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 CorrespondentChancellor Rachel Reeves’ gloomy warnings of a £22bn “black hole” in the public finances were “unnecessary and probably economically unhelpful”, a former chief economist at the Bank of England has warned. Labour frontbenchers have issued a series of warnings about the financial mess they inherited from their Conservative predecessors upon winning the July election, widely interpreted as paving the way for tax rises and tight public spending decisions in the upcoming Budget.But Andy Haldane, who served as Threadneedle Street’s chief economist and sat on the Bank’s nine-member interest rate-setting body until 2021, was critical of Ms Reeves’ July statement in which she warned of the “black hole” and vowed to end winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.Andy Haldane was the Bank of England’s chief economist until 2021 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 CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer defiantly stared down a threat of retaliation by Vladimir Putin as he flew out to Washington DC for talks with Joe Biden on the Ukraine war.The prime minister and the US president are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.But in a message apparently timed for when Sir Keir and his entourage were over the Atlantic on their way to the US, President Putin said such a move would mean that Russia would be “at war with Nato”.“So this is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question of deciding whether or not Nato countries are directly involved in a military conflict,” Mr Putin told Russian state TV.But a determined prime minister told journalists on the flight: “First, to reiterate, it was Russia who started this in the first place. They caused the conflict, they’re the ones who are acting unlawfully. And Ukraine obviously has the right to self-defence.Prime minister Keir Starmer has travelled to Washington to meet with US president Joe Biden at the White House 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 CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer has promised to publish a picture of the new Siberian kitten in Downing Street as he tried to avoid commenting on the “cats and dogs” row inspired by Donald Trump during the recent presidential debate.The prime minister is heading to the White House for a key bilateral summit with Joe Biden on Ukraine and the Middle East but his trip was already overshadowed by the fallout from the US election.The debate earlier this week saw the former president claim that migrants in Springfield, Ohio “are eating dogs, they’re eating cats, they’re eating the pets of the people who live there. This is happening in America”Starmer and Lammy leave for Washington More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseIn my reporting on women’s reproductive rights, I’ve witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn’t be able to fight for truth and justice.Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact livesKelly RissmanUS News ReporterLast week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suspended around 30 of the UK’s 350 arms export licenses to Israel, sparking strong reactions. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasised that while the UK continues to support Israel, the decision was made due to the “clear risk” of UK-supplied weapons being used to breach international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees and aid access to Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as “shameful,” and Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick echoed this sentiment, calling it “gesture politics” aimed at appeasing the left.When we asked for your views, comments were divided on the UK’s decision. Many supported the suspension, criticising Israel’s actions.However, some viewed the arms suspension as a mere “token gesture” with no significant impact on Israel’s military capabilities.Opponents argued that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas, a terrorist organisation, and that restricting arms sales will only embolden such groups. Meanwhile, a broader anti-arms trade sentiment emerged, with some advocating for a universal ban on all arms sales.The decision continues to fuel debate, with figures like Lord Carlile praising Starmer’s “courage” but criticizing Netanyahu for hindering peace efforts. Overall, the UK’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict remains highly contentious, both domestically and internationally.Here’s what you had to say:Avoiding ‘easily accessible prosecution’Yes [the UK is right to restrict arms sales to Israel] whilst we are within the International Criminal Court. British politicians do not have to put themselves in danger of easily accessible prosecution whilst Israel, USA, Russia and China do not face the same constraints.Mynamewhocares‘A murderous regime’Why are we supporting a murderous regime which believes it has a divine right to murder innocent women and children so that it can steal their land? Please remember this country was awfully chummy with the apartheid regime in South Africa.Galileo666‘Big bucks = big production’All arms sales should be banned forever to one and all. Humanity has never learned, but big bucks = big production.beckyhen‘Israel has every right to protect their people’No [the UK isn’t right to restrict arms sales to Israel]. The British government is bowing to terrorist Hamas which is as obscene to democracy as it is encouraging to other terrorist organisations.Israel has every right to protect their people from terrorist attacks and abuses and Hamas will be emboldened.Indythinkster‘Too little too late’It’s too little too late and more should be done because of the huge part that Britain played in the historic injustice that is being perpetuated in Palestine.lakshmanab‘Token gesture’Half-arsed by Starmer, no surprise. It is a deliberate token gesture, probably soon to be overturned by Israeli-backed lawyers as the only stated cause for government action was an insufficient amount of aid entering Gaza.No mention of women and infants killed; hospitals, schools, UN shelters destroyed; aid workers killed; doctors abducted, torture; journalists targeted…ThenweallareIncreasing isolationThe UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, says this suspension of arms sales to Israel will have no ‘material impact’ on Israel’s security. So it will not hobble Israel’s ability to kill. Labour seems to be congratulating itself on not having saved lives.Stopping a mere eight per cent of arms sales, while continuing to send Israel the parts for the fighter planes still accessing UK facilities in Cyprus, is a pitiful sop to international law and the mighty pro-Palestinian movement in the UK and around the world. It will fool neither.The US, UK and Germany are increasingly isolated as the rest of the world condemns this brutal settler state and strives to save Palestine and the Palestinians from elimination.nakaserokid‘More shame’I don’t think anyone think it’s brave. Most reasonable people are ashamed by the UK enabling war crimes.Blair was never forgiven. Now Sunak and Starmer have heaped more shame on its tattered reputation.Geoff AlliboneSome of the comments have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article.All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details – then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. 