‘We’re not scroungers – we need it’: PIP claimants slam Reform’s plan to axe benefits
Over half of the UK’s health benefit claimants would be stripped of their payments under the plans announced by Reform UK
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Labour MP suspended after questions over Covid bounceback loan
He attempted to wind up one of his businesses before settling one of two bounceback loans he took out,
Reform deputy branded ‘out of touch’ after telling people to ‘enjoy’ climate change
‘If it means that English wine and sparkling wine gets better and better,
Government weighs up closing sex offender name change loophole
The government has been urged to close a loophole which allows sex offenders to change their names
JP Morgan boss warns UK chancellor not to hike taxes on banks
Jamie Dimon told the chancellor in a phone call that higher taxes can result in jobs being driven elsewhere,
Minister admits new homes could be built on green belt land
‘These are sustainable locations for development,’ the housing minister said
Burnham exchanged messages with person posing as top Trump aide
The UK’s new prime minister messaged someone he believed was Trump’s top aide - who had her phone hacked last year
Possession of child-like sex dolls could be banned under new law
The dolls ‘normalise and legitimise adult sexual behaviour with children’
Oil and gas industry urges PM to approve controversial projects
The oil and gas industry has urged Andy Burnham to approve two controversial North Sea developments as a public consultation on the UK's largest undeveloped oil field closes.
Reform criticised for ‘cruel’ ban on all foreign nationals claiming benefits
Nigel Farage’s party says there would be only a small number of exceptions,
The first 100 days of a Plaid Cymru and Reform-led Wales
From suggestions that Welsh students can’t read to tears in the chamber, it’s been an eventful few months in Welsh politics after Labour’s wipeout in May left the Senedd unrecognisable.
Pride in being British has fallen sharply in the past 15 years, poll shows
Experts say issue not about ‘flag waving or nostalgia’ but the public losing ‘sense of shared ownership over what makes Britain great’
Reform UK unveils massive £50bn welfare overhaul to scrap PIP
Reform would abolish personal independence payments and provide support only for those ‘gravely ill’
Reform could slip to third in polls, pollsters warn as Farage’s popularity plummets
Experts say Farage ‘provided the motor for their rise’ but is ‘currently providing the motor for their decline’
‘Not a handout’: Readers reject pension-for-OBE plan
A think tank has urged Andy Burnham to let wealthy pensioners give up their state pension for an OBE – but our readers say the state pension is earned,
MP urges Andy Burnham to extend railcard discounts to commuters over 30
MP cautioned that ‘there is a real gap in the support available’ for commuters as well as holidaymakers once they turn 31
Farmers to get £65m drought aid as Burnham warned industry at ‘breaking point’
Britain ‘does not have a plan for climate change’ prime minister warned
UK £1.2 billion aid cuts more than double what was expected, analysis finds
‘This stealth cut leaves communities suffering the impacts of conflict,
Burnham: We will protect ‘tinderbox’ Britain from raging wildfires
Exclusive: Prime minister pledges more helicopters to tackle crisis and vows to stick to Labour’s net zero target to ‘save our children’s future’
Despondent Clacton reacts to Farage’s return in ‘joke by-election’
Nigel Farage has been re-elected in Clacton with a resounding majority in a by-election against joke and fringe candidates.
Farmers at ‘breaking point’ as heatwave Britain puts livelihoods under threat
The risk of wildfires, water shortages,
Why Farage may face a second by-election despite Clacton win
It is "almost inevitable" Nigel Farage will be found in breach of parliamentary rules for failing to declare £5 million given to him by a crypto billionaire, Harriet Harman has told Sky News.
