3 h. ago ‘Billionaires’ bonanza’: Labour derides Reform plan to offer tax exemptions to wealthy

Nigel Farage defends policy to top up poorest workers from £250,000 ‘landing fee’ on rich UK newcomersUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesNigel Farage has defended his plans to attract wealthy individuals to the UK with a £250,000 fee for 10 years of residency and a special tax regime, as Labour called it a “billionaires’ bonanza”.In a press conference in London, the leader of Reform UK said he wanted to win back very wealthy people leaving the country, and encourage them to spend and create jobs in the UK. Continue reading...

Economics

5 h. ago ‘High energy costs have held back businesses’, says Miliband as government announces industrial strategy – UK politics live

Prime minister says 10-year industrial strategy marks ‘turning point for economy’ as energy secretary says government will cut electricity costs for businessesBy the way, if you actually wanted to read the Modern Industrial Strategy document published by the government today, you can find it here.The government has just pushed out a joint statement from business leaders welcoming it, which says:The Industrial Strategy launched today marks a significant step forward and a valuable opportunity for the business community to rally behind a new vision for the UK – boosting confidence, sentiment, and enthusiasm for investment.From start-ups and small businesses to large corporates, businesses need a more attractive, stable environment that enables faster, easier, and more certain investment decisions.For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.As part of our modern industrial strategy we’r...

Politics

6 h. ago British Business Bank invests in entrepreneurs in £6.6bn funding commitment

The UK Government’s development bank has revealed the investment plans as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s 10-year industrial strategy announcement.

Economics

6 h. ago David Lammy repeatedly declines to say whether British government believes US strikes on Iran were illegal – UK politics live

Keir Starmer backs strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and calls on Tehran to return to negotiations but warns of ‘risk of escalation’ in Middle EastArmed forces minister Luke Pollard also appeared on the media round today, and stuck to the government line of not commenting on US action against Iran.He told viewers of Sky News that “it’s not for me to comment on the particular US action, but we’re assessing the battle damage at the moment to understand the true extent of the strikes.”I’m sorry that (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) has since been breached, of course I am, but that’s why the international community is ultimately committed to this. And let’s be clear, if Iran is able to enrich beyond 60%, is able to get a weapon, what we will see is nuclear proliferation across the Middle East, the world will be seriously more dangerous than it is at the moment, that’s why it must be stopped.I went straight to Geneva to sit with the Iranians. I spent seven hours in Geneva to ta...

Politics

41 h. ago Tell us: what are your experiences of buying a home in Australia?

We want to hear about your search for a home in this competitive market. How long have you been looking and are investors outbidding you?Australia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia has one of the most unaffordable property markets in the world, arguably made worse by tax breaks for investors.The share of investors buying homes has consistently grown over the past 25 years at the expense of prospective owner-occupiers. That trend threatens to accelerate again as younger buyers get priced out of the market amid another surge in property prices. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago US supreme court divided as fossil fuel industry wins in car pollution case – live

The conservative-dominated supreme court voted seven to two to back a challenge by oil and gas companiesFuel firms can challenge California’s emission limits, supreme court rulesDonald Trump is once again repeating unfounded claims that the results of the 2020 presidential election were fraudulent, saying that the evidence is “massive and overwhelming” but not providing any of it. The president called for a special prosecutor to be appointed to the case.He wrote on Truth Social this morning: Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Assisted dying set to become law in England and Wales after bill passed by MPs

Terminally ill people with less than six months to live will have right to choose procedure after approval from doctors and panelUK politics live – latest updatesAssisted dying is set to become law after a historic vote in parliament, as MPs passed Kim Leadbeater’s bill by 314 to 291 votes, a majority of 23, to legalise the procedure for terminally ill people.Keir Starmer backed the bill, which will head to the House of Lords, though peers are not expected to block its progress. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago MPs voting on legalising assisted dying following emotive debate – UK politics live

The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill will either clear the House of Commons and move to the Lords, or fail completelyMPs have gathered in the House of Commons for the third reading of the assisted dying bill. If approved, it will then go to the House of Lords.There will also be four votes in the Commons on changes within the bill since it was last put to MPs in November.The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill has huge implications for hospices, our staff, volunteers and patients, as well as the health system and society more broadly. But there are still many unanswered questions around how a future assisted dying service would work.Given this lack of clarity we welcome the introduction of new clause 20, which would require the government to consult with palliative and end of life care providers if the bill progresses. It is vital that the access of palliative and end of life care for everyone is increased, and for that we need a better funding model for hospices. Contin...

Politics

3 d. ago Court lets Trump keep control of California national guard – US politics live

Trump’s decision to send troops into Los Angeles prompted a national debate about the use of the military on US soilThis is President Trump’s schedule for the day, according to the White House:11am – Trump will attend a national security meeting in the Oval Office Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago MPs debate assisted dying bill ahead of crunch vote – UK politics live

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will either clear the House of Commons and move to the Lords, or fail completelyMPs have gathered in the House of Commons for the third reading of the assisted dying bill. If approved, it will then go to the House of Lords.There will also be four votes in the Commons on changes within the bill since it was last put to MPs in November.The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill has huge implications for hospices, our staff, volunteers and patients, as well as the health system and society more broadly. But there are still many unanswered questions around how a future assisted dying service would work.Given this lack of clarity we welcome the introduction of new clause 20, which would require the government to consult with palliative and end of life care providers if the bill progresses. It is vital that the access of palliative and end of life care for everyone is increased, and for that we need a better funding model for hospices. Contin...

