Starmer to unveil 'milestones' on election pledges

Vowing Labour is "knuckling down" on meeting its promises, the prime minister outlines a new phase for his government, which will start in the coming week.

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MPs who backed assisted dying bill say concerns remain

The bill faces further scrutiny, during which MPs and peers could choose to amend parts of it.

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Tears, hope and fear as assisted dying bill passed

While MPs debated the bill in parliament, supporters and opponents gathered outside.

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Government to review second miners' pension scheme

Former pit miners protested their exclusion from the £1.5bn pensions pot returned to miners.

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Haigh admits pleading guilty to 2014 criminal offence

The transport secretary says she admitted to a criminal offence relating to a police investigation.

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Tories to vote on Welsh leader's future

It follows months of pressure on the Welsh Conservative Senedd leader over a series of rows.

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Lammy plays down criticism of Chagos Islands deal

The UK foreign secretary dismisses criticism of the agreement as "politicking" before elections.

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Government to review Post Office-style prosecutions

The government is to review the oversight of private prosecutions, after the Post Office Horizon scandal.

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Lib Dem leader Ed Davey in bid for Christmas No 1

The party leader has teamed up with the Bath Philharmonia's Young Carers' Choir to release a charity single.

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Ex-PM David Cameron backs assisted dying bill

Lord Cameron previously opposed assisted dying but says the current bill "is about shortening death".

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Electric car targets could be eased as demand flags

The government faces pressure from the industry to make changes to electric vehicle sales quotas.

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MPs back plans for phased smoking ban

The legislation would make it illegal for anyone aged 15 or younger to ever buy cigarettes in the UK.

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New Mauritius PM has reservations about UK's Chagos deal

Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in power for a fortnight, spoke after meeting British envoy Jonathan Powell.

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Is Mary Lou McDonald still Sinn Féin's biggest asset?

The popularity of McDonald and her party appears to have fallen as Ireland prepares for the election.

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MPs brand UK financial regulator 'incompetent'

A report by a group of MPs and peers called for the Financial Conduct Authority to be overhauled.

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New cash for job centres in plan to boost workforce

The government reveals a £240m investment plan to increase the number of people working in Britain.

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Treasury to give Scotland £300m as tax hike compensation

UK government says SNP have "no more excuses", though Scottish ministers claimed the move would cost them £500m.

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Chris Mason: Will assisted dying vote pass? It's far from clear

This week the House of Commons will make a decision that could have consequences for decades.

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Tax rises will make it harder to hire, says CBI

The head of the CBI will say tax rises seen at the Budget "must never again simply be done to business".

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PM to meet police and hospitality bosses over spiking

Keir Starmer says tackling spiking is "personal", as the government pledges more training for bar staff.

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Young people who refuse to work to lose benefits - minister

Liz Kendall says young people will have a responsibility to take up new opportunities for "earning or learning".

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Assisted dying bill about right to choose, minister says

Labour’s cabinet remains divided on how to vote on Friday’s bill to legalise assisted dying.

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UK wants to hire EU negotiator to 'reset' relations

The role will “prepare and lead negotiations with the EU on key UK interests”, the job posting said.

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The Sex Pistol, ex-MP and the fight for live music

The legendary punk band founder tells how he and an MP found a common interest: keeping music live.

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Steve Rosenberg: After days of escalation, what will Putin do next?

BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg assesses the Russian leader's next move.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/uv97OdU

Leasehold reforms set out amid concerns over delays

Campaigners say the overhaul is welcome but will not come fast enough to help existing leaseholds.

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John Prescott: Political bruiser who played vital role in Labour comeback

As deputy prime minister for 10 years, he was part of the team that won three successive elections.

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Lord Prescott was most 'talented and unusual' politician - Blair

John Prescott who served under Tony's Blair's Labour government has died aged 86.

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Longest-serving MPs unite to oppose assisted dying

Labour's Diane Abbott and Conservative Sir Edward Leigh say they fear the bill will put the vulnerable at risk.

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Ukraine fires UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at Russia for first time

The BBC understands the long-range missiles have been fired into Russian territory by Ukraine.

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Higher energy bills push UK inflation to 2.3%

The pace at which prices rise accelerated by more than expected last month, official figures show.

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No plans to join Bluesky yet, Starmer says

The social media platform has been rapidly growing in popularity since the US presidential election.

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Chris Mason: What the farmers' protest tells us about their argument with the government

Why has the inheritance tax for farmers argument got so noisy, so quickly?

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Donald Trump to visit Scotland next year, son says

Thousands of people protested Trump's last visit to Scotland as president in 2018.

