The Independent UK Politics
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AI could give terrorists access to bioweapons if guardrails fail – MI5 chief
Sir Ken McCallum gave his annual speech on threats to the UK at Thames House on Tuesday.
Pro-Palestine Greens call for Caroline Lucas to be ousted over motion criticism
The former party leader has been a vocal critic of the controversial motion passed last week
Andy Burnham will be the man to take Britain back into the EU, Neil Kinnock says
Former Labour leader says it’s ‘obvious’ the prime minister is hoping to rejoin the bloc
Farage rows back on Jenrick’s claim that Reform would use ‘lethal force’ on migrants
Mr Jenrick had earlier on Monday claimed that a Reform government would let the Royal Marines use ‘lethal force’ against migrants crossing the Channel without permission
Reform falls to third place in the polls as Tories feel Badenoch bounce
Reform UK has been declining in the polls in recent months following ongoing turbulence for the party
AI driving economic growth spurt in UK, new report shows
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is also now expected to see UK economic growth slow down next year, according to fresh forecasts
‘Mega-donors’ could be ‘damaging for trust in politics’, watchdog warns
The Ethics and Integrity Commission said perceptions around so-called ‘mega-donors’ could be ‘damaging for trust in politics’
Security arrangements for high-profile public figures ‘to be reviewed urgently’
Police support will be expanded to include leaders of political parties who are not MPs, as well as peers and former MPs
Burnham vows to keep Falklands after Argentinian ‘sabre-rattling’
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge described reports of Argentinian harassment as ‘sabre-rattling’
UK and EU confirm date of summit after Burnham says Russian meddling shows the need for closer ties
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Russia's attempts to meddle in European politics highlight why Britain must strengthen ties with the European Union
Burnham vows public will decide if UK rejoins the EU
Prime minister says it would be a ‘derelict of duty’ to ignore an opportunity to seek a new deal with the EU as he said that he would secure a better trade deal now by promising to rethink Brexit
UK-EU summit date confirmed as Andy Burnham seeks closer ties
Prime minister Andy Burnham told MPs the ‘status quo is not good enough’ for Britain
Heathrow Airport ‘cannot wait forever’ for third runway, boss warns
Heathrow Airport expansion is estimated to cost £33 billion, including £1.5 billion to move the M25 to build the runway
Rogue AI hack of UK cyber defences ‘inevitable’, minister warns
Experts have warned AI could wipe out humanity within the near future if the technology is allowed to progress unchecked
Farage accused of ‘dangerous dog whistle’ with ‘profoundly un-British’ asylum plan
Campaigners have also questioned the legality of the policy, comparing it to a proposal to ‘scrap the NHS so that people no longer get sick’
Russia’s attempt to influence Brexit vote failed – but they still tried, Burnham says
Andy Burnham claimed it was ‘clear’ Moscow had interfered with the vote
Did Russia interfere with Brexit? Here’s what we know after Andy Burnham’s claim
Andy Burnham has become the first prime minister to confirm Russia had interfered with the referendum
‘Dereliction of duty’ not to seek closer ties with EU, Andy Burnham to tells MPs
The prime minister will call on all parties to support the government’s EU approach
The undercover female agents working in the shadows of The Troubles
The objective of female covert surveillance officers was to disappear into the background. Liz* tells Sam Kiley how that required obsessive attention to detail: no Army-issue watch, no perfume, no brightly coloured clothes - and no false steps
Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in Brexit vote
Prime minister has left the door open to the UK rejoining the EU
Raise taxes or cuts benefits to fill £35bn Budget hole, Healey warned
Leading think tank IFS the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned chancellor John Healey against making the Budget ‘a work of fiction’
Scottish independence push has ‘turned a corner’, Swinney claims
Ipsos Scotland says the public remains ‘divided’ on independence
Burnham vows to publish details of his meetings with Man City owners
Prime minister stands by his ‘concern’ Manchester club’s Abu Dhabi owners could sell up
UK could get fast-track entry back into EU, new report says
Negotiations could be completed in less time than it took for the UK to agree its trade deal with India, experts say
Badenoch secures poll bounce and ramps up planning for potential Christmas election
The Conservatives were up three points in the latest Opinium survey, days after announcing plans to exempt family homes from inheritance tax
‘I came out of prison to nothing. This is the key to getting early release right’
Aaron White spent 10 years coming in and out of prison – until one realisation changed his life
UK will try to make Trump and Zelensky ‘friends’ again, says Streeting
Defence secretary suggests US President struck controversial energy deal under pressure from looming mid-term elections
Labour voters overwhelmingly want Andy Burnham to commit to rejoining EU, poll shows
Exclusive: New 10-year plan for re-entry to the European Union in 2036 being put to the prime minister
M&S boss tells Healey to ‘take the handcuffs of Britain’ weeks before Budget
Stuart Machin urged John Healey to undo the ‘disastrous’ decisions made in Labour’s previous two Budgets
One in three Brits thinks Polanski should resign after by-election defeat, poll shows
Green leader facing calls to quit from within his own party
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant announces Drumcree parade ban
Sir Chris explained that an agreement could not be reached between the Orange Order and local nationalist residents on Portadown’s Garvaghy Road
Britain and G7 allies ‘strongly disagree’ with US sanctions on ICC
The G7 nations, along with Denmark and the Netherland reaffirmed their ‘continued and unwavering support for the tribunal
US plans to execute ex-army major ‘disturbing’, Phillipson says
Nidal Malik Hasan is due to be executed after he was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in 2009
Reform councillor breaches rules by being leader of his own political party
Paul Taylor’s Northern Heart party promises to provide change from ‘the main political offerings’
Senior Liberal Democrat MP quits front bench in bid to oust leader Sir Ed Davey
Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, resigned from his Treasury spokesman role on Friday
‘Dysfunctional’ Green Party leaves voters cold after ‘Zionism is racism’ controversy
Zack Polanski has suffered a crushing defeat after failing to become the next MP of Holborn and St Pancras. The Independent went to the constituency to find out why voters decided to go with Labour
Zack Polanski facing calls to quit as Green Party leader after by-election defeat
Former party leader Caroline Lucas has accused Mr Polanski of a failure in leadership, while the chair of the Jewish Greens committee called for him to resign
Burnham unveils new law to stop non-compete clauses that ‘trap’ workers
Burnham outlined his plans at the Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester on Friday
In The Room | Can Kemi Badenoch save the Tories with Thatcherism 2.0?
Conference season is in full swing – and this week, it unfolded across two very different political stages. In Birmingham, the Conservatives came to town. As Kemi Badenoch continues to win strong approval ratings - despite the Conservatives struggling to recover from their 2024 defeat - her conference speech doubled down on a classic Tory pitch: a smaller state, lower taxes, and a return to economic aspiration. Cleo, a veteran of Tory conferences, breaks down the mood in Birmingham and weighs up whether Badenoch’s promises add up.
