34 h. ago Families of UK prisoners abroad urge ministers to keep promises to help

David Lammy said he hopes to appoint special envoy for British nationals detained overseasFamilies and lawyers of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have called for the government to deliver on promises to help secure their release and appoint a special envoy.Last week, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said he hoped to appoint a special envoy for British nationals arbitrarily detained overseas by the end of the year, after vowing to do so in November 2024 and as part of a Labour manifesto pledge. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago Families of UK prisoners detained abroad urge ministers to keep promises of help

David Lammy said he hopes to appoint special envoy for British nationals detained overseasFamilies and lawyers of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have called for the government to deliver on promises to help secure their release and appoint a special envoy.Last week, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said he hoped to appoint a special envoy for British nationals arbitrarily detained overseas by the end of the year, after vowing to do so in November 2024 and as part of a Labour manifesto pledge. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Labour minister hints at tax hikes for middle class – but rules out rises for people on ‘modest incomes’

Transport secretary says ministers have promised not to raise taxes for ‘people on modest incomes’

Politics

4 d. ago Australia rebuffs calls to commit to joining hypothetical US

Anthony Albanese says he doesn’t support unilateral action in Taiwan amid reports Washington seeking guarantees about how Canberra would respond in event of Indo-Pacific conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will refuse any US request to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan and won’t make any advance commitment, the defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, has said, amid reports Washington is seeking such promises in discussions over the Aukus submarines.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, also pushed back on such a request, alluding to America’s own position of so-called “strategic ambiguity” on whether the US would militarily respond in a conflict over Taiwan. He said Australia wanted to see “peace and security” in the region.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Australia won’t commit in advance to joining hypothetical US

Comments come amid reports Washington seeking guarantees about how Canberra would respond in event of Indo-Pacific conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will refuse any US request to join a “hypothetical” conflict with China over Taiwan and won’t make any advance commitment, the defence industry minister, Pat Conroy, has said, amid reports Washington is seeking such promises in discussions over the Aukus submarines.Conroy called on China to be more transparent about its military buildup, but said any commitment to war would be the sole power of the Australian government of the day. It came after multiple reports this week that the Pentagon was seeking guarantees from Australia and other allies about how they would respond in the event of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Minister vows to speed up redress payments for LGBT veterans

Al Carns, the veterans minister, promised to increase the number of staff processing applications by five, effectively doubling the size of the team.

Politics

9 d. ago Supermarkets ‘in limbo’ over Government action on deforestation in supply chains

Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl are among those calling on ministers to enact promised due diligence laws that effectively ban forest-risk commodities.

Politics

9 d. ago Trump promises to send Ukraine 10 Patriot missiles after weapons U

Ukrainian officials say they are grateful but number is ‘minuscule’, as defence ministry seeks details on policyDonald Trump has promised to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, after announcing on Monday that US weapons deliveries would resume days after they were halted by the Pentagon, according to an official familiar with the matter.Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday they were grateful for the US president’s U-turn but described the number of Patriots being supplied to Kyiv as “minuscule”. Ukraine’s defence ministry said it was seeking to clarify the details. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Infected blood scandal victims will get paid quicker, minister promises

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has told officials to "do what is necessary to remove barriers and speed up payments."

Politics

2 w. ago The Doctor in your pocket will see you now! But will ministers really be able to deliver the all

The NHS App will use AI and become the 'digital front door' of the health service under the proposals designed to ease pressure on hospitals and GPs.

Politics

2 w. ago Minister declines to rule out tax rises amid welfare climbdown warning

Pat McFadden said that ministers ‘will keep to the tax promises’ in their election manifesto.

Events

2 w. ago No 10 considers further concessions on welfare bill just hours before vote – UK politics live

Guardian deputy political editor Jessica Elgot says another concession to rebels MPs is possible Compass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of the process. That is too litt...

Politics

2 w. ago Labour rebel criticises ‘Dickensian’ welfare cuts as MPs debate bill ahead of vote – UK politics live

MPs are debating the universal credit and Pip bill as Lindsay Hoyle says he has selected amendment tabled by Rachael MaskellCompass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of th...

Politics

2 w. ago Video of Labour's broken promises to nuke veterans gets 3 million views as pressure grows

Labour is under pressure to act on the Nuked Blood scandal after a video of ministers' broken promises was seen by 3 million people

Events

2 w. ago Starmer’s promised ethics commission may repackage existing regulators

Government sources say ‘umbrella’ structure now more likely after plans for independent body found to be too complexKeir Starmer’s flagship new ethics and integrity commission may be a rebrand of existing watchdogs brought together under a new “umbrella” rather than creating an entirely fresh regulator, government sources have said.A year after Labour made its manifesto promise, ministers are mulling the idea of a new oversight structure above current regulators to avoid the need for starting from scratch. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Canada poised to pass infrastructure bill despite pushback from Indigenous people

Bill prioritizes ‘nation-building’ pipelines and mines, causing concern that sped-up approvals will override constitutional rightsCanada’s Liberal government is poised to pass controversial legislation on Friday that aims to kick-start “nation building” infrastructure projects but has received widespread pushback from Indigenous communities over fears it tramples on their constitutional rights.On its final day of sitting before breaking for summer, parliament is expected to vote on Bill C-5. The legislation promised by Mark Carney, the prime minister, during the federal election, is meant to strengthen Canada’s economy amid a trade war launched by Donald Trump. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago The Guardian view on Trump and Iran: Netanyahu’s war has no visible exit | Editorial

The US president promised to keep his country out of conflicts. The Israeli prime minister has other ideasThe maxim that wars are easy to start and hard to end does not appear to be troubling Benjamin Netanyahu. For the Israeli prime minister, conflict is an end as much as a means, extending his political survival. Under international pressure – however belated and insufficient – over the slaughter in Gaza, he launched the attack on Iran. Initially presented as essential to prevent Tehran from the imminent acquisition of a nuclear bomb, a claim running counter to US intelligence, it is increasingly discussed as the path to bringing down the regime. The defence minister, Israel Katz, has said that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “can no longer be allowed to exist”.Donald Trump has generally seen armed conflict as a trap rather than an escape route. He said that the US would “measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the war...

Politics