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 sharing of revenge porn is to be classified as the most serious type of online offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning social media platforms will now have to take steps proactively to remove it, the Government has said.The change to the law will see the sharing of intimate images without consent upgraded to be made a priority offence under the new online safety rules, which are due to come into force from spring next year.Under the laws, material considered a priority offence – which also includes public order offences and the sale of weapons and drugs online – must not only be removed when it is found online, but platforms must also proactively remove it and take steps to prevent it from appearing in the first place – with large fines for those who fail to do so.The Government said it hoped the crackdown would help drive the development of new and existing technologies to help keep people safer online, while also helping to tackle sexual offending and the normalisation of misogynistic material being shared online.What I’m trying to do is, rather than just see action once an offence had been committed and the damage has been done to a victim, is to try and change behaviour that will prevent it happening in the first placePeter KyleTechnology Secretary Peter Kyle said he hoped requiring social media platforms to take more proactive action would “drive behaviour change”.“What I’m trying to do is, rather than just see action once an offence had been committed and the damage has been done to a victim, is to try and change behaviour that will prevent it happening in the first place,” he told the PA news agency.“So once this becomes a priority offence, social media companies and platforms themselves are going to have to take proactive measures to ensure their algorithms and their systems prevent this content from going live in the first place – so that will protect thousands, if not millions, of women in particular, from the degradation, the humiliation and the suffering that goes with this kind of activity.He added: “Secondly, they are going to have to prove that they are taking these measures and that’s really important, so we can put the onus on them to proactively root out this content.“And then thirdly, they must take action where any content does make it onto their platform, and if they violate any of these rules they are open to a huge fine.“And then of course, for those people who do create this content, we will have more powers to act against them as well, because that will be a criminal offence.“So I’m hoping that this will drive behaviour change that will prevent people having to suffer this experience in the first place, and then also just keep people safe from it.”Mr Kyle said the introduction of the Online Safety Act would make safety an “unignorable issue” for social media companies, warning “they can no longer just look the other way or have other priorities”.The Technology Secretary also confirmed he would be “introducing legislation on frontier AI in this Parliament”, saying he did not want to see “new products and innovations crash into society and being negatively disruptive” and it then taking a “long time for us as legislators and regulators to catch up”.In addition, Mr Kyle said he was examining the possibility of strengthening laws around misinformation in the wake of the violent disorder on Britain’s streets in August.“I’m looking really closely at the role that online activity had in that period, and I want to make sure, as in every other area, including what we’re talking about today, that we’re fit for the future,” he told PA.And the Labour MP said he was “open-minded” about broadening online safety powers around placing criminal liability on named senior managers at social media firms in the event of severe breaches to online safety rules.“I’m open-minded as to what powers need to evolve into the future and where liability rests,” he said.“But I want it to be proportionate and I want it to be effective – I’m not interested in finger-pointing at people unnecessarily.“What I want to do is drive and incentivise behaviour change among any company that has access to British society, so that it benefits society and that any risks are mitigated as much as possible.“Any company that puts these principles first and foremost in a tangible way will find us a Government that is totally on their side and will partner with them to make sure that every British citizen can benefit from their products, but also the jobs and wealth that is created from them.“But those that don’t prioritise those principles will find us an ever assertive force when it comes to keeping people safer.” 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 government did not carry out an assessment of predicted death and illness rates among pensioners by axing the universal winter fuel payment, the prime minister has admitted.His statement flies in the face of official claims earlier this week that one had been conducted.Answering a parliamentary question, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said her department had assessed the effect the change would have on pensioners living in fuel poverty.Sir Keir blamed the £22bn black hole in public finances for having to cut the payment 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 CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer has vowed to “take on” any opposition to radical changes in the NHS, saying difficult and unpopular changes are needed before it receives a penny more from the government.The prime minister said the health service required “major surgery, not sticking plasters” and that fixing it could take a decade or more.Risking anger from unions, he said he was not prepared to spend more money while the system was paying huge sums to agency workers, adding: “We have to fix the plumbing before we turn on the taps.”“I’m not prepared to see even more of your money spent on agency staff who cost £5,000 a shift, on appointment letters which arrive after the appointment, or on paying for people to be stuck in hospital just because they can’t get the care they need in the community,” he said. As he was speaking, ministers announced a clampdown on junk food advertising in a bid to cut obesity rates and reduce the burden on the NHS. From October next year, online adverts will be banned altogether while TV ads will be shown only after the 9pm watershed. Keir Starmer said his 10-year plan would include changing the NHS to a ‘neighbourhood health service’ 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 government’s crime prevention minister has allegedly had her purse stolen at an annual conference for senior police chiefs.Dame Diana Johnson gave a speech on Tuesday warning of an “epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting” as part of the annual Police Superintendents’ Association conference, which was held at the Chesford Grange hotel, near Kenilworth.Serving to underscore her warning, it emerged on Thursday that Dame Diana’s purse had allegedly been stolen around the time of her speech at the four-star hotel.A Warwickshire Police spokesperson told The Independent: “We’re investigating a report of the theft of a purse at a hotel on the B4115 in Kenilworth. The theft occurred some time between 11.00-13.15 on Tuesday. Enquiries are ongoing. “A 56-year-old man from Coventry has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.”Dame Diana was billed to speak at the conference between 12:45pm and 1:45pm, during which time she admitted that the Home Office does not yet know where 13,000 local police officers promised in Labour’s manifesto will come from.Before they were elected, the party pledged to “take back our streets” by deploying 13,000 more neighbourhood police, PCSOs and special constables to patrol communities.But Dame Diana told those gathered at the event that she could not give “specifics” over whether the officers will be new recruits or existing staff.The policing minister was speaking at the event at the Chesford Grange hotel on Tuesday More