Politics

3 d. ago Five ways Australians’ spending, housing and dating habits have changed over the last 25 years

New lifestyle data shows how young people are living with their parents for longer and have fewer partners – while older generations are splurgingAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe way Australians live has changed in the last 25 years, as soaring house prices have forced some young people to live with parents longer, and others to move rentals more often.New research from the e61 Institute breaks down why some Australians are more reluctant to move house, while consulting firm KPMG has looked at how household spending has changed by generation. Each explored data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago What are the legal issues around Britain helping Trump bomb Iran?

Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to back the US and – as a lawyer – will be aware of the legal landscapeMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer considers whether Britain should support the US if Donald Trump decides to bomb Iran, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly warned him that UK involvement could be illegal. The prime minister was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war when he was a human rights lawyer in 2003 and will be well aware of the thorny legal issues around engagement in strikes against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Ministers urged to publish legal advice on UK involvement in Israel

Calls follow news that attorney general advised government to limit its involvement to defending alliesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesMinisters are facing calls to publish legal advice given to the government on Israel’s war against Iran after reports emerged that the attorney general had warned that any UK involvement beyond defensive support would be illegal.Richard Hermer, the government’s most senior legal officer, is said to have raised concerns internally about the legality of joining a bombing campaign against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Tories say they would support UK joining fight against Iran if Starmer deems it necessary – UK politics live

Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said.Campaigners from trade unions, voluntary organisations and the Church of Scotland have announced plans for an anti-poverty march to “demand better” from politicians in Scotland, reports the PA news agency.The campaign, Scotland Demands Better, will culminate in a march in Edinburgh on 25 October, walking from the Scottish parliament, up the Royal Mile and along George IV Bridge to The Meadows.Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. Scotland desperately needs that change.Too many of us are being cut off from life’s essentials. Too many are frightened of what the future will bring. Too many of us are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned.Air pollution remains the most important environmental threat to health, with impacts throughout the life course.It is an area of health where the UK has made substantial progress in the last three decades, with con...

Politics

4 d. ago Fed keeps rates unchanged after Trump knocks chairman Jerome Powell – live

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady and policymakers signal borrowing costs are still likely to fall this yearRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Majority of Trump supporters against US military involvement in Israel

Findings reinforce public appetite for peaceful resolution to aim of forcing Iran to give up ambitions of acquiring nuclear weaponsUS politics live – latest updatesA majority of supporters of Donald Trump are against US military involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran, a poll published Wednesday found, reflecting a growing Republican backlash to the president’s threats to utilize American firepower.A wide ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53% of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel’s strikes. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Most Trump supporters want to keep US military out of Israel

Findings show public appetite for peaceful approach to aim of forcing Iran to give up ambition of acquiring nuclear armsUS politics live – latest updatesA majority of supporters of Donald Trump are against US military involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran, a poll published on Wednesday found, reflecting a growing Republican backlash to the president’s threats to utilize American firepower.A wide-ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53% of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel’s strikes. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Tucker Carlson confronts Ted Cruz on Iran as Maga rift erupts into public view

Public spat reflects fracture among Trump’s coalition over whether US should join Israel’s escalating conflict with IranUS politics live – latest updatesTed Cruz, the US senator from Texas, and conservative media personality Tucker Carlson have clashed over US military involvement in the Middle East, with the latter shouting: “You don’t know anything about Iran!” in a heated interview that exposes a sharp division within Donald Trump’s coalition as the president considers joining Israel in attacking Iran.In the confrontation, a short excerpt released ahead of an approximately two-hour interview set to air today, Carlson – an acolyte of the Maga movement which generally argues for American isolationism from foreign wars – challenged Cruz’s knowledge of Iran, which the Republican hawk has advocated attacking. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Justice Sotomayor dissents US supreme court decision that ‘authorizes untold harm to transgender children’ – live

Justice Sonia Sotomayor says decision ‘does irrevocable damage to the Equal Protection Clause’ and ‘invites legislatures to engage in discrimination’US supreme court upholds ban on youth gender-affirming careRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago DWP says transitional payments scheme for those losing Pip ‘one of most generous ever’ – UK politics live

Department for Work and Pensions publishes text of bill cutting benefits and claims three-month transitional period is ‘one of most generous ever’Angela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, she did not appoint a deputy (or even a “de factor deputy”, a post that has existed in Tory politics in recent years) and she said she would decide who would stand in for her at PMQs on a case by case basis. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, got the gig the first time Starmer was away.Chris Philp follows Alex Burghart in rotating for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. One Westminster wag asks “When is it going to be Robert Jenrick’s turn?”We have this profound challenge of the number of people joining the armed forces being outweighed by the outflow the people leaving. So ultimately its about retention.And the number one issue reason cited in last month’s attitude survey fo...

Politics