UK

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.CloseRead moreThe defence secretary has announced emergency cuts to the UK military, including the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters.John Healey has blamed the disputed £22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. However, the Conservatives have warned that the cuts have come because Labour refuses to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had “a dire inheritance” from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six “outdated” defence projects which will save £500m over the next five years.“We have begun to fix the foundations going forward,” he added. “For too long our soldiers, sailors and air staff have been stuck with using outdated equipment.”The emergency statement caught MPs by surprise on Wednesday and has left doubts over whether the UK could take back the Falklands if they were invaded again.The scrapping of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion leaves the UK without any amphibious assault ships. In addition, the frigate HMS Northumberland is beyond economic repair and will be decommissioned along with two Wave-class tankers.Mr Healey said that HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion had been “superficially retired” by Tory ministers “but kept on the books at a cost of £9m a year”.Healey says difficult decisions have to be made 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.CloseRead moreLeading artists have warned that “Brexit is hell” as a damning report revealed the damage of Britain’s departure from the EU on the UK’s music industry.As the number of artists saying Brexit has hit their income rose from 82 per cent to 87 per cent, UK-based songwriter Victoria Canal said “it is expensive logistically and puts pressure on all of us”.Producer Catherine Marks said the UK’s exit from the European bloc has negatively impacted recording budgets and caused increases in costs for British artists touring the EU.UK Music’s annual economic report said Brexit has been a “catastrophe” for the sector, with artists still seeing fewer invites to perform in the EU and swathes of red tape when playing on the continent.And, amid Sir Keir Starmer’s ongoing post-Brexit reset of relations with the EU, the industry body said: “A much more ambitious plan is needed to ensure the UK keeps pace with intensifying global competition.”UK Music said last year the hit to UK artists’ income was broadly comparable with 2022 but had worsened for average and lower earners.The report said: “Superstar artists such as Harry Styles, Elton John and Coldplay command attractive offers to play in the EU, and have the resources to manage the obstacles presented by Brexit.“However, this is often not the case for road crews and supporting musicians who can find themselves restricted by the 90-day limit, or music creators who are not household names.”The calls come weeks after a top soprano warned in The Independent that Britain risks losing its entire classical music industry due to post-Brexit red tape blocking UK artists from touring in the EU.Victoria Canal said Brexit ‘is hell’ for musicians More

Former Royal Navy flagships HMS Albion will be decommissioned as part of a series of money-saving cut 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.CloseRead moreBritain’s tech secretary has escalated the government’s feud with Elon Musk, saying he has stopped scrolling X since it was bought by the billionaire.Peter Kyle said he no longer uses the social media app he used to “really enjoy”, and is even considering leaving the site.In September, The Independent revealed that Mr Kyle, the cabinet minister responsible for social media and information technology, had not even spoken to the X owner Mr Musk, although the two had in effect communicated through intermediaries.Peter Kyle’s comments will do little to rebuild bridges with Elon Musk, a key ally of Donald Trump 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.CloseRead moreTanni Grey-Thompson has warned that if parliament passes a law allowing assisted dying it will enable unscrupulous families to go “doctor shopping” to end the lives of elderly, disabled or sick relatives.The 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, now a disability rights campaigner and member of the House of Lords, spoke exclusively to The Independent about her fears of the consequences if MPs and peers pass the controversial legislation.The private members bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is due to have its second reading in the Commons on 29 November.But already both ministers who will be responsible for overseeing its implementation if it is passed – health secretary Wes Streeting and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood – have indicated that they will oppose the legislation.Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson opposes assisted dying (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.CloseRead moreAngela Rayner has failed to rule out any further inheritance tax raids on farmers, despite thousands of people marching on Westminster on Tuesday to protest the levy.Asked to rule out any further increases to the tax while she was standing in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Rayner declined to do so – instead claiming “the vast majority of estate owners will be totally unaffected” by the new levy.In response, Tory MP Alex Burghart – who was standing in for Kemi Badenoch – joked: “Perhaps the right honourable lady thinks that everyone came to London yesterday to thank the government.”The shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “Let’s look at the facts. A typical mid-size 360 acre family farm in the constituency of Thirsk and Molten, they have spoken to their accountant, their new liability because of this government is half a million pounds. “That is 12 years’ worth of profit. When this generation passes away, that farm will become totally unviable and it is just one of thousands and thousands of similar farms. It is clear that government hasn’t got its facts right.”The deputy prime minister stood in for Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday 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.CloseRead moreWatch live as Angela Rayner steps in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, 20 November, as official figures showed UK inflation has risen to its highest level since April.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 2.3% for October, from 1.7% in the previous month, driven by an increase in household energy bills.In October, average household energy bills increased by £149 a year after regulator Ofgem raised the cap from £1,568 for a typical dual-fuel household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717 — representing approximately a 10 per cent rise.It marks the sharpest month-on-month increase in the rate of inflation for two years.Wednesday’s PMQs also came after hordes of farmers descended upon London to protest against Labour’s proposed changes to agricultural inheritance tax.From April 2026, landowners who inherit agricultural assets worth more than £1m will have to pay 20 per cent inheritance tax on them.These assets were previously entirely exempt from the tax under the agricultural property relief law.Under the new rules, the 20 per cent levy – which is half of the standard 40 per cent rate – will be charged on assets above the £1m threshold only.Treasury data shows that around three-quarters of farmers will pay nothing in inheritance tax as a result of the controversial changes.However, farmers critical of the figures have pointed to data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) which suggests 66 per cent of farm businesses are worth more than the £1m threshold at which a 20% inheritance tax will now need to be paid.The prime minister has insisted he is “absolutely confident the vast majority of farms and farmers will not be affected by this.” More