2 h. ago The Guardian view on Farage’s cynical pitch: Labour must be bolder to see off the threat | Editorial

The Reform UK leader spies a route to power through appealing to blue collar voters. His speech is another wake-up call for Sir Keir Starmer’s governmentLast July, concluding his election victory speech after winning in Clacton, Nigel Farage announced that after inflicting grievous damage on the Conservative party that night, Reform UK would now “be coming for Labour”. Since then, on issues such as the nationalisation of Britain’s beleaguered steel industry, Mr Farage has carefully positioned his party as sympathetic to working-class concerns and fears. His heavily-trailed speech on Tuesday, in Westminster, was the most direct attempt yet to present himself as a new spokesperson for Labour’s traditional blue-collar voters.The most talented and cynical political opportunist of his generation, Mr Farage knows where the openings lie. Labour has tied itself in unedifying knots over its deeply unpopular cuts to the winter fuel allowance, and agonised over reversing the Tories’ ...

Events

4 h. ago How WILL you pay for that, Nigel? Farage admits Reform's costings might be 'optimistic' as he vows '£80bn' tax cut while axing two

Nigel Farage trolled that Keir Starmer is 'terrified' of the threat from the insurgents as he committed to scrap the two-child benefit cap and fully restore winter fuel payments.

Economics

4 h. ago DWP benefit cuts to PIP planned by Government could be 'tweaked' amid backlash

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is said to be considering 'tweaks' to welfare cuts estimated to be worth £5 billion planned by his Government amid a backlash from backbench MPs over PIP cuts

Politics

6 h. ago Government ‘not going to rule anything out’ amid benefit cap pressure

The Government has been under pressure to axe the system which restricts certain benefits to the first two children in most households.

Politics

6 h. ago Nigel Farage branded a 'poisonous man who doesn't understand Scotland' in row over Reform advert

Anas Sarwar said he had "fought against sectarianism all my adult life" after the Scottish Labour leader was subjected to a personal attack by the Reform UK chief.

Politics

6 h. ago Farage fails to guarantee pensions triple lock but vows to axe benefits cap

Nigel Farage says Reform UK will scrap the two-child benefit cap and reverse fuel cuts but refuses to commit to maintaining the pension triple lock.

Events

6 h. ago Nigel Farage defends party's 'racist' ad attacking Labour's Anas Sarwar and accuses him of introducing 'sectarianism'

Nigel Farage has accused Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar of having 'introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics'.

Events

7 h. ago Which Reform UK policies did Nigel Farage confirm in his speech?

The Reform leader’s wide-ranging speech attacking Sir Keir Starmer’s government came after the party secured widespread support in local elections.

Events

7 h. ago Reform UK’s income tax plans ‘to cost up to £80bn’ warns IFS – UK politics live

Research institute says costs of plan to exclude those earning less than £20k from the tax will dwarf those of party’s winter fuel and two-child benefit changesThe co-leader of the Green party of England and Wales, Adrian Ramsay, has renewed his call for Russia to face greater sanctions. Posting to social media, the MP for Waveney Valley said “Putin has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian civilians because he thinks he’ll face no consequences. Much tougher sanctions are urgently needed to bring him into serious peace talks to end this horrific war.”As well as appearing on the media round today, shadow chancellor Mel Stride has written for the Daily Mail, saying that the Conservatives continue to back the two-child benefit cap. Continue reading...

Economics

7 h. ago 'At least she's real': Nigel Farage praises Angela Rayner amid suggestions she is Reform's greatest threat

The Reform UK leader said Angela Rayner was ‘real’ compared to other politicians on the left

Events

7 h. ago Farage declares Reform is ‘party of the workers’ as he vows to trash Starmer’s legacy

Nigel Farage challenged Sir Keir Starmer to a debate in a working man’s club in former Labour ‘red wall’ heartlands

Politics

8 h. ago Four people still ‘very ill’ in hospital after Liverpool parade collision, says mayor

Metro mayor, Keir Starmer and Jürgen Klopp express support as questions raised about how car could enter area of celebrationLiverpool parade collision – live updatesFour people are still “very, very ill in hospital” after a car ploughed into fans celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League victory, the city’s metro mayor has said.A 53-year-old British man from the Liverpool area, believed to be the driver of the vehicle, was arrested after the “horrific” incident in Water Street in the heart of the city on Monday. Four children were among about 50 people who were injured when the vehicle careered into the packed crowd shortly after 6pm. Continue reading...

Science

8 h. ago Nigel Farage admits depicting Angela Rayner as cow in abbatoir ‘not very funny’

Nigel Farage has said Reform activists depicting female cabinet ministers as cows to be slaughtered is “probably not very funny”.

Politics

8 h. ago Farage: Sarwar has introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics

The Reform UK leader defended his party’s attack ad against the Scottish Labour leader.

Politics

9 h. ago Speed of release of race and ethnicity of Liverpool suspect ‘unprecedented’

Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu said he believes Merseyside Police released the details to dampen down speculation.

Politics

9 h. ago Watch: Keir Starmer says whole country ‘stands with Liverpool’ after parade car crash

The Prime Minister said the whole country “stands with Liverpool” after a car ploughed into crowds in the city on Monday evening.

Events

10 h. ago Stephen Graham says he is being stopped on the street to talk about Adolescence

The Netflix drama explores misogyny among teenage boys and has prompted a national conversation about online safety.

Politics

10 h. ago Keir Starmer reacts to 'utter horror and devastation' of Liverpool parade crash

Keir Starmer has responded after four children were among about 50 people injured when a car ploughed into a crowd at the Liverpool Premier League victory parade on Monday

Events

11 h. ago Labour turns fire on Farage ahead of Reform UK leader’s speech – UK politics live

Chair Ellie Reeves says Farage driven by personal ambition as he is expected to label Starmer ‘unpatriotic’ in speechEducation secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced new foundation apprenticeships, which she claimed “will make a really big difference to the lives of young people.”Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she told viewers:I’m announcing today a big step change that is really good news for young people across our country. 120,000 new opportunities to get on into trades like construction. So announcing foundation apprenticeships that are an earlier step in the career for young people.But we know we’ve got to go further, because I hear from apprentices how amazing that opportunity is, how optimistic they are about their future. I met with some bricklaying apprentices recently, really optimistic, wanting to start their own business, get on in construction.I back parents to make decisions about what’s right for them. For some parents that will involve sending their child to a privat...

Politics

11 h. ago Nigel Farage targets Labour voters with pitch to working class and tax cuts for married couples

The leader of Reform UK will accuse Sir Keir Starmer of lacking a connection with working-class Britain

Politics