UK Politics

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 new Labour government will consider scrapping the two-child benefit cap as Sir Keir Starmer comes under growing pressure to ditch the “cruel” policy. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the limit would be looked at “as one of a number of ways” to lift children out of poverty.Her comments come as Labour could face its first backbench revolt over the cap, which affects 1.6 million children.Charities, opposition parties and some of his own MPs have all urged the new PM to abolish the cap, brought in as an austerity measure under the Conservative coalition government.Left-wing Labour MPs are expected to hit out at the policy in a Commons debate on Monday, while SNP has tabled an amendment to the King’s Speech calling for it to be axed. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson suggested the two-child benefit cap may be scrapped More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 ThomasEditorWatch as Sir Keir Starmer delivered remarks at Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire on Monday, 22 July, after Joe Biden announced that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.In a statement published on Sunday, the current US president said that “while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down.”Mr Biden has endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to replace him at the top of the party ticket.Shortly after Mr Biden’s announcement, the prime minister posted a response on X/Twitter.”I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” Sir Keir said.”I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people.” More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 ThomasEditorA sixth of Tory voters are likely to die before the next general election, according to a new analysis. Polling company Focaldata found that the age at which the Conservatives become the most popular party is 64, compared to 42 in 2019. In the last five years, one in every ten voters who backed the Conservatives under Boris Johnson’s leadership have died – around 1.3 million people. Analysis by The Times using Office for National Statistics population estimates suggests this trend will accelerate during the current parliament.The data suggests 1.2 million Tory supporters will die by 2029, which is 17 per cent of the party’s vote share.In comparison, only 500,000 Labour voters – or 5.3% – are expected to die in the same period. Labour could also see nearly 800,000 more votes as younger people, who are more likely to back the party, become eligible to vote.The net effect is the Tories losing a million votes while Labour gains 300,000.Data suggests 1.2 million Tory supporters will die by 2029, which is 17 per cent of the party’s vote share (House of Commons/UK Parliament) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 has said the US is a reliable and trusted ally after weeks of turmoil surrounding the presidential election.The prime minister vowed to work with whoever wins the US Presidential election the morning after Joe Biden dramatically pulled out of the race.With senior Democrats rallying behind vice president Kamala Harris, the PM stressed the importance of the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States.Keir Starmer stressed the importance of the ‘special relationship’ More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 will launch a new body on Monday to deal with Britain’s “fragmented and broken” skills training system.In a bid to ensure training provision is aligned with the needs of the economy, the prime minister will unveil Skills England.The body, which was included in Labour’s manifesto, will bring together central and local government, businesses, trade unions and training providers to better understand the nation’s “skills gap”.Starmer wants Skills England to open up new opportunities for young people More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 ThomasEditorUS president Joe Biden will have made his decision to stand down based on the “best interests of the American people”, British prime minister Keir Starmer said.Sir Keir praised Mr Biden’s “remarkable career” and vowed to work with him for the remainder of his presidency after the 81-year-old announced he would not be seeking a second term.In a move set to reverberate across the globe, Mr Biden abandoned his re-election bid on Sunday and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris as his successor.Follow live updates hereSir Keir said: “I respect president Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency.US president Joe Biden abandoned his re-election bid on Sunday and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris as his successor More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 ThomasEditorIreland is set to play a pivotal role in Keir Starmer’s plan for a crucial reset in relations with the European Union. The UK government believes the Irish are “very influential” within the bloc. And Ireland has already signalled its willingness to discuss with other EU countries the potential for a closer relationship with the UK in the wake of Labour’s landslide election victory. The prime minister began to write the start of what he hopes will a new chapter in the relationship with the EU as he welcomed continental leaders to a summit in Oxfordshire on Thursday.  The PM wants a reset in UK/EU relations More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind 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 ThomasEditorRachel Reeves has hinted at inflation-busting pay rises for public sector workers, highlighting the cost of industrial action from “not settling”.The chancellor has promised that “people won’t have to wait long” for a decision after reports that independent pay review bodies have recommended a 5.5 per cent rise for teachers and around 1.3 million NHS staff.“There is a cost to not settling, a cost of further industrial action, and a cost in terms of the challenge we face recruiting,” she told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.Rachel Reeves accused the Conservative government of having ‘run away’ from making tough decisions on pay More