baths, as well as putting bricks in toilet cisterns to cut consumption. More than nine in 10 people think they use “vastly” less water than they actually do, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed said.The comments came as he used a speech to tell an invited group of water bosses that new laws will mean they face prison if they continue to pump filth into Britain’s lakes and rivers.But he ruled out nationalising the sector, warning it would cost billions and make the sewage problem worse in the short term.He pledged that the government would reform the UK’s creaking water system, much of it dating from the Victorian era. Strategies can include taking shorter showers More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentNadine Dorries will ramp up her war with the Conservatives in another bombshell book promising to lay bare “the story of a political party on the verge of extinction”.The former culture secretary, who last year attacked the behind-the-scenes power players at the top of the party in her previous book, promises to “pick up where The Plot left off”.Scheduled for release on 21 November, Downfall promises to expose events behind the scenes during LizTruss’s disastrous 49-day stint in Downing Street and during “the self-serving drift of Rishi Sunak’s time in office”.Nadine Dorries will step up her war with the Conservative Party More