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 moreThe pressure is building on several Labour MPs to revolt against government plans to change rules on inheritance tax for farmers, analysis by The Independent can reveal.On Monday, hundreds of protesting farmers blocked Whitehall before MPs entered Parliament to debate a petition calling for a U-turn on Rachel Reeves’ controversial proposal.Under the chancellor’s plan, a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate will be introduced on farms worth more than £1 million from April 2026. But it has sparked a furious backlash in farming communities and created a problem for many newly-elected Labour MPs in rural constituencies.Analysis of the signatories of a petition, called ‘Don’t change inheritance tax relief for working farms’ and signed by 150,000 people, shows the Labour-held seats with the highest number of constituents signing it.It comes as Save British Farming and the Countryside Alliance urge MPs to act on the issue or face losing their seat at the next election.The Labour seat with the highest number of petition signatures (768) was Penrith and Solway, held by Markus Campbell-Savours.Mr Campbell-Savours, who has more farms in his constituency than any other Labour MP, voiced reservations on the policy in a speech in the Commons last year.More recently, the MP, who won his seat last year with a 5,300 majority, organised a survey of farmers over concerns he had heard on the viability of family farms and supply chains in Cumbria as a result of the plan.He did not respond in time to The Independent for comment.MPs Markus Campbell-Savours, Steve Witherden and John Whitby 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 moreYvette Cooper has doubled down on the government’s migration tactics despite accusations ministers were trying to promote division and mimic Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.Home Office ministers have defended the decision to publish footage of immigration raids as part of a border security crackdown. But the former Ukip leader gloated that the government were “terrified” of Reform. The home secretary has now announced that her department has “smashed” targets with a mass surge in migrant removals, as it released images of the inner working of the removals process for the first time. The Home Office said that nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and people with no right to be in the UK have now been removed since Labour took office last summer.Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 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 moreKeir Starmer has been warned that the best way to see off the threat from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is to dramatically improve workers’ rights, not try to mimic him on migration.New polling commissioned by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the campaign group Hope Not Hate have revealed that Reform voters strongly support plans to improve workers’ rights and ban exploitative practices by employers including zero hours contracts.It comes as Nigel Farage’s party has come top in a number of polls over the last week, while Labour was criticised for taking a hardline stance on migrants in a bid to appease voters who might switch to Reform.This weekend Labour veteran MP Diane Abbott warned that Sir Keir was turning the party into “Reform-lite”.Farage’s supporters want stronger workers rights even if he opposes them 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 moreLabour MP Oliver Ryan has become the second MP to apologise for making “unacceptable and deeply disappointing” comments in a WhatsApp group.It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces calls to widen his party’s investigation into allegations of offensive messages on the chat, which has already led to the sacking of former health minister Andrew Gwynne.Mr Ryan, who is gay, appeared to mock a fellow Labour MP over his sexuality in exchanges in the WhatsApp group called “Trigger Me Timbers”, The Daily Mail reported.The Burnley MP said he deeply regrets the comments and would not make them today. Labour MP for Burnley Oliver Ryan is also under investigation over the WhatsApp group messages 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 moreMPs are in line for an inflation-busting 2.8 per cent pay rise this year, the body in charge of parliamentary salaries has announced – in a move that would take their wages to almost £94k.The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which was set up in the wake of the expenses scandal, said its proposals in part reflect the “vital role” of MPs.But critics said it would be a “bitter pill” to swallow for taxpayers and claimed MPs were being rewarded for failure. And senior citizens accused the government of hypocrisy for entertaining pay rises for MPs while taking winter fuel payments from pensioners. Campaign group Silver Voices said if the pay rise goes through, “it will reek of hypocrisy”. Founder Dennis Reed told The Independent: “To be in an apparent financial situation so dire a hard decision had to be taken to deprive 10 million old people of winter fuel payments, but now the situation is apparently not hard enough for there to not be above inflation pay rises for MPs. “One can’t really argue MPs have been struggling for every penny, so it reeks of hypocrisy and will not go down well with pensioners.”Ipsa chairman Richard Lloyd said: “IPSA has been responsible for deciding MPs’ pay since 2011. Since then, our aim has been to make fair decisions on pay, both for MPs and the public.MPs are to get an inflation-busting 2.8 per cent pay rise (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 