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Sarwar pledges to expand winter fuel payment

The Scottish Labour leader says his party will expand eligibility if they form the next government at Holyrood.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/az5RU09

Warning retail job cuts ‘inevitable’ after Budget

Retail firms have written to the chancellor to say they cannot manage rising costs and tax bills.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/yjWC2ht

UK-India trade talks to re-launch in the new year

Sir Keir Starmer met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit of global economic leaders.

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'Meet us before it's too late,' nuclear test veterans urge PM

The last of 22,000 personnel who witnessed the UK’s nuclear bomb tests want answers from the PM.

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'Exploitative' children's home profits to be curbed

The new measures aim to stop private care home providers benefiting excessively from a stretched system.

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Chris Mason: Farmers head to Westminster as inheritance tax anger grows

Starmer's farmer-alarmer in the Budget could crystalise anger over ministers’ perceived ignorance about agricultural life.

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Starmer to meet Chinese President Xi at G20 summit

The first in-person meeting since 2018 will come as the PM prioritises shoring up support for Ukraine.

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Davey: Welsh Lib Dem leader must reflect on position

Jane Dodds has been criticised in a report into abuse while working for Church of England.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/2CAUfOd

Minister urges farmers to 'look calmly' at tax plans

Daniel Zeichner insists the "vast majority of farmers" will not be affected by inheritance tax plans.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/fv2NlTV

Bus services across England to share £1bn boost

The government says it wants London-style bus services in every corner of England.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/JrH0ajN

Lord Blunkett injured in Tube platform gap fall

The Labour Peer, who is blind is urging Transport for London to do more for visually impaired people.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/0L96iCG

Farmers protest as Starmer defends Budget

Protesters opposing changes to inheritance tax for farms gather outside the Welsh Labour conference.

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'Genuine impasse' at top of government about social care plan, insiders say

Multiple sources say the Treasury is deeply nervous about the cost of fixing social care, and that the PM is yet to decide how to proceed.

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I felt enormous guilt, says ex-MP in honeytrap scandal

Earlier this year, William Wragg admitted sharing other MPs' numbers with someone he met on a dating app.

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Lakeside hotel 'inappropriate' for asylum seekers

Two MPs call on the Home Office to find an alternative location for 146 asylum seekers.

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No 10 sorry for meat and alcohol at Diwali event

A Tory MP accused No 10 of a "disappointing lack of knowledge" about the traditions of Hinduism.

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Home Office 'cut corners' buying £15m migrant camp

The government watchdog finds the Home Office made "a series of poor decisions" buying the site in East Sussex.

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Building more prisons not answer to crisis - Gauke

The man in charge of reviewing sentencing says a more "strategic" approach to prisons is needed.

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Bid to soften farm tax change rejected by Treasury

The department for rural affairs suggested exempting some older farmers from having to pay, Newsnight is told.

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Met faces service cuts without more cash, says chief

Sir Mark Rowley says he is "deeply troubled" by negotiations so far on the force's funding next year.

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'Too small' pension funds hold back growth - Reeves

The chancellor wants to merge the UK's pension funds, but critics worry about the impact on savers.

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League tables to reveal failing NHS trusts

Hospitals in England will be ranked on care and finances, so patients can look for good service.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/wt0rAsY

Wales pushes ahead with tourism tax plans

New law would allow councils to charge tourists to stay overnight in Welsh hotels.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/vRzdyDk

Is this the final chapter of the Sue Gray saga?

The government has confirmed Sue Gray will not take up her post as the PM's envoy to the nations and regions.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/oYWjlh7

MPs back end of House of Lords hereditary peers

The proposals will now undergo further scrutiny in the Lords, where they are expected to face tough opposition.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/ZeQyY01

Assisted dying bill: What is it and what's in proposed law?

The proposed law would allow some terminally ill adults to end their own lives. But there are requirements.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/NyQMZit

Flynn aims to stand for SNP at Holyrood election

Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have also applied to be candidates, but are yet to confirm whether they will stand.

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Assisted dying bill has strict safeguards, MP says

Adults expected to die within six months would be eligible under the proposals for England and Wales.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/U8bRZDI

Fujitsu boss 'does not know' if Horizon is reliable

Paul Patterson raises concerns about the system at the heart of sub-postmasters' wrongful convictions.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/bWcjfB2

Covid inquiry told Treasury blocked NHS bed request

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard says the decision, in July 2020, was very disappointing.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/2uMbSTN

Starmer set for Trump and Ukraine talks with Macron

The pair are likely to discuss Donald Trump's US election win when they meet for Armistice Day events in Paris.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/AeT8Wwc

Return of unpredictable president puts UK defence spending top of agenda

Politicians say we're living in dangerous times, and Trump is a lot less willing than Biden to pay for Europe's defence.