Who won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election? Results in full
Andy Burnham’s party has retained the North London seat despite a dip in support
‘I was hiding in the hedge as an Irish farmer covered me in petrol’
SAS soldier John describes the grim reality of on-the-ground surveillance in Northern Ireland in the late 1980s to world affairs editor Sam Kiley
Burnham calls on Polanski to reverse Green Party’s motion on Zionism
Prime minister says controversial declaration ‘shouldn't be supported in any way, shape or form’
Andy Burnham announces £48m partnership in bid to ‘defeat’ dementia
The Prime Minister, whose father Roy died last month after suffering from Alzheimer’s, said he wanted Britain ‘to be the country that makes the breakthrough’
Burnham needs to avoid scaring Chinese car-makers off
Andy Burnham has reportedly been warned by the German chancellor that rejoining the EU will not be possible unless the UK raises tariffs on Chinese electric cars to 45 per cent. But he needs to be careful, warns Steve Fowler
Farage opens door to Reform-Tories post-election pact
The Clacton MP said a pact before the next election is ‘extremely unlikely’, but added: ‘After an election, who’s to say?’
Can Kemi Badenoch save the Tories with Thatcherism 2.0?
Kemi Badenoch’s homage to Margaret Thatcher may have impressed her party – but can nostalgia bring in voters? Report by Maja Anushka
We’ll protect Troubles military veterans, cabinet minister promises
Exclusive: Following revelations about the role of special forces in Northern Ireland as revealed in The Independent’s podcast ‘SAS: The Shadow War’, Sir Chris Bryant says his government is committed to protecting veterans
UK welcome to rejoin EU ‘anytime’, French minister says as Burnham visits Berlin
The prime minister’s trip comes amid an intelligence scandal that has rocked Germany
Burnham and Merz set to confirm security pact to counter hybrid Russian threats
The two leaders are expected to confirm a joint UK-Germany security partnership
Could the UK rejoin the EU – and how would it work?
How exactly would Britain rejoin the EU? Here, The Independent takes a look at the process for doing so, and how easy (or difficult) it would be to get the public on side
Enforce online shopping tax to support UK high streets, Healey told
An estimated £1.5 billion could be raised as a result of the changes, a think tank has said, with the government urged to ‘shift some of the tax burden from bricks to clicks’
UK households left thousands of pounds worse off due to cost-of-living crisis
Had inflation been at normal levels over this period, the average household would be £2,900 better off than they currently are
Reform defends councillor over Facebook post calling immigrants ‘third world animals’
Reform insisted people would ‘sympathise’ with the comments, but councillors say it has sparked fear in the community
UK Conservative leader says the party is reviving and rules out a pact with Farage’s Reform UK
The leader of Britain’s opposition Conservative Party says that the Tories are on the path back to power
Badenoch revives one of the Tories’ most popular policies – but is anyone listening?
Tory leader takes inspiration from George Osborne’s 2007 speech in a bid to win back voters – but it might not be enough to turn the party’s fortunes around, as political editor David Maddox explains
UK poll tracker ahead of Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Labour holds a clear lead over its nearest rivals – but the picture in London may be less clear-cut
Your favourite supermarket could reveal how you vote. Here’s what a new poll says
One supermarket may be Britain’s most divided, new research shows
Blair warns Burnham: Don’t do coalition with the Greens
Intervention by former prime minister follows warnings by senior Labour figures in The Independent that ‘Zionism is racism’ vote should disqualify Greens from major public office
Zack Polanski now less popular than Nigel Farage, stark new poll shows
Polanski’s net approval ratings fall ahead of crucial by-election that could decide his future as Green Party leader
Oil giant may stop UK investment if North Sea drilling is denied
Andy Burnham noted that he would adopt a ‘pragmatic’ approach towards North Sea oil and gas ahead of pending rulings on Jackdaw and Rosebank
Labour donor calls for private funding ban for political parties after Reform row
The UK has a ‘public trust problem’ exacerbated by a parliamentary system where parties are ‘funded by wealthy private interests’, a new report has said
Green Party member behind anti-Zionist motion ‘close friend’ of jailed terrorist
Lubna Speitan described in US court documents as a ‘close friend’ of terrorist who plotted suicide bomb attack at Heathrow Airport
Proposed £12bn cut to disability benefits for children called ‘shockingly cruel’
The proposals have been labelled ‘shockingly cruel’
Badenoch draws battle lines to take on Labour for ‘soul of the nation’
Kemi Badenoch will tell voters ‘there is a fight coming in British politics’ not seen for 50 years when she addresses the Tory conference in Birmingham, as her party lags third behind Labour and Reform in the polls
Kemi Badenoch stands by Tory MP who made Luton ‘no-go zones’ comment
Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, was speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative party conference when he made the remark
‘I’m voting anti-Starmer’: Could Polanski seize on anger to pinch Labour safe seat?
Holborn and St Pancras constituents will cast their vote on Thursday in a crucial test for both Zack Polanski and Andy Burnham. Harriette Boucher asks voters whether they think this part of north London will remain red, or get swept up by the Green wave
Badenoch insists Tory conference is ‘buzzing’ after Clarkson jibe about empty seats
Jeremy Clarkson earlier joked that ‘a lot of people have come dressed as seats’
Badenoch warns Tory MPs they will not be allowed back if they defect to Reform
The Conservative Party leader also said she would rather fight two general elections in quick succession than form a coalition with Nigel Farage’s party in a hung parliament
Greens’ ‘Zionism is racism’ worse than anything under Corbyn, antisemitism tsar warns
Exclusive: Lord Mann claimed the way some of the party’s members were being treated was ‘unprecedented in Westminster since the Second World War’
Who is standing in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
The contest in the north London constituency is a major test for both Zack Polanski and new Labour leader Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham risks repeating Liz Truss mini budget chaos, Shadow Chancellor warns
Andrew Griffith has maintained that the Tories would not make same mistakes again
Conservatives vow to do ‘whatever it takes’ to build Heathrow third runway
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is said to be maintaining an ‘open mind’ regarding expansion at the nation’s busiest airport
Zack Polanski banned from Israel after Green Party ‘Zionism is racism’ policy
Israel accused the Green Party of legitimising ‘the destruction of the State of Israel’
Tories vow to boost economy by cutting safeguards that protect Britain’s countryside
Andrew Griffith’s blueprint would also lower grocery bills by scrapping a ‘polluter pays’ fee on packaging producers
Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses Tucker Carlson of ‘verging on defending Hitler’
Podcaster could not understand why Britain joined the fight against the Nazis
Green Party members pass ‘Zionism is racism’ motion
The motion passed by 1022 votes, with 813 against on Sunday in a move that sets out the party is anti-Zionist
I don’t need a lecture on women’s safety from Labour, says shadow women’s minister
Exclusive: Shadow women and equalities secretary Joy Morrissey tells The Independent why she refuses to break the link between women’s safety and immigration
Penny Mordaunt has been allowed on the Tory candidates list — but at what cost?
