14 h. ago Christmas ‘spray and pay’ parcel delivery scam warning issued by expert

Sending and receiving parcels ahead of Christmas? A consumer expert has issued a word of warning as a “massive” scam rocks the UK.

Events

22 h. ago Europe is holding the line against Trump’s and Putin’s plans for Ukraine. But it won’t be able to for ever | Martin Kettle

In the 21st-century imbalance of power, Europe and Nato have neither the arms nor the wealth to impel Russia or the US to take its peace settlement seriouslyThe failure of this week’s peace talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff fits into a now well-established pattern of standoffs on Ukraine during Trump’s second term. But the dynamic that produced these talks may be becoming more entrenched. The US and Russian interests driving the process have not changed, while the conflict on the ground is intensifying. The lack of progress this week means there will be another attempt to end the war soon, and perhaps another after that, until, one day, there is some kind of US-backed deal to halt the conflict on terms broadly favouring Russia.The geopolitical algorithm driving this effort is too consistent to ignore. It has been repeated ever since Trump re-entered the White House in January. On the campaign trail, Trump had claimed he could stop the war in a day. ...

Politics

36 h. ago Gnarly Buttons: Maximiliano Martín on performing the music of John Adams with the SCO

With a “rodeo ride” of a second movement, featuring cow noises and jangling banjo, to a deeply emotional finale, there’s never a dull moment in John Adams’s Gnarly Buttons, Maximiliano Martín tells David Kettle

Politics

7 d. ago Firefighter boss loses unfair dismissal case after failing to challenge sexist language

Simon Bailey, 58, was given a written warning after failing to stop colleagues using the word 'fireman' to a female firefighter.

Events

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves’s budget has inflamed, not calmed, Britain’s febrile mood | Martin Kettle

The chancellor’s statement will be remembered for the many taxes it raised, rather than the big one – income tax – it did notRachel Reeves’s chancellorship was already balanced on a knife-edge, even before the 2025 budget. After she delivered her second budget statement, it still is. Even more than usual, Wednesday’s speech was full of significant fiscal changes, altered spending commitments and adjusted economic forecasts, most of them accidentally (and, for journalists, conveniently) released a short while in advance by the obviously misnamed Office for Budget Responsibility. Politically, however, almost nothing has changed at all.Reeves arrived in the Treasury last year offering what she, like Keir Starmer, had promised as the Conservative years ebbed: competence, stability and, above all, a focus on economic growth. Her problem, despite her upbeat assessments, is that she has delivered none of them. Nothing about the 2025 budget guarantees any early change in that, however defia...

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer responds to damning Covid Inquiry report as huge failings unearthed

Keir Starmer has said the Government will 'carefully consider' the findings of Baroness Heather Hallett, who said Boris Johnson's dithering cost more than 20,000 lives

Events

2 w. ago Defence Secretary's two word warning to Putin after Russia aims lasers at RAF jets

We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story

Events

2 w. ago Wilfried Nancy will soon see the Celtic limitations brutally exposed but don’t dare give me the Ange chat – Chris Sutton

The soon-to-be Parkhead boss has had a firm word of warning from the Celtic icon

Politics

3 w. ago Streeting refuses to discuss ‘silly Westminster soap opera’ after briefing row

The Health Secretary, who was the subject of coup rumours, said he did not care whether Sir Keir Starmer was investigating the source of the claims.

Politics

3 w. ago A word of warning to the hounds circling Starmer: be careful what you wish for | Martin Kettle

With this level of unpopularity, the question of the PM’s future may seem simple. But what comes next could be nastily complicatedBe absolutely clear. Keir Starmer is in very deep trouble indeed. Perhaps belatedly, he himself grasps this. His team and his ministers knew it already. His party and the public get it too. For this deeply unpopular Labour prime minister, the words approval rating are a contradiction in terms.The eruption of speculation about Starmer’s future this week may have taken people by surprise. Where did that suddenly come from? The short answer is that No 10 briefed the latest twist – that Starmer expects to face and defeat a leadership challenge – on Tuesday evening. The longer one is that the Starmer leadership issue has been steadily gaining traction and credibility among MPs since the summer. This story is not a Westminster confection. Politically, it is very real. Dismiss it at your peril.Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Starmer slams ‘utterly spineless’ Farage for failing to condemn Reform councillor who called children in care ‘evil’

Sir Keir Starmer labelled Nigel Farage “utterly spineless” after the Reform UK leader failed to condemn a councillor from his party who called children in care “evil”.

Events

3 w. ago Keir Starmer to address nation after 'facing plots to oust him' by fellow MPs

Wes Streeting, Health Secretary, has been labelled as one of the plotters but denied the allegations on BBC Radio 4 this morning as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to fight for his career

Politics