UK Politics

The millions of benefit claimants affected by Labour’s planned changes to welfare will soon be able to have their say on the controversial package, but with one crucial catch: they aren’t allowed to talk about the planned cuts.This is because several of the policies will not be included in the consultation, the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) ‘Pathways to Work’ green paper reveals, prompting campaigners and charities to label the process a “sham”.Amounting to £4.8 billion in welfare cuts, Labour’s proposed changes would scale back some of the key health-related entitlements in the UK.The biggest cost-cutting measure in the package are the changes to the personal independence payment (PIP) – claimed by 3.6 million people – which make up 85 per cent of the savings.Alongside this is a freeze to the rate the Universal Credit health element for existing claimants, and the move to nearly halve it for new claimants.But neither of these measures will be included in the DWP’s consultation, meaning disabled people will not be asked to discuss the changes at any of the sessions. In total, only half of the 22 policies proposed in the package will be in the scope of the conversations.DWP secretary Liz Kendall announced the reforms in March More

Nigel Farage has compared the fallout from Donald Trump’s tariffs to the market chaos sparked by Liz Truss and her mini-budget. The Reform UK leader said the US president “did too much, too soon”, adding that his long-standing ally’s approach was “rather like Liz Truss a couple of years ago”. Mr Farage, Mr Trump’s most vocal major backer in Britain, added that he has “never in my life before seen stock markets fall quickly and bond markets fall at the same time”. Nigel Farage comparte escenario con Donald Trump en Phoenix ayer More

Britain will send hundreds of thousands of military drones to Ukraine as it continues to fend off Vladimir Putin’s forces, with allies pledging a £450m funding boost for the country. Ahead of a meeting of the 50-strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group on Friday, Britain announced that £350m of its £4.5bn Ukraine funding this year will be ploughed into the attack aircraft as well as repairs and maintenance of military equipment and vehicles.The remaining £100m, to be announced by defence secretary John Healey at the contact group’s meeting in Brussels, will come from Norway via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.John Healey said 2025 is the ‘critical year for Ukraine’ More

Keir Starmer has been warned he must “accelerate” co-operation with other leading economies in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariff wars and that it would be “naïve” to believe the damage is over. The US President was forced to announce he would delay tariffs above his base rate of 10 per cent, which affects the UK, for 90 days, in the wake of days of market turmoil that sparked a fire sale of US government bonds.The exception is China, where Mr Trump instead raised his levy on Chinese imports to 125 per cent. Economists warned the prime minister must now look to other allies to stabilise the economy as the events of the past week showed the US was “not a reliable” trade partner. Sir Keir Starmer has called for cool heads over Donald Trump’s tariffs (PA) More

The son of an ex-Aston Villa and Bulgaria captain is standing for Reform UK in the May local elections. Stiliyan Petrov, whose father of the same name is Bulgaria’s most capped player, hopes to represent Nigel Farage’s party in Lapworth & West Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Reform announced his candidacy in a flashy video in which Mr Petrov does kick ups in an homage to his footballing roots, while promising voters “a voice that will actually represent them”. Stiliyan Petrov Jr. of Reform UK with Nigel Farage More

A robot mine sweeper is being trialled by the British Army to eventually clear explosives on the front lines.It is hoped the device, called WEEVIL, will replace current mine-clearing methods that require a three-person crew to operate in hazardous areas.The new technology can be operated via remote control by a single person from several miles away and is fitted with a mine plough to clear a safe path.The prototype was successfully tested in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield, and the technology is now being passed to the British Army for further development.Luke Pollard, minister for the armed forces, said: “It won’t be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harm’s way to clear minefields.“This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.”The robot was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Newcastle-based firm Pearson Engineering.The Ministry of Defence said there are no current plans to provide it to Ukraine.DSTL military adviser Major Andrew Maggs said: “WEEVIL is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements.“By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, we’re able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.” More

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to approve a major nuclear power plant alongside a slew of mini reactors in a bid to boost Britain’s stagnant economy. The prime minister will approve investment for the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk before the June spending review, The Times reported, as well as unveiling plans for a fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs) across the UK. Sizewell C is expected to be up and running in 2035 and will provide 7 per cent of Britain’s energy demand at a cost of £20 billion.More nuclear power plants will be approved across England and Wales, the Prime Minister has said (Chris Radburn/PA) More

Nigel Farage earned £40,000 speaking at an event hosted by a company that helps the super rich move to other countries in order to reduce their tax bills. The Reform UK leader and MP for Clacton, who made his name being highly critical of illegal migration and promoting British nationalism, gave a keynote speech at an event held by Nomad Capitalist in Kuala Lumpur in September. Nomad Capitalist bills itself as a company which creates “bespoke, holistic strategies for successful investors and entrepreneurs to legally reduce their tax bills, diversify and protect their assets, become global citizens and maximise their freedom”. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking in Northampton earlier in April (Joe Giddens/PA) More