Political editor David Maddox looks at whether Dame Penny Mordaunt and Sir James Cleverly have really changed their principles as they seek to be candidates for Kemi Badenoch’s party – or are just being pragmatic to stay in the game
Justice secretary admits court backlog will continue to rise after U-turn
While Mr Norris insisted that scrapping the proposal would allow the government to reduce the backlog faster, he refused to commit to a target for bringing the backlog down
Scottish independence not on the table, minister insists after Brexit pledge
Fresh questions over Scottish independence come after first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations met in Cardiff last month to declare jointly that ‘Westminster’s time is coming to an end’
Why Brexit could end up being Kemi Badenoch’s arrow in the eye
As the Tories arrive in Birmingham for their annual conference still languishing in the polls, political editor David Maddox looks at how the party’s publicity team’s version of the Bayeux Tapestry is an ill omen for Kemi Badenoch
Farage claims people ‘quite impressed’ by £72m donations from crypto-billionaires
Shrugging off slumps in polls, the Reform leader insists the historic donations has won 'grudging respect'
Badenoch to cut public servants to fund childcare for high earners
Under the proposal, any parent employed for at least 16 hours a week would qualify for 30 hours of free care weekly – ending the £100,000 ‘cliff edge’
Trump is ‘absolutely right’ the UK must spend more on defence, says Wes Streeting
As the Ministry of Defence targets full war-fighting readiness, Streeting is aligning with Trump on military expansion funding
Labour back on top in polls after Burnham’s Brexit pledge
The survey, carried out in the days after the prime minister’s conference speech, suggested Andy Burnham’s announcements on Brexit, social care and pensions were popular among voters
London council could hike council tax by 150%
Hammersmith and Fulham council joins Wandsworth and Westminster in warning the government that council tax may significantly increase
Brexit to take centre stage in battle for London
Exclusive: Former foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly toldThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox why he is happy to make rejoining the EU an election issue in the London mayoral race
I can cut cost of housing to stop London brain drain, Cleverly claims
Exclusive: Ahead of the Tory conference in Birmingham, Sir James Cleverly talked to The Independent about his ambitions for what he hopes is his ‘last big job in politics’ – including claims he can cut the price of new homes by £100,000
Boost for Burnham as poll shows half of UK supports rejoining EU
The prime minister said Brexit has done ‘more harm than good’ and promised to set out the options to the country around the time of a UK-EU summit
Farage ‘not listened to’ on safety concerns says Tice after terror plot charge
Tice’s comments come after the man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe was also charged with a terror plot against the Reform leader
UAE ‘threatens to pull billions from UK in rebellion against Man City ruling’
Emirati officials say the Premier League verdict will ‘have an influence on the bilateral relationship’
Tories pledge to slash overseas aid budget to fund 50,000 prison places
The Tories said their plans would see the vast majority of extra spaces created over the course of a single Parliament and the full increase would be complete within seven years
UK poll tracker: Labour holds lead over Reform – but one result hints at a comeback
Mixed polling results indicate that Labour’s lead over Reform remains insecure
Would Labour win an early election? Here’s what the polls say
Rising support for the government could make this the right time for Burnham to cement his position – but experts have urged caution
Caroline Lucas criticises ‘divisive’ Green Party motion to classify Zionism as racism
The motion will be debated and voted on during the Green Party’s annual conference in Brighton this weekend
Thousands could lose key disability benefits in welfare changes
The plans risk reigniting tensions with backbench Labour MPs over welfare spending
Germany backs UK to rejoin EU as Burnham moves closer to bloc
The leaders of France and Spain have also backed Britain returning to the European Union
Trump claims Europe to release ‘massive amount of diesel’ after threat to supplies
G7 leaders agree to release 100 million barrels of diesel in scramble to avert Trump’s threatened ban on US exports to the bloc
Andy Burnham could call general election as early as May, claims Kemi Badenoch
The prime minister has denied he is planning to call an early election
Airlines to be banned from charging families ‘rip-off’ flight fees
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the rule changes are part of a crackdown on the ‘little charges that add up’ when families plan their holiday trips
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s government survives no-confidence vote
The Czech government led by populist billionaire Andrej Babiš survives a parliamentary no-confidence vote
The battle lines for the next general election have already been drawn
Nigel Farage believes Andy Burnham’s decision to open the door to returning to the EU could benefit Reform. Regardless, the decision to reignite the Brexit debates will play a central role when Britain next goes to the polls, writes Kate Devlin
Burnham’s top cabinet ministers divided over rejoining EU
Exclusive: Foreign secretary Ed Miliband and home secretary Shabana Mahmood are understood to be on opposing sides of the debate over whether or not the UK should reverse Brexit
UK announces 31 new sanctions against Russian propagandists and torturers
Among those being sanctioned are seven people involved in ‘heinous’ re-education camps for children
We like Andy Burnham – but will he be able to keep his promises?
In The Room hits Liverpool for Labour Party Conference. Cleo heads into the hall, fringe events, protests and the media pen, talking to delegates, campaigners and lobbyists to get a feel for Andy Burnham’s Labour. Helen takes a different route, moving between Shelter, the Future Governance Forum and the receptions where senior figures are talking about what comes next. The mood is unusually upbeat, united and hopeful. But beneath the optimism, how much anxiety is there about turning the Burnham bounce into something that lasts?
Burnham wants to change Britain’s voting system. What would that mean for Labour?
