74 m. ago Voices: Keir Starmer has achieved the first half of his impossible mission

The small boats deal with France was a negotiating triumph – but if it doesn’t work, the prime minister is doomed, says John Rentoul

Events

2 h. ago More migrants cross the channel a day after Macron and Starmer sign deal

According to the Home Office, some 353 people made the trip across the channel by small boat on Friday.

Politics

6 h. ago Starmer and Reeves promised honesty about public finances. Can they stay the course?

Labour is being pulled one way by a desire to cut debt and the other by slumping poll ratings. With growth nowhere to be seen, tax rises loomDuring the first televised debate in the run-up to last summer’s general election, Keir Starmer used a phrase that received enthusiastic – and unanticipated – applause from the Salford audience.“I don’t pretend there’s a magic wand that will fix everything overnight,” he told them. Labour strategists were surprised by the clapping, and encouraged him to deploy the line again in future. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago 'We know of the Channel deal, it won't stop us': Migrants in Calais say they're not worried about Keir Starmer's new swap scheme with France

Migrants waiting to cross the Channel yesterday laughed at the notion the Government's new deal with France would stop the boats.

Economics

20 h. ago Keir Starmer deal to return small boats migrants 'is historic breakthrough'

Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said the new migrant returns deal with France will help 'replace chaos with control' and she branded the agreement 'historic'

Economics

22 h. ago The Guardian view on Starmer and Macron’s channel crossings deal: safe routes hold the key to future progress | Editorial

The government has hailed its ‘one in, one out’ migrant returns deal as a breakthrough. But awkward questions over its implementation remainTo use a football analogy that he might appreciate, the first year of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership has been a game of two halves. Domestically, grievous strategic mistakes have been made. On the foreign stage, however, an approach that Sir Keir likes to style as “quiet, serious diplomacy” has yielded some tangible results.For the most part, this week’s state visit by Emmanuel Macron further showcased the benefits of leaving behind the blowhard politics of the post-Brexit years. Sir Keir and the French president used the occasion to pledge greater cooperation on security and strengthened their joint commitment to safeguarding Ukraine’s future as a sovereign independent state. But the biggest take-away from Mr Macron’s trip launched the prime minister straight back into toxic domestic terrain.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this a...

Politics

23 h. ago Martin Rowson on Keir Starmer’s migration deal with France – cartoon

Continue reading...

Economics

23 h. ago More than 500 small boat migrants arrived in Britain on day of Keir Starmer's 'one in, one out' deal

The figures are a fresh blow to the Labour leader and the number of crossings over the year so far to 21,690, which is more than a 50 per cent higher than 2024.

Economics

24 h. ago Rupert Lowe cleared of breaching MPs’ rules over grooming gang inquiry donations

Parliament’s standards commissioner found Mr Lowe had not breached the rules governing donations to MPs over a crowdfunder for his grooming inquiry.

Events

24 h. ago MP challenges Keir Starmer over Hillsborough Law as anger grows over delay

Ian Byrne, a survivor of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster which claimed 97 lives, has called on Keir Starmer to back a new law placing a duty of candour on public officials to prevent state cover-ups

Politics

25 h. ago Parliament’s standards watchdog begins investigation into Rupert Lowe

The BBC said it was launched because Mr Lowe is yet to declare money from his private grooming gang inquiry on his register of interests.

Politics

26 h. ago Do you support the new migrant system? Take our poll and have your say

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have unveiled a bold new plan to send small boat migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers. The move is already dividing opinion — is this the kind of tough action you support or a step too far?

Events

30 h. ago Rightwing campaigners claim there is covert deal to return Parthenon marbles

Liz Truss reportedly among those who signed letter organised by hard-right group calling for end to talksThe former prime minister Liz Truss, the historian David Starkey and the former Wales secretary John Redwood are reportedly among 34 signatories to a letter alleging the British Museum is part of a “covert” campaign to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.The letter, seen by Sky News, has been reportedly sent to Keir Starmer, the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, and trustees of British Museum. Continue reading...

Economics

31 h. ago France migrant return scheme numbers ‘not fixed’, says Home Secretary

Yvette Cooper insisted the plan would ‘fundamentally undermine’ the people smugglers organising the crossings.

Society

31 h. ago BBC's Charlie Stayt humiliates top Tory for trying to 'ridicule' Labour in brutal TV moment

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp was humiliated in a TV interview after he called Keir Starmer's new 'one in, one out' returns deal with France a 'gimmick'

Politics

31 h. ago Doctors are told to send people to the gym and job coaches instead of writing sick notes

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK could no longer afford to ‘keep writing people off’

Society

31 h. ago 'Blitz' promised to crack down on illegal migrants in new deal with France

A ‘one in, one out’ scheme agreed by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer is set to begin within weeks

Events

32 h. ago Macron is right it's too easy to work illegally in UK, says Yvette Cooper after new 'small boats' deal agreed

‘Groundbreaking’ pilot scheme will see migrants ‘detained and returned to France in short order’ and begin within weeks, says Starmer

Economics

37 h. ago Sir Keir's 'smashing the gangs' latest: Starmer launches half

The Prime Minister and French president Emmanuel Macron announced a 'one in, one out' migrant swap deal which was far less ambitious than expected.

Events

37 h. ago Doctors told to refer people to job coaches or the gym, not write sick notes

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK could no longer afford to ‘keep writing people off’.

Society