48 minutes ago Starmer breaks his silence on demand for fresh election as petition tops 2MILLION signatures: PM blames 'difficult' Budget decisions for massive backlash

The PM blamed 'difficult' decisions in the Budget for the huge backlash he has been facing as he appeared on ITV 's This Morning.

Politics

52 minutes ago New charge for anyone staying overnight in Wales as tourism tax introduced

The Welsh Government has announced that a 'tourism tax' will be imposed on holidaymakers from 2027 - with families of four set to pay an extra £4-£6 per night to stay

Politics

53 minutes ago UK politics live: Starmer dismisses online petition calling for new election

PM says it has been driven by people who never backed Labour anywayQ: Are you feeling the pressure? There is a petition signed by 2 million people calling for another election.Starmer says he is not surprised that people who did not support Labour in the first place want the election to be re-run. But that is not how the system worked.I’m not surprised, quite frankly, that as we’re doing the tough stuff, there are plenty of people who say, ‘Well, I’m impacted.’I think anybody who’s turned around an organisation or a business will tell you, and they’re right, if you’re really going to turn something around, you have to do the hard yards upfront. Don’t look at a tough decision and then leave it for a year or two.So we’re doing the tough stuff. But in the budget, which is probably the toug...

Politics

55 minutes ago Wall Street heading for record high after Scott Bessent nominated as US Treasury secretary; Barclays fined £40m over 2008 Qatari deal – business live

Bonds rally and dollar dips as investors welcome choice of billionaire hedge fund manager Bessent as next Treasury secretaryNewsflash: A deputy governor at the Bank of England has warned that it is “too early to declare victory” in the fight against inflation.Clare Lombardelli has told a conference at the Bank this morning that inflation has fallen steeply over the past two years. But, she is concerned that there are signs that the process of “wage disinflation” may be slowing, which would keep the cost of living rising faster than the Bank’s target.The outlook for wages and services prices is unclear from here.We need to see more evidence that wage growth and services inflation will continue their journey down to target-consistent rates.The UK economy has made good progress on disinfla...

Economics

56 minutes ago 'I won Omaze draw – there's a catch not many people think of before hitting jackpot'

Omaze winner Sarah Perry has declared 'Christmas has come early' after she bagged a stunning £500,000 property in the draw – but a previous winner wasn't as thrilled to win their prize

Events

56 minutes ago Mother of schoolgirl, eight, screamed 'My baby's been shot!' after she was hit in crossfire as police hunt Ladbroke Grove gunman who targeted her and man, 34

Armed police officers were called to Southern Row in Kensington, at 5.34pm on Sunday following reports of gunfire. Witnesses say they heard 'four or five shots' and screaming.

Events

63 minutes ago Overnight visitors to Wales could pay ‘tourism tax’ under Welsh Government plans

The Welsh Government estimated that the levy could generate up to £33 million a year if all Welsh local authorities introduce it.

Politics

67 minutes ago Moana 2 UK release date: are you allowed to sing in the cinema during the movie?

Moana 2 star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson encourages fans to sing while watching the movie, which hits UK cinemas this week

Culture

73 minutes ago Wicked director defends film’s colour grading after ‘washed out’ appearance divides fans

‘There’s colour all over it’ the director hit back

Politics

76 minutes ago Adele reveals future plans in emotional speech after playing final Las Vegas residency show

The Someone Like You hit-maker completed her run of 100 shows in Sin City on November 23

Politics