Labour ministers tread carefully as welfare reform looms

The government is not just looking at reforming the benefits system - it is preparing to put it at the heart of its economic agenda.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/Yyz6QIh

Patel clarifies defence of party's immigration record

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch appears to distance herself from Priti Patel's comments on immigration.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/mjn0Fca

No targets for aviation or farming in UK climate plan

The UK has set an ambitious goal to radically reduce carbon emissions by 2035.

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

Reeves changes mind over Leeds airport expansion

Rachel Reeves has said she would now support any expansion, despite previously opposing the plans.

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

First Humanitarian Medal winner recalls 'extreme devastation'

The first recipients of the new Humanitarian Medal have been announced, honouring rescue workers.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/3mTvqQn

Ex-Tory leader warned over repeated rule breaches

An ex-Welsh Conservative leader has been warned he will be punished if he breaks Senedd rules again.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/qwO1Cgo

How quickly could Rachel Reeves' new plans boost growth?

The chancellor announced a range of reforms on Wednesday - including a new runway for Heathrow airport.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/tVB0Pdk

Warning higher borrowing costs may mean tax rises

The Resolution Foundation says the risk of the government breaking its own fiscal rules "remains on a knife edge".

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

Reeves backs Heathrow expansion to boost UK growth

The chancellor announces wide-ranging plans to get the UK's sluggish economy moving.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/Nrd1mPx

Chris Mason: Labour must make economic growth ideas work this time

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is seeking to inject optimism into the economy and a sense that Labour can get things done.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/qu1pakd

Reeves expected to welcome Heathrow expansion plans

The chancellor is expected to make the announcement as part of a speech about growth on Wednesday.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/qc9rvyQ

Biased AI rejected my job applications, says ex-MP

Former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies says CV scanners rejected him over lack of a university degree.

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

What is assisted dying and how could the law change?

MPs backed a proposal to let terminally ill people in England and Wales choose to end their life.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/KJD5UYE

Pension shake-up plan aims to boost growth

Restrictions on surplus cash in pension schemes could be eased to get more money into the economy.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/yni8saB

Cooper to reject call to widen extremism definition

The home secretary rejects the central findings of a report she commissioned last year.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/T1GzBeC

Temporary housing linked to deaths of at least 74 children

Official data show that 58 of those children were babies under the age of one.

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

Outgoing Muslim Council leader criticises lack of government contact

Zara Mohammed tells BBC the difficulties she faced as she ends her time as Muslim Council of Britain leader.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/EHiofz8

Chris Mason: Warm words, for now, between Trump and Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spent 45 minutes on the phone over the weekend.

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

Starmer pledges to make Holocaust education 'national endeavour'

The prime minister says while we remember the six million Jewish victims "we must also act".

from BBC News https://ift.tt/gkDU36w

Streeting accuses Farage of 'miserabilist' vision for UK

The health secretary says Reform UK has a "poverty of ambition" for the UK that Labour "utterly rejects".

from BBC News https://ift.tt/RC4v0A8

Growth at all costs? Why Reeves is in a sudden rush on the economy

The chancellor raised taxes in the Budget - but now she wants to get rid of barriers to business. Why the change of focus?

from BBC News https://ift.tt/vP1OTta

What are Parliament's bars really like?

Westminster's drinking culture is in the spotlight after a bar was closed over an alleged spiking incident.

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

MP abuse worse than Jo Cox era, says sister Leadbeater

Leadbeater says her bill to legalise assisted dying has exposed her to unprecedented levels of "nastiness".

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

Landslide election cost £52m in staff turnover payments

Parliamentary standards body says the last election saw an "almost-unprecedented" staff turnover.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/pLR5h4b

Misbehaving Welsh politicians may face recall vote

Members of the Senedd could face a referendum on their future if they are suspended.

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

EU 'could consider' UK joining pan-Europe customs scheme

The UK re-joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention is up for discussion in reset talks, says Maros Sefcovic.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/FL36EnS

PM vows to curb 'Nimby' legal blocks on infrastructure

The government wants to cut the number of legal challenges to infrastructure projects.

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

Former PM Sunak takes up Oxford and Stanford roles

The jobs are the first the former Conservative leader has taken since he returned to the backbenches.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/0pkuBX7

PM urged to close online child sex abuse loopholes

The Internet Watch Foundation revealed 2024 was the worst year on record for online child sexual abuse imagery.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/JQfU2Hm

Offshore wind firms told WWII bomb disposals must be less noisy

The government says the industry must find ways to clear the explosives without disrupting marine life.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/SrfqB5n

Tensions over when to make Southport details public

Questions continue over why UK authorities did not publish key details about Axel Rudakubana earlier than they did.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/6hydKPw

Government ousts UK competition watchdog chair

Marcus Bokkerink is leaving as the government signals it is serious about growth, the BBC understands.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/H9hgPQI

Secret UK 'mini cabinet' tries to plan for unpredictable Trump

On security and on the economy, Westminster feels both worry and hope as Donald Trump heads back to the White House.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/E5l2OCo

Her aunt's regime 'disappeared' people - so why did Starmer make her a minister?