‘Farage fest’ ferris wheel breaks down during live broadcast
Journalist stranded as he delivered live broadcast from Reform event: ‘This is not in my contract’
Why Nigel Farage could face a second by-election in Clacton
Nigel Farage has been re-elected as the MP for Clacton-on-Sea - but there is a good chance voters will have to return to the polls for yet another by-election if a standards probe into his finances doesn’t go his way
Farage retains seat in Clacton by-election but refuses to attend result
The Reform UK leader refused to attend the count in his Essex constituency after forcing the contest with his resignation last month
Count Binface says he is ‘the winning candidate of those who turned up’
‘Over one in four people in this constituency would rather have Count Binface as their MP than the leader of Reform UK, and I’m just getting started’,
Clacton results in full: Nigel Farage wins – but Count Binface sees record support
Only two of the 34 candidates secured enough votes to take back their deposit
Farage may have won the battle for Clacton, but he’s losing the country
Reform leader forced a by-election to try to escape a political crisis but may simply have postponed, and even intensified, the inevitable,
Nigel Farage beats Count Binface to win back seat in Parliament in widely mocked election
Nigel Farage beat trash-can wearing comic candidate Count Binface on Friday,
Burnham hails importance of local businesses as he issues update on support plans
Mr Burnham will tell small business owners he has their back, and said there is ‘more to do’ to ‘deliver jobs and growth in every postcode’
Cap fossil-fuel-powered cars at 50mph, Burnham urged by Labour pressure group
Exclusive: Labour Party pressure group Compass has put together a report - seen by The Independent - outlining 100 policies for the new prime minister’s first 100 days
Burnham urged to let rich pensioners to opt out of state pension in exchange for OBE
Exclusive: Amid growing pressure on the public finances, a Labour Party pressure group has urged Andy Burnham to ‘allow rich, well-off pensioners to opt out of their state pension for 3+ years in return for a Pensions Sacrifice OBE’
Labour immigration policy an ‘abject failure’, says Burnham-backing pressure group
Exclusive: A Labour Party pressure group has attacked the government’s approach to immigration, criticising it for adopting a ‘Reform/Conservative style immigration policy’
Starmer’s leadership style doesn’t work in politics, admits senior ex-minister
Yvette Cooper suggested Andy Burnham is better suited for ‘a world of social media’
Badenoch’s popularity is rising – but voters still unconvinced by Tory party
There is a belief that the Conservatives ‘have not learned their lessons’,
Reform councillor suspended after calling for Commons speaker to be hanged
Kirklees councillor David Rowan called for then-Commons speaker John Bercow to be hanged in 2019
Minister defends plan to ban zero-hour contracts – although it could cost £3bn a year
A ban on zero hours contracts could cost businesses up to £3 billion a year,
Julian Smith MP: ‘If Burnham is serious about growth, he must end the war on business’
Businesses of all sizes are creating jobs, investing in skills and driving growth in communities across the country. They do so against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical instability and under a Labour government that has so far shown little understanding of what businesses need to thrive.
UK economy grew by 0.4% in second quarter as Iran war prompts slowdown
The UK economy grew by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter of the year,
Clacton by-election polls: Could Count Binface deliver a huge upset to Nigel Farage?
Two thirds of people in Clacton said they would vote for Nigel Farage if the by-election was held tomorrow
Clacton by-election: Meet the record number of candidates standing against Farage
Over 30 candidates are contesting the coastal constituency today
What time is the Clacton by-election result announced and is there an exit poll?
The clacton by-election will be held on 13 August and will have a total of 34 candidates
Banning zero-hours contracts could cost businesses up to £3bn a year
The proposed workplace reforms are nevertheless expected to ‘support growth’ through the improvement of conditions for staff
Burnham's zero hours reforms 'a hammer blow to young people'
Retailers have warned that a ban on zero-hours contracts risks inflicting a "hammer blow to young people's job prospects" after the government's own analysis found the move could cost businesses billions of pounds a year.
Tories demand Burnham cap student loan interest
The renewed demands to ‘fix student debt’ come as A-level students prepare to receive their exam results
Farage set for Count Binface showdown in Clacton by-election
The Reform UK leader quit as an MP to trigger the contest in protest at media and parliamentary scrutiny of donations from his backers
UK poll tracker: Burnham bounce continues as Labour beats Reform in yet another poll
Nigel Farage’s party continues to drop in popularity as the new prime minister’s boost holds steady
‘Only the courts can decide’: Readers on PC Harper killers’ release
Our community has pushed back against calls for Downing Street to carve out an exception for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers,
Count Binface says royals should give up Buckingham Palace: ‘They don’t even like it’
In his manifesto, Count Binface has pledged to build “at least one affordable house”. It might sound like the political jibes that the satirist has become known for, but the issue of homelessness sits close to Count Binface’s heart – or, rather, his “central fluid-pumping organ”. In this clip from the latest episode of In The Room, he explains why he’s such an avid supporter of the anti-homelessness charity Shelter, and how he thinks the royal family could help ease the UK housing crisis.
