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.Read moreThe UK economy grew a “flat” 0.1 per cent between October and December last year, according to official figures. Analysts predictions varied, with some expecting a 0.2 per cent rise in GDP, and others saying a slight fall was likely.The strength of the economy can impact how much tax the government can raise for public services, and how much wages can increase for workers.Although the rise in GDP is small, it is welcome news for Labour. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made clear that growth is a central mission for the government, and the 0.1 figure is up from no recorded growth at all in the three months before it.Responding to the figure, she said: “The growth numbers have come in higher than many expected, but I’m still not satisfied with the level of growth that our economy is achieving.“And that’s why I am determined to go further and faster in delivering the economic growth and the improvements in living standards that our country deserves.”The latest GDP figures come as an unexpected boost to Rachel Reeves More

Ed Davey floats ‘retaliation’ tariffs against Donald Trump’s USYour 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 Siobhain McDonagh says there are “questions to be asked” regarding Rachel Reeves’ CV and allegations regarding historic expenses. Speaking to Jo Coburn on BBC Politics Live, McDonagh said: “We’ve got to be sure about what happened with the expenses scandal. As far as I’m aware she absolutely denies that she was approached by anybody about the expenses scandal”.“So I think there’s still questions to be asked about what is going on and we’ll see what happens.”Ms McDonagh also described the chancellor as “one of the most hardworking, honest politicians that I have ever met”.Ms Reeves has been hit by claims that she exaggerated how long she worked at the Bank of England on her online CV.The BBC reported the chancellor left the central bank nine months earlier than she stated in her LinkedIn profile. Her LinkedIn profile shows she worked at the Bank of England from September 2000 to December 2006. However, the BBC found she had left by March 2006 when she began working for Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in West Yorkshire.A spokesman for the chancellor confirmed the LinkedIn profile was inaccurate and said the error was due to an administrative mistake. Labour MP says there are ‘questions to be asked’ over Rachel Reeves’ alledged expense investigationLabour MP Siobhain McDonagh says there are “questions to be asked” regarding Rachel Reeves’ CV and allegations regarding historic expenses as revealed by the BBC today.Ms McDonagh also twice described the incident as an “expenses scandal”.Speaking to Jo Coburn on BBC Politics Live, McDonagh said: “We’ve got to be sure about what happened with the expenses scandal. As far as I’m aware she absolutely denies that she was approached by anybody about the expenses scandal”.“So I think there’s still questions to be asked about what is going on and we’ll see what happens.”Ms McDonagh also described the chancellor as “one of the most hardworking, honest politicians that I have ever met”.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:40Government investment targeted at clean energy manufacturing and skilled jobsThe Government has announced new investment aimed at supporting clean energy manufacturing and skilled jobs.Ministers said offshore wind developers can now bid for financial support if they drive investment in the UK’s most deprived regions.Applications have opened for a so-called Clean Industry Bonus, offering financial support for offshore wind developers, on condition they prioritise their investment in areas including traditional oil and gas communities.The support rewards developers who build more sustainable low-carbon factories, offshore wind blades, cables and ports to reduce industrial emissions across the clean energy supply chain.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We are backing our proud manufacturing, coastal and oil and gas communities with good jobs, skills and private sector investment – delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, kickstarting growth, delivering energy security and transforming towns and cities as part of the transition – from the ports of Nigg and Leith to the manufacturing hubs of Blyth and Hull.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:34Tory MP calls for debate on defence spendingA Conservative MP has called for a debate about Cold War budgets last century amid US calls for Nato members to spend 5% of their GDP on defence.Sir Julian Lewis, the MP for New Forest East, asked for a debate in Parliament about “trends in defence spending during and after the Cold War, so that both sides of the House will have the chance to appreciate that when one is involved in a serious confrontation, we should not be arguing about 2.5%, we should be arguing about a figure much nearer to the 5% that President (Donald) Trump – for once – is right to demand”.Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied: “On defence spending, he will know this Government is absolutely committed to working towards 2.5% of GDP but he’s right to point out defence spending has been too low to meet the strategic needs of our country in this context.“And in fact, he will also know that the last time government spending reached 2.5% of GDP on defence was under the last Labour government and it never reached there under his party’s.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:30Rory Stewart’s wife’s charity loses $1m USAID funding days after ex-MP’s bizarre clash with JD VanceOur Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports: Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 14:12Minister sacked over WhatsApp group called voter a ‘hag’ and mocked her house in sweary rantOur Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports: Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:59Starmer: Ukraine must be ‘at the heart’ of conversations about ending warSir Keir Starmer has said that it is “really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position”.“Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians – more than anybody – want the conflict to end, but we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this.“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it.“And it’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.“Which is why I’ve been arguing since I’ve been Prime Minister that we need to ramp up the money, the capability and the training that we’re putting into Ukraine, and we’re delivering even more of that this year than we were last year.“It’s really important: the strongest possible position for Ukraine. This has to be done with Ukraine.