Labour has long known about MP Siddiq's links to an autocrat in Bangladesh, so why was she appointed a minister?

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

Yes, Minister character is government's new AI assistant

A new suite of AI tools for civil servants are named 'Humphrey' after the scheming character.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/nkV73Cy

Can opposites Trump and Starmer find common ground?

The prime minister and the new president of the United States are rather different characters.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/jWQ7GmA

Government rejects request to pull Stormont brake

Unionist parties requested to have the brake pulled to stop incoming EU rules on packaging and labelling of chemicals.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/BI8VcEf

Secret UK 'mini cabinet' tries to plan for unpredictable Trump

On security and on the economy, Westminster feels both worry and hope as Donald Trump heads back to the White House.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/61uVvXq

Brexit fishing row heads for trade court showdown

The UK has banned European vessels from catching the silvery fish species in its North Sea waters but the EU is challenging the move.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/i8gM5RP

US-UK relations will flourish under Trump, says PM

Sir Keir Starmer sends his congratulations to Donald Trump ahead of the US presidential inauguration.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/7u5nm9v

Corbyn and McDonnell face police interview after pro-Palestinian rally

The former Labour leader and former shadow chancellor will voluntarily attend a police station.

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

Trump will want a good deal with UK, says minister

Darren Jones, the chancellor's second-in-command, is confident UK-US trading relationships could be deepened.

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

Cooper announces inquiries into grooming gangs

Plans include local investigations and a national audit of the ethnicity of victims and perpetrators.

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

Reeves says she won't let critics get her down

The chancellor tells the BBC she has got "what it takes" following a bumpy week for the UK economy.

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

Chris Mason: A clear nod to demands for a new child abuse inquiry

The BBC's political editor examines the government's announcement on grooming gangs.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/bKd0Nrt

No convictions for breaching sanctions on Russia

Sanctions were introduced after the Crimea annexation in 2014 and the wider invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/H2EzOJW

Borrowing costs fall after inflation surprise

Investors are now betting on an interest rate cut next month from the Bank of England.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/LDP2FXa

UK economy grows for first time in three months

Official figures show the economy grew by 0.1% in November, although that was lower than had been expected.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/R2YZsAu

PM visits Ukraine to sign 'landmark' 100-year pact

The deal is seen as a show of support for Ukraine, days before Donald Trump re-enters the White House.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/urYU1QW

UK must rejoin EU customs union, says Lib Dem Davey

Sir Ed will argue the move is needed to deal with the incoming Trump presidency in the US.

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

MPs call for miscarriage bereavement leave

Paid leave should be extended to parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks, a report by MPs says.

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

Gerry Adams in line for 'pay day' if Legacy Act repealed

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for "a pay day from the taxpayer" under plans to repeal the Legacy Act, a report backed by several peers has stated.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/AwYE8Ra

Chair of miscarriages of justice review body quits

Helen Pitcher "jumped as she was pushed", a government source said.

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

Reeves vows action on growth amid rising debt costs

The chancellor says she is "under no illusion" about the challenge facing UK public finances.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/aXm2jrL

Meeting with grooming victims 'shocking' - Badenoch

The Tory leader has been calling for a fresh inquiry into grooming gangs.

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

Siddiq urged to step back from anti-corruption duties

Siddiq, whose role includes tackling corruption in UK financial markets, has been named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/fIF9qyc

Chris Mason: Starmer and Reeves navigate tricky economic backdrop

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are the duo that best personify the Labour project of the 2020s.

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

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell to end marriage

Ms Sturgeon says she and the former SNP chief executive have been separated for "some time".

from BBC News https://ift.tt/j0XWFkH

Former New Labour adviser appointed to lead UK's EU reset

HSBC boss Michael Ellam was an adviser to Gordon Brown and now has rejoined government.

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

PM plans to 'unleash AI' across UK to boost growth

Leading tech firms are said to have committed £14bn towards the project, which could create more than 13,000 jobs.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/YR2BMc9

Facebook and X must comply with UK law - minister

Peter Kyle responds after Mark Zuckerberg confirms changes to how content on Meta is monitored.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/Rcl53Mj

Molly Russell's dad warns UK 'going backwards' on online safety and urges PM to act

In an exclusive interview, Ian Russell tells the BBC that he believes there is "no real movement" within government on online safety.