Count Binface would beat Farage in Clacton if all Britons could vote, poll finds
Satirical character Count Binface has emerged as Farage’s main rival in Clacton
Count Binface’s first-ever interview resurfaces as he prepares to face Farage
Count Binface first faced a grilling by a journalist ahead of taking on then-prime minister Boris Johnson for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency at the 2019 general election. Now, the satirical alter ego of comedian Jonathan David Harvey is gearing up to face Nigel Farage, who triggered the Clacton by-election in protest against media parliamentary scrutiny of his finances and backers.
Cohabiting couples could enter marriage-style arrangements ‘without knowing’
The Government has proposed changes to the law around break-ups to create a framework for what happens when unmarried couples go their separate ways
‘Abusive’ man found guilty of harassing MP Stella Creasy on Tube
Clifford Wilby started talking to her about knife crime and her ‘failings as a Member of Parliament’
‘Farage is the joke’: Readers have their say ahead of Clacton vote
Ahead of Thursday’s Clacton by-election,
“Hell yes, I’m tough enuss!” Count Binface takes on political ‘gotcha’ questions
The Clacton-on-Sea by-election is looming, forcing the question: does Count Binface have what it takes to be an actual MP? To find out, In The Room hosts Helen and Cleo presented the intergalactic candidate with some of UK politics’ most infamous ‘gotcha’ questions. Do they have wheat fields in space? How would he manoeuvre a bacon sarnie? And is he ‘tough enuss’? Listen to the full episode of In The Room on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Count Binface has some advice for Nigel Farage if he loses in Clacton
Two days before an historic by-election in Clacton, the ‘independent space warrior’ sits down with the hosts of In The Room to talk Farage, ice creams, and the royal family.
In The Room | Count Binface vs Farage: Flakes, Ferraris and the Clacton by-election
With the Clacton by-election just days away, In The Room welcomes perhaps Nigel Farage’s most unusual opponent: Count Binface. The intergalactic candidate joins Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson to defend his manifesto, from capping 99 Flakes at 99p and building “at least one” affordable home to tackling Britain’s badly positioned hand dryers.
Nigel Farage reprimands Reform ally for ‘traitor’ jibe at former defence secretary
Attack was aimed at Ben Wallace,
How Andy Burnham could keep Pc Andrew Harper’s killers behind bars
Justice secretary Alex Norris will now look at ways to keep ‘a greater number of the most serious offenders’ behind bars
Labour surges above Reform in polls once again as Nigel Farage’s woes continue
The latest survey is the fifth national poll Labour has topped since Andy Burnham entered Downing Street,
Meta paying price for ‘cavalier approach’ to online safety, say UK campaigners
The father of Molly Russell, who took her own life after viewing harmful content, gave evidence in the New Mexico case.
Burnham vows to resolve ‘long-running injustice’ of indefinite prison sentences
Addressing the scandal of Imprisonment for Public Protection jail terms could free up thousands of prison spaces
Nigel Farage hits back at Jeremy Clarkson over ‘impossible’ small boats plan claim
Nigel Farage has responded to Jeremy Clarkson’s claim that using Royal Navy ships to stop Channel migrant crossings is “impossible”. Writing for The Times, the Clarkson’s Farm star condemned the logistics and effectiveness of the Reform UK leader’s controversial plan, dubbed “Operation Fortress”. Mr Clarkson also said that in his own research, he had not found any evidence to suggest that Mr Farage has ever driven a boat.
Labour ‘spitting in face of police’ with PC Harper killers’ early release
‘Andy did his duty that night.