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:45Windrush commissioner ‘must hold Government to account’An “outstanding candidate” is being sought to take on a role which campaigners said must see the Government held to account over its engagement with the Windrush community.The post of Windrush commissioner has been advertised as a three-day week role with an annual salary of £130,000 and for a three-year term.Last October Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that, as per Labour’s manifesto, a commissioner would be appointed as she committed to a “fundamental reset of the response to this scandal”.The Windrush scandal – which campaigners have since said should be known as the Home Office scandal – erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain.Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits.The job description published on Thursday, and open for applicants until March 20, states that the commissioner will work with the Home Office “to deliver long-awaited justice for the Windrush and Commonwealth communities, and to drive real and sustained cultural change across the department”.Jeremy Crook, chief executive of Action for Race Equality, said the commissioner must have “the power and resources to engage with Windrush victims and community advocacy organisations, hold the Government to account and drive positive change”.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:42Kemi Badenoch responds to BBC investigation into Rachel ReevesConservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said the BBC’s investigation into Rachel Reeve’s online CV “raises serious questions”.In a post on X (formally Twitter), Ms Badenoch said: “The BBC’s investigation raises serious questions for Rachel Reeves. Keir Starmer said ‘restoring trust in politics is the great test of our era’. :Until she comes clean – not just about her CV but about the circumstances in which she left HBOS, no one will take him seriously.”Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:41Reeves ‘investigated over expenses while working at bank’Along with its report into the chancellor’s online CV, the BBC also found Ms Reeves was investigated over her expenses while working as an economist at Halifax Bank of Scotland. The Chancellor and two other senior managers spent hundreds of pounds on a company credit card designed for gifts to motivate other staff, according to the BBC investigation.The report alleged the three managers were using the bank’s money to “fund a lifestyle” with allegedly inappropriate spending on dinners, events, taxis and gifts, including for each other.The BBC reported that an initial independent investigation found the three appeared to have broken the rules.A spokesman for Ms Reeves said the Chancellor had no knowledge of the investigation, always complied with expense rules and left the bank on good terms.Jabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:29Labour WhatsApp group: Everything we know about the MPs and messages at the heart of the scandalJabed Ahmed13 February 2025 13:13 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 moreRory Stewart’s wife’s charity has had $1m in USAID funding stopped days after his bizarre clash with JD Vance, the former minister and podcaster has said. Donald Trump has frozen billions of dollars of overseas aid from the US, as he takes aim at the steps to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing that its spending is “totally unexplainable”.Mr Stewart said his wife’s charity Turquoise Mountain, which helps communities in Afghanistan and other countries, has had $1million halted. Rory Stewart and JD Vance had a bizarre clash 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 faces a possible diplomatic breach with Donald Trump over the president’s shock talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war.After learning of Mr Trump’s plan to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss the issue, defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky must have a say.And British defence figures are said to reacted furiously to claims Ukraine will be forced to give up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying of the US administration’s stance: “The bastards are going to do this”. The robust British response could mark the first major test in relations between the Labour government and Mr Trump’s White House.Trump has agreed to begin talks with Putin 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 former minister sacked over “sexist” and “racist” WhatsApp messages reportedly called a voter a “hag” and said she lives in a “s***” house. Days after he was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer and suspended by Labour, fresh messages have emerged suggesting Andrew Gwynne joked about killing a fellow MP with a pickaxe and said a prominent community member should be bullied. Mr Gwynne appeared to describe the constituent as a “massive b****”, while other members of the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group joked about how the “fat” woman needed to exercise more. In the latest messages, seen by The Telegraph, Mr Gwynne reportedly asked in a discussion about the constituent: “Is there a how to bully… online course?”Labour has suspended the whip from Mr Gwynne as well as fellow MP Oliver Ryan, who was elected in July, over his involvement in the group. Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a minister after the messages emerged (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 moreThe fallout from the WhatsApp scandal which has seen Sir Keir Starmer suspend two Labour MPs is continuing to grow, with journalists continuing to pore over the thousands of messages sent in a group of party members.As well as former health minister Andrew Gwynne and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, Labour has suspended 11 local councillors – including Mr Gwynne’s wife, Alison Gwynne – and is investigating the full extent of the scandal.The MPs have faced calls to resign and force by-elections over their involvement in the WhatsApp group, which reportedly contains racist, sexist and homophobic language.As fresh messages continue to emerge, here is everything we know so far.What is the WhatsApp group? The scandal erupted in February 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

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 moreAngela Rayner has on Thursday vowed that Labour’s plans to build new towns across England will mean that the idea of buying a new home will no longer be a pipe dream for millions.Writing exclusively for The Independent, the deputy prime minister offered “hope” to “generation rent” and those forced to live with their parents because they cannot afford to buy their own home.It comes as she and Sir Keir Starmer visit one of 100 potential sites for one of the new towns which have been put forward for consideration on Thursday.A decision is expected in six months time with an expectation 10 to 12 will be chosen and shovels will go in the ground before the next election in 2029.Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minster Angela Rayner (Joe Giddens/PA) More