Labour could lose hundreds of seats under a new voting system, projections show
We can’t guarantee your safety, minister tells domestic abuse survivors
Asked whether he can guarantee the safety of domestic abuse survivors, Treasury secretary James Murray said: ‘I can't guarantee exactly what will happen’
Why Burnham’s voting reforms could backfire on Labour
Andy Burnham has put electoral reform back on the agenda, but could changing Britain’s voting system hand Reform UK an unexpected advantage? Maja Anushka reports
Burnham vows to resist potential talks with UAE over Man City verdict appeal
The Premier League announced on Tuesday that Manchester City had been found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them
Polling guru John Curtice favourite to lead PM’s first-past-the-post voting review
The polling guru is Britain’s best known an most trusted polling expert
France and Spain urge Britain to rejoin the EU
Britain would be welcomed back into the EU ‘with open arms’, Spain’s prime minister says
Putin thinks he’s winning – and I think he’s right, warns ex-Nato official
Head of foreign policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre called on the government to ‘step up’ its response to Russia
Mapped: The UK areas to be hardest hit by scrapping pensions triple lock
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood’s Birmingham Ladywood constituency is among the areas where pensioners would feel the radical pledge the most
Burnham’s Brexit pledge means an early election is now far more likely
The prime minister’s pledge to stick to the restrictive red lines of Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto is simply not sustainable until 2029 – however strongly Andy Burnham denies there will be an early general election, writes political editor David Maddox
Does Britain want to rejoin the EU? Here’s what the polls say
Andy Burnham has said he is open to reversing Brexit, insisting he could go ‘all the way’ in proposing to rejoin the European Union
Half of Reform voters think Britain should have closer ties to the EU, poll shows
The polling comes after Andy Burnham admitted he is open to reversing Brexit, insisting he could go ‘all the way’ in proposing to rejoin the European Union
How Osborne interview persuaded Burnham to reconsider customs union
The prime minister quoted the former chancellor’s interview with The Independent’s editor in chief Geordie Greig when he explained his options to fix Brexit
UK economy grew ‘slightly larger’ than expected in pre-Budget boost
Experts are predicting a tougher end to the year thanks to soaring energy and fuel prices caused by the Iran war
Yvette Cooper to create national maternity plan after Lucy Letby scandal
The health secretary is said to be ‘shocked’ that no maternity services plan has been in place since 2012 and hospitals do not track the deaths of babies and children
Current EU settlement ‘not working’, cabinet minister admits
The PM admitted ‘Brexit has done more harm than good’ in his major speech on Tuesday
Tearful Andy Burnham pledges to revive Britain
The prime minister pledged to end the ‘wrong direction’ of the country brought on by Margaret Thatcher, as he vowed to scrap the triple lock on pensions and explore closer ties with Europe in a rousing Labour conference speech
Czech government faces no-confidence vote over budget deficit and PM’s conflict of interest
The Czech government, led by populist billionaire Andrej Babiš, faces a parliamentary no-confidence vote over a growing budget deficit and the prime minister’s conflict of interest
How much will the end of triple lock cost pensioners?
Pensioners will be thousands of pounds worse off in future years after the changes, analysis shows
Andy Burnham pledges a big shakeup for Britain in a high-risk political speech
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to give Britain “a new social contract for the 21st century.”
Burnham has just delivered the most revolutionary vision of any PM since Thatcher
When Andy Burnham said he wanted to tear up the last 40 years of political consensus he meant it, says political editor David Maddox
Burnham talks to care workers in emotional address: ‘You are not invisible to me’
The prime minister apologised to those ‘holding a threadbare system together’
All the major policy announcements in Burnham’s Labour conference speech
The prime minister has maintained a focus on the cost of living in his opening months
Farage blasted for false claims about RAF Fairford terror arrests
The UK Counter Terrorism Policing chief acknowledged speculation over whether Iran was behind the plot and said the force was considering ‘every possible angle’
How Liverpool really feels about Andy Burnham’s homecoming
As Andy Burnham addresses the Labour Conference in the city of his birth, Dan Haygarth asks the people of Liverpool whether their Scouse PM will benefit the city - or whether his ‘Manchesterism’ shows his priorities are elsewhere
Reform UK leapfrogs Labour on eve of Burnham’s first conference speech as leader
The YouGov poll shows Reform support rising by four points to 25 per cent, one ahead of Labour on 24 per cent
How to grow a £25k-a-year pension as Labour scraps triple lock
Andy Burnham’s plans to remove the link to raising the state pensions in line with average earnings will affect how they will grow in future years – but there are ways you can help boost your income for retirement now
Minister refuses to rule out scrapping state pension triple lock
Despite being pressed on it by broadcasters, the education secretary would not say whether Mr Burnham and chancellor John Healey are considering ending the policy
Argentina issues new deadline to UK over Falkland Islands
It comes just days after Mr Milei criticised the UN in his speech at the General Assembly for failing to act over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands
Rubio addresses concerns after five suspects in RAF Fairford plot released on bail
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he understood why people were “disturbed” after five suspects arrested over a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford were released on bail on Monday (28 September). Rubio said some of those arrested were still being investigated and had been “very cooperative and very helpful” in what he described as a “very serious incident”. US President Donald Trump said he would not have released the suspects, adding the plot “might be” connected to Iran.
Andy Burnham to unveil publicly owned Great British Grid to slash UK energy costs
Burnham also intends to push for a speedier rollout of renewables alongside boosted network infrastructure
‘We have to bring the benefits bill down’: Healey signals return to welfare reform
John Healey told the Labour Party conference that it is not progressive ‘to allow a bigger and bigger benefits’ bill warning that it was ‘immoral’ to leave young people on welfare dependency
Mahmood: I feel revulsion and fear at the sight of masked racists
The home secretary announced new routes for refugees to come to the UK at her speech in Labour conference in Liverpool
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Exclusive: After Ed Miliband told the Labour conference in Liverpool that Britain’s future is at the heart of Europe, ministers say it is ‘not if but how’ the prime minister puts rejoin in the next election manifesto
Burnham is popular with young people – but more would vote Green, polling reveals
New polling shows young people like the prime minister but do not approve of the Labour government
Andy Burnham announces new scheme for first-time buyers – here’s how it would work
The housing secretary said the scheme will ‘build on the lessons’ from similar initiatives
UK’s future lies in deeper partnership with EU, Miliband says
The foreign secretary said Europe is ‘not just our geography but so much more’
Sadiq Khan says Andy Burnham must prepare to rejoin EU now
It comes days after Sir Tony Blair said Britain should commit to rejoining the European Union within the next 10 years
Netanyahu meets Emirati leader in a secret weekend trip to Abu Dhabi, and other Mideast developments
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held an hourlong meeting with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a secret weekend visit to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi
Scrap state pension triple lock to fund social care, Burnham told
The state pension is due to rise nearly £500 next year but there are now reports Andy Burnham may not stick to the triple lock guanrantee
Streeting says farmer who ‘foiled bomb plot’ at RAF base only has ‘partial picture’
Police investigating whether Iran is linked to incident near Gloucestershire based used by US bombers
Majority of Britons say government only protects free speech it agrees with
A survey commissioned by the human rights organisation Liberty and conducted by pollsters More in Common found 54 per cent of Britons believe the government only protects speech that it agrees with
Shock energy price data risks Burnham ambitions to fix social care
The prime minister said he would ‘grasp the nettle’ of social care reform in England and put his plans to voters at the next election but stunning new energy prices seen by The Independent risks wrecking his hopes
Burnham warned he cannot wait until election to start process of rejoining the EU
Stella Creasy, chair of the influential Labour Movement for Europe, has said Mr Burnham only has six months to start taking action ahead of a pro-EU rally at the Labour Party conference
If social care is the defining issue of the next election Burnham cannot go early
Political editor David Maddox looks at how Andy Burnham’s plan to make reforming social care the centrepiece of the next election changes everything
Burnham warned he needs more than slogans to tackle cost-of-living crisis
Ahead of the Labour Party Conference, Andy Burnham has insisted it ‘time for Britain to believe again’
Burnham vows to deliver change despite ‘challenging’ economic outlook
The Labour leader unveiled a new help-to-buy scheme for first-time buyers along with support for disabled young people in the hours before the party’s annual conference
Lib Dem MP announces she will not fight the next election
Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine had failed to get reselected by her party executive amid claims that she was being moved aside for an ally of the Scottish leader
Burnham should call snap election on reversing Brexit, former adviser says
Exclusive: Ben Judah believes Labour could win a Boris Johnson-style majority with pledge to rejoin the European Union, despite Andy Burnham appearing to rule out going to the polls early
Rory Stewart reveals family’s reaction to viral Newsnight moment
Rory Stewart has revealed his family’s reaction to his viral moment on BBC Newsnight. The former Conservative minister spun in his chair and stared at a fellow panelist, New Statesman political editor Ailbhe Rea, during his appearance on 18 September. Presenter Matt Chorley later told The Guardian that he believed Stewart was genuinely “probably just intently listening to what Ailbhe had to say, and that behaviours that look normal in person can appear to be strange on screen.
