3 h. ago No question of paying any paramilitary group to disband, says Hilary Benn

Sir Keir Starmer also told the Commons he is ‘committed to making progress towards ending paramilitaries once and for all’.

Events

4 h. ago John Swinney makes Trident nuclear deterrent declaration after Sir Keir Starmer defence spending decision

It came as the First Minister backed an increase in defence spending announced by Sir Keir Starmer

Events

4 h. ago Nuclear weapons provide 'no tangible benefit' to Scotland's security, insists John Swinney

The First Minister backed Keir Starmer's decision to increase UK defence spending but said cash should be spent on "conventional" weapons instead of nukes.

Events

5 h. ago Watch live: Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs ahead of crunch US talks with Donald Trump

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs today (26 February) ahead of crunch US talks with Donald Trump.

Politics

9 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since the Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

17 h. ago SIR KEIR STARMER: Putin's aggression threatens us at home. Our national security must now become a whole society effort

It is only seven years since Putin's chemical attack in Salisbury. Russian ships menace our waters.Planes intrude in our airspace. Hackers attack the NHS. We cannot hide from this threat.

Events

18 h. ago STEPHEN GLOVER: I'm afraid nothing the Prime Minister said convinces me that Britain will be safe from Russian aggression over the next decade

STEPHEN GLOVER: When people consider Sir Keir Starmer's statement on defence in 20 years or so, what will they say?

Politics

18 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: From Kinshasa to Bogota, bosses of Mercedes dealerships and the better sort of brothel were inconsolable!

The penny has dropped. Actually, make that 600billion pennies. Sir Keir Starmer came to the Commons before lunch to say he was chopping overseas aid almost in half.

Economics

22 h. ago Household energy bills to soar by average of £111 from April 1 as Sir Keir Starmer told to 'apologise'

This is 9.4% or £159 higher than this time last year

Economics

23 h. ago Watch: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

23 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

23 h. ago Starmer slams accusation he is ‘Farage in disguise’ over defence spending increase

Sir Keir Starmer dismissed an accusation he is "Nigel Farage in disguise" over his plans to slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Politics

23 h. ago WW3 fears grow as Starmer denies Trump forced 'biggest change since Cold War'

To fund the increases in defence spending, Starmer said 'painful' decisions will have to be made as he explained development assistance aid will be cut from 0.5% to 0.3%

Politics

24 h. ago Watch live: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

24 h. ago PM’s defence plan will not lead to end of working from home – Whitehall chief

Sir Chris Wormald confirmed the current policy on office attendance will remain following Sir Keir Starmer’s warning of major challenges.

Events

24 h. ago Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 'accepts apology' from Greater Manchester MP

Jonathan Reynolds is MP for Stalybridge and and Hyde

Politics

24 h. ago Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to hold press conference from Downing Street today

The Prime Minister has spoken in the Commons today about raising the amount spent on defence

Politics

26 h. ago Starmer balancing the books on backs of poorest, former minister suggests

Andrew Mitchell told the Commons he supported Sir Keir Starmer’s strategic direction to bolster defence spending, but argued he has ‘choices’.

Politics

27 h. ago Charities ‘shocked’ and ‘stunned’ by decision to cut aid to fund defence spending

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a dramatic increase in defence spending from the current 2.3% to 2.5% by 2027.

Economics

28 h. ago Watch: Keir Starmer fast tracks defence spending boost by cutting foreign aid

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer announced a fast track on the government’s defence spending boost by cutting foreign aid.

Politics