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 ban on using TikTok on UK Government phones remains in place despite ministers launching an official account on the social media app, Downing Street has said.The “ukgov” TikTok account was created last week, and includes public services messages such as urging users to renew their passport, as well as reminders of what Labour’s so-called “Plan for Change” entails.No 10 indicated a security exemption had been granted for the account, and insisted the ban on TikTok on official devices which began in 2023 is still in place.In line with security advice, we’ve been permitted the use of a UK Government TikTok account… under specific circumstancesPrime Minister’s official spokesmanThe ban followed a review by Rishi Sunak’s government amid security concerns about ByteDance, the Beijing-based company which owns TikTok.The account has been launched as Sir Keir Starmer’s Government strives for a warmer relationship with China, which is one of the UK’s biggest trade and investment partners.Asked about the TikTok account, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “We’ve always said that we keep the way in which we communicate with the public under review to make sure that we are reaching people with information on Government services and how we’re improving the lives of working people, and we always keep social media practices under review.”He added: “In line with security advice, we’ve been permitted the use of a UK Government TikTok account… under specific circumstances.”There have been “no changes to the security policy”, the spokesman said when asked about the ban on using TikTok on official devices.He added: “Restrictions on the use of the app on most Government devices remain in place. It was always the case that there were specific exemptions for the use of TikTok on Government devices where required for work purposes, and those exemptions are only granted by security teams on a case-by-case basis and with security mitigations put in place.“That is what has happened in the case of the UK Government TikTok account.”The spokesman would not be drawn into revealing whether mitigation measures meant there were specific mobile devices designated for using TikTok.Among the videos posted on the ukgov TikTok account are a reminder of the need for holidaymakers to check entry requirements and ensure their passports are up to date.The most-viewed video, currently with 12,000 views, lists the Government’s pledges to improve living standards, improve NHS waiting list times, and build more homes under the question: “What does the Government’s plan for change REALLY mean for you?”The account, which started posting at the end of last week, has around 350 followers at the moment.As the UK seeks to strengthen ties with Beijing, Foreign Secretary David Lammy is due to meet his Chinese counterpart this week.Wang Yi, China’s foreign affairs minister, will visit London on Thursday, February 13, ahead of the Munich Security Conference.Mr Lammy and his counterpart will discuss “issues of key importance to both nations’ interests”, including international security and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Downing Street said. 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 moreMPs are set for another inflation-busting increase, with salaries rising by 2.8 per cent to nearly £94,000.The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which oversees MPs’ pay, argues that the increase reflects both the “vital role” of MPs and wider public sector pay rises. In contrast, as of April 2024, the median annual salary for full-time employees in the UK stood at £37,430.Critics say the rise for MPs is unjustified at a time when taxpayers are facing high inflation, record tax burdens, and struggling public services.Some argue that MPs deserve fair pay for their demanding jobs and that competitive salaries attract capable individuals to Parliament. Others, like John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, believe their pay should be tied to economic performance, ensuring they share the financial realities of the public.Now we want to know your views: should MPs receive an inflation-busting pay rise? Do they deserve a salary increase in line with other public sector workers, or should their pay be frozen in recognition of economic challenges?Share your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the most compelling responses.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. 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 moreSir Keir Starmer is struggling to get a grip on the snowballing WhatsApp scandal that has forced an apology from a second MP in his party.The Labour leader is facing calls to widen the investigation into inappropriate messages reportedly shared in the chat, which has already led to the sacking of former health minister Andrew Gwynne and has now embroiled Burnley MP Oliver Ryan.As fresh messages continue to emerge, here is everything we know so far.What is the WhatsApp group? The scandal erupted on Saturday when the Mail on Sunday contacted Downing Street to inform staff of the existence of the group and the messages Mr Gwynne had sent in it. No10 responded quickly, sacking Mr Gwynne as a health minister over the alleged “antisemitic”, “sexist” and “racist” comments in the group, and launched an investigation into the reportedly named “Trigger Me Timbers” WhatsApp group.In a warning to others who have shared messages in the group, a Labour spokesperson said the party would take swift action “if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members”.Andrew Gwynne said he regrets making badly misjudged comments in a WhatsApp group after Sir Keir Starmer sacked him as a minister More