Tories invite Phillipson to Piddington in violence against women ‘weaponisation’ row
Women and equalities secretary Bridget Phillipson has rejected the invitation from her Tory shadow Joy Morrissey accusing the opposition of ‘political point scoring’
Rayner hits out at Mahmood’s migrant visa plans on eve of Labour conference
Andy Burnham could faces unrest among Labour’s big beasts as he heads into his first party conference as prime minister
Meet the Labour candidate taking on Zack Polanski to win Keir Starmer’s seat
Childhood refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali is running in a crucial contest which could be key for both Polanski and Burnham. Athena Stavrou reports
Labour happy to switch leadership plots for debate over early election with Burnham
As Labour delegates arrive for their conference in Liverpool with the slogan ‘Hope Again’. political editor David Maddox looks at how the party now ‘feels it can win again’ after replacing Starmer with Burnham
Burnham blames Brexit for small boats crisis - but rules out early general election
Burnham lamented a ‘loss of collaboration with neighbours’ following Brexit but has ‘knocked dead’ the idea of an early election before 2029
Bridget Phillipson: ‘I’m a spiteful class warrior — and I’m proud’
Exclusive: Speaking to The Independent’s political editor David Maddox, the Labour chair revealed that Kemi Badenoch’s infamous slur against her has inspired a new mission to tackle class inequalities
Farage and Badenoch have ‘weaponised’ violence against women, Phillipson claims
Exclusive: Labour chair tells The Independent that the Tories and Reform are ignoring ‘the national emergency’ of women’s safety
Reform would prosecute refugee charity workers for ‘helping illegal migrants’
Care4Calais warned the announcement ‘serves only to encourage escalating intimidation’ against frontline charity workers
Labour supporters think Burnham is a better PM than Blair and Brown
Exclusive: The polling carried out by Opinium shows that 56 per cent of Labour supporters say the current government is doing about as well – or better – at running the country than New Labour did
Healey and Burnham warned against hiking capital gains tax in Budget
The CGT take since April is lower than the same period for last year
Budget 2026: How Burnham and Healey could raise taxes next month
Property, capital gains, and inheritance tax could all be on the table ahead of the event
Government warned Homes for Ukraine funding cut may ‘send wrong message to Putin’
Sir Grant Shapps feels the cuts could indicate Western support for Ukraine is faltering
Call an early election, advisers urge Burnham
The prime minister would be ‘naive not to be contemplating all scenarios’ about an election, one source said
Oil firms accused of pushing for tax breaks after ‘cashing in’ on Middle East crisis
Scrapping the windfall tax early could cost the UK £8.6bn by 2030, campaigners have said
UK announces £88 million Palestinian aid package
Ed Miliband said the package would give ‘support to those desperately in need’
Londoners should pay up to £950 more a year to fix council tax, Burnham told
Some households in London would pay £950 more a year under the plans
Britain’s pro-Brexit parties are becoming increasingly irrelevant
The YouGov MRP poll points to a leftwing coalition and an end to Brexit Britain – and all the Tories and Reform can do is blame each other from the sidelines, writes political editor David Maddox
Reform would win fewer seats than Labour and Tories in major blow to Farage — poll
Reform UK slide from first place to third in latest YouGov MRP polling – with the UK headed for a hung parliament dominated by centre left anti-Brexit parties
Britain should rejoin EU within 10 years, Tony Blair tells Andy Burnham
A report by the Tony Blair Institute has also called for Keir Starmer’s Brexit red lines against rejoining the single market and customs union to be ditched immediately, while another influential thinktank has highlighted the billions lost in exports
Burnham wants alcohol ban in stands at football matches to be overturned
The Prime Minister said it was unfair for football fans to be singled out when supporters of other sports were able to drink while watching their teams
Tories would ban long-term benefit claimants from buying alcohol and cigarettes
Full rate of Universal Credit would be given only to people who have worked for years
Rory Stewart mocked for ‘magnificently strange’ Newsnight moment
The former MP has become the internet’s latest meme after he stared at New Statesman political editor Ailbhe Rea
Andy Burnham received Everton directors’ lounge tickets worth £677
The former Greater Manchester mayor is a long-time fan of the Merseyside club
Burnham’s only path to victory is through pledging to rejoin the EU, research reveals
As Andy Burnham refuses to rule out a pledge to rejoin the EU in Labour’s next manifesto, new YouGov polling for Best for Britain suggests he has no choice but to make the commitment if he wants to remain prime minister
Majority of British voters back private jet tax to help fill Budget black hole
Exclusive: Polling by More in Common has revealed support for a new tax on billionaires as chancellor John Healey attempts to balance his books in next month’s Budget
I’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything on Burnham
Ahead of the party gathering in Liverpool, chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer readers’ questions on Reform’s £72m war chest, the looming Budget, how Burnham should handle the unions, and whether Labour's poll lead is as solid as it looks
Man cautioned after protestors grabbed and assaulted at Reform UK conference
Video footage showed members of the audience pulling the hair of a protester and hitting her with a walking stick
Kremlin accuses Andy Burnham of ‘stoking anti-Russian sentiment’
Burnham unveiled plans for a new National Centre for Information Defence to tackle Russian information warfare
Wes Streeting admits he doesn’t know cost of UK’s new space squadron
Wes Streeting could not confirm the cost of the UK’s new military space squadron during a live interview on LBC on Wednesday (23 September). The defence secretary spoke to Nick Ferrari about the new RAF Squadron which will protect satellites used to warn of incoming missile attacks, provide communications and help guide ships, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Tories leapfrog Reform UK as Nigel Farage’s party slumps to third in latest poll
Reform has suffered blows in the new poll, falling to its joint lowest position in 18 months
How Jackdaw could be the key to Burnham getting his ‘Mamdani moment’ with Trump
The first face-to-face meeting between Burnham and Trump went... fine. But all hope of getting into the president’s good books may not be lost, says Helen MacNamara. Report by Maja Anushka
Reform council criticised after dropping support for Show Racism the Red Card
Anti-racism education in some schools will now be scrapped following the council’s decision to withdraw support
UK pauses payments to Mauritius as Trump blasts ‘terrible’ Chagos deal
Andy Burnham said the government would ‘work hard’ to find a ‘resolution between the different sides’
In The Room | Burnham’s Trump test – and the Lib Dems identity crisis
The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest party in the Commons, but where do they fit into Andy Burnham’s Britain? Following Ed Davey’s Brighton conference speech, we ask what the party actually stands for and uncover a surprising connection to Cleo’s political past. In New York, Burnham faces his first meeting with Donald Trump. With Ukraine, Iran, AI and even the Falklands potentially on the agenda, what does Britain need from the president, and how do you prepare a prime minister for a meeting with Trump?
