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      UK economy grew by 0.5% in February in boost to Rachel Reeves

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      The UK economy grew by 0.5 per cent in February in a boost to Labour following several months of almost flatlining, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) pointing to “widespread growth” across multiple sectors.In January, an unexpected 0.1 per cent decline was initially reported before the ONS revised its estimates to a flat month, following just 0.1 per cent growth in the final quarter of 2024 – so February’s change of gears will be welcome news to Rachel Reeves.Commenting on Friday’s GDP figures for February, ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy grew strongly in February with widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries.“Within services, computer programming, telecoms and car dealerships all had strong months, while in manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals led the way and car manufacturing also picked up after its recent poor performance.“Across the last three months as a whole, the economy also grew strongly with broad-based growth across services industries.”Speaking about the data, chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged that the positivity would be tinged with more immediate concerns over tariffs and potential trade wars following a wild week in the stock markets.“These growth figures are an encouraging sign, but we are not complacent. We must keep going further and faster on our Plan for Change,” Ms Reeves said.“The world has changed, and we have witnessed that change in recent weeks. I know this is an anxious time for families who are worried about the cost of living and British businesses who are worried about what this change means for them. This government will remain pragmatic and cool-headed as we seek to secure the best deal with the United States that is in our national interest. At the same time, we will be relentless in our work to kickstart economic growth, provide security for working people and renewal for Britain.”Rachel Reeves acknowledged the positivity would be tinged with more immediate concerns over Donald Trump’s tariffs More

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      UK to send hundreds of thousands of military drones to bolster Ukraine war effort

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      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

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      ‘Stop Brexit Man’ rowed with police over where he could play speakers, court hears

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      An activist known as Stop Brexit Man, who is on trial for playing amplifiers outside parliament, told police their map illustrating where he could not use them was incorrect, a court has heard.Steve Bray, 55, allegedly flouted a police ban by playing anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit edits of The Muppet Show and Darth Vader’s theme tunes through the speakers on 20 March last year.Police approached Mr Bray on the traffic island at around 11.20am, minutes before then-PM Rishi Sunak arrived ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions, City of London Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday.They handed him a map and a notice that warned he is prohibited from playing the speakers in the controlled area under a by-law, the court heard.The music resumed intermittently, and shortly after 12.33pm officers seized the speakers, the court was told.Mr Bray, who is self-represented, is charged with failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction given under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 “re prohibited activities in Parliament Square”.He appeared to become emotional while cross-examining one of the officers who had attended shortly before Mr Sunak arrived, and said: “There is relevance to us for timing.”“Those couple of minutes, they mean a lot to us”, he told PC Euan Varney.Bray arrives at City of London Magistrates Court More

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      Starmer urged to accelerate global trade deals after Trump tariff chaos

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      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

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      Ex-Premier League star’s son unveiled as candidate for Nigel Farage’s Reform party

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      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

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      Minefield-clearing robot to be trialled for British Army front lines

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      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

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      Keir Starmer set to approve nuclear plant in bid to power up economic growth

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      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

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      Nigel Farage paid £40,000 by firm that helps super rich cut tax bills

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      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