Burnham unveils crackdown on vape shops and bookies to clean up high streets
New prime minister Burnham to tackle Britain’s ‘hollowed-out high streets’ by scrapping Blair’s Aim to Permit directive
Pc Harper’s mother ‘angry’ as she asks Burnham to meet her over early release scheme
It comes after Downing Street said it is ‘not possible’ to exempt ‘one or two offenders’ convicted of manslaughter from early release
Police ‘probing whether Widdecombe suspect linked to arson attack on Farage’
The Reform leader used a press conference on Monday to claim that a previous fire-bombing attack on his house is ‘directly linked to the murder of Ann Widdecombe’
Jess Phillips: Prisoner release should be based on 'risk not feelings'
Which prisoners get released early should be based on "risk not feelings", former Home Office minister Jess Phillips has told Sky News.
Nigel Farage says police ‘made some mistakes’ in firebomb investigation
Farage claimed his party ‘had been treated very differently to everybody else’ before the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe
Labour leads Reform in another poll days before Farage’s crunch Clacton by-election
Voters will cast their ballots on Thursday in a race in which the former Ukip leader takes on Count Binface
Scottish Greens MSP criticised over rape 'spectrum' comments
A Scottish Greens MSP has been criticised over their comments about the "demonisation of rape" and how the crime exists on a "spectrum".
No 10 failure to block PC Harper killers’ early release ‘indefensible’
While it was reported this week that Andy Burnham was prepared to ‘explore every option’ to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in jail,
Reform pledge to deport foreign criminals ‘leaves them at risk of torture’
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has opened talks with the government of El Salvador on potentially renting prison spaces
UK wants deeper post-Brexit relationship with EU under Burnham, says minister
Hamish Falconer has pledged to create a ‘more ambitious relationship’ with the bloc
Clacton may have 34 by-election candidates - but voters say they have no choice
There are a record 34 candidates standing in Clacton-on-Sea’s by-election – but many voters say they feel nobody is taking them seriously.
Council urged to rethink curbs on nightlife in London's West End
Lord Sadiq Khan has told town hall chiefs to rethink proposed curbs on nightlife in London's West End.
‘Rip-off’ subscription traps to be banned sooner in Andy Burnham crackdown
The PM will accelerate plans to force companies to make it easier to cancel subscriptions and provide more information about costs up-front rather than quietly auto-renewing them at a higher price
Burnham ‘handed post-Brexit plan that could see Britain rejoin EU single market’
The proposal would reportedly see Britain promise to extend the protection of Britain’s Armed Forces and nuclear deterrent across Europe,
Andy Burnham to start national tour to hear cost of living concerns
Andy Burnham will start a national tour on Monday to hear people's concerns over the cost of living.
University opens government-funded lab to help train biomedical scientists
The £2.5 million facility at the University of Essex, which includes a dedicated cancer diagnostics laboratory, was funded by the Office for Students.
Burnham to tour UK asking people how he should tackle cost of living
Officials confirmed he will be in ‘listening mode’ throughout August,
Wes Streeting reveals ‘unbelievable volume’ of online homophobia
He noted that while his appointment three weeks ago was ‘almost entirely unremarked upon in the media,’ the online reaction has been starkly different
Farage ‘horrified’ Ann Widdecombe murder detectives probing firebombing on his home
A source said there had been a ‘very serious policing error’
The stark reality facing Andy Burnham’s council housebuilding revolution
The new prime minister pledged ‘the biggest council housebuilding drive since the post-war period’ before he took office.
Nearly a fifth of British adults consider avoiding EU holiday because of border chaos
Exclusive: Nearly half of UK adults say the change to the EU border system – which has caused severe bottlenecks at European border checkpoints – has impacted their travel behaviour
Ann Widdecombe investigators reopen probe into ‘arson attempt’ at Nigel Farage’s home
A ‘firebomb’ was reported as being posted through the Reform leader’s mailbox
Counter terror police investigating Ann Widdecombe murder reopen attempted burglary probe
Counter terror police investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe say they have reopened a probe into an attempted burglary that was reported more than a year before she died.