Putin exploiting Brexit to sow disinformation in Britain, Burnham tells UN
The prime minister unveiled plans for a new National Centre for Information Defence at the United Nations General Assembly in New York
Burnham will review Chagos deal after Trump calls it ‘terrible’
Trump hailed Burnham as a ‘natural business person’ but called the Chagos Islands deal ‘ridiculous’
Watch: David Miliband says Brexit is ‘daily anguish’ he predicted
David Miliband has added his voice to the growing clamour to reverse Brexit, saying that the decision to leave the European Union has proved to be “exactly the daily anguish” for Britain that he and many others had forecast. In a wide-ranging interview with The Independent’s Editor-in-Chief Geordie Greig, the former Labour Foreign Secretary called for a new “institutionalised” relationship with the EU, something he was confident Andy Burnham would establish.
David Miliband: Trump to blame for Ebola outbreak that killed thousands
Exclusive: Former foreign secretary takes aim at US president and criticises Labour government for ‘bloody frustrating’ cuts in overseas aid
Burnham says AI safety should be an issue for governments and not left to chance
Andy Burnham’s comments came as US President Donald Trump said he would encourage AI development rather than seek to rein it in.
End cash benefits for young people with anxiety to end Neet crisis, Tony Blair urges
A new report also calls for a pause on plans to equalise the minimum wage for younger workers
MPs warn Budget watchdog ‘should not be blamed’ for tough decisions
Members have also rejected “siren calls” for it to be fundamentally reformed in a new committee report.
Burnham says UK ‘will stand firm in the face of any threats’ to Falkland Islands
Argentina’s president Javier Milei recently escalated tensions over the South Atlantic archipelago
Nervous Burnham will be relieved his first Trump meeting went well
The prime minister passed his first major diplomatic test in his meeting with the erratic US president, but there were warning signs it might not all be plain sailing, writes Kate Devlin in New York
Reform MSPs stage Holyrood walkout over Scottish independence debate
Malcolm Offord, the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, branded the debate a ‘farce’
Council leader quits after fraud and tax evasion conviction
Ashfield District Council stated on Tuesday that it will elect a new leader
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At the heart of our ‘Europe: The Way Back’ campaign is a free weekly newsletter led by political editor David Maddox and political correspondent Millie Cooke – bringing you expert analysis, exclusive reporting and the latest developments shaping relations between Britain and Europe
Ed Davey promises income tax cut and a return to EU single market
Ed Davey argues tax threshold freeze is ‘holding back teachers and nurses’ as he lays out plan to rejoin EU’s single market and customs union
Tory defector who was suspended over racial slur named Reform’s deputy in Wales
It is part of a shakeup following the arrest of former leader Dan Thomas
Burnham vows to find Chagos Islands resolution with Mauritius
Burnham admitted that a deal is not yet in place over the Chagos Islands
Support for Reform UK plummets to lowest level in two years
The latest polling has returned the lowest share YouGov has recorded for Reform UK since the pollster restarted its voting intention tracker in January 2025
Ed Davey is facing calls to quit as Lib Dem leader – here’s what voters think
Despite securing a record haul of MPs in the 2024 general election polling suggests the Liberal Democrats are failing to maintain a strong presence in British politics
Supporting Saudi Arabia could curb rising fuel prices, minister claims
Energy prices have already shot up following conflict involving Iran and the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz
Burnham refuses to rule out rejoining EU
It comes as the prime minister prepares to tell world leaders in New York that Britain is entering a new era after Brexit ‘turbulence’
A new stance on Brexit could help Burnham win the next election
Support for reversing Brexit is at its highest level since the referendum. But, asks Kate Devlin as she travels with the prime minister to New York, is Andy Burnham bold enough to change course on Europe?
Government borrowing surge piles pressure on Healey ahead of first Budget
Chancellor John Healey is set to deliver his first Budget statement next month
Burnham responds to Danny Dyer after actor’s expletive-laden rant about PM
Danny Dyer recently claimed that he ‘didn’t know’ who the Prime Minister is
Manchester to host G20 summit in 2027 with Burnham to welcome major world leaders
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, will welcome counterparts for a major summit in the city in November 2027
Burnham targets Trump reset with new defence and AI pact
Historic undersea torpedo breakthrough unveiled as leaders meet at UN General Assembly
Burnham cannot afford for his first Trump meeting to go badly
Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with the US president started brightly before rapidly turning sour. Andy Burnham will be hoping he can make a good impression, writes Kate Devlin, who says his ability to stay cool under pressure could prove a vital asset
Burnham approves UK military support for Saudi Arabia in war against Houthis
Support focused on ‘defensive capabilities’ but could include shooting down drones
Second English village could vote to leave UK in opposition to asylum seeker plans
Barnham could follow suit after Piddington voted to leave the UK in a symbolic referendum held last week
Trump is like no leader I’ve ever met, ex-ambassador to US tells PM ahead of meeting
Exclusive: Former US ambassador Lord Kim Darroch and ex-foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind offer the prime minister advice ahead of his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump
Truss’ mini-Budget disaster cannot deter Healey from taking bold action, says Hunt
Sir Jeremy Hunt told The Independent that Andy Burnham should not fall into the trap of simply ‘doing things that get through the moment’, warning that tinkering around the edges would be a ‘missed opportunity’ for Britain
Reform’s £72m crypto war chest could be hampered by spending rules review
Electoral Commission review into political spending will look at whether current limits ‘remain fit for purpose’
Zack Polanski speaks Bengali in bid to reach by-election voters
The Green Party leader was mocked by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for his Urdu-speaking video earlier this week
All but four constituencies would support reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU
New in-depth polling finds 35 per cent of voters would choose EU membership as their preferred policy option – with just 11 per cent wanting looser ties with the bloc
Ex-Reform politician who defected to Plaid Cymru ‘lied’ about her views, Tice says
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected to Plaid Cymru after accusing Reform of having ‘no interest in Wales’
You could face prison for crimes committed by your children, minister warns parents
Parents could also risk losing their benefits or paying hefty fines as part of new reforms to the justice system
New Scottish Labour leader announced after Sarwar quit to join Burnham’s government
Scottish Labour suffered its worst result in the history of devolution in May’s Scottish Parliament elections