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

PM should sack Siddiq over corruption claims, Badenoch says

The Tory leader's call follows allegations about properties linked to her family in Bangladesh.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/TDI5y6C

'I don't like this Musk chap': Reform members say they're unbothered by spat

Activists gathering at a regional conference assess whether the US billionaire could help or hinder the party.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/R4j0gGi

Reeves pledges to 'make UK better off' on China visit

It follows criticism of the chancellor's trip which comes at a time of economic unease as UK borrowing costs rise.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/fARvl7t

Reform UK councillors resign in protest over Farage

A group of councillors in Derbyshire say the party "has lost its sense of direction" under Farage's leadership.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/eZ7dFlV

MP tells Commons of rape threat during Stormont school visit

Sorcha Eastwood has told the House of Commons that she is a "survivor of abuse".

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

Why are UK borrowing costs rising and what does it mean for me?

Government borrowing costs have hit their highest level for several years - what does it mean for you?

from BBC News https://ift.tt/HU4tiZV

Lammy challenges Trump's rhetoric days before White House return

The foreign secretary talks up UK-US relations - but clear divisions with the incoming president remain.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/ObIJ0uZ

MP calls for Letby retrial, claims 'no hard evidence'

Sir David Davis claims case notes reveal that the conviction of Lucy Letby was based on flawed evidence.

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

Half of English county councils could ask to delay elections

The councils want to delay votes to explore new plans to redesign local government in England.

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

People smugglers to see finances targeted by UK

The planned measures will target the finances of illegal smuggling networks, the Home Office says.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/n9ZJ3il

Advice sought on upgrading ketamine to Class A

Illegal use of the drug reached record levels last year, the Home Office said.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/1FlBopr

Faisal Islam: Soaring UK borrowing costs are a problem for Rachel Reeves

The Chancellor may face the prospect of breaking her own Budget rules

from BBC News https://ift.tt/UY4tjS3

Ros Atkins on...Elon Musk's political interventions

The BBC's Analysis Editor looks at Elon Musk's involvement in politics outside the US.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/2xuKDB5

Farage aims to 'mend fences' with Elon Musk in US

It comes after the tech billionaire called for Farage to be replaced as Reform UK leader.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/S7Rp8EN

Victims want action, child abuse inquiry chair says

Professor Alexis Jay responds to calls for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/JwF7Anv

Cooper promises law to tackle child abuse cover ups

The home secretary says those who fail to report child sexual abuse could face criminal sanctions.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/gZ5uzek

What is Starmer's record on prosecuting grooming gangs?

The prime minister has come under attack from Elon Musk over his record as director of public prosecutions.

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

Firms to raise prices due to tax and wage increases

Consumers could face higher costs in the coming months amid falling confidence among UK businesses.

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

Child sexual abuse inquiry chair urges government to act

A campaign group led by Prof Alexis Jay also warns against "politicising" sexual violence.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/NMeE3ZC

Musk looms large over UK politics as MPs return for 2025

Another year in Westminster has gotten off to an explosive start after the tech billionaire's intervention.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/Y46zZxB

Former Welsh Lib Dem Baroness Randerson dies aged 76

She was the first ever female Welsh Lib Dem to hold ministerial office at Westminster.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/8hAf6MB

Musk's grooming gangs attack on Phillips 'disgraceful smear', says Streeting

Wes Streeting says his cabinet colleague has "done more than most people ever do" to fight grooming gangs.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/q7t1sZx

Nigel Farage claims Reform can win power - but how realistic is that?

With new financial backers and a rapidly growing base, Reform UK seems to have momentum, but will it stay?

from BBC News https://ift.tt/97Zd4nj

Farage defends Musk after grooming gangs posts

The tech billionaire has used his X platform to heavily criticise the UK government and individual ministers.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/1fxdWTk

Farage distances himself from Musk on Robinson

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has voiced support for jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

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

How Trump and Musk's interventions prompt fresh diplomatic challenge

Politicians are navigating how to deal with the social media presence of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

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

Labour councillor quits party in transgender row

Zoe Hughes opposes a ban on puberty blockers but the government says children's welfare comes first.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/Kaf6onY

Long-term social care reform unlikely before 2028 - ministers

The government announces first steps to creating a National Care Service - but the final report is several years away.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/naC1Nop

Nick Clegg leaves Meta ahead of Trump's return as US president

He will be replaced by Republican Joel Kaplan, a former White House deputy chief of staff under President Bush.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/ar32vdt

Why is VAT being added to private school fees?

The government says the rule change will raise £460m extra to spend in state schools in 2024/25.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/rg9qhBu

Post Office scandal: MPs call for financial penalty for slow payouts

The business and trade select committee says the schemes are so poorly designed, the application process is like a second trial.

from BBC News https://ift.tt/ALgTOc3

Energy prices rise with warnings of more pain to come

The new year starts with a 1% increase in domestic gas and electricity prices under Ofgem's price cap.

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