‘Summer of sex’ MP in row with Labour colleague over transgender ruling
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi accuses Samantha Nibeltt of peddling ‘pro-sex work,
Reform pledges to create ‘Turkish barber tip line’ to crack down on illegal workers
Labour accused the party of using the announcement to “distract the public” from Reform’s continued financial scandals
‘Do you still think Trump’s an idiot?’: Miliband confronted on past views
Ed Miliband ignored questions about his past criticism of “racist” Donald Trump as he held talks in Washington with US counterpart Marco Rubio on Thursday (6 August). In 2016, the now-foreign secretary called the US president “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper.” Mr Miliband smiled as he shook hands with America’s top diplomat, saying they were looking forward to their meeting. Mr Rubio invited Mr Miliband to the US capital after their recent first meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines last month.
Ex neo-Nazi Tory adviser in fresh row over Home Office training claims
Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who will become an adviser to Kemi Badenoch after withdrawing his candidacy for a council election,
Blow for Burnham as poll shows voters say flagship VAT cut won’t help them pay bills
Survey found much more support for another policy Mr Burnham has talked about but warned would be expensive - raising the tax-free personal allowance
Polanski defends Cambridge professor who resigned amid plagiarism row
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has defended a black university professor who resigned amid a plagiarism row.
Rupert Lowe grilled over ‘Islamification of Britain’ claims in BBC radio clash
Rupert Lowe repeatedly ignored Nick Robinson’s request for him to provide evidence that the UK is “hurtling towards being an Islamic country” as the pair clashed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday (6 August). The presenter grilled the Restore Britain leader on his social media posts which read: “I am not going to sit back and watch Britain become an Islamic country... that is what we are hurtling towards.” Mr Lowe was asked several times to provide evidence of this while on air.
Polanski says Cambridge professor who quit in plagiarism row faced ‘trial by media’
Green Party leader argued that people of colour can ‘sometimes be held by higher standards’ in society
Former neo-Nazi activist withdraws as Tory local election candidate after backlash
Joshua Bonehill-Paine said Kemi Badenoch had offered him an alternative role as ‘an adviser to the Conservative Party’s Culture and Integration Commission, specifically focusing on how young men become radicalised’
Farage’s popularity is plummeting. In Clacton, voters say they are losing faith
Nigel Farage’s popularity is at its lowest point since the 2024 election, and next week he faces a by-election of his own making.
Farage’s popularity is plummeting. In Clacton, voters say they are losing faith
Nigel Farage’s popularity is at its lowest point since the 2024 election, and next week he faces a by-election of his own making.
Farage and Count Binface among record number of candidates in Clacton by-election
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats,
‘Addicted to incarceration’: Readers split over Burnham’s prison release plans
Some readers say the move to exclude rapists and sex offenders still doesn’t go far enough,
Zack Polanski demands fossil fuel giants pay for firefighting helicopters
The Green Party leader says the companies are ‘profiting from fuelling these infernos’
Count Binface and the serious political message behind the UK’s ‘joke’ candidates
A man in a bin costume standing against a Reform politician once considered a joke candidate offers a window into the shifting boundaries of British politics
UK millionaires’ biggest fear is higher taxes would hit them harder than war
Ahead of the autumn Budget,
The seven banks and finance firms who might call you to invest your money
Some banks and financial service providers may get in touch with you to suggest a different use for your savings
Gavin Robinson MP: ‘Defence investment is critical to the Union’
In every generation, the United Kingdom has had to relearn a simple truth: peace is protected by strength, and strength requires investment. Today, that truth is impossible to ignore.
Reform back on top of Labour in new poll
‘Burnham bounce’ saw Labour’s popularity rise after the new prime minister entered Downing Street – but new poll suggests it could be shortlived
Jimmy McLoughlin: Labour’s lack of business experience is a problem
Jimmy McLoughlin tells In The Room that ministers do not all need to have run companies – but government must understand how business works.
Apple boss was ‘transfixed’ by portrait of the Queen | Lessons from No 10
Working under Theresa May, Jimmy McLoughlin accompanied some of the world’s most important CEOs as they entered Downing Street for the first time. In this clip from the latest episode of In The Room, Jimmy tells Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson about one of his favourite memories from the job: when the top dog of Apple confessed to being a huge fan of The Crown.