Four in 10 Brexit backers want UK to strengthen defence ties with Europe
Exclusive: Impact of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on global security means Andy Burnham’s Brexit ‘red lines’ are putting the UK at risk, Lib Dems say on the first day of their annual conference in Brighton
Labour accused of ‘softening’ UK up for ‘brutal budget’
Burnham has warned that next month’s Budget will be ‘challenging’
Spend £6bn to ‘save’ millions of renters at Budget, Burnham urged
Rental costs are increasingly unaffordable for lower-income households, new report warns
Green Party considered conference delay to focus on Zack Polanski’s by-election bid
Zack Polanski will stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election next month
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson takes senior job at Palantir
The former minister announced his new role as senior vice president on Friday
Tory defector criticises fellow Reform MP Jenrick’s ‘revolting’ Covid food boxes
Mr Kruger - who has been tasked with overseeing Reform’s preparations for government - argued that food boxes ‘should have been organised locally’ rather than being introduced by the government
Shabana Mahmood dubs far-right activist Danny Tommo ‘outright racist’
The home secretary said there was a difference between legitimate concerns felt by Piddington residents over a large-scale asylum centre and extremists who were ‘hijacking’ those fears
John Healey to urge EU ministers to include UK in ‘Made in Europe’ trade scheme
The Made in Europe scheme is designed to protect the continent’s manufacturing from global competition like China
Badenoch instructs lawyers to fight government over Wandsworth’s 94% council tax rise
The Conservative Party leader has blamed a ‘40 per cent cut’ from central government for the huge tax hike
Burnham considering tax hike on holiday lets ahead of Budget
The chancellor is reportedly weighing up introducing a tax on holiday lets by classifying them as second homes rather than businesses
Thames Water’s £10bn creditor rescue deal should be rejected, MPs say
The rescue plan by creditors is seen as the final realistic option to avoid Thames Water being placed into a special administration regime
Andy Burnham doubles on net zero commitment after calls to scrap the phrase
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated the party no longer supports hitting net zero by 2050, while Reform UK branded the target ‘net stupid zero’
Leaked No 10 papers show Labour’s desperate final bid to save Starmer
Former prime minister’s successor Andy Burnham has announced a number of the measures in the blueprint
DWP could scrap PIP for millions of high earners to save £8bn, Burnham told
The controversial suggestion has been criticised by disability charities
Iceland boss warns Andy Burnham: Stop acting like Father Christmas
UK’s former cost-of-living tsar, Richard Walker, warned the prime minister he needed to start making ‘unpopular decisions’ in the upcoming Budget
Reform to hand crypto investors hundreds of millions in tax breaks
Exclusive: Analysis seen by The Independent reveals the wealthiest crypto investors would get £100m a year in tax relief from Nigel Farage’s party
Sadiq Khan mocks Zack Polanski by speaking to him in Urdu
‘I thought as the member is so proficient in Urdu, that I would speak in Urdu’, London mayor quips at Green leader
Navy chief sends warning as Russia ‘probes for weakness’
Navy chief Sir Gwyn Jenkins believes Russia is ‘the greatest threat to our security today’
UK should not shy away from the ‘moral purpose’ of foreign aid, new minister says
Kirsty McNeill – the new minister for development, who formerly worked at Save the Children – has emphasised that she is a ‘huge believer in aid’ in two speaking engagements that mark her taking up the post
Former cabinet secretary who got £860k payout takes House of Lords seat
Sir Chris Wormald left his role as head of the civil service back in February
Haigh warns of ‘huge risk’ from AI unless proper safety measures put in place
First Secretary Louise Haigh said artificial intelligence had the potential to improve lives but guardrails were needed to prevent harm.
UK accused of ‘cutting corners’ on climate spending as El Nino looms
‘Rather than striving to deliver genuine climate and nature outcomes, the government has been cutting corners to maintain spending commitments,’ says chair of parliament’s International Development Committee, Sarah Champion
What Piddington’s revolt says about the UK in 2026
The independence vote in the Oxfordshire village has echoes of a 1949 Ealing comedy, political editor David Maddox notes – but Labour needs to understand that this is not a laughing matter
Scrap the term ‘net zero’ — it’s too toxic, net zero committee urges
Calling for a major rebranding of the effort to tackle climate change, the cross-party committee said the term had become a ‘lightning rod for opposition to climate action’
Reform police commissioner scraps 130-date theatre tour after public backlash
Colin Sutton was to host a live stage production called The Makings Of A Murderer – Double Jeopardy
Burnham urged to reject new North Sea drilling days before first Trump meeting
Almost 600 climate scientists, health professionals and conservationists have warned against approving the Rosebank oil field
Shadow Chancellor warns Labour against tax rises and red tape for small businesses
In his first major speech Andrew Griffith will also urge the Government to take further steps to help small businesses and self-employed people
UK urged to ban Patriot Platform behind anti-migrant protests
Exclusive: Shami Chakrabarti says group ‘appears explicitly to intend and incite violence and intimidation’ and their uniforms signify ‘a private army’
Burnham admits Budget will be ‘challenging’ after inflation rises
Chancellor John Healey will deliver the first Budget under Andy Burnham’s leadership next month
Everything Burnham and Trump have said about each other ahead of expected meeting
The leaders have spoken twice on the phone but have recently been at odds over major issues including the Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland
The future of AI depends on Donald Trump, says ex-national security adviser
The UK is doing ‘groundbreaking’ work on AI safety – but the risk all depends on what the US and and China decide, says Jonathan Black
Reform MS who defected to Plaid Cymru says Nigel Farage’s party is ‘falling apart’
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd quit Nigel Farage’s party following the resignation of Reform UK’s leader in Wales
What will Reform spend its £72m war chest on?
After two crypto billionaires handed Reform UK £72m in just 48 hours, former No 10 adviser Cleo Watson explains where the money could go — and Helen MacNamara argues why it could change more than the party’s campaign operation. Report by Maja Anushka
In The Room | Reform’s £72m war chest - and how real are AI doomsday warnings?
Reform’s money trail is still dominating the headlines, with two billionaire donors handing the party £72m in just 48 hours. In this episode, Helen and Cleo look at why attempts to curb big money in British politics keep failing, and why Labour’s own position is more complicated than it seems. And as anxiety over AI moves into the mainstream, we speak to Jonathan Black, who spent two decades at the heart of government, including as Deputy National Security Adviser.