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UK's Ukraine support 'resolute' after Trump win

Darren Jones says there "shouldn't be an element of conceding to illegal invasions from Russia".

from BBC News https://ift.tt/noCtTNp

What's so wrong with Right To Buy?

The Labour government is expected to make major changes to the Right To Buy scheme launched in the 1980s.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/lWuFy2T

Blair-era health secretary returns as NHS advisor

Campaigners raise concerns about Alan Milburn's private sector links in his new role overseeing NHS reforms.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/HKBAjSc

Swinney urges UK to cover NI hike for charities

The first minister wants the Treasury to compensate voluntary bodies, GPs, universities and care providers.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/zPGup8s

Lammy dismisses past criticism of Trump as 'old news'

The foreign secretary previously called Trump a "tyrant" and "xenophobic" when he was a backbench MP.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/nw0jPLc

Support for Ukraine 'iron-clad', PM tells Zelensky

The leaders met at a European summit in Hungary amid fears President-elect Trump might curb aid to Ukraine.

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Will Trump's victory spark a global trade war?

Trump has promised tariffs on all foreign goods. If he follows through, many smaller economies may be forced to respond in kind.

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Tenants may not be able to buy new council homes - Rayner

Angela Rayner told the BBC restrictions would be placed on new social homes in England.

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Trump win provokes trade-offs and dilemmas for UK

The president-elect's positions on issues ranging from Ukraine to trade have implications for the UK.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/FUIHGZy

New deals with Balkan states to target people smugglers

The agreements aim to increase intelligence sharing as part of efforts to tackle small boat crossings.

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What a Trump victory would mean for the UK

How will Keir Starmer, the former north London human rights lawyer, gel with the brash New York billionaire?

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Netanyahu and Starmer lead congratulations to Trump

Hungary's prime minister hails a "much-needed victory for the world", and France's president said it would work with him "with respect and ambition".

from BBC News https://ift.tt/EFqhpcO

UK shifts from 'big brother' approach to showing Africa more respect

David Lammy is on his first visit to the continent since he became foreign secretary.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/O6mMbBa

Bill to ban police cell mental health detentions

The move is part of an overhaul of decades-old mental health legislation in England and Wales.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/cePC5F9

Plans to ban smoking outside schools and hospitals

Government proposals could mean some places become vape-free too, subject to consultation.

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Chris Mason: Not exactly perfect harmony for Tories

Reshuffling Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet is proving tricky, the BBC's political editor writes.

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Green energy plan needs 600 miles of power lines - report

Energy planners say Labour's 2030 electricity net zero target is "achievable" but a "huge challenge".

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Shoplifting levels 'unacceptable', inquiry finds

Cases are underreported and "immediate action" is needed to tackle the crisis, a Lords review finds.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/9raDcRI

Mothers challenge government over child benefit cap

A charity supporting the women say the Universal Credit policy is "discriminatory and irrational".

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Slavery reparations not about transfer of cash, says Lammy

Speaking in Nigeria, the UK foreign secretary said he wanted Britain to develop relations with Africa.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/f89Cw4B

Unite union may bring legal action over winter fuel payments

Unite has called on the government to reverse the cut for millions of pensioners.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/BwxskuL

MP says she faces racist abuse almost every day

Satvir Kaur says she has attracted more misogynists, racists and haters since becoming an MP.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/howHgmb

Watch: MP takes on pro-MMA fighter in charity bout

Watch: Will Stone MP grapples with a pro-MMA fighter to raise money for a mental health charity.

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Kemi Badenoch announced as new Tory leader

The former business secretary is the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK.

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Reform UK ousts Labour in local by-election

Anita Stanley secured the win in Bilston North, following the death of Labour councillor Sue Roberts.

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Badenoch is favourite, but will she clinch Tory leadership crown?

BBC political editor Chris Mason gives the run down on how the Tory Party leadership result could play out.

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How many farms will be affected by Budget tax rises?

Estimates of the number of farms affected range from 100 to 70,000.

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Shadow secretary says he hasn't visited NI due to lack of funds

Conservative MP Alex Burghart has defended not visiting Northern Ireland during his time as shadow secretary.

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Tories talk trauma and trust over tikka masala

At their regular curry night, Conservatives say who should lead the party.

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