Lessons from No 10: When the world’s most powerful CEOs enter Downing Street
When Apple chief executive Tim Cook visited No 10, he stopped to admire David Bailey’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Jimmy McLoughlin, then Downing Street’s business director, gave him an impromptu tour and discovered along the way that Cook was also a fan of Netflix’s acclaimed royal drama The Crown. Working under Theresa May, McLoughlin’s role was to help ensure that some of the world’s most influential business leaders had a productive relationship with the prime minister.
Count Binface: The UK has a history of ‘joke’ candidates with serious ideas
A man in a bin costume standing against the man who forced this election is a small but revealing window into the shifting boundaries of British politics
Convicted former far-right activist standing as Tory candidate in local elections
Joshua Bonehill-Paine was convicted of racially-aggravated harassment of a Jewish MP Luciana Berger
Poll: Should Andy Burnham’s early prisoner release scheme go ahead?
Andy Burnham has excluded rapists and serious child sex offenders from his early prisoner release scheme,
Burnham bars rapists and serious child sex offenders from early release scheme
PM said he ‘wanted to go even further’ but that it would not be possible without the prison system collapsing
PM's intervention on prisons crisis risks damaging mistakes
Dividing lines between victim groups, fears about prisons becoming full again by Christmas, and concerns that these changes will lead to "inevitable mistakes" – probably not the intended outcomes of the prime minister's urgent review on early release, but that's the reality.
Widow of PC slams government 'betrayal' as killers remain eligible for early prison release
The widow of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty, has accused Andy Burnham of 'betrayal' after it was revealed that two of her husband's killers remain eligible for early release.
Trump claims UK is ‘bankrupt’ as he calls for Burnham to North Sea oil drilling
The US president said he thinks he and Andy Burnham are ‘going to have a very good relationship’ as he called for drilling to resume
All the policy pledges Andy Burnham has made after two weeks as prime minister
The former Greater Manchester mayor has revealed almost one policy a day since coming into power
Reform UK under fire over plan to use navy to stop small boat crossings
Experts say Nigel Farage’s plan would only increase death and violence at the border – after the party promised the ‘largest military operation in the Channel since WWII’
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice under investigation by standards watchdog
The standards commissioner confirmed that an investigation had been opened into allegations against the Reform UK deputy leader
Can the Royal Navy legally stop the boats?
Reform UK has pledged to send the Royal Navy into the Channel to intercept all migrant boats there and return them to France or Belgium.
Rupert Lowe tells Nigel Farage to work with Restore Britain
Embattled Reform UK leader says he is ‘open minded’ about working with former rival as party faces crises on multiple fronts
Count Binface could get 20% of vote in Clacton by-election, new poll shows
Some 20 per cent of Clacton voters to back Count Binface in Nigel Farage’s constituency
AI minister says people ‘right to worry’ about new tech
Kanishka Narayan was appointed as Britain’s first minister for AI
PM pledges cost of living support as chancellor says public being ‘taken for a ride’
The prime minister vowed to do ‘whatever I can’ to ‘take a little bit of pressure down’
Newborn deaths are surging in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Here’s why
Mothers across sub-Saharan Africa face a perfect storm of conflict, displacement and global aid cuts that are leaving them without the help they need in the most dangerous countries to give birth.
Burnham says Britain needs a written constitution after devolution push
The Prime Minister first advocated for a written constitution in his 2024 book,
John Healey warns supermarkets not to ‘rip off’ Britons
The chancellor said he will be ‘watching closely for any suggestions that customers are being taken for a ride’ as war in the Middle East hits prices
Boozy Westminster MPs drink so much they are having stomachs pumped, report warns
Alcohol is freely available all day within Westminster and is causing ‘real, measurable harm’ in the workplace,
Comfortable victory, but uncomfortable numbers for Labour in Greater Manchester
In the end it wasn't close. Labour's Bev Craig comfortably held the Greater Manchester (GM) mayoralty, vacated last month by Andy Burnham.
Andy Burnham’s first choice
Andy Burnham’s coronation as Labour leader and therefore prime minister is confirmed. The leadership crisis that engulfed Labour between May and July 2026 has reached a resolution. Burnham’s succession, backed by 379 MPs out of a total 403, would point to an outbreak of harmony in the ranks of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).
