4 h. ago UK could face up to £30bn of tax rises to fund defence spending boost, economist says

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to boost defence spending to 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2027, as Nato allies push for ‘dramatic increase’

Economics

10 h. ago The Guardian view on Scottish politics: Labour wins the seat but not – yet – the argument | Editorial

A Tory collapse, the SNP’s slump and Reform’s rise signal a volatile shift – and the return to deal-making after the next Holyrood electionLabour’s victory in the Holyrood byelection offers the UK government a rare political comfort but not, perhaps, the strategic breakthrough it might like to imagine. A late flurry of welfare signalling, a dogged ground campaign and a carefully staged visit to a Govan shipyard by Sir Keir Starmer helped shore up Labour’s appeal to its traditional voters in Scotland’s industrial belt. Yet as Prof John Curtice has noted, Labour’s share of the vote actually declined compared with the last time voters cast ballots here in 2021 – a year in which the party was placed a distant third and was polling at the same dismal level of public support, 20%, it has today.The prime minister will gladly pocket Davy Russell’s win in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. But it is a foothold. There is still a steep climb to the summit. More te...

Politics

11 h. ago ‘Lots of bumps in the road’: Keir Starmer faces testing month before one

From spending review to China audit to assisted dying vote, June’s events have potential to lift or darken Labour moodAs Keir Starmer approaches his first anniversary in Downing Street, there will be several things he wishes he had done differently. But before he can contemplate that July milestone, he faces a busy month strewn with political bear traps.June has proven a difficult time for successive prime ministers: Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak all had to contend with deeply unhappy parliamentary parties reeling from heavy local and European election losses. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Ukrainians and Romanian accused of arson attacks on car and properties linked to Keir Starmer will stand trial next April

Aspiring model Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, and roofer Roman Lavrynovych, 21, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh as details of the incidents were laid out.

Events

14 h. ago Men appear in court over fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer

Provisional trial date set for next April for Roman Lavrynovych, 21, Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, and Petro Pochynok, 34Two men charged with arson over fires at homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer made their first appearance at a crown court on Friday.The Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and the Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appeared at the Old Bailey in London via video link from Belmarsh prison. Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, refused to leave his cell and did not appear in court. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Trial date set for three men accused of arson attacks on Keir Starmer

Three defendants are accused of arson attacks aimed at Keir Starmer-linked properties

Events

16 h. ago Trial date set for men charged over fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer

One of the accused refused to leave his cell for the hearing, High Court justice says

Events

17 h. ago Keir Starmer arson: Trial date set for three accused over north London fires

Three defendants are accused of arson attacks aimed at Keir Starmer-linked properties

Events

17 h. ago Trial date set for three men charged over fires at Keir Starmer properties

Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appeared together at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Events

19 h. ago Scots have ‘voted for change’, says Starmer following Labour’s surprise win

The Prime Minister congratulated his winning candidate and looked ahead to next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

Politics

22 h. ago Keir Starmer's muddled politics are reaching their limit. It's time for him to make a choice | Andy Beckett

Veer left or double down on the right? Either way, the prime minister needs to commit and sell it to an impatient electorateAfter less than a year in power, Labour has reached a familiar place. Keir Starmer’s troubled government is at a fork in the road, wondering which direction to follow. With the delivery of its spending review next week after several acrimonious delays, and a Commons vote on its divisive welfare cuts expected later this month, the government’s unity and morale are fragile. The public finances are severely strained, with ever more competing demands, such as for extra defence spending. Though much more energetic than its Tory predecessor, this government often seems opaque, unable to explain its purpose in a compelling way.Many voters and journalists – even more impatient than usual after years of manic politics – are already considering what might replace Starmer’s administration. At barely 20% in the polls, Labour is as unpopular as in its most disliked days und...

Politics

30 h. ago British Palestinians urge action from Government as relatives starve in Gaza

The group is asking the Government to impose comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions on Israel.

Politics

31 h. ago Keir Starmer grilled by schoolchildren on Messi v Ronaldo debate

Prime Minister Keir Starmer was grilled by schoolchildren during a visit on Thursday - with many keen to know his verdict on the Messi v Ronaldo debate.

Politics

34 h. ago Gerry Adams to donate 100,000 euros to Irish language and Palestinian charities

Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him.

Politics

34 h. ago UK faces calls for 5% GDP defence spend, ahead of PM’s meeting with Nato chief

Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, said on Thursday he is proposing Nato members spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.

Politics

35 h. ago Keir Starmer vows to attack child poverty crisis after free school meals boost

Keir Starmer said expanding free school meals to more than half a million more pupils next year was a 'down payment' on the Governments plans to drive down child poverty

Events

37 h. ago Should all children be given free school meals? Vote in our poll

Keir Starmer has announced plans to extend free school meals to all children in families receiving Universal Credit in England in a bid to tackle child hunger in the classroom - and we want to hear your thoughts

Politics

38 h. ago Starmer describes free school meal expansion as ‘down payment’ on child poverty

Ministers have announced plans to expand free school meals to all pupils in England in families on universal credit from September 2026.

Politics

38 h. ago Starmer steps up call for aid to flow into Gaza after US vetoes UN resolution

The Prime Minister said the situation in Gaza was ‘intolerable’ and No 10 stressed that Israel had obligations under international humanitarian law.

Politics

38 h. ago Keir Starmer to meet head of Nato amid speculation over spending commitments

Mark Rutte will visit Sheffield Forgemasters with Defence Secretary John Healey, and give a speech at Chatham House.

Politics