Burnham must crack down on covert filming to keep women safe, campaigners warn
Exclusive: The PM has been urged to close gaps in the law, warning women are subject to ‘surveillance and exploitation’ by non-consensual filming in public spaces
UK urged to follow Canada’s example as it looks set to be ‘associate member’ of EU
Canada’s PM Mark Carney is pivoting to Europe amid his country’s trade war with Donald Trump
Thatcher’s ‘favourite council’ plans 94% tax rise after government cuts
Known as Margaret Thatcher’s ‘favourite council’ for it’s historically low tax rates, Wandsworth Council said it would raise tax on Band D properties by £958
Count Binface reveals whether he’ll stand in by-election for Starmer’s old seat
Count Binface has announced whether he is standing as a candidate to succeed Sir Keir Starmer in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. It comes after the comedy candidate came second to Nigel Farage in August’s Clacton contest. Some 15 candidates are standing to succeed the former prime minister. A full list of all the challengers has been published here. The by-election was triggered after Sir Keir announced he would stand down as MP for the London constituency when Parliament returned on 1 September.
Andy Burnham will need to raise taxes or cut spending in Budget, economists warn
The government’s £23bn fiscal headroom, which acts as a buffer against economic shocks, is thought to have fallen to around £5bn
Burnham: My dad would want me to push on and make change
Burnham’s father died earlier this week after suffering from Alzheimer’s
Oxfordshire village votes to leave UK in protest at plans to house migrants nearby
The Home Office is considering using the nearby Bicester barracks to house 1,250 people, angering many village residents
Grooming gang survivor mistakenly sent letter about perpetrators’ early release
Shabana Mahmood told MPs that the Ministry of Justice had sent a ‘series of letters’ incorrectly in the wake of the government’s plans to release prisoners early
Labour to make it harder to stop working from home
Louise Haigh made the announcement to the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) in Brighton
Reform’s Welsh leader quits after ‘being reported to police’
Reform UK leader in Wales said he was ‘reported to the police and was released without charge’
The UK had a plan for Nigeria’s security nightmare. Then came the aid cuts
Nigeria has been seen by the UK as a bulwark against increased conflict, terrorism and turmoil across Africa, writes the chair of parliament’s International Development Committee, Sarah Champion. However, the government has broken a promise to boost our ‘mutual national security’ thanks to the reality of aid cuts
Ex-cabinet secretary handed payout worth over £2,000 a day after being forced out
Lord Wormald’s payout equates to around £2,000 for each day in his role as cabinet secretary
Number of people claiming Pip hits record 4.1 million ahead of Labour welfare reform
The benefit is ‘not fit for purpose’, according to one senior Labour minister
Fury as Reform UK launch small boats mobile ‘game’
Reform launches mobile game amid questions over party’s £72 million donations
Famous bearskin hats worn by Buckingham Palace guards face axe over ethical concerns
They say that the government’s use of real bearskin sourced from Canada is ‘impossible to justify’
Reform UK’s £72m crypto tycoon donors could face enhanced residency checks
Amid reports both men have already returned to the country, ministers are looking at how to toughen residency requirements governing political donations
UK will ‘heed the warnings’ about AI risks, senior minister Louise Haigh to say
She will say artificial intelligence has enormous potential but the Government will not ignore the risks posed by the technology.
The new type of ID you can use as proof of age in pubs and shops
The changes to the licensing act that come into force on Tuesday apply to businesses in England and Wales
A third of UK electorate may vote tactically because they are ‘terrified’ of Reform
The More in Common survey found that more than half of supporters of Labour, the Lib Dems and Greens are prepared to vote tactically to prevent Nigel Farage from becoming PM
Who are the biggest donors bankrolling Reform, Labour and the Tories?
The Independent looks at the individuals pouring millions of pounds into Britain’s political parties
Ex-Met Police detective to stand for Reform UK in Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Former counter-terrorism commander Pete Newman, who responded to the aftermath of the July 7 bombings, will contest the seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer
Andy Burnham’s father, who had Alzheimer’s, dies
The prime minister has cancelled all of his engagements following his father’s death
Nigel Farage more unpopular than ever, new poll shows
Nigel Farage now has a net favourability rating of -45, identical to Sir Keir Starmer’s score just before his resignation as prime minister
Labour peer urges cap on all political donations after Reform row
Lord David Blunkett said political donations – including from trade unions – should be capped
Government vows to ‘seriously address’ limits on political donations
Schools minister Georgia Gould said the government is ‘really worried about the the big money that's coming into politics’
Sweden’s next government uncertain with thin lead for left-wing opposition after tight election
Sweden’s next government remains uncertain as the national election inches toward a final result
MPs and peers call for new law to curb AI’s risk to human rights and privacy
AI is ‘moving with such speed and complexity that its impact is hard to accurately predict’
Burnham to urge ‘culture shift’ to unlock UK’s business potential
The PM says he wants to make it easier to start and grow a business
More than half of local election candidates suffered abuse in 2026
55 per cent of candidates encountered intimidation or abuse during their campaigns, marking an increase from 47 per cent in the previous year
Boris Johnson hits out at Putin after near miss with Russian drone
A Russian drone hit near a train behind the one the former prime minister was travelling on
Starmer by-election is Burnham’s ‘test run’ for early general election
Exclusive: The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is being used as a test to see if Andy Burnham has nullified the threat from the Greens on the left, with leader Zack Polanski running as a candidate, according to Labour sources
Farage knew Putin was using crypto to evade sanctions – but invested in it anyway
Labour has claimed the Reform UK leader has questions to answer over his judgement
Trump says Burnham is a ‘very nice guy’ but ‘on the liberal side’
Trump also reiterated his belief that Burnham intended to approve more drilling in the North Sea
Labour’s crackdown on Reform donations is a bid to save democracy – and itself
In being so brazen about trying to remove funding that Nigel Farage’s party has received, Labour opens an entire new Pandora’s box on the issue, as political editor David Maddox reports
Reform could face action over £72m crypto donations, Rayner warns
The housing secretary was reacting to two £36m donations to Nigel Farage’s party in 48 hours
Support for rejoining EU after Brexit at an all-time high, says leading pollster
Exclusive: But another referendum could still be on a knife edge, Sir John Curtice suggests
Swedish voters go to polls to choose a new parliament as hard right bids for role in government
Voters in Sweden are heading to the polls on Sunday to decide if the conservative leader stays in power or if the center-left returns
The crypto billionaires behind Reform’s eye-watering £72 million donations
Christopher Harborne has previously donated to the Brexit Party and the Conservatives, while Ben Delo was pardoned by Donald Trump just last year
Burnham to slash energy bills by up to £200 – see if you’re eligible
Ofgem’s energy price cap surge will increase by £60 per year
All Reform MPs given 24-hour security after Ann Widdecombe killing
Sarah Pochin said her children have begged her to